Chapter 259: Another Lesson on What NOT to Do?
Inside the conference room.
Sunday was waiting there as promised.
The IPC employees were all getting excited!
To them.
This "confrontation" between Aventurine and Sunday was something they had been looking forward to for a long time!
It was not just a negotiation between the two parties!
It was a collision between an IPC representative and The Family!
They all became incredibly serious.
Ready to learn some negotiation tactics from this!
After a few deliberate pleasantries.
Aventurine got straight to the point: "We don't need to beat around the bush. Let's talk about your sister. Her talent in the performing arts is unparalleled, but as you know, since returning to Penacony, her voice hasn't been quite harmonious."
"What's more terrifying is that she can no longer sing. Who did it? People think the culprit is among the outsiders, but I know… you have another answer in your heart."
"Now, your noble status has become a shackle, preventing you from apprehending the culprit and avenging your sister. You are isolated and helpless, which is why you feel so agitated."
"But don't worry, I'm on your side."
Sunday maintained his indifferent and cold attitude, replying: "It is my great honor that Mr. Aventurine is thinking of me so much — then someone as selfless and generous as you surely wouldn't ask for anything in return, right?"
"Of course, you won't lose anything because of this. I just want to take back what belongs to me: my personal freedom, and my personal belongings kept by The Family — that bag of gift money, and…"
"The box containing the Cornerstone," Sunday said, before Aventurine.
Indeed!
An excited sound erupted in the cinema.
However.
Sunday was even colder than everyone imagined!
He directly rejected Aventurine's request.
And stated: "I never take any risks. The Cornerstone must be kept by The Family."
"Really no room for negotiation?"
"Don't make me refuse a second time."
"Fine, just taking back the gift money is fine, you should at least give me that. A merchant without bargaining chips won't get very far, I'm afraid."
Aventurine settled for the next best thing.
No Cornerstone!
Just the gift money!
Surely Sunday would relent now?
Just as the employees were thinking this.
Sunday's gaze suddenly intensified.
He said in an extraordinary voice: "O soul of the triple aspect, I beseech thee to brand his tongue and palm with hot iron, that he may not fabricate lies or swear false oaths."
"What did you do?"
"Under the light of The Harmony, all sins have nowhere to hide. I implore It to cast its light and ask you questions on Its behalf. Next… you have 113 seconds to prove your innocence and earn my trust."
"If I refuse to answer?"
"Then give it a try — see if The Harmony will refuse you."
Never mind the IPC employees in the cinema.
Even the players in the live stream were greatly shocked!
...
"Mental control, holy crap!"
"The power of The Harmony!"
"Scared the hell out of me, I thought something unclean appeared on the screen…"
"It's starting, the brainwashing begins!"
"Another mental ability after Kafka's Spirit Whisper, the Memokeeper's power, and Sparkle's illusions!"
"This ability of Sunday's is a bit harsh."
"What happened to the negotiation? Sunday, why are you directly calling upon a god!"
...
Aventurine immediately showed an indignant look.
And Sunday didn't give him too much time to prepare.
He directly started asking questions.
"Question: Do you possess a Cornerstone?"
"Yes."
"Did you hand over the Cornerstone to The Family upon entry?"
"Yes."
"Does the Cornerstone you handed over to The Family belong to you?"
"Yes."
"…"
A series of questions about the Cornerstone.
It left all the employees at the scene breathless!
No one expected this!
A seemingly equal negotiation turned into a one-sided interrogation!
Everyone was sweating for Aventurine!
The atmosphere at the scene was incredibly tense.
As if it was all the employees of the Interastral Peace Corporation confronting Sunday!
Suddenly!
Sunday changed the subject.
He asked a strange question.
"Do you love your family more than you love yourself?"
Aventurine's expression became solemn.
"Yes."
...
"Sunday is starting to turn up the intensity?"
"This question is really… I'm crying to death!"
"Damn, what's going on, why does this hurt my heart a bit?"
"Oh no! I'm actually starting to empathize with Aventurine!"
"Really? Does he really love his family more than himself?"
"Unbelievable…"
"Aventurine's character has collapsed, I always thought he was a profit-seeking liar…"
...
"All the Avgins died in a massacre, didn't they?"
"No."
"Are you the only survivor of the clan?"
"Perhaps."
"—Do you hate, and do you want to destroy this world with your own hands?"
Aventurine hesitated slightly.
He shook his head.
"I don't know."
"Interesting. Then, the last question…"
"Can you swear that, at this moment—the Aventurine stone is lying safely in this box?"
After this question was asked.
The camera specifically gave a close-up of Dr. Ratio.
It seemed to indicate that Dr. Ratio knew some inside information…
Aventurine gritted his teeth and said: "Of course."
"It seems we have our answer."
Sunday said in a meaningful tone,
"Open it, Mr. Aventurine… this is your last chance to defend your reputation."
In front of Sunday.
There were two things on the table.
One was covered with a cloth, and the other was Aventurine's box.
He pushed the box forward.
It slid to in front of Aventurine.
Aventurine seemed to realize something was wrong at this moment.
He looked at Dr. Ratio.
Dr. Ratio turned away, ignoring Aventurine's eye contact.
"Please."
Sunday smiled slightly and said.
He pressed the switch.
The moment the box was opened.
Aventurine's face changed!
He revealed an expression of disbelief!
Because!
The box that should have contained the Cornerstone was now empty.
And Sunday calmly uncovered the cloth in front of him and said: "Are these… what you are looking for?"
Two Cornerstones, one yellow and one green, were exposed to the air.
Shimmering with an exquisite and charming luster!
"Huh??"
"Damn!"
"How can this be!"
"AHHHHHHH!!!"
"Both Cornerstones actually fell into Sunday's hands!?"
"It's over, it's over!"
"Finished…"
Wailing erupted in the cinema!
As IPC employees.
They knew the value of the Cornerstones best!
They had thought Director Aventurine could retrieve the Cornerstone through this negotiation, but they didn't expect him to be set up!
They wanted to learn Director Aventurine's negotiation skills…
They even wanted to pop champagne to celebrate.
All these thoughts could now be thrown to the back of their minds!
One by one, they were between laughter and tears.
Unexpectedly!
What Director Aventurine performed was actually a negative example!
Inside the cinema.
Only two people did not join the wave of wailing.
Topaz and Jade in the front row looked at each other.
They saw a meaningful look in each other's eyes!
When everyone else was heartbroken and sighing…
The two of them smiled with tacit understanding!
The employees certainly knew about the existence of the Cornerstones.
But they were not the Ten Stonehearts themselves…
Such precious items,
Except for the owners themselves,
It is very difficult for others to see the real thing!
It was no wonder that all IPC employees didn't recognize them…
But!
As the owners of the Cornerstones.
Topaz and Jade recognized it at a glance!
The two Cornerstones placed on that table… did not contain the Aventurine stone at all!
Instead, they were the Cornerstones corresponding to the two of them—
The Jade stone and the Topaz stone!
"It seems that in the plot, we both placed a bet too," Topaz sighed softly.
"Using three Cornerstones at once to gamble on a possibility… worthy of him," Jade smiled slightly.
"Let alone Sunday, before the mystery was revealed, even we didn't expect this possibility…"
Speaking of this,
Topaz revealed a look of curiosity,
"Ms. Jade, I can understand why I am willing to cooperate with Aventurine."
"But I didn't expect that even you would be willing to stake your own Cornerstone?"
Jade smiled slightly.
"The word [ stake ] is not used very accurately."
"I believe that behind every action there is a corresponding equivalent bargaining chip…"
"The me in the game is naturally no exception."
"This Jade stone will definitely still have its use…"
.