Despite his efforts, Aventurine finally conceded defeat. He spoke with a deflated tone, like air seeping out of a balloon:

"...Very well, I will settle for just the dowry. Surely you can grant me that much. A merchant without any bargaining chips would find it difficult to make even a single step forward."

"Your compromise came faster than I anticipated. However, it is gamblers, not merchants, who are in dire need of chips. I can give you the dowry, but before that, I need you to tell me something with your own mouth—"

As he spoke, Sunday walked towards the boxes and bags in the corner of the room. He turned his head to look at Aventurine and asked:

"What exactly is stored in this box that you so readily abandoned?"

As Sunday posed his question, his voice filled the room, echoing with an ethereal quality: "O soul of triple aspect, brand his tongue and palms with hot iron, that he may not fabricate lies or swear false oaths."

[Jing Yuan: It's the power of Harmony.]

[Herta: Interesting. Twisting thoughts with words? No, it seems more complex than that.]

[March 7th: I don't quite understand. What's the purpose?]

[Robin: The power of the Aeon of Harmony is sufficient to discern lies.]

[March 7th: Oh! I get it now. It's like a lie detector, right?]

[Robin: Well... that's not entirely incorrect.]

"What did you do?" Aventurine asked through gritted teeth.

"Under the light of 'Harmony', all sins are exposed. I beseech the heavens to cast down their radiance, and I question you on their behalf. You now have 113 seconds to prove your innocence and gain my trust."

"What if I refuse to answer?"

Sunday lowered his gaze, his voice taking on a threatening tone: "Then let's see if 'Harmony' will refuse you."

Observing Aventurine's deteriorating composure, Sunday let out a cold snort before asking in a serious, ethereal voice:

"I ask: Do you possess a cornerstone?"

"Yes," Aventurine uttered a single word.

"A concise answer. You understand the wisdom of speaking less." Sunday smiled, then continued:

"Did you hand over the cornerstone to your family upon entering the border?"

"Yes."

"Did the cornerstone you gave to your family belong to you?"

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"Yes."

"Is your cornerstone currently in this room?"

"Yes."

"Has your memory been tampered with or deleted in any way, including but not limited to the technology of the Simulated Universe?"

"Yes."

"Are you from the Avegin clan of Tsigania?"

Aventurine let out a cold laugh. "Yes, you even know that."

"Do the Avegin people lack any ability to read, tamper with, or manipulate their own or others' thoughts?"

"No, they don't. Is that relevant?" Aventurine's expression gradually worsened.

"Do you love your family more than yourself?"

This question made Aventurine pause for two seconds before firmly stating, "Yes."

"Did all the Avegin people perish in a massacre?"

"No."

"Are you the sole survivor of your clan?"

Aventurine's lips quivered slightly, his eyes revealing endless sorrow and confusion. It seemed to take all his strength to squeeze out these words: "Perhaps."

Sunday then threw out another sharp question, "Do you resent and wish to destroy this world with your own hands?"

Aventurine let out a long sigh. He lowered his head and murmured, "I don't know..."

"Interesting. Now, for the final question," Sunday's gaze locked onto the person before him, as if trying to see through to the truth deep within.

"Can you swear that at this moment, the 'Aventurine stone' is safely lying in this box?" He deliberately emphasized the words "Aventurine stone," with a hint of challenge in his tone.

Aventurine fell into a prolonged silence, his eyes flickering as if contemplating something. However, Sunday let out a cold laugh, breaking the silence.

"Of course," Aventurine finally spoke, but his voice lacked conviction.

As they spoke, the two sat down at the table, and Sunday slid the box across the table to Aventurine.

Aventurine was stunned, looking up at Sunday, seemingly not quite understanding his intention.

"Open it, Mr. Aventurine... This is your last chance to defend your honor." Sunday's words were full of sarcasm and disdain, as if he had already determined that Aventurine was lying.

[Herta: He hesitated, which indicates that the Aventurine stone has already been switched.]

[March 7th: Allowing him to open the box, it seems he also believes Aventurine isn't telling the truth, or perhaps Sunday has already taken the cornerstone?]

[Yanqing: If he had already taken the cornerstone, why wouldn't he choose to use it himself?]

[Jing Yuan: I guess, perhaps he's not clear on how to use the cornerstone specifically. This thing should not be so simple to use.]

Aventurine stared at the box for a long time, while Ratio turned his head away.

"Please," Sunday smiled, gesturing with his hand.

With a crisp sound, the box was slowly opened, but the scene that appeared before him left him stunned.

The box that should have been full of items was now completely empty!

At this moment, Sunday walked to the table, gently lifted the cloth covering something on the table, and smiled as he asked, "Are these what you're looking for?" As he finished speaking, Sunday reached out and lifted the cloth covering it,

revealing a stone emitting a pale green light and another stone with a yellowish-brown hue.

[Topaz: The Topaz stone and the Aventurine stone, I can't believe I would give you my cornerstone? It's unimaginable... Wait, I see now.]

[Jade: A very clever maneuver.]

[March 7th: What are you talking about? I don't understand.]

A sudden storm was sweeping across the galaxy, and this mysterious power known as the viewing room had thrown the company into chaos. Many of the company's carefully laid plans were severely affected, and several core members of the strategic investment department had to be urgently recalled to headquarters.

When they hurriedly arrived at the conference room, a new round of viewing was about to begin. In the tense atmosphere, everyone decided to put aside their work for the moment and watch the film together, trying to decipher the hidden information and plans within it.

Initially, Topaz was shocked that she would entrust such an important cornerstone to Aventurine for such a risky venture. However, as the camera zoomed in, she suddenly noticed something amiss — it didn't seem to be an ordinary Aventurine stone, but Jade!

"It's Jade, isn't it?" Topaz inquired.

"That's right," Jade leaned back in his chair, took a sip of his drink, and smiled. "What a brilliant setup. Three chips are enough."

Aventurine, meanwhile, just stared at the screen, silently brainstorming in his mind.