Chapter 349

“Stupid woman,” Andrew smirked. “I asked you to wait, not admit defeat. Why are you already counting your money? Running low on funds?”

Aspen’s face flushed with anger. “Fine,” she spat, knowing her funds were dwindling. “Let’s see what trick you’re trying to pull.” Even if she won, Andrew’s worthless stone felt like taking home garbage.

“Mr. Lloyd, what else can I do for you?” the cutter asked.

The crowd watched curiously, wondering what Andrew would do next.

“This stone can be cut further, don’t you think?” Andrew smiled, pointing at the multicolored piece.

The cutter was taken aback. “Mr. Lloyd, we’ve reached the core layer. Further cutting would be pointless.”

Elsie and the others frowned. The massive stone had already yielded worthless material; further cutting would only destroy its integrity and decrease its value even more. Elsie could only mutter, “Mr. Lloyd, in my opinion, further cutting will only make it worthless.”

Andrew smiled. “On the contrary, I think continuing might lead us to an unexpected treasure.”

Elsie was stunned by Andrew’s unconventional thinking. Meanwhile, Aspen barely contained her laughter.

“Andrew,” she taunted, “the outcome is decided. Why struggle pointlessly? Looking for hidden treasure? Aren’t you afraid you’ll turn your waste into complete garbage?”

Turning to the cutter, Andrew said, “Sir, just cut boldly. If it’s ruined, it’s on me.”

“Well,” Aspen declared, “it’s time to show everyone what’s inside my stone. Since he wants to fight to the bitter end, I’ll make him regret it.”

The cutter opened her stone, revealing a brilliant gem with a soft violet hue.

A gasp rippled through the crowd. “Oh my God, is that the legendary Royal Violet Crystal? That’s incredibly rare!”

Exclamations followed. “It is the Royal Violet Crystal! It’s even more prestigious than an imperial-grade emerald. Aspen really hit the jackpot!”

Amid the amazed exclamations, Aspen’s confident smile returned. She hadn’t expected a Royal Violet Crystal, thinking it would be a regular emerald at best, but fortune had favored her.

“Aspen,” Christina said, her voice trembling with excitement, “you truly have a gift with gems! Each time you find something even more valuable than the last. The only other Royal Violet Crystal is worth 600 million!”

“Indeed,” Aspen stated, relaxing. “While mine isn’t as valuable as the one Christina mentioned, this small piece more than covers my losses.”

She turned to Andrew, waiting for Elsie to declare her the winner. Elsie could only smile wryly—the contrast between Aspen’s Royal Violet Crystal and Andrew’s worthless stone was stark.