“One point eight five million!”
“One point nine million!”
The bids climbed quickly.
A green-based open jadeite rough this large could easily fetch over thirty-five million once carved and sold as finished pieces. Everyone in the room knew the math, which was why the bidding stayed hot.
Ethan Blake also coveted the rough—it was brimming with Vital Essence—but since it was an open stone with no gamble involved, he couldn’t very well ask Fae Stonecrest to buy it.
“Ms. Stonecrest, are you interested in that green jade?” he asked quietly.
Fae thought for a moment. “Depends. If it goes past thirty million, I’ll stay out of it.”
Byron Bishop overheard and turned around. “A rough this big is rare. If a master carver designs a complete sculpture based on its contours, it could be worth fifty
