Life at the Top

Chapter 14

“Haha, kiddo!”

Hugh was silent for a moment, then he laughed out loud. “Young man, it seems that you’re very arrogant!”

“Stock god or not, it’s just a title. I don’t care for it. But if someone wants to act all high and mighty because of a woman, then I can’t be bothered with it,” Jasper retorted again. The reason was simple— because Penelope was using Hugh to try and dominate him.

Others may be afraid of Hugh, but not Jasper.

The current Hugh Lewis had reached a turning point where his prosperity was bound to decline. Several of his investments would be in trouble in the second half of the year, and all of them would go bust, which would eventually lead to a break in the capital chain of Lantern Capital.

Moreover, in Jasper’s opinion, Hugh’s downfall would happen sooner or later. With such a personality, who else would die if not him?

“Young man, it’s useless to talk big. Since everyone is here and the market will open in half an hour, why don’t we make a bet? We’ll choose a stock each and see which has the bigger gain. We shall see if I’m getting old or if you’re simply too arrogant!”

Hugh looked at Jasper with a sneer, obviously angry.

“Mr. Lewis, this is…”

John stepped forward as mediator. To others, Jasper was still young and inexperienced, after all. How could he be an opponent for an old fox like Hugh Lewis?

John admired Jasper very much, and he was also a big customer of his. Whether for official or private reasons, he could not watch Jasper suffer such a big loss.

“John, shut up if you don’t want any trouble!” Hugh barked, making John back away with an ugly expression.

“Do you dare to?” Hugh looked at Jasper with scorching eyes.

“Of course.”

Jasper’s words astonished the others. Not only did he agree to the bet, but he also added to the stakes. “But I plan to add something more. You don’t mind, do you?”

“Heh, kid, don’t think you’re standing at the top of the world just because you’ve earned some money. Do you have more money than me?”

Hugh laughed.

Jasper ignored him, turned around, and said to John, “John, the ruby pendant I’m keeping in your bank, please send someone to fetch it for me. I’ll bet on that ruby pendant and I hope Mr. Lewis can match it.”

“Okay! No matter how much it is, I’ll take on the bet!” Hugh scoffed.

How much would a ruby pendant cost?

Sure enough, as expected of a poor wretch, even the stakes were so tacky.

John immediately made a call and got someone to bring the ruby pendant to Royce Villa. Penelope, who was standing next to Hugh, suddenly recalled this item.

“He bought the ruby pendant for 500,000,” Penelope said to Hugh.

Hugh was startled for a moment before bursting into laughter. “500,000? Are you kidding me? If you lack this amount, I’ll give it to you. Are you not ashamed to take it out for a bet?”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone’s expressions seemed to be holding back a smile.

Even their gazes toward Jasper were filled with mockery.

In this era, although 500,000 was not a small sum, who were the people present? 500,000 in this scenario was really not worth mentioning.

The Commercial Bank was not that far from Royce Villa, and because President Jackson had personally given the instructions, an employee soon came with the ruby pendant.

After getting the pendant, Jasper said to Hugh indifferently, “This pendant is called the Chance Ruby. It was once worn by Queen Victoria. It’s considered a rare treasure by now. The market value is at least 30 million. In an auction, the value will be higher. Is it enough for me to make a bet with this?”

When these words fell, everyone was silent for a moment. Penelope then took the lead to laugh wildly.

“Hahaha, this Jasper Laine is not only arrogant but also delusional! I think he’s crazy about money. He obviously bought something worth 500,000, but he’s saying it’s worth 30 million. Why don’t you say 300 million?

“This fool really believes in the marketing gimmick of the jewelry shop’s owner. The boss said that this pendant was worn by Queen Victoria. I didn’t expect that there would be someone in the world who really believes in it.”

Penelope looked at Jasper pitifully and mocked. “Jasper, don’t be stupid. What the boss of the jewelry shop said is just a scam. If this pendant really belonged to Queen Victoria, how could it be sold for only 500,000? Only a fool like you would buy it!”

John was one of the few people who did not laugh at Jasper. His expression was full of embarrassment.

Seeing Jasper so confident, there was not a shred of a guilty conscience when he faced a room of people ridiculing him.

John’s eyes shifted about, and he pulled over an old man in his 50s from the crowd.

“Mr. Landon, you own an auction house and have been in the antique business for so many years. Why don’t you look at how much this pendant is worth?” Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“Very well. Let me look at it, then.”

The old man by the name of Mr. Landon nodded. He approached Jasper and said, “Can you show me the ruby pendant?”

Jasper nodded and handed the pendant to him directly.

The old man took the item and observed it carefully.

Everyone saw his expression changing from casual to solemn. Then, he started breathing rapidly as his wrinkled face became flushed with excitement.

“Mister, stop looking at it. The fool Jasper must’ve been deceived. I think 500,000 is already overdoing it, let alone 30 million,” Penelope said to Mr. Landon.

“Shut up if you don’t know anything!”

Mr. Landon shouted abruptly, making Penelope’s face turn white with shock.

The people who were still laughing at Jasper were all stunned.

Hugh narrowed his eyes and said, “Mr. Landon, what do you mean?”

Mr. Landon dared not chastise Hugh.

He sighed and looked at the ruby pendant in his hand. He then said something that made the whole room change the look on their faces. “Mr. Lewis, this ruby pendant is genuine!

“It’s indeed a ruby pendant worn by Queen Victoria, called the Chance Ruby. The most recent record of it was in the hands of a duke, but there was no news of it later. It must’ve changed hands after that. I didn’t expect it to reappear today.”

Mr. Landon sighed as he stroked the jewelry in his hand. Then, he carefully returned it to Jasper.

“Mr. Laine, if you’re interested in selling it, you can choose my auction house. If this item is auctioned out, it can definitely be the finale. I can give you the best price in terms of commission,” Mr. Landon said sincerely.

“Thank you,” Jasper said with a smile.

“Mr. Landon, are you sure it’s not a mistake? If it’s genuine, how could it be sold for 500,000?”

Hugh frowned at this.

Mr. Landon’s face straightened as he said confidently, “I’ve been in this industry for most of my life. I’ve never made a mistake since I officially entered the industry. I can’t be wrong. The price that Mr. Laine quoted is still undervalued. According to the current market, the Chance Ruby is worth at least 35 million!”