The Billionaire's True Heiress: From Fake Jewel to Real Crown novel Chapter 585

“That’s a no,” Claire shot back, not even letting him finish.

The old man narrowed his eyes as he sized her up. It hit him then—this girl didn’t look like someone who’d back down from anything. Sure, her friend had jumped to the front and was ready to start swinging, all brash energy and zero fear. But Claire, standing there with her hand on the stone, looked calm and certain. When she said she wouldn’t hand it over, you just knew she wasn’t bluffing.

“Do you even understand how gemstone speculation works?” he asked.

The old man had been around forever, and he could read people pretty well. These kids were clearly out-of-towners, probably from families with money to burn. To them, this wasn’t about making a profit. It was about the thrill, and maybe the story they could tell later. Getting the stone from them was going to be a challenge.

“Not at all,” Claire admitted, giving her head a quick shake. She’d learned plenty in her life, but this was something completely outside her experience.

“Then to you, it’s just a rock,” he said.

Claire laughed. “Honestly, that’s exactly what I thought at first. But the thing is, the moment you showed up wanting it so badly, I realized it has to be better than the other three. Someone with your experience wouldn’t be interested otherwise, right?”

His expression changed. “You make a good point. But that stone was promised to me by Danny. I want it, that’s personal.”

“If he made you a promise, you should take it up with him.” Claire smiled, a bit sharper now. “I bought the stone myself, fair and square. This was a normal purchase, not some back-alley deal. If you want it, we’ll have to strike a new deal. What went on between you and him doesn’t involve me, so you can’t pin this on me.”

“This is my son’s stone. He sold it without my approval. You tricked him—took something from a kid,” Danny chimed in.

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