Chapter 20 Truly Exceptional Jadeite! (Part 1)
Faced with mockery, James remained unruffled. Enduring five years of marriage to the Johnson family had honed his calm demeanor and elevated his grace beyond ordinary levels.
Besides, he didn't hold these people in high regard; to him, they were just a bunch of clowns.
Unlike James, Dennis and the others couldn't maintain their composure. Their faces turned red, especially Dennis, who was on the verge of a heart attack from anger.
Dennis complained, "I'm just about to burst, just about to burst! This total loser, ever since he married in, hasn't done a single thing right, just keeps embarrassing me! What the hell did I do in my past life to get stuck with a son-in-law like you!"
Hearing his complaints, everyone found it even more amusing, looking at James with contempt and schadenfreude.
Jennifer frowned. She couldn't bear it anymore. After all, James was her husband. Dennis's public scolding of James made her uncomfortable.
"Dad, you know how James is. Why scold him so harshly?" Jennifer said, displeased.
Dennis snorted heavily, glaring fiercely at James, planning to settle the score later.
"You never know. What if James really did find top-quality jadeite? What if he is truly an expert in the stone gambling world?" Juan said as he stepped forward, smiling insincerely.
He doesn't like James, so how could he let this opportunity to mock him slip by?
Of course, he wouldn't believe that James had really found a top-quality jadeite. It's simple logic, not to mention that James is a good-for-nothing who only knows how to live off others, sponging off his wife.
Even if, by some stroke of luck, James did find a top-quality jadeite, he would have bought it secretly. Why would he announce it so openly? This is clearly just a show to attract attention.
In fact, most people share Juan's view and think that James is just making a fuss to draw attention to himself.
James didn't initially want to stir up all this fuss, but that guy Juan was acting way too cocky, and his eyes were constantly wandering over to Jennifer. This ticked James off big time, and he decided to make Juan go back on his word.
Instead of responding, he walked over to a pile of raw stones, glanced over them, and focused on one that seemed particularly shiny.
He then said to Mr. Rogers, "Boss, I'd like to purchase these rough stones, but I don't have any money on me at the moment. Would it be possible for me to pay you after I've extracted the top-grade jadeite?"
Mr. Rogers frowned. He typically operated on a pay-first basis unless it was a familiar customer like Dennis.
He looked to Dennis for advice, but seeing Dennis shake his head, Mr. Rogers hesitated, and said, "Young man, we usually operate on a cash-on-delivery basis. I'm sorry. Why don't you go home and get the money?"
James, with a face full of frustration, kept his gaze fixed on those raw stones, clenched his teeth, and spoke, "Boss, could you cut me some slack? I assure you I can reveal a top-grade jadeite! Once I do, I'll pay you back at double the price of these raw stones! How about it?"
Mr. Rogers was swayed not by generosity but by James's determined expression, which made him doubt if those stones could indeed yield top-grade jadeite.
The others stopped mocking and took note of the stones James had his eyes on. Could this good-for-nothing actually have stone gambling skills?
As this idea spread, some impatient individuals started taking action. "Mr. Rogers, I'll take those two stones!" one announced.
James immediately grew anxious, and he said, "Hey, I saw those first!"
Seeing James's reaction, the person became more determined and paid for the stones on the spot.
He said with a smug look, "What a joke. On what basis are you claiming that you saw it first? I could also say that I saw it first; I just didn't act on it immediately."
Others joined in mocking James, making him the target of their frustrations.
The other rough stones were also successively purchased by others, with Phillip buying the most and snapping up three pieces in one go.
Phillip excitedly hugged the three rough stones as if they were treasures!
He was convinced that among these rough stones, there must be top-quality jadeite, and he was going to make a fortune!
However, when it came time to cut the rough stones, everyone was stunned.
There was no jadeite in these stones at all!
They were all worthless rocks!
"Shit, there's absolutely nothing, I've blown thousands!" One individual griped out loud.
"This dude is truly a piece of trash, pretending to gamble on stones, but all he's chosen is junk!" Another person also spat out in fury.
Soon, those who had swiped James's rough stones started swearing up a storm.
Especially Phillip, who had bought three pieces but found nothing inside them, suffering a huge loss!
He glared fiercely at James, though, and thought, 'It was all James's fault for misleading him!'
James, on the other hand, was secretly sneering. These people claimed not to believe him, yet their actions were honest, specifically choosing the rough stones he had looked at. Each one of them was a hypocrite!
But, they would never be able to uncover any top-grade jadeite, not even a speck of green.
It was just James playing a trick on them. The raw stone with the premium jadeite was still lying unnoticed in that corner.
Philip complained, "Damn it! Fake! Worthless jade, not even a hint of green."
These were raw stones that started at ten grand, but all it turned out to be was rock, enough to drive Phillip up the wall.
Those who missed out were all amused, reveling in the misfortune from the sidelines.
James flashed a disdainful smile, which Jennifer happened to catch. She couldn't help but wonder, 'Was James intentionally playing with them?'
The thought grew stronger, and upon reflection, James seemed to have changed mysteriously in the past few days.
James had healed a young boy at the hospital before; he had gone through a massive personality shift, even daring to raise his hand against her, and now, he was able to play a group of jade gambling enthusiasts like a fiddle.
These people have suffered a big loss, yet James is still saying, with lingering fear, "I misjudged it. Luckily, I didn't buy it; otherwise, it would have been a big loss."
Hearing James' additional jab, these people became even more infuriated.
In this way, no one believed in James anymore, and their contempt and mockery of him reached extreme heights.
The timing was almost right; the remaining raw stones were getting fewer and fewer, and that top-grade jadeite raw stone was gradually exposed. James decided to really make a move.
However, at this moment, Phillip suddenly pointed at that top-grade jadeite raw stone and said, "Mr. Barnes, what do you think of that raw stone? Can it be opened to reveal something good?"
James's pupils contracted for a moment, and he became nervous.
Dale just glanced at it and moved away, shaking his head, saying, "That's a fluke stone."
"Is that so?" Phillip frowned and said, "Mr. Barnes, why do I feel that good things can be opened from that raw stone?"
Dale immediately became displeased, and responded, "Phillip, are you questioning my ability?"
"Not at all, not at all!" Phillip said, immediately tightening his scalp, and hurriedly waved his hand to deny it.
Dale was pleased with Phillip's attitude towards him. His face relaxed slightly as he said, "But Phillip, if you like, you can buy it and have a look. Who knows, maybe there's a top-quality jade hidden inside, haha."
He made a bland joke, and Phillip laughed awkwardly.
"Phillip, I also think that this raw stone might open to reveal top-grade jadeite. Won't you buy it?" James heard their conversation and walked over to say.
Juan immediately scoffed, "Funny, you think it will open to reveal top-grade jadeite? If you have the guts, buy it yourself."
James ignored him and continued to smile at Phillip, saying, "Phillip, are you really not considering this raw stone?"
Phillip waved his hand impatiently, saying, "If you want to buy it, just buy it. Why are you blabbering so much?"
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