The stout man cast a glance at Travis before setting a plain wooden box on the round table. Inside the box lay a stunning crimson red jade, which seemed to be an artifact from ages past. As soon as the lid was lifted, a wave of warm energy seemed to envelop the lobby, captivating everyone present.

Eyes widened in amazement.

Jasmine turned to Quilt, asking, “Uncle Quilt, what’s your take on this?”

Quilt examined the jade intently and nodded in appreciation. “I believe this to be genuine. It looks like the Bloody Jade from the Zhou dynasty. It also appears to have been blessed by a very powerful monk!”

Jasmine nodded thoughtfully before turning to Charlie. “What do you think, Mr. Wade?”

Charlie frowned in disapproval. “It’s a fake…”

Quilt shot him a disapproving look. “You’re just a young person; who gave you the authority to lie in front of so many people?”

Next to Travis, the elderly Matthew Gibson opened his eyes and focused on the jade. “May I hold it?”

The stout man let out a derisive laugh. “Mr. Gibson, are you serious? Don’t you know the rules of appraisal? Jades shouldn’t be handled, especially this Bloody Jade from the Zhou dynasty. If it were to break, who would take the blame?”

Startled, Matthew recoiled. “Ah, I apologize for my impudence…” He leaned in closer to inspect the jade more carefully. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded again. “While I can’t definitively say this jade is from the Zhou dynasty, I can confirm that the legends about its ability to regulate geomancy and calm souls are indeed accurate.”

Excitement rippled through the group. For them, the jade’s potential powers far outweighed its historical significance.

Quilt smiled approvingly. “Mr. Gibson certainly has a keen eye, unlike those who are inexperienced and merely pretending.”

Hearing this, Jasmine felt a twinge of disappointment in Charlie. He certainly seemed too young and inexperienced for such intricate matters. While he possessed skill in antique restoration, he clearly lacked the depth of knowledge compared to the seasoned gentlemen around them.

Charlie chose to remain silent. It was evident that these individuals were eager to be deceived, and he had no desire to intrude.

After the appraisal, the stout man closed the box and grinned. “Now that the jade has been appraised, shall we begin the bidding?”

Without hesitation, Graham declared, “I’ll bid one billion…”

“One billion and three thousand,” Travis countered.

Noticing that Jasmine hadn’t yet placed a bid, the stout man inquired, “What about you, Miss Moore?”

Seeing Jasmine’s hesitation, Quilt leaned in and whispered, “Miss, this truly is a rare find. This jade is valued at around three billion. If you can secure it for under two billion, the benefits will far exceed the cost!”

Jasmine was nearly convinced, but then she glanced back at Charlie. His calm demeanor suggested he was unconcerned, which only deepened her doubts.

Quilt shot Charlie a cold stare, realizing that Jasmine was swayed by his presence, preventing her from bidding. He then challenged, “Since Mr. Wade claims this jade is fake, I’m curious to learn how he reached that conclusion. Let’s see what you’ve got!”

He knew that if Charlie attempted to bluff, Jasmine would see through him and probably make her bid without hesitation.

The crowd murmured their discontent. “He’s just a useless kid; what could he possibly know?”

“Yeah, who gave him the right to make such claims?”

“If you’re not interested, please don’t waste our time.”

Amidst the jeers, Charlie regarded Quilt with amusement. “Are you sure you want me to elaborate?”