From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace (Laurinda) novel Chapter 163

Laurinda’s careful way of looking over the stones made the shop owner crack a smile. She was an odd one, he thought. She bought the so-called junk piece without hesitation, yet she picked through his best stones like she was hunting for flaws. He really couldn’t figure her out.

While the owner watched, full of questions, Laurinda finally picked out two top-quality pieces.

“These two,” she said.

“You have a sharp eye. Both together are eight million. With the rough stone you bought earlier, that brings you to eleven million. How would you like to pay?”

“Card,” Laurinda replied.

The price was exactly what she expected, so she didn’t bother bargaining. She just followed the owner and paid.

The other shopkeepers watching from the side couldn’t help feeling a little jealous. Here was a customer who didn’t even try to haggle. They all wished they had more clients like her, people who spent big without blinking.

Once she finished shopping, Laurinda went back to her hotel. Leo made sure everything, including the rough stone and the other jade, got shipped back home.

“Laurinda, some of the chapter heads want to meet you. Do you want to come back for dinner tonight?” Leo asked.

“Not tonight. I’ll come once I finish things up here,” she said.

She and Leo chatted a bit more about the next day’s plans, then Laurinda returned to her room. Her phone was full of missed calls from someone she couldn’t ignore much longer. If she didn’t call back soon, he might just show up in person.

She connected the video call. Adolphus was sitting in his car. Laurinda looked at him, a little confused. “Are you out somewhere?”

“Yeah, still wrapping up a few things. How’s it going over there?” Adolphus replied, watching her closely to see if she was okay, if she’d been sleeping well.

“I’m good. After I landed, I cleaned up and visited the local jade market. Picked up a few pieces.”

“That kind of thing can get complicated. Be careful while you’re out. Let me know when you’re heading back, I’ll come pick you up at the airport.”

“Leo didn’t bring me. I came on my own after seeing your message. Laurinda, you’re so cold. If I hadn’t come here to look for jade, I wouldn’t have even known you were here. Do you have any idea how much I've suffered without your design drafts? When are you finally going to send them to me?”

Laurinda frowned at his theatrics. It hit her that she really hadn’t handed in any sketches for ages.

Not that it was all her fault. She’d been sleeping like a rock lately, not staying up late to draw like she used to.

“I’ll get to it after I’m back. I’m still busy here, so I don’t have time to sketch right now…”

She paused, remembering what Henry just said, and felt even more confused.

“Wait, why are you out here buying jade anyway? Our collection is all diamonds. Is there a problem getting diamonds?”

“No, that’s not it. We’re planning to stay in the Cabinda market long-term. People here love jade way more than diamonds. I wanted to talk to you about it. I’m thinking of launching a special New Year’s collection—something with a classic vibe, super high-end, with emerald as the main feature. What do you think?”