Chapter 13
[Lia, the custom engagement ring I commissioned from Chaumet just arrived at their boutique. Would you like to see it?]
Chaumet, the prestigious Parisian jeweler favored by European aristocracy.
She’d only agreed to the arranged marriage days ago, yet the ring was already here?
Had it been commissioned in advance?
Jessica replied with a simple “Sure.”
At the Chaumet boutique, the specialist, with the polished grace characteristic of the Parisian house, presented the ring.
Miss Bennett, this is the ring Mr. Blackwood specially commissioned for you,”
essica examined the exquisite piece. A rare five-carat blue diamond, surrounded by a halo of pink and white diamonds, sparkled rilliantly under the boutique lights. It was breathtaking.
We’ve engraved your initials inside the band, as requested.”
essica looked closely-“AB TW” was delicately inscribed within.
he thought and care put into the design was evident.
he ring fit perfectly on her finger.
It’s stunning,” the specialist said sincerely.
ust then, Drake’s voice cut through the moment.
Jessica? What are you doing here?”
C
.
་
he turned with a frown.
rake instantly dropped Sienna’s hand.
flash of coldness crossed Sienna’s eyes before her expression smoothed.
essica wasn’t surprised to see them together. Not anymore.
Just trying on a ring,” she said with a sweet smile.
rake strode forward, his expression darkening when he saw the ring.
essica wiggled her fingers, making the diamonds catch the light. “What do you think? Beautiful, isn’t it?”
Anger flickered in Drake’s eyes.
No. It’s not.”
They both knew what a ring symbolized.
Drake had thought Jessica understood her place.
incess
He hadn’t expected her to aspire to things beyond her station.
Marriage wasn’t something he could offer her.
She wasn’t worthy of it.
Sienna smiled brightly at Jessica. “What a coincidence! Drake and I are here to look at rings too.”
Jessica laughed inwardly.
So that’s what Drake’s earlier phone call had been about.
His “important business” was shopping for rings with Sienna?
Drake didn’t deny it.
Sienna’s eyes fixed on Jessica’s ring.
That center stone had to be at least five carats.
And those rare pink diamonds in the halo…
This ring must cost millions. The audacity of her even trying it on-how embarrassing.
Jessica ignored Sienna’s challenging tone, admiring the ring on her hand.
She had to admit, Asher had impeccable taste.
“That’s quite a ring, Jessica,” Sienna said sweetly.
“Isn’t it? I think so too.”
Drake’s face darkened further. “Take it off, Jessica.”
‘Why?”
‘What are you playing at? Trying to pressure me into marriage?” Drake finally exploded. “I will never marry you!”
Sienna’s lips curved slightly, triumphant.
‘Actually, Drake and I are here at Caroline’s request,” she said, referring to Drake’s mother. “She’s very particular about the family
ring.”
The implication was clear: she was Caroline Ashcroft’s chosen daughter-in-law. Jessica shouldn’t dream of joining the Ashcroft family.
Jessica found their assumptions amusing.
She was trying on her fiancé’s custom ring, and they were having a meltdown?
One assuming she was desperate for marriage.
The other bragging about Caroline’s approval.
As if the Ashcrofts were such a catch. Her father wouldn’t even consider them significant enough to matter.
“Noted,” Jessica said neutrally.
Drake and Sienna exchanged confused looks.
Why wasn’t she upset?
Sienna studied Jessica’s face, searching for signs of jealousy or resentment.
But Jessica’s expression revealed nothing.
Sienna couldn’t tell if she was genuinely unbothered or just hiding it well.
Drake’s face had turned thunderous.
“Is this funny to you? Did you plan this? Did you know we’d be here?”
“Let me be clear-we will never work out. This little stunt won’t change that!”
“Marriage is about equal standing. How could someone like you ever marry into my family?”
Drake’s anger spilled out. “Look at yourself-it’s embarrassing!”
Jessica remained calm.
“I’m embarrassing?” she asked mildly.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but we haven’t broken up. So that makes Sienna the other woman, and you the cheater. Who’s really embarrassing here?”
Drake’s chest heaved with fury. “Take. It. Off.”
“No,” Jessica said quietly.
“Fine! Keep it on! I’ll never buy you a ring, and I’ll never marry you!”
‘Mm-hmm.”
Drake glared at her indifference, then stormed out.
‘Drake, wait!” Sienna hurried after him.
Once they left, the specialist looked bewildered. “Miss Bennett, those people were…?”
‘No one important,” Jessica replied.
Three years together, and Drake had never considered marriage.
Little did he know, he wasn’t even in her league. She’d never planned to marry him either.
essica sent photos of the ring to Asher.
What do you think?]
Meanwhile, in London, in the CEO’s office of Blackwood Industries…
Asher smiled at the message from “Lia.”
Setting aside his documents, he typed:
.
(Beautiful. Do you like it?]
I do.]
His smile deepened.
[I’m glad.]
[Asher, this ring must have cost a fortune.]
[You’re worth every penny.]
His assistant, William, stood by awaiting signatures, trying and utterly failing to be subtle about stealing glances at his boss.
Bloody hell, was he seeing this right?
The infamous Ice King of London’s financial district-the man whose mere presence could lower room temperature by several degrees-was actually… smiling?
And not just any smile, mind you. The usually stoic CEO looked positively chuffed, like a man who’d just been handed the keys to Buckingham Palace.
‘Documents are signed. Something fascinating about my face, William?” Asher’s voice snapped back to its usual arctic temperatures.
William practically jumped out of his bespoke suit. “Right! No, absolutely not, sir. Nothing at all. I’ll just…” He snatched up the papers,
early dropping them in his haste. “I’ll have these processed straightaway.”
essica headed to the watch boutique next door, planning to buy Asher a welcome gift for when she arrived in London.
Her father had shown her recent photos of Asher.
Cool and dignified, with sharp features and striking eyes-just as she remembered.
She carefully selected a sophisticated black timepiece that suited his style.
As she finished paying, a familiar voice called out.
Jessica, what are you…”
