Chapter 74

"Oh, you're married now," Debra said. "Whatever you do won't affect the Mitchell family's reputation anymore. But every word and action you make now represents the Edwards family."

"If you present a gift that's too cheap, won't it embarrass Theodore?" Janet sneered.

The store owner, Buck, watched Patrick and Debra standing outside. His head buzzed. The woman must be blinded by her own ignorance, he thought, daring to look down on the person Patrick brought. This lady was brought by Debra and Patrick. The raw stone she buys will be worse than this woman's? What a joke!

Buck wanted to greet Patrick, but Patrick's gaze stopped him. Then, as if understanding, Patrick carefully observed the two women arguing inside.

Debra smiled. "So you will buy the most expensive raw stone?"

Janet glanced at Debra, assuming Debra and Patrick were Carter's Jewel employees, loyal servants of the Carter family. They followed Rebecca daily, but only at Charlie's command. Charlie, a Carter family member, had his servants dote on Rebecca. Janet found it ridiculous.

Rebecca is really shameless, she thought, clinging to Theodore and refusing a divorce while getting involved with Charlie. Disgusting!

"If outsiders knew Rebecca was raised in my family, it might shame us!"

"I really regret not throwing Rebecca farther away when I was younger. If I had taken Rebecca deep into the mountains, left her far away, let the wild animals eat her, then it would have been over!"

Janet turned to the raw stones, unwilling to waste more words on Rebecca.

Debra exchanged a glance with Buck. He instantly understood and thoughtfully watched Janet select stones.

Debra said mockingly, "We were just browsing. But since Ms. Mitchell brought this up, we'll have to stay and see how well you buy. Then we can compare whose raw stone is better, Becky's or Ms. Mitchell's? Right?" Debra said this with a doting smile.

Rebecca found it amusing. More than half of Alagua City's mining veins belonged to the Carter family; the best raw stones sold were within their reach. They had the cream of the crop.

Janet thought she could buy better, more expensive stones—a daydream. All these shops belonged to the Carter family, and any profit was theirs. Debra was deliberately goading Janet; if Janet cared about appearances, she might empty her wallet.

Buying raw stones was like betting, requiring luck and experience. Janet wasn't an expert; she'd easily misjudge and lose money to the Carter family.

"Alright, let's wait and see!" Janet was furious.

A moment later, she turned to Rebecca, a cold smile on her face. "Just watch. Raw stones aren't something anyone can afford casually. Cheap ones are tens of thousands; expensive ones run into millions. I want to see if you can even afford the more expensive ones!"

Janet pointed to a stone. "How much does this cost?"

Patrick subtly signaled Buck. Buck looked at Janet, smiling sweetly. "Miss, this one costs one hundred thousand dollars."

"I'll take it, open it for me!" Janet sneered coldly.

Buck's eyes lit up. "Sure thing."

Janet paid with her bank card, glancing disdainfully at Rebecca and Debra.

"Sir, do you have a raw stone worth one hundred and two thousand dollars? Bring me one!" Debra asked Buck.

Janet stared speechlessly.

Buck quickly replied, smiling. "Yes, ma'am. Would you like it? I'll get it from behind the counter."

He pointed to a boulder-sized stone. "This one. What do you think?"

"I'll take it!" Debra said, paying with her card.

After paying, she turned to Janet, smiling. "Shall we open it and check?"

Janet snorted coldly. "Sure. Spending more doesn't guarantee better quality!"

Debra smiled. "You're right, so let's cut it open and see."

"Absolutely," Janet said confidently.

"Excuse me, please help me cut it open," Janet commanded Buck.

Buck carefully helped Janet open the stone. It was large, but after much cutting, no gemstone was visible. Janet's expression grew solemn. Only an egg-sized, low-grade green emerald was revealed.

"There's something wrong with your stones! How can a stone worth ten thousand dollars contain such a tiny amount of emerald in such poor quality?" Janet scolded Buck. Patrick laughed sarcastically. "If you don't understand gems, then keep quiet. If you question the quality, why not compare it to ours?"

Janet scoffed. "Do you think your luck will be better than mine? Don't be too conceited."

Curious onlookers gathered.

"Let the store owner cut it open, and we'll see who's being conceited," Patrick said, asking Buck to open their stone.

In minutes, their stone revealed gemstones. The onlookers were nervous.

"It shows!" someone exclaimed.

Buck held his breath, adjusting his angle. The more he cut, the more green appeared. This raw stone was basin-sized; if all emerald, the buyer would have made a huge profit.