Chapter 232: The Final Conclusion

Chapter 232: The Final Conclusion

A few days later, the friends finally met up at a restaurant near the university.

"Adeline, you're getting married, how can you still be so busy?" Elisa looked at Adeline with dissatisfaction. "A proposal is such a big deal, and we weren't even there. You just said yes? Not romantic at all."

"The proposal is their business. As long as they think it's romantic, that's all that matters," Kate said, passing her a piece of cut steak. "Can't you just eat and be quiet?"

"Didn't we agree when we graduated? We'd be bridesmaids for the first one to get married. I said back then that it would definitely be Adeline first, after all..." Elisa's voice trailed off. Realizing she was about to mention Allen, she felt like a complete idiot. Back then, Adeline was the only one in the dorm with a boyfriend. Everyone thought they would definitely get married. Who would have thought it would end like this?

Adeline didn't mind at all and even waved her hand with a smile. "I'm still the first one to get married. You'll be my bridesmaids. We'll go try on bridesmaid dresses later."

"Really? Is Mr. Williams paying? Can I pick the most expensive one?" Elisa's eyes sparkled. Seeing Adeline nod, she was even happier.

But Kate asked cautiously, "Is it okay to get married now? After all, the case hasn't been decided yet." Although the evidence had been submitted to the police, Nancy had been dead for many years. The lawsuit would probably take a long time.

Adeline put down her fork and wiped her mouth. "Just because it hasn't been decided doesn't mean they're not guilty. Ronald didn't just submit the evidence of their murders from back then."

"The Jones Group has been plagiarizing other companies' designs for years, and they've even threatened some unknown designers. Ronald has already compiled all the evidence. That alone will put Edwin in prison for several years."

"The Murphy Group also has a lot of illegal activities. And Amara, she's sold a lot of medical equipment and jewelry on the black market and laundered money with Edwin. They can't escape any of it. In the end, they'll be convicted of multiple crimes."

"What about Allen?" Elisa asked curiously.

Adeline watched the bubbles in her glass slowly rise and then burst. She said softly, "He kidnapped my parents, and with everything else he's done, he'll be in prison for at least ten years. There's nothing to be afraid of." She looked up and around. At that moment, she truly felt a sense of release.

She had mentioned several times that she wanted to celebrate her birthday at the most high-end restaurant across from the university, but Allen had never fulfilled his promise. He would either say it was too expensive and not worth it, or that a birthday wasn't that important. Now, thinking back on the past, Adeline felt like it was a lifetime ago.

After dinner, the group went straight to Elysia's studio.

Entering the studio and seeing all the top luxury brand dresses, Elisa held her breath. "Adeline, are you sure we're picking bridesmaid dresses here? Isn't it too expensive?"

"Yeah, Adeline, why don't we just buy two dresses online? Let's not be too extravagant," Kate also shook her head. Even if they weren't from the upper class, they knew how expensive Urban Vogue's dresses were.

Just as Adeline was about to speak, the door to the design room opened, and Elysia walked out. "It's just bridesmaid dresses. Don't be so formal." Her tone wasn't exactly warm, and it was a little stiff. But when she saw Adeline, Elysia's expression softened. "You're all Adeline's friends, so you're my friends too. This is my brand. Don't be so nervous. It's on the house."

Elisa and Kate exchanged a look and then smiled and nodded.

Elysia waved her hand, and a staff member immediately took the two of them to try on dresses. She then pulled Adeline into the design room.

A long-trained wedding dress in the center of the room caught her eye. The train was dotted with pale pink, sparkling with different lusters under the light.

"I heard you like pink. I think every girl dreams of a pink wedding dress. White is common, but it may not be what you like." Elysia said, gently stroking the dress, an emotion Adeline couldn't understand in her eyes.

Adeline's gaze fell on the dress. It was indeed not a traditional wedding dress. The pale pink material gave a warm and friendly feeling. The design combined modern elements with traditional craftsmanship, having a classic elegance yet also a fashionable feel. Such intricate craftsmanship must have taken at least a year or two to make.

Thinking of this, Adeline's heart sank. So who was this dress originally made for?

The next second, Elysia gave the answer. "Adeline, you should know that Ronald's father and I had an arranged marriage. There were no feelings. I envy you. I envy that you can marry for love."

"I designed this wedding dress for myself before I got married. I've made some minor alterations to it to be your main wedding dress. Please don't mind. I spent several years of my life making it by hand." She turned her head again, her eyes filled with a motherly love. "Thank you so much for saving my mother-in-law, and thank you for always being by Ronald's side. From now on, we are a family."

She stepped forward and took Adeline's hand, patting it a little stiffly. "From today on, I will treat you as my daughter, always support you, and always bless you."

The warmth from Elysia's palm spread through Adeline's heart. Adeline squeezed her hand back and nodded vigorously. "We are a family from now on. I will always support you and treat you as my mother."

"What about me?" Ronald stood at the door and knocked, a happy smile on his face. "Adeline has a one-of-a-kind wedding dress. My suit isn't going to be pink too, is it?"

"Just wear whatever. There are plenty of ready-made ones outside. Go pick one," Elysia said, giving Ronald a dissatisfied look. She was just about to take out the family heirloom when he barged in.

Ronald pretended not to see the emotion in her eyes and walked straight in, wrapping his arm around Adeline's waist. He then held out his hand to her. "I saw it. Take it out."

Elysia tutted and turned to take two jewelry boxes from the table. "Let me be clear, these are both for Adeline. They will be family heirlooms from now on." She handed one of the boxes to Ronald. "On your wedding day, you're just borrowing it to wear, you hear me?"

Adeline was also handed a box. She opened it, confused. Inside lay the pink diamond brooch that Rhiannon had designed and made all those years ago. She then looked at the box in Ronald's hand. Sure enough, it was the other brooch.

"My parents bought these two brooches back then. After all this time, they've returned to the Williams family." Rhiannon said, taking both of their hands and letting them overlap. "Fate brought you together. Let that fate continue."

"These pink diamonds were originally mined together. From now on, they will be together forever."

Adeline looked up at Ronald. They smiled at each other, their eyes filled with nothing but happiness.