"Lower my expectations?" Liam's voice cracked with incredulous laughter. "Are you serious right now, Hayes? Master Vance just selected thirty stones guaranteed to contain jade, and you think I should lower my expectations?"
Franklin Vance stroked his beard thoughtfully, his weathered face showing the first hint of curiosity about my confident demeanor. "Young man, I appreciate boldness, but these stones have been carefully evaluated. My reputation wasn't built on mistakes."
"Reputations can change quickly," I replied evenly, watching as Victor Sterling called over his stone-cutting crew.
Three skilled workers approached with their equipment. Diamond-wire saws, polishing wheels, and precision cutting tools gleamed under the warehouse's bright lights. The familiar sound of machinery being prepared filled the air.
Isaac stepped closer to me, his voice barely a whisper. "Ethan, what exactly are you planning? That expert's selections looked legitimate to me."
