Chapter 173

Sunlight streamed through the glass dome of the jade auction, casting golden pools across the exhibition floor. Lucy White bent over a grayish-brown rough stone, her fingers tracing its surface with practiced ease.

"Lucy, you look like a professional jade appraiser!" Olivia Davis exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she leaned in closer.

Lucy's lips curved slightly. "I picked up a few things from my mentor."

"Teach us how to spot the good ones!" Vanessa Knight grabbed her arm, pouting playfully.

Lucy tapped the stone before them. "Auction roughs come in three types. Full roughs like this are the most thrilling—you can't tell if there's jade inside at all."

"Half-roughs have a 'window' cut to reveal some jade quality, but what lies beneath remains a mystery."

"Then there are open specimens—safest but most expensive. It's all about the gamble."

As she spoke, Lucy jotted down the stone's catalog number with fluid precision.

The live comments exploded:

[Damn, Lucy actually knows this stuff!]

[Her knowledge range is insane!]

[Someone's about to get humiliated again lol]

Vanessa gazed at her pleadingly. "Pick some for me? I'm completely lost!"

"Me too!" Olivia raised her hand eagerly.

Lucy chuckled. "Choose your own first. I'll vet them for you."

"You're the best!" Vanessa lunged to hug her. "If you were a man, I'd marry you right now!"

Olivia shoved her aside. "I called dibs first!"

The livestream audience went wild:

[The battle for Lucy's affection is real]

[That irresistible Lucy charm]

[Back off, she's mine!]

Their laughter was interrupted by a looming shadow.

"This specimen is inferior." A man's greasy voice oozed over them. "Grainy texture with inclusions—won't yield decent jade."

Lucy turned to meet a pair of unsettling eyes.

"I disagree." Her tone turned frosty as she finished noting the number.

Felix Von's throat worked as he stared at her delicate profile. At his signal, a subordinate "accidentally" knocked over a camera rig.

"Miss White." He extended a gilded business card. "Care for tea?"

Lucy ignored it. "Do we know each other?"

"Who in the industry doesn't know the famous Lucy White?" He smoothed his hair with faux nonchalance. "My jade expertise could—"

"Pass." She turned to leave.

Felix dropped his voice to a threatening whisper. "You realize who I am? Cross me, and your career is over."

Lucy's eyes narrowed. "And?"

"I want you." He stepped closer. "Be mine, and I'll give you any resource you desire."

Lucy: "..."

This idiot must be missing half his brain cells.