Chapter 175

Aria Bennett had mastered a unique jade appraisal technique that allowed her to sense energy fluctuations within raw stones, not just assess their outer layers.

If a jadeite rough emitted energy, it concealed precious jade; if not, it was worthless. The richer the energy, the higher the quality.

Yet she didn’t get greedy—she only selected one-fifth of the high-energy stones. After all, with so many bidders at the auction, others deserved a chance too.

To avoid drawing attention, she deliberately mixed in a few worthless pieces. A 100% success rate would’ve been far too conspicuous.

When Celine Valmont began picking stones, Aria had an idea. Leaning close to Damian Cross, she whispered, "Damian, I want to buy more, but livestreaming the cuts would be too obvious. Can we register them under your friend’s name?"

His lips curved. "Easy."

After a quiet exchange with Elias Vaughn, the latter agreed without hesitation. Aria promptly handed Elias’s assistant the numbers of her chosen stones and her bank card.

Damian also made selections, but deliberately avoided overlapping with Aria’s. His motive wasn’t personal—he simply wanted to help his friend while inconveniencing the Valmont family.

By the time they finished, Elias’s assistant had already completed the transactions.

Soon, they reached the central auction floor, where the roughs were of superior quality—and priced accordingly.

Aria’s gaze locked onto an unremarkable stone. This time, she decided to act personally. Nolan Reed volunteered to handle the payment, taking the number tag to the counter.

Just then, Celine’s group arrived.

Aria noticed Celine running her fingers over each stone, her fingertips emitting a faint miasma whenever she touched jade-bearing roughs.

A closer look made Aria’s pupils constrict—this woman was harboring a dark familiar!

No wonder Celine could accurately detect jade. She was relying on forbidden arts—the familiar sensed the energy and fed the information back to her.

Celine noted down her chosen numbers, barely containing her excitement. The stones here were clearly superior.

When her fingers brushed the ugliest rock, her eyes flashed with triumph. "Buy this one—now!"

An elderly advisor frowned. "Miss, its appearance is poor—"

Celine smoothed her hair. "I like it. Trust me."

Lucien Valmont, having witnessed his daughter’s accuracy before, smiled. "If Celine wants it, get it."

Serena Blake, inexplicably drawn to the same ugly stone, felt an instinctive urge to claim it—though she knew nothing about jade.

But both were too late.

Nolan had already completed the purchase. Staff were attaching sold tags to the roughs.

Celine was still gloating when her assistant rushed over, panicked. "Mr. Valmont, Miss Valmont—all the stones you picked were already bought!"

"What?" Celine’s face darkened. "By whom?"

"Most by Prism Jewelers’s Mr. Vaughn. That ugly one was taken by Aria Bennett."

Celine’s eyes turned icy. She strode toward Aria and lifted her chin. "Miss Bennett, correct?"

Aria arched a brow. "Yes?"

"You bought that rough?" Celine pointed at the ugly stone.

"I did."

Celine’s tone dripped condescension. "I want it. Sell it to me."

Aria nearly laughed. "Why would I?"

Celine pulled a checkbook from her Chanel bag. "Double the price. Enough?" Her voice reeked of entitlement.