Seraphina Sterling’s timing was perfect. She returned on the day of the monthly exam, which was meant to test the students’ progress over the past month.

Willow Hale had really buckled down to study this time, determined to surpass Seraphina Sterling. During the three days Seraphina was absent from school, Willow had even boasted that she would definitely rank higher than Seraphina in this monthly exam.

Within three days, this news had spread throughout the entire school. It wasn’t just the second-years who knew; even the first and third-years had heard about it. Some of the less studious students even started placing bets on the matter. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Seraphina Sterling had been gone for three days, leaving Willow Hale full of confidence. But Willow had overestimated herself. Even though Seraphina had three fewer days to review, it didn’t stop her from maintaining her perfect score streak.

Seraphina Sterling was never worried about her grades. If Willow Hale knew that the very thing she valued so much was completely disposable to Seraphina, she would probably cough up blood from rage.

Seraphina Sterling left as soon as the exam was over. ’Willow Hale’s only backing is the Hale Family. As long as the Hale Family is gone, she’ll no longer be a threat.’

The Hale Family owned a shop in the very center of town that specialized in selling raw stones. Although the shop also sold some jade artifacts, they were few and far between compared to the raw stones.

Every year, jade merchants from all over the country would come to place bulk orders for raw stones. This was how the Hale Family had gotten its start and made its fortune. The Hales could be considered the wealthiest family in Tollan Town, and they were even well-known in Sanford. The government was even planning to let the Hale Family host the upcoming government-led Stone-Selling Convention.

Philip Hale had been beaming with joy for the past few days, greeting everyone with a smile. ’If the Hale Family can successfully host this Stone-Selling Convention, our reputation will reach a new level, and our business will grow rapidly. I’ll have so much more prestige when I return to the main family!’

Seraphina Sterling entered the Hale Family’s shop and took a look around. There were very few locals from Tollan Town; almost everyone was an outsider. They were either tourists or people who had come specifically for stone gambling. This was actually Seraphina’s fourth time visiting. Each time, she would just wander around the raw stones, paying special attention to the crowd. But every visit had been fruitless. Today was no different—the person she wanted to see was still nowhere in sight. But Seraphina Sterling was done waiting.

"You’re one of the students from town, aren’t you? We’re not hiring part-timers!" A shop assistant who noticed Seraphina had returned spoke with a rather unpleasant tone, clearly thinking she was hindering their business.

"I’m not looking for part-time work, either!" Seraphina Sterling didn’t bother getting angry with such an insignificant person.

"Hmph. Don’t tell me you’re here to buy raw stones! You? Can you even afford them?" The employee’s mocking expression was identical to Willow Hale’s.

"So if I can’t afford them, I can’t look? Is looking a crime?"

Seraphina Sterling continued to wander among the many raw stones. ’After marrying Justin Hale, I put a great deal of effort into learning about stone gambling and antique appraisal. Based on experience, I can basically tell which ones will be a successful gamble. But the cash I have on hand is for the Stone-Selling Convention. If I use too much of it now, it could hinder my future plans!’

Although the employee was angry, the store was full of customers, so he couldn’t just start a conflict with Seraphina Sterling directly.

Seraphina Sterling found a quiet corner and crouched down. A section here had been cordoned off; clearly, the stones were from a new batch. Seraphina examined them one by one, studying each piece with extreme care. Just as she was about to pick one up, the same employee shouted at her, "Don’t touch those! Put it down! They’ve all been bought already! The buyer will be here to pick them up soon!"

"President Gallagher, please take a look. These are the newly unearthed stones. The probability of a successful gamble is very high! At this price, you absolutely can’t lose!" Philip Hale said, ushering in an older man with white hair at his temples.

Seraphina Sterling glanced over and smiled warmly. ’The person I’ve been waiting for has finally arrived!’