Chapter 15: Engagement Ring

Cattleya’s POV

I wasn't sure if he had heard me correctly. For the first time ever, I saw a genuine look of confusion on his face.

I couldn't help but laugh at his reaction.

Had I just made the Devil Mafia Lord look like a fool?

I sighed, a smile playing on my lips. "Are you okay?"

"Do you want to marry me?" he asked, his voice filled with a mix of surprise and hope.

"Yes," I replied without hesitation.

His lips parted in awe. He seemed stunned as if he couldn't believe I had just said that. After a moment of hesitation, he spoke. "Well... I'm very easy to negotiate, princess."

"So, you're telling me you're going to leave your fiancée for me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It was just a deal, an agreement, to form an alliance with the Romano family by taking their first daughter as my bride. But now that you want to marry me... then yes. Let's get married," he said huskily, his voice filled with determination.

I was stunned again. I hadn't expected him to be so serious.

I had been having fun, playing with his feelings, making him look like a fool. But now, I felt like a real fool for asking this man to marry me.

What kind of person was I? An idiot? Yes, girl, you're an idiot!

He leaned forward. "You want to marry me, right?" he asked, his eyes intense.

I shook my head slowly. "We don't have any relationship—"

"But we kissed," he interrupted. "And you want to take it further only if I marry you."

"I'm just playing..."

He smirked evilly, "And I'm not."

“Y—You’re not?”

He smiled, “I’m dead serious. Let’s get married.”

“What….” I gasped.

He smiled as his hand returned to the steering wheel, accelerating the car.

I couldn't help but wonder what he was up to until we arrived at a famous jewelry store in the city.

He stepped out of the car, turned around, and opened my door. "Let's go inside so you can choose your own ring," he said.

"What?" My mouth parted in surprise.

Oh no. I should have been more playful and less obvious about my regret.

Maybe this was the right path to get into his life and plan my revenge. That's right!

I stepped out of the car. "Alright," I replied, trying to sound casual.

We walked together inside, the staff bowing their heads as they greeted us.

"Welcome to Stefani Gold Jewelry, Mr. Moretti," the sales manager said.

Jaxon replied, "We're looking for an engagement ring. Bring us the best ones."

"Right away, sir," the female sales manager replied happily.

I took a deep breath and sat in the chair opposite Jaxon. He smiled playfully, looking dangerously handsome. I couldn't help but admire his gorgeous beauty, the kind that women across town would swoon over.

Ew.

The sales manager returned with a box of engagement rings, some made of gold with large diamonds, others with white diamonds.

"Here are the best ones! Every piece you choose will be worth it," she said.

I smiled at her and then glanced at Jaxon, whose eyes were sparkling as he watched me choose a ring.

Of course, I chose the most expensive one.

"Well, I think you've chosen the best one, Miss..." she paused.

I introduced myself. "My name is Cattleya Sullivan."

"Oh, right. Miss Sullivan, this exceptional 8-carat blue diamond ring is perfect for you. You're precious and priceless, you deserve this ring. Don't you agree, Mr. Moretti?" the sales manager asked.

Jaxon stood up, looked at the ring, and without saying a word, picked it up and slowly placed it on my finger. "It fits perfectly," he said.

"That ring costs 18 million dollars, sir. Would you still like to take it?" the sales manager asked.

My eyes widened.

Even though I lived a comfortable, lavish life, I had never bought anything for 18 million dollars.

It was far too much for me!

I would rather donate the money to charity than spend it on frivolous things.

But this engagement ring... wow! I couldn't believe it could cost so much.

I thought it might be one or two million dollars!

Jaxon didn't even blink or hesitate. "Alright, we'll take it," he said, opening his wallet and taking out a check. He wrote the amount and handed it to the sales manager.

And everyone was stunned.

SULLIVAN’S RESIDENCE

I stared at the blue diamond ring on my finger, my mind racing. It had all happened so quickly. I thought it was a dream, but it was real—incredibly real!

Jaxon dropped me off at the mansion because I had some things to pick up. Vianne was there and wanted to talk to me.

Jaxon left when he received a call from work. We don't have any romantic relationship, yet here we were, playing the part of a couple!

I took a deep breath and clenched my knuckles as I watched myself in the mirror.

Vianne said, "Are you done staring at your beautiful face in the mirror, Ms. Catt?"

I sighed. "What is it, Vianne? Was this about the art collections again?"

She handed me a few checks. "Only three people from affluent families bought the paintings you purchased from France and Italy. They bid up to the limit, so I had to sell them."

"It's okay. I'm happy you're doing your job. How's the orphanage we're funding?"

Vianne cleared her throat. "Sister Lorna wants to talk to you about something, maybe the real reason why Ariella really wants you to fund this orphanage is because of a truth you need to know about her."

"What do you mean?" I asked, my heart pounding with tension and a hint of worry.

"Well, I don't want to keep a secret from you, Ms. Catt. Sister Lorna told me about Ariella's secret. Ariella has a three-year-old daughter in the orphanage. That's why she wanted you to focus on funding the orphanage so much, because of her daughter," Vianne said, her voice low and slow.

My head spun. How could Ariella keep this secret from me and our family? Why would she leave her daughter in the orphanage for three years?

"And where's the girl now?"

Vianne replied, "Gone."

“Gone?”