The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 87

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“First, the value of gemstones can vary depending on how they’re maintained. Let’s start with the most basic care methods.”

 

As I finished speaking, the gemstone images floating in the air began to shine one by one.

 

As I explained each gemstone’s characteristics and care methods, the audience concentrated and took notes.

 

However.

 

“Who doesn’t know that stuff?”

 

“Pfft, even I could say things like that. She must have memorized a script, right?”

 

Every time I paused, the voices of the goateed man—Malcolm’s shop employees—interrupted.

 

They pretended to whisper, but they were clearly speaking loud enough for everyone to hear.

 

Even though people around them were glaring, they didn’t care at all.

 

‘So you’re going to openly interfere?’

 

The problem was that their blatant interference was gradually taking effect.

 

Even people who had been concentrating at first seemed distracted by the chatter, and the atmosphere was becoming increasingly chaotic.

 

“Those bastards, I swear…”

 

“What should we do, Guild Member Elisha?”

 

Below the stage, I could see Emma grinding her teeth and Helena asking me.

 

I answered without changing my expression at all.

 

“Let’s go with Plan B.”

 

If their scheme is to disrupt by making the atmosphere chaotic?

 

Then I’ll make it so they have no choice but to concentrate!

 

‘I expected this much anyway.’

 

When I gestured, the gemstone images in the air spun around and disappeared with a whoosh.

 

“Huh? Wasn’t there still more to explain?”

 

“I knew it, now she’s run out of memorized script. Is she running away?”

 

The general audience looked puzzled at the abruptly cut presentation, while Malcolm and his employees sneered.

 

What appeared in place of the disappeared gemstone images was.

 

“What we’ve covered so far was theoretical explanation using screens. Now shall we go a bit deeper?”

 

A real-time video of the table beside me.

 

Following my signal, the velvet covering the table was whisked away.

 

What was revealed were various tools and appraisal instruments.

 

“I’ll demonstrate care methods and appraisal techniques on the spot.”

 

“Then…?”

 

“Yes, it’ll be easier to understand if I show you directly. Originally I had separate gemstones for demonstration, but… with so many audience members here, is there really a need for that? So.”

 

People who had been captivated by the fascinating tools suddenly stood up at my next words.

 

“I’d like to demonstrate using your gemstones. I’ll take volunteers.”

 

“Me!”

 

“Please use mine!”

 

An exhibition where the audience participates directly is the best way to draw in engagement.

 

Of course.

 

‘It’s also to guide that goateed gang to act exactly as I’m thinking.’

 

They seemed momentarily flustered, then soon whispered among themselves with vile laughter.

 

Seeing right through those bastards’ intentions, I casually brought the people who raised their hands up onto the dais.

 

“This is an emerald necklace I bought last year, but to me it looks more like tourmaline. Isn’t the color too light for an emerald?”

 

“Ah, I see. Shall we take a look together?”

 

Among the volunteers was one of Malcolm’s gang.

 

Ignoring him as he gestured back and forth with Malcolm behind me, I proceeded with the appraisal.

 

“This is indeed an emerald.”

 

“What? Oh, that’s a relief, but why is the color like this…?”

 

“Emeralds are oil-treated after cutting. It’s for transparency management. But when exposed to heat, that oil flows out and can cause discoloration. Have you ever kept it near a heat source?”

 

“Oh my! Last winter I sat in front of the fireplace for hours wearing this! Goodness, goodness. So that was the cause!”

 

“Haha, yes. Please be careful not to expose it to heat in the future, and I’ll remove the residual oil and treat it with fresh cedar oil. After it dries, it should return to its original color.”

 

“Wow… thank you so much!”

 

“Amazing!”

 

“How did she figure that out instantly?”

 

Beyond the bowing volunteer and the amazed people, I could see Malcolm with a sour expression.

 

He probably didn’t expect me to pull it off properly.

 

But underneath, there was still a dismissive look in his eyes.

 

‘He probably thinks I’m just pretending to be an appraiser with something I picked up somewhere.’

 

As I continued appraising people’s gemstones one by one.

 

Eventually, only two people remained on the dais.

 

One of Malcolm’s gang members, and a woman who seemed somewhat nervous.

 

“Would the lady come forward first?”

 

“Oh, yes…”

 

The hesitant woman carefully held out a small pouch.

 

“…My grandmother passed away recently, and I inherited this pearl. She treasured it very much…”

 

Perhaps she had many memories with her grandmother.

 

The woman’s eyes grew slightly moist as she mentioned the inheritance.

 

Taking the pouch from the woman’s hands, I carefully opened it.

 

A large pink pearl appeared on the screen.

 

As I examined the magnified pearl and then took off my gloves to touch it, I froze.

 

‘…This is?’

 

As I swallowed hard, the woman quietly continued.

 

“I want to take good care of it. Could you tell me how to maintain it?”

 

Looking back and forth between the woman who couldn’t meet my eyes and the pearl, I put the pearl back in the pouch.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

“…What?”

 

Handing the pearl back to the woman, I smiled slightly.

 

“I don’t have enough tools right now, so I’ll explain how to care for this pearl later. Could you wait for a moment?”

 

The woman, who had been looking bewildered, flinched at the sound of laughter.

 

“Hahaha! I knew it would come to this!”

 

It was Malcolm.

 

After laughing loudly, he walked onto the dais.

 

“Right, would a novice like you have ever seen a pearl like that? Now that something you don’t know has appeared, you’re making excuses about lacking tools! The tools here are more than sufficient! No, that pearl can be identified with the naked eye!”

 

At his words that “the tools are sufficient,” the woman looked at me with startled rabbit eyes.

 

Turning away from her, I faced Malcolm, who had approached and was looking down at me menacingly.

 

“That’s a conch pearl!”

 

Malcolm declared.

 

People murmured.

 

“Conch pearl? What’s that?”

 

Malcolm chuckled and pointed his finger.

 

“It’s the pearl of pearls, called the queen of pearls, that a greenhorn pretending to be an appraiser like this one has never encountered! Hey, miss over there! A ‘real’ appraiser will examine it, so bring it here!”

 

Malcolm snatched the pouch from the woman and boasted as he displayed the pearl on screen.

 

“A conch pearl, you see, is a rare pearl that comes from sea conchs. This pink color and the distinctive flame pattern—you can tell at a glance these are characteristics of conch pearls! Unlike regular pearls, they’re asymmetrical and have no nacre layer, so she probably thought it was just some rock!”

 

“You’re right, I can see the flame pattern when I look closely!”

 

“Ha. What kind of appraiser doesn’t even have this level of knowledge?”

 

His employee, who had come up on the dais earlier, chimed in agreement.

 

Malcolm sneered at me.

 

“So don’t be fooled by a woman like this! She might have gotten lucky with the previous ones, but this clearly shows she lacks experience and knowledge, doesn’t it?”

 

The woman stared quietly at me as I remained silent.

 

I could see guilt in her eyes, as if she knew the reason for my silence.

 

I shook my head slightly at her and whispered.

 

‘I’m fine. You don’t need to say anything.’

 

Reading my lips, she flinched, then bit her lip as if making a decision.

 

“You should entrust your items to a real appraiser, not some unverified drifter appraiser like this. You’ve all seen my pawnshop at the entrance of Ashen Street, so everyone should come to my pawnshop…!”

 

“No!”

 

Malcolm’s proud speech to the crowd was cut short.

 

The woman who owned the pearl was trembling as she shouted.

 

Malcolm laughed as if incredulous.

 

“Hey, miss. What do you mean no? I’m the one who properly appraised your conch pearl! You should be thanking me, yet what nonsense are you…!”

 

“This isn’t a real conch pearl! This appraiser Elisha knew that!”

 

“…What?”

 

Malcolm froze.

 

The woman clenched her fists.

 

“Appraiser Elisha… knew I treasured this, so she was trying to keep it secret that this is a fake pearl! Isn’t that right, Appraiser?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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