Chapter 139 Reputation


    Picking up the conversation with a chuckle, Daniel said, “Maybe Nichs isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, but he’s certainly not stupid. It’s you, the so–called top Florida appraiser, who seems to be blind. A five million dor Blood Jade right in front of you, and you can’t recognize it? Maybe you should quit being an appraiser, Henry. Ever thought about construction work? After all, that doesn’t require good eyesight!”


    Daniel’s words felt like a p in the face to Henry, who was instantly boiling with rage.


    “What do you mean by that, you little hillbilly? Are you saying I’m blind?”


    “If a Blood Jade is right before you and you can’t recognize it, what other exnation could there be if not blindness?”


    “That’s just a piece of junk stic, and you dare call it Blood Jade? I think it’s you who’s blind–no, you were born blind!”


    Just as Henry finished speaking, the mes in the te went out, leaving the two halves of what was supposed to be precious stones charred and emitting a pungent burnt odor.


    Andrew understood the irony immediately and burst intoughter. “Hahaha…” heughed so hard that everyone could see the jubtion in his face.


    He pointed to the charred pieces, calling out excitedly to Nichs. “Look, Nichs! That’s your three million, oh no, I mean three million and one thousand dor Blood Jade!”


    Before he could finish, Andrew was consumed byughter once again. It was hrious!


    After decades of never being bamboozled in New York, the savvy Nichs was duped by a country boy?


    Now that Andrew had ignited mockery towards Nichs, Henry joined in, pointing at the charred remnants, “See, Nichs? Did I lie to you? Didn’t I tell you this wasn’t Blood Jade, and now you believe it? It’s not just far from Blood Jade; it’s not even jade–it’s just junk stic! Spending three million on this, Nichs, you lost more than just money. You’ve lost your reputation!”


    Henry, cunning as a fox, managed not just to mock Nichs but also stoked the mes of discordContent protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    between Nichs and Daniel.


    Though furious, Nichs contained his anger and queried Daniel pointing at the charred remains, “Daniel, you said this is Blood Jade, but it clearly doesn’t seem to be. What’s going on here?”


    Before Daniel could reply, Brittany chimed in, “Blood Jade? Jade is a stone, and stones don’t burn, right? Look at it, all ck and smelly like char. It’s obviously just a piece of junk stic!”


    Henry was right; if news of this debacle spread, all of Nichs’s hard–earned reputation would crumble, and he would be theughingstock of New York. That was something Nichs could never ept.