In the meeting room.

Sunday waited here as promised.

The company employees were all thrilled!

For them.

This "showdown" between Aventurine and Sunday had been long anticipated!

Not just a negotiation between the two!

But also a clash between the company's representative and the family!

Everyone became extremely serious.

Let's learn the negotiation techniques from this conversation!

After a few deliberate pleasantries, Aventurine got straight to the point: "Let's not 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 right."

"Even more terrifying is that she can no longer sing. Who did it? Everyone thinks the culprit is among the outsiders, but I know... you have a different answer in your heart."

"Now, your noble status has become shackles, preventing you from taking action to apprehend the culprit and avenge your sister. You're isolated and helpless, which is why you're feeling so anxious and restless."

"Don't worry, I'm on your side."

Sunday maintained his calm and indifferent demeanor, replying, "Mr. Aventurine, it is my great honor that you are so considerate of me. Then, such a selfless and generous person like you wouldn't expect anything in return, would you?"

"Of course, you won't lose anything because of this. I only want to retrieve what rightfully belongs to me: my personal freedom and the belongings kept by the family—the bag of ceremonial money, and..."

"The box containing the Cornerstone," Sunday finished for Aventurine.

Indeed!

The screening room erupted with excited voices.

However.

Sunday was even colder than anyone had imagined!

He outright rejected Aventurine's request.

And stated, "I never take any risks. The Cornerstone must be kept by the family."

"No room for negotiation?"

"Don't make me refuse you a second time."

"Fine, I'll settle for just the ceremonial money. You should at least give me that. A Merchant without bargaining chips can hardly move forward."

Aventurine compromised.

He gave up on the Cornerstone!

Only asking for the ceremonial money!

Surely Sunday would relent now?

Just as the employees thought so.

Sunday suddenly focused his gaze.

In an extraordinary voice, he said, "Soul of threefold visage, I beseech you to brand his tongue and palms with hot iron, so that he may not weave lies or swear false oaths."

"What have you done?"

"Under the light of Harmony, all sins are laid bare. I implore it to shine its light and, on its behalf, pose a question to you. You have... 113 seconds to prove your innocence and earn my trust."

"What if I refuse to answer?"

"Then try it—see if Harmony will refuse you."

Not just the employees in the screening room.

Even the players in the live stream were shocked!

...

"Mind control, damn!"

"The power of Harmony!"

"You scared me, I thought something unclean appeared on the screen..."

"It's starting, the curse is descending!"

"Another mental ability, following Kafka's verbal spells, the Memokeeper's powers, and Sparkle's illusions!"

"Sunday's ability is quite ruthless."

"What happened to the negotiation? Sunday, why are you summoning divine intervention!"

...

Aventurine immediately showed a look of indignation.

And Sunday didn't give him much time to prepare.

He directly initiated the questioning.

"Question: Do you possess the Cornerstone?"

"Yes."

"Did you surrender the Cornerstone to the family upon entry?"

"Yes."

"Does the Cornerstone you surrendered to the family belong to you?"

"Yes."

"..."

A series of questions about the Cornerstone.

It was almost suffocating for all the employees present!

No one expected!

A seemingly equal negotiation had turned into a one-sided interrogation!

Everyone was sweating for Aventurine!

The atmosphere was incredibly tense.

As if it was the entire staff of the Interastral Peace Corporation confronting Sunday!

Suddenly!

Sunday shifted the focus.

And asked a strange question.

"Do you love your family more than yourself?"

Aventurine's expression turned serious.

"Yes."

...

"Sunday is really turning up the heat, huh?"

"This question really... it's heartbreaking!"

"What's going on? Why am I feeling a bit emotional?"

"Oh no! I'm actually starting to empathize with Aventurine!"

"Is it true? Did he really love his family more than himself?"

"Unbelievable..."

"Aventurine's character has collapsed. I always thought he was a self-serving liar..."

...

"Did all the Avgin perish in a massacre?"

"No."

"Are you the sole survivor of your clan?"

"Perhaps."

"Do you hate this world and wish to personally bring about its Destruction?"

Aventurine hesitated slightly.

He shook his head.

"I don't know."

"Interesting. Then one final question..."

"Can you swear that at this very moment—the Aventurine Stone lies safely within this box?"

After this question was asked.

The camera deliberately focused on a close-up of Dr. Ratio.

As if hinting that Dr. Ratio knew some inside information...

Aventurine gritted his teeth and said, "Of course."

"It seems we can arrive at an answer."

Sunday spoke in a meaningful tone,

"Open it, Mr. Aventurine… This is your last chance to uphold your reputation."

In front of Sunday.

On the table lay two objects.

One was covered with a cloth, while the other was Aventurine's box.

He pushed the box forward.

Letting it slide to Aventurine's side.

Aventurine seemed to realize something was amiss at this moment.

He looked toward Dr. Ratio.

But Dr. Ratio turned away, ignoring Aventurine's gaze.

"Please."

Sunday smiled slightly as he spoke.

He pressed the switch.

The moment the box was opened.

Aventurine's expression changed!

He revealed a look of disbelief!

Because!

The box that should have contained the Cornerstone was now empty.

Meanwhile, Sunday calmly lifted the cloth in front of him and said, "Are you looking for… these?"

One yellow and one green Cornerstone were exposed to the air.

Glistening with exquisite and captivating hues!

"Huh??"

"What the hell!"

"How did this happen!"

"Ahhhhhh!!!"

"Both Cornerstones ended up in Sunday's hands!?"

"This is bad, really bad!"

"It's over..."

The screening room was instantly filled with cries of despair!

As employees of the company.

They knew the value of the Cornerstones all too well!

They had thought Director Aventurine could retrieve the Cornerstones through this negotiation, but it turned out he had been set up!

They had wanted to learn Director Aventurine's negotiation skills...

They had even planned to open champagne to celebrate.

Now, all these thoughts had to be thrown out the window!

Each of them was on the verge of tears.

Who would have thought!

Director Aventurine's performance turned out to be a lesson in what not to do!

In the screening room.

Only two people were not swept up in the wave of lamentations.

Topaz and Jade, seated in the front row, exchanged a glance.

In each other's eyes, they saw a meaningful look!

While everyone else was wailing and sighing in despair...

The two of them shared a knowing smile!

The employees were certainly aware of the existence of the Cornerstones.

But after all, they were not the Ten Stonehearts themselves...

Such precious items,

apart from the owners themselves,

were rarely seen by others in physical form!

No wonder none of the employees recognized them...

But!

As the owners of the Cornerstones.

Topaz and Jade recognized them at a glance!

The two Cornerstones placed on the table... were not Aventurine stones at all!

Instead, they were the respective Cornerstones of the two of them—

Jade stone and Topaz stone!

"It seems that in the plot, we've also made our bets," Topaz murmured softly.

"Using three Cornerstones at once to gamble on a possibility... truly worthy of him," Jade smiled faintly.

"Not just Sunday, even we didn't anticipate such a possibility before the mystery was unveiled..."

At this point,

Topaz showed a hint of curiosity,

"Ms. Jade, I can understand why I was 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 term '[stake]' isn't quite accurate."

"I believe that behind any action, there is a corresponding equivalent exchange..."

"The 'me' in the game is no exception."

"This Jade stone will surely serve its purpose..."