Chapter 340
Elsie chuckled and said, “It’s not as exaggerated as it sounds, Ms. Aicker. True experts at stone. gambling know how to play smart–they’re looking for a jackpot. All it takes is uncovering one rare gemstone worth millions, and they’re set for life. Why wouldn’t they take the risk?”
She leaned in slightly, adding, “The most famous case in modern history is the ‘King of Emerald‘ discovery from an overseas quarry. That guy, as if blessed by luck itself, unearthed a gemstone worth over a billion dollars from an unassuming stone. The news caused a worldwide sensation, even catching the attention of royalty from across the world.”
Francesca’s eyes sparkled with excitement, completely captivated by the story. “A billion- dollar gemstone? That’s incredible! Andrew, we should definitely try our luck with a few stones later, don’t you think?”
Andrew smirked and teased, “Didn’t you just say that the risks were too high, and we shouldn’t play?”
Blushing, Francesca laughed awkwardly. “Well, we could just play with smaller stones. You know, for fun and to get a feel for it.”
Andrew shrugged and smiled. “Sure, if it seems interesting, why not?”
Elsie quickly chimed in with a word of caution. “Mr. Lloyd, Ms. Aicker, if you do play, make sure to avoid spending too much. If you come across stones priced in the hundreds of thousands or millions, just walk away.”
Andrew grinned mischievously. “What if we happen to strike gold–or rather, something even better? Wouldn’t that be worth it?”
Elsie smiled politely but did not reply. While she acknowledged Andrew’s earlier success in appraising antiques, she knew stone gambling required a completely different level of skill and expertise.
It was not something that luck alone could carry you through, and she doubted Andrew would fare well in this arena. She hoped they had played conservatively and avoided unnecessary losses.
At that moment, the antique vendors began clearing the central plaza where the event was taking place. In their place, trucks begar unloading large, uncut stones of various shapes and sizes. Each stone was marked with its place of origin, giving the event an air of professionalism.
Elsie gestured to the stones and explained, “These have been sourced from reputable quarries around the world, all arranged by Mr. Vaughn, Among them, the stones from Auqania’s mines. are considered the most promising. That’s where most players will likely focus their bets.”
Crowds surged in from the surrounding streets, eager to watch the spectacle. The plaza buzzed with anticipation as players rushed to examine the stones and place their bets.
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Chapter 340
Cheers
erupted whenever someone uncovered something valuable, while groans and curses followed poor results. The excitement was palpable.
Aspen strode into the plaza with Christina at her side, both women exuding confidence and instantly drawing attention. Aspen walked up to one of the larger stones and pointed decisively.
“I’ll take this one,” she said to the cutting expert standing nearby.
The man hesitated before replying with a cautious smile. “Miss, this is a premium–grade stone. Cutting this one will cost you 200 thousand dollars.”
Without batting an eye, Aspen replied, “Put it on my card.”
Her effortless confidence turned heads, and murmurs spread through the crowd. Once the payment was made, the cutter prepared to make the first incision.
Aspen ordered sharply, stopping him in his tracks. “Wait. You’ll cut it exactly the way I tell you to. Follow my lines and directions to the letter. If you make even the slightest mistake, expect a full refund, plus compensation in the form of another stone of equal quality.”
Her assertiveness sent ripples through the crowd, especially among the more experienced attendees. They could tell this was not her first time–Aspen clearly knew what she was doing.
This “princess” of Bridgefields” Stevens family was not just a bold spender–she was a pro at stone gambling!
