Seeing Jack Judd’s bewildered expression, Aaron Cheney couldn’t help but laugh. "Stumped, kid? Can’t tell which of these stones has jade inside, can you?"
Jack Judd pointed indignantly at the raw stones with windows cut into them. "What do you an? I can tell just fine! Those ones have jade inside!"
Aaron Cheney howled with laughter. "Then can you afford them?"
Jack Judd fell silent. The raw stones with windows were far more expensive than the ones with so-called "python bands." The money he’d scrounged together from his days as a small-ti hood wasn’t nearly enough to afford one.
Vera Xavier found the two of them rather amusing. Seeing her smile, Aaron Cheney started to butter her up. "You’re the real expert at stone gambling. You even cut an Emperor Green back on the jade street at ho. Why don’t you teach us a thing or two?"
Vera Xavier pursed her lips. ’For a complete novice at stone gambling like to teach others about it... that would be leading them completely astray!’
So, with perfect composure, she said, "I don’t understand stone gambling. It’s all pure luck."
Of course, no one believed her.
Jack Judd and Aaron Cheney were stunned. ’If she doesn’t know anything about stone gambling, then why did she bring us here to do it?’
Just then, soone started clapping. "Well said! Stone gambling really is all about luck. A raw stone that looks like a sure bet might turn out to be worthless rock when it’s cut open, while an unassuming one might just hold an Emperor Green!"
Vera Xavier turned and saw Alistair Forrest standing behind her, applauding her.
His outfit today was even more flamboyant than yesterday’s. His hair was obviously freshly styled and combed up. Over a light purple, deep V-neck cardigan, he wore a navy trench coat that fell almost to his knees. The V-neck offered a glimpse of his well-defined musculature. ’This guy looks totally unreliable, but he has a pretty nice body.’
He also wore a pendant made of Emperor Green, and had swapped his stud earring for a matching one. He was already handso, and with an ensemble like that, he looked as striking as could be just by standing there.
Vera Xavier really couldn’t appreciate his aesthetic. ’Nathaniel is much more handso and has far more charisma.’
But since he had, after all, helped her out of a jam the day before, she said coolly, "Hello, Mr. Forrest."
Her tone was polite, yet unmistakably distant and aloof.
Alistair Forrest, however, put on a wounded expression. "Honey, don’t be so formal with . Just call Alistair."
The corner of Vera Xavier’s mouth twitched. ’Honey? Good grief. It wasn’t that she objected to the nickna itself, but being called that by a flamboyant man she’d only t for the second ti... The cringe factor was off the charts!’
Jack Judd and Aaron Cheney clearly didn’t understand what "Honey" ant, and just stood there looking utterly confused.
Vera Xavier took a deep breath, her tone remaining level. "Mr. Forrest, we don’t know each other well. It’s more appropriate that I continue to call you that."
"That’s all right. We’ll get to know each other better soon enough," Alistair Forrest said with a grin. "Honey, you’re visiting The Jade Market today, too? What a coincidence! So am I! We’re staying in the sa hotel and now we’re both at The Jade Market. It must be fate!"
Vera Xavier was speechless. ’Anyone who cos to Trellis and stays near The Jade Market is obviously going to visit The Jade Market. His attempt to cozy up to is just pathetic.’
She was in no mood for his small talk and asked him directly, "The Jade Market is huge. Which part were you planning to see first, Mr. Forrest?"
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