Chapter 317
No sooner had Jonathan stepped off the plane than his phone buzzed with a call from Marina. He strode through the bustling arrivals hall, flanked by a small entourage, and soon caught up with her near the exit.
On the surface, Marina’s gaze landed on Jonathan first. But in truth, her eyes went straight to the dazzling diamond ring on Niamh’s hand.
It was a massive princess–cut stone–if Marina’s guess was right, at least ten carats. Jonathan had never given her a ring anywhere near that size.
The ring perched on the fourth finger of Niamh’s left hand, unmistakably a wedding band.
Marina knew perfectly well that Jonathan’s trip to Blackspire was all work. Their partner, CelestiMed, was founded by a married couple. Even if it was just for appearances, Jonathan was expected to bring his wife along.
And for this trip, that role belonged to Niamh.
Hence, the wedding ring was on Niamh’s finger.
Ever since the news broke online that Niamh was Jonathan’s wife–and The Thomas Group had publicly confirmed it–everyone’s attitude toward Niamh had shifted. The difference was palpable.
At the same time, the way people looked at Marina had changed, too.
Now, as Jonathan’s entire entourage filed through the terminal–from bodyguards to executives–they all treated Niamh as the lady of The Thomas Group.
Even when Marina walked right beside Jonathan, he still kept closer to Niamh.
“Mr. Thomas, what an honor to finally meet you in person!”
Outside the airport, Jim and Jane, the husband–and–wife founders of CelestiMed, were already waiting to welcome Jonathan and his team, accompanied by a handful of their staff.
Jonathan strode forward to shake Jim’s hand.
“Mr. Thomas, this is my wife, Jane,” Jim said, gesturing warmly.
Jonathan shook Jane’s hand with practiced ease and introduced, “My wife, Niamh.”
Both Jim and Jane immediately turned their attention to Niamh.
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Chapter
Today, Niamh wasn’t wearing her usual businesslike black suit. Since they were in town for Julian’s wedding, she had chosen a soft gray cashmere sweater and a white wool coat. Her makeup was understated, and her whole look radiated a graceful, quietly elegant beauty.
“Mr. Thomas, your wife is absolutely stunning!” Jane couldn’t help but exclaim.
Then her gaze drifted to Marina.
As always, Marina was dressed head–to–toe in pink: a pale blush suit and a deep rose coat, looking every bit the Barbie doll.
At first, Jane wondered if Marina was an employee of Jonathan’s company. But employees rarely traveled for business dressed quite so… rosy.
“This is Marina, a friend from high school,” Jonathan explained.
Marina smiled stiffly as she greeted Jane and Jim. Niamh was the wife; she was just the old classmate. It was the truth, but it still stung.
From that moment on, Jim and Jane’s attention was focused squarely on Niamh.
Jim wasn’t much for jewelry, but Jane kept up with the fashion scene. Suddenly, she remembered seeing Niamh featured in Shine magazine.
“So you’re the rising designer who made such a splash at Luminous Divas Fashion Week! I had no idea you were not only beautiful, but talented too.”
“Mr. Thomas, you’re a lucky man–your wife is truly remarkable,” Jane added with a warm smile.
Their praise made Jonathan visibly proud.
As hosts, Jim and Jane took the group out for a welcoming dinner.
On the way to the restaurant, Marina sat in silence. No one spoke to her.
Even the Thomas Group staff made occasional small talk about the FZZL project, but Marina couldn’t find any way to join the conversation.
Though she sat right beside Jonathan, she might as well have been invisible.
The next day–the day before Julian’s wedding–Niamh learned in casual conversation with Jim and Jane that they, too, had been invited to the ceremony.
