For reasons Chuck Wainright couldn't quite articulate, a faint unease still gnawed at the edges of his confidence. Perhaps it was the way Frank had accepted the wager so readily, without hesitation or negotiation. Or perhaps it was simply the gambler's superstition that whispered warnings when things seemed too easy. Either way, Chuck felt compelled to clarify the terms one more time, just to ensure there would be no ambiguity later.
"Let me make this crystal clear," Chuck said, his voice carrying across the crowd. He wanted everyone present to hear this—to witness the terms so there could be no dispute afterward. "As long as the jadeite I cut from this stone is worth more than the million dollars I paid for it at auction, that counts as a win for me. Even if it's only worth a dollar more
