The developnt of the situation was like a roller coaster — within Luke and his team's expectations, yet presented to the public in an even more dramatic fashion.
Victory in the first trial was a crucial confidence booster.
When the gavel fell in the New York court, clearly rejecting the Arkansas state governnt's "ownership" claim based on vague clauses and emphasizing the protection of privately discovered items under existing law, Luke let out a long sigh of relief in the waiting room.
Louis Wang slapped his shoulder hard, his eyes sparkling with excitent behind his glasses: "We won the first round! The judge was clear-headed and knew this precedent could not be allowed!"
However, the Arkansas state governnt was clearly unwilling to accept defeat and filed an appeal.
The second trial unfolded rapidly in a tense atmosphere.
This ti, Sotheby's prepared public opinion offensive and the expert testimony from legal scholars played an even greater role.
Online, the outcry over "governnt credibility bankruptcy" and "discriminatory enforcent" grew louder, and even so civil groups organized small-scale protests.
More importantly, lawmakers from other states competing with Arkansas began using the incident to criticize Arkansas's tourism policies and business environnt.
In the second-trial courtroom, Louis Wang's statent was particularly powerful: "My client is from Dragon Kingdom. He ca here with trust in Arica's rule of law and freedom for an ordinary, enjoyable trip.
"If today, simply because he discovered astonishing wealth, we use ambiguous clauses to deprive him of his legitimate gains, then tomorrow, who would still dare to co to Arica to invest, travel, or engage in lawful exploration?
"What is being damaged is not only the interests of one tourist, but the very foundation upon which Arica was built — respect for private property and the spirit of contract!"
The judge ultimately adopted this view.
The second trial verdict upheld the original ruling: Luke had undisputed ownership of the "two diamonds."
The judgnt specifically emphasized the legality of the discovery process and the limitations of the park's existing clauses, recomnding that the park revise its rules clearly rather than applying them retroactively.
The entire internet instantly erupted.
Supporters cheered it as a "victory of the little guy against power" and a "victory for the rule of law," while critics accused it of being a "victory for capital" and "allowing national treasures to slip away."
Crater of Diamonds Park (often jokingly called "Pig Head Diamond Park" online) released more detailed information:
"On July 9, 2025, a Dragon Kingdom tourist, 'Mr. Lu,' discovered two diamonds within the park: a 43.2-carat century red diamond and a 32.1-carat transparent diamond. The discoverer holds the naming rights. He has nad the red diamond 'Red Heart' and the white diamond 'Lucky'…"
The announcent was accompanied by a photo of Luke with the park director. Luke's face was pixelated, but in his left hand he held the red diamond rough and in his right hand the white diamond rough!
When this more detailed tweet exploded online, public emotion reached a new, complex peak!
Shock, disbelief, and so dissatisfaction at being kept in the dark, but mostly an almost legendary envy.
It turned out there wasn't just one "century red diamond" — there was also a 32-carat white diamond!
The na "Lucky" now sounded full of irony and destiny.
Soon after, a video of a New York news interview with Luke was leaked online.
The beautiful host asked Luke how he discovered the two diamonds.
Luke replied: "…I only ca here for tourism. I never expected to dig up diamonds at all. I was just enjoying the experience… Before this, I didn't even know diamonds could be red!"
"…I was blinded by the refraction from the transparent diamond. I didn't think it was a diamond… Diamonds are a scam!"
"I found the red diamond in another spot. At first I thought it was so worthless crystal or a prank by the park…"
In this interview video, Luke's face was lightly pixelated. His dialogue with the reporter was full of humorous charm.
At the end, Luke faced the cara and said: "Arica is a civilized country with a sound legal system…"
"I successfully protected my diamonds. Thank you to the New York court."
"I also do not resent the Arkansas state governnt. After all, I originally had nothing… I have now consigned both diamonds to Sotheby's for auction!"
"I voluntarily donate 5% of the proceeds to the infrastructure maintenance and construction of Crater of Diamonds Park in Arkansas, wishing the park finds more and more diamonds! At the sa ti, I donate another 5% of the proceeds to Arkansas's tourism industry…"
In the interview conducted in New York, Luke skillfully portrayed himself as an extrely lucky, sowhat clueless ordinary tourist.
Using fluent and precise English, he honestly admitted he didn't even know red diamonds existed, described his "ignorance" of mistaking diamonds for crystals, and emphasized the accidental nature of the discovery. This greatly defused any potential jealousy or suspicion caused by the enormous wealth.
People were more inclined to feel goodwill rather than hostility toward a humble, even humorous young man who had been "hit by a pie from the sky."
His final segnt — thanking the law, expressing no resentnt toward the Arican governnt, and voluntarily promising to donate 10% of the proceeds — was a textbook example of crisis PR and image building.
It demonstrated "magnanimity," silenced many potential critics who might have accused him of being stingy, and gently tied his interests to the future of the diamond park.
The video's popularity skyrocketed and was widely reposted and shared.
When the video reached Dragon Kingdom, the abstract netizens reacted in their typical style:
"He must have been threatened — just blink if you need help!" "Going on a trip and striking it rich — so enviable." "This guy definitely won't be coming back! Traitor deserves death."
…
"Mr. Luke, your handling of this has been excellent."
Sotheby's vice president praised him generously over the phone: "Public opinion is now completely on your side. You are not only a lucky man, but also a reasonable and gracious gentleman who knows how to give back. This is an enormous boost for the auction."
Soon after, Sotheby's official website released a major announcent:
"'Red Heart' and 'Lucky' — Century Twin Diamonds Special Preview and Auction."
The preview page was extrely luxurious, featuring breathtaking high-definition microscopic photos of the two diamond roughs.
The copy heavily emphasized the legendary nature of their discovery, legal confirmation, and the discoverer's willingness to give back to society.
The preview and auction dates were set tightly together, clearly intending to ride the wave of global attention and push the value to its peak.
Industry valuations were rising sharply. The "Red Heart" red diamond was generally estimated to start from $300 million, while the "Lucky" white diamond, though slightly less valuable, saw its price boosted significantly by the legendary story of being discovered together. It was projected to fetch between $5 million and $9 million.
Luke stood before the floor-to-ceiling window of his hotel suite, holding a glass of clear water.
He looked down at the city beneath him. It was both the stage for this ga of wealth and law, and his springboard to higher levels on Blue Star.
The auction was approaching. A massive, completely legal, and highly publicized fortune was about to flow into his account.
This was far more efficient and grand than his original plan of quietly selling gold and jade.
But he did not beco complacent.
He knew that once this money arrived, he would no longer be just "a fairly lucky ordinary person."
On Blue Star, enormous wealth ant more attention, more complex social networks, and potential risks.
He needed a more ticulous plan to manage and utilize these funds, while simultaneously advancing his operations in Westeros without letting the waves on Blue Star slow him down.
He glanced at the calendar.
The preview was in two days. The auction was in five days.
User Comments
0 comments from readers