Chapter 139 Reputation
Picking up the conversation with a chuckle, Daniel said, “Maybe Nicholas 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 dollar 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 slap 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 explanation could there be if not blindness?”
“That’s just a piece of junk plastic, 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 flames in the plate 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 into laughter. “Hahaha…” he laughed so hard that everyone could see the jubilation in his face.
He pointed to the charred pieces, calling out excitedly to Nicholas. “Look, Nicholas! That’s your three million, oh no, I mean three million and one thousand dollar Blood Jade!”
Before he could finish, Andrew was consumed by laughter once again. It was hilarious!
After decades of never being bamboozled in New York, the savvy Nicholas was duped by a country boy?
Now that Andrew had ignited mockery towards Nicholas, Henry joined in, pointing at the charred remnants, “See, Nicholas? 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 plastic! Spending three million on this, Nicholas, you lost more than just money. You’ve lost your reputation!”
Henry, cunning as a fox, managed not just to mock Nicholas but also stoked the flames of discord
between Nicholas and Daniel.
Though furious, Nicholas 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 black and smelly like char. It’s obviously just a piece of junk plastic!”
Henry was right; if news of this debacle spread, all of Nicholas’s hard–earned reputation would crumble, and he would become the laughingstock of New York. That was something Nicholas could never accept.