Chapter 224

Chapter 224
Hazel’s POV

 

This day, I was invited to a corporate representative meeting held by the municipal government.

 

As I stepped into the hall, I saw Vivian standing at the sign-in desk. After she finished signing, her slender, upright back looked exceptionally cold and detached.

 

I took a deep breath and stepped forward, trying to keep my voice natural and polite: “Ms. Wilson.”

 

She turned around. Her eyes were as calm as always. She gave a mere polite nod before heading straight toward the conference hall.

 

I stood there, my nails digging slightly into my palms, forcing down the surge of bitterness in my heart.

 

Fred was standing by a pillar near the entrance, seemingly just finishing a call. He strode over and followed my gaze toward the direction Vivian had left, his tone filled with indignation: “Ms. Hughes, don’t pay her any mind. Someone as arrogant and aloof as her will trip over herself sooner or later.”

 

His words sounded like he was standing up for me, but to my ears, it was just a reminder—no matter how hard I tried, I could never shake the weight Vivian held in the eyes of these people.

 

I lowered my head, hiding the disappointment in my eyes.

 

Seeing my silence, Fred lowered his voice and changed the subject, “By the way, your birthday is coming up, right? I remember it’s in a few days.”

 

I looked up and nodded gently: “Yes.”

 

Fred smiled, his expression sincere: “Then, happy early birthday.”

 

I returned a grateful smile: “Thank you.”

 

I pulled myself together and entered the conference hall.

 

After the meeting ended, people left in small groups.

 

Vivian left extremely quickly. Several business partners tried to catch up with her to chat, only to be brushed off by her “keep-your-distance” aura.

 

I stayed until the last moment, slowly packing up my notebook before heading out.

 

Fred caught up from behind, walking in step with me.

 

“Ms. Hughes, are you free tonight? How about dinner? I know a new restaurant that just opened; the atmosphere is great.”

 

I smiled and shook my head: “I’ve been buried in company business lately, so I really can’t find the time. Let’s do another day.”

 

Fred wanted to say more, but seeing my indifferent expression and the fact that I didn't want to talk, he swallowed his words. After a few pleasantries, we walked out of the municipal building one after the other.

 

As soon as I stepped outside, my phone rang.

 

It was Tabitha. As soon as I answered, her voice—barely able to contain her excitement—came through the receiver, sounding as if she’d discovered a priceless treasure.

 

“Hazel! Guess what I just heard?”

 

“I heard Dylan bought a priceless gemstone recently, worth a full 800 million! My god, 800 million! For him to buy such an expensive gift without any warning—if it isn’t to propose to you, what else could it be for?”

 

She spoke at machine-gun speed, finishing her sentence without giving me a chance to break in.

 

I gripped my phone, my footsteps faltering.

 

Standing on the steps of the municipal building, I took a deep breath, trying to make my voice sound calm: “Where did you hear this news from?”

 

Tabitha’s tone was certain: “My friend at the auction house saw it with her own eyes! She saw Dylan’s secretary take that gemstone away—the packaging was incredibly luxurious—it was clearly prepared for someone important.”

 

“Hazel, think about it. Since Vivian and Dylan are already divorced, there is no way he would buy something so precious for Vivian. If it isn’t for you, then who else could it be?”

 

Her voice climbed another octave: “Hazel, the whole family is overjoyed! Grandma says the good news is finally here, and you’ll soon be Mrs. Nelson!”

 

My heart hammered against my ribs. I breathed deeply, trying to calm my racing mind. I couldn’t show it; I couldn’t let anyone notice how much I cared, and I certainly couldn’t let anyone see how long I had been waiting for this moment.

 

“Right. I understand,” I said, and hung up.

 

My expression remained composed, giving nothing away, but the fingers hidden inside my sleeves were already gripping my phone tightly, desperately suppressing a joy that was threatening to spill over.

 

Tabitha’s words left me dizzy.

 

An 800-million-dollar gemstone, handled personally by his secretary, beautifully packaged.

 

For the next few days, I was immersed in a state of extreme agitation.

 

Finally, the day of my birthday arrived. The Nelson family went all out for this banquet.

 

Helen sat in the living room first thing in the morning, buzzing around and directing the servants on the decorations. The dining table was covered with various delicacies and desserts, and in the center sat a huge three-tier cream cake with “Hazel” written in obvious piping.

 

A lot of friends came that day—Emma, Cameron, and several business acquaintances. The gifts they brought piled up on the table, each package more exquisite than the last.

 

I smiled and thanked them one by one, accepting the gifts.

 

I had specifically worn the red dress that Dylan had given me; it made me look especially radiant.

 

Even though I kept smiling, my gaze kept drifting toward the door. The person I was waiting for hadn’t arrived yet.

 

Helen noticed it too. She walked over, tucked her arm affectionately into mine, and asked in a low voice, “Hazel, why isn’t Dylan here yet? Give him a call and ask; I hope he didn't forget.”

 

“…Okay.” I took out my phone and dialed the familiar number.

 

The phone rang for a long time, but no one answered.

 

I dialed again. Still no answer.

 

I frowned, hung up, and dialed the number for Dylan’s secretary instead.

 

This time, it went through.

 

“Ms. Hughes, hello.”

 

I asked urgently: “Has Dylan left yet? I can’t get through to his phone.”

 

The secretary said respectfully: “Mr. Nelson has already left. He might be driving and didn't hear it. Please wait just a moment more; he should be here very soon.”

 

“I understand.”

 

I let out a breath of relief and hung up.

 

About twenty minutes later, a black Bentley glided to a stop in front of the Nelson Family Mansion.

 

The door opened. Dylan stepped out wearing a charcoal-grey suit, holding an exquisite gift box, and walked slowly into the courtyard.

 

Tabitha was the first to see him, shouting excitedly: “Mr. Nelson is here!”

 

Everyone in the room looked toward the door.

 

I smiled—the brightest smile I’d worn all day.

 

I stepped forward, stopped in front of him, and said softly: “You’re here.”

 

He nodded and handed the box to me: “Happy birthday.”

 

I took the box, my fingers trembling uncontrollably, and carefully tore away the packaging, lifting the lid.

 

I moved slowly, as if opening a dream I’d waited a long time for.

 

Finally, the box opened.

 

Inside was a diamond necklace.

 

The platinum chain was inlaid with dozens of small diamonds, and in the center was a main diamond of about twenty carats, shimmering with a soft luster under the light.

 

It was beautiful, elegant, and worth a fortune.

 

But it was still a long, long way from 800 million.