?Chapter 1089:


    After a brief pause, she extended her hand and selected stone number 1123. It was roughly the size of a grown man’s palm, its exterior jagged and marked with chaotic striations.


    The moment she made her choice, the murmur of excitement in the room faded.


    “That one’s a definite loss.”


    “Anyone with even the slightest experience wouldn’t have chosen that.”


    “Challenging Jax? Does she even know what she’s doing?”


    “Good thing I put my money on Jax, or I’d be walking out of here empty-handed.”


    “She might’ve had a lucky break with that Rosy Dawn Crystal earlier, but this pick? It’s just embarrassing.”


    “Who knows? Maybe fortune favors her again.”


    The room buzzed with murmurs, some mocking outright.


    Corrine, however, remained unfazed. She paid no attention to the whispers, her expression unreadable as she turned to Jax. “You may begin.”


    A wave of something obscure crossed Jax’s eyes as he examined her chosen stone, his gaze lingering for a moment longer than necessary. It was a textbook example of rough stone containing high-rity jade, its striations distinct and well-defined. But in this trade, what seemed promising at first nce also carried a higher risk of loss.


    He offered noment, merely signaling to his assistant with a subtle nce. The man immediately understood.


    With precision, the first cut was made. The crowd collectively held their breath.


    “Incredible! Jax never fails!”


    “This is an easy victory for him.”


    Amidst the murmurs of awe, the second cut was executed. As the wless green emerged, uninterrupted by any impurities, Jax’s expression remained impassive, as if this result had been entirely expected.


    He idly rotated the walnuts in his hand before turning to Corrine with a slight, knowing smile. “Your turn, youngdy.”


    “I appreciate your patience,” Corrine replied smoothly, passing her stone to the cutter. “Cut here.”


    The cutter’s brows furrowed deeply as he examined the spot she had indicated. “Are you certain? One wrong move, and the entire piece could shatter.”


    Rough stones were typically encased in an outer crust, their contents a mystery. Standard practice was to shave off a thinyer from an edge first, minimizing risk and allowing for a careful assessment of its quality. But Corrine had pointed directly at the central fracture line—the stone’s most fragile point. Even the slightest imperfection could cause the entire structure to lose most of its worth.


    Corrine’s tone remained steady. “Go ahead and cut.”


    Herplete disregard for the cutter’s caution earned her more than a few scornful nces from the crowd. Most had already written her off, convinced they were about to witness an inevitable disaster.


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