Chapter 340

Elsie chuckled. “It’s not as exaggerated as it sounds, Ms. Aicker. True experts in stone gambling play smart—they’re looking for a jackpot. Uncovering one rare gemstone worth millions sets them for life. Why wouldn't they take the risk?”

She leaned in. “The most famous modern case is the ‘King of Emerald’ discovery from an overseas quarry. That man, incredibly lucky, unearthed a gemstone worth over a billion dollars from an unremarkable stone. The news was a worldwide sensation, even attracting royal attention.”

Francesca’s eyes sparkled. “A billion-dollar gemstone? Incredible! Andrew, we should try our luck with a few stones later, don’t you think?”

Andrew smirked. “Didn’t you just say the risks were too high?”

Blushing, Francesca laughed awkwardly. “Well, we could use smaller stones. For fun, you know, to get a feel for it.”

Andrew shrugged and smiled. “Sure, if it seems interesting, why not?”

Elsie quickly cautioned, “Mr. Lloyd, Ms. Aicker, if you play, avoid overspending. If you see stones priced in the hundreds of thousands or millions, walk away.”

Andrew grinned mischievously. “What if we strike gold—or better? Wouldn’t that be worth it?”

Elsie smiled politely but remained silent. While she acknowledged Andrew’s appraisal skills, stone gambling demanded a different level of expertise. Luck alone wouldn't suffice, and she doubted his success. She hoped they'd play conservatively.

The antique vendors cleared the central plaza. Trucks began unloading large, uncut stones of various shapes and sizes. Each stone was marked with its origin, lending the event professionalism.

Elsie gestured to the stones. “These are from reputable quarries worldwide, arranged by Mr. Vaughn. Those from Auqania’s mines are considered the most promising. That’s where most players will focus their bets.”

Crowds surged in, eager to watch. The plaza buzzed with anticipation as players examined stones and placed bets. Cheers erupted at valuable finds; groans and curses followed poor results. The excitement was palpable.

Aspen and Christina strode into the plaza, exuding confidence and drawing immediate attention. Aspen approached a large stone and pointed decisively.

“I’ll take this one,” she said to the nearby cutting expert.

He hesitated, then smiled cautiously. “Miss, this is a premium-grade stone. Cutting it will cost two hundred thousand dollars.”

Without hesitation, Aspen replied, “Put it on my card.”

Her confidence turned heads, and murmurs spread. After payment, the cutter prepared to begin.

Aspen stopped him sharply. “Wait. Cut it exactly as I instruct. Follow my lines precisely. Any mistake, and I expect a full refund, plus a replacement stone of equal quality.”

Her assertiveness impressed the experienced attendees. This was clearly not her first time; Aspen knew what she was doing. The Bridgefields Stevens family’s “princess” wasn’t just a bold spender—she was a stone-gambling pro.