Celeste’s POVThe envelope sat in the center of the conference table.I stared at the embossed gold crest of the International Jewelry Association and forced my pulse to slow.Around me, the office buzzed with anticipation.Jenny was fidgeting with her pen, Rachel was biting her lip anxiously, Grace was scrolling through something on her tablet, and Ryan was leaning back against the wall, arms crossed, watching me.“Open it, Celeste,” Grace said. “You’re scaring us with that look.”I tore the seal cleanly and unfolded the letter.The header shimmered faintly under the light, and my eyes caught on the bold words:Assigned Gemstone: Paraiba Tourmaline (Origin: Paraíba, Brazil, Portuguese Mine 1830).I blinked once, twice. “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.”Ryan straightened. “What is it?”“Paraiba,” I said, pushing the paper toward him. “The most temperamental stone on the planet.”Jenny gasped. “Wait, the electric-blue one?”“Yes,” I said tightly. “The one that fractures under high heat
Last Updated : 2025-11-11 Read more