He Gave Me Hearing, Then Taught Me What Silence Really Means novel Chapter 249

The two got into the car and headed toward the charity gala.

As Juniper stepped out of the vehicle at the venue, she finally voiced the concern lingering in her mind. "Caleb, I humiliated myself in front of this exact social circle not too long ago. Are you sure bringing me as your date won't make people look down on you?"

Caleb adjusted his suit jacket. He wasn't classically handsome, but rather had a grounded, rugged appeal that grew on you.

"Juniper, in this circle, an heir getting overthrown by his illegitimate brother is vastly more entertaining than a woman's romantic gossip. Trust me, when people look at you tonight, the first thing they'll think is how I'm standing next to you after getting beaten like a dog by Gideon."

The heavy self-deprecation in his voice was impossible to miss.

Juniper felt her foul mood instantly lift, and a genuine smile graced her lips.

Once inside, Caleb quickly located the two business partners they were scheduled to meet.

Both men had just flown in from Myanmar, bringing with them over a hundred pieces of jadeite accessories.

The tradition of the charity gala dictated that every guest had to donate an item they brought with them. The donated items would be publicly displayed on the grand screen at the end of the night.

But Caleb had forgotten to mention this detail to Juniper. Right now, she was standing with him in a private viewing booth, staring at a table spread with over a hundred jadeite pieces.

The two Burmese men were deeply tanned and carried an intimidating aura. After all, the jadeite market in Myanmar was practically monopolized by private armed factions.

Caleb pitched his voice low, ensuring only she could hear. "The crown jewel of my auction house—the sixty-million-dollar bracelet—was bought by Nelson Saint. That bracelet was a status symbol, but it was the only one we had. You know Gideon has already seized control of all my other auction houses. The jade market is flooded with good stock right now, but top-tier Imperial Green bracelets are incredibly rare. If my last remaining auction house can cut a flawless Imperial Green bracelet from this stone, it'll draw the entire industry's attention back to me."

Caleb completely laid his cards on the table, his tone urgent. "These two are longtime suppliers for the Xavier Family's auction business. I had my guys over there keeping a close eye on the market, desperate for premium stock. We managed to intercept these goods right before Gideon could get his hands on them. Those smaller jade accessories are common; I'd estimate they'll run a few hundred thousand dollars in total. But this rough stone is a different beast. I've seen the videos. I had several experts from the auction house review it, and everyone agrees it's a guaranteed win. Juniper, I'm betting my entire livelihood on your judgment tonight. What do you think?"

Juniper instantly felt the crushing weight of responsibility settle onto her shoulders. She picked up the raw stone and examined it under the light several more times, her face an unreadable mask.

The two sellers remained remarkably composed, not uttering a single word of pressure.

Twenty minutes later, Juniper clicked off her flashlight. She had made her decision.