Chapter 113
He held her firmly, each powerful thrust seeming to want to melt her into his very bones, pushing their union to the deepest extreme.
Elizabeth had started shouting without caring about her image; only in this way could she express her sense of relief.
Sex was humanity's most primal pleasure, and Jacob had taught Elizabeth this through action.
They went at it wildly, losing count of how many times.
Only when Elizabeth truly couldn't take it anymore, crying and swearing she'd kill him, did Jacob realize she was genuinely exhausted and decided to let her off the hook for tonight.
Jacob leaned against the headboard, his bare chest still marked with a few faint scratches.
His gaze fell on Elizabeth beside him, her back turned to him, seemingly already asleep.
Her long hair spilled across the pillow, revealing a stretch of fair, elegant neck, where traces he'd left could still be faintly seen.
An unprecedented sense of satisfaction spread through his chest.
His physical desire was temporarily satisfied, but the urge deep in his heart to completely merge her into his bones seemed even stronger.
He stubbed out his cigarette, reached out, and pulled Elizabeth into his arms, blanket and all.
Jacob's low voice sounded above her head, hoarse from their activities, "We'll hold the engagement party in three days."
It was not a negotiation; it was a notification.
As if this decision had been made before their intimacy, and everything just now was merely some kind of confirmation or warm-up before the ceremony.
Elizabeth was silent in his arms for a few seconds.
Three days were rushed. But with Jacob's methods and the Smith Family's wealth, it was enough to organize a grand and magnificent banquet.
For the Smith Family, having just gone through an internal purge, this was perhaps also a signal to the outside world showing stability and strength.
And for her?
A public, grand engagement party personally orchestrated by Jacob would undoubtedly weld the identity of Jacob's fiancée firmly onto her.
This would give her unprecedented confidence and support in the battle with Charles for the Windsor Group. Charles's underhanded tactics would become worthless before the Smith Family's absolute power. Those wavering shareholders and partners would also reconsider her weight.
The benefits outweighed the drawbacks.
"Okay," she responded softly, her voice still carrying a trace of post-coital hoarseness.
Jacob seemed satisfied with her straightforward agreement, tightening his arms around her, his chin resting on top of her head.
"Tomorrow, I'll take you to pick out jewelry and a dress," he added, his tone carrying the natural air of a man providing material things for his woman.
Elizabeth didn't object.
Although she wasn't short of money, since Jacob was willing to put in the effort for her, what reason was there to refuse?
The next afternoon, Jacob pushed aside all his business, personally drove, and brought Elizabeth to the city's top luxury shopping center.
This was a place that gathers the world's top jewelry, high-end custom clothing and luxury brands, and it was a venue where the rich and celebrities displayed their status and wealth.
Jacob was clearly familiar with this place, leading Elizabeth directly into a century-old store famous for custom rare jewelry.
The manager, having already received word, respectfully came forward and cleared the entire store to serve only them.
Under the brilliant lights, various gemstones sparkled dazzlingly.
Jacob sat in a large velvet sofa, his posture relaxed yet carrying an invisible sense of pressure, saying to the manager, "Bring out your best jewelry suitable for an engagement party."
He had actually already commissioned a master craftsman to create wedding rings, but he still wanted to give her an engagement gift before the wedding, to prevent certain tactless people from using this to look down on her.
The manager quickly signaled staff to bring out several trays lined with black velvet, displaying various jewelry made with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, each piece worth a fortune and exquisitely designed.
Jacob's gaze swept over the jewelry, finally settling on a necklace set with a huge pear-shaped diamond. The diamond was pure and flawless, brilliantly sparkling, surrounded by delicate small diamonds set in a vine pattern, luxurious yet elegant.
"Try this one," he indicated to Elizabeth.
The staff carefully put it on Elizabeth.
The cool diamond rested on the skin below her collarbone, the brilliant light making her neck appear even more slender and fair, her cool features set off by this extreme luxury into a breathtakingly stunning beauty.
Jacob's eyes flashed with undisguised amazement and possessiveness.
He stood up, walked behind her, gazing at her in the mirror, his fingers lightly brushing the edge of the necklace, saying in a low voice, "Very suitable for you."
His breath brushed past her ear, carrying an intimate, declarative meaning.
Elizabeth looked at herself in the mirror, adorned with luxurious jewelry and standing beside an imposing man, and for a moment, she felt a trance.
Was this really her? The Elizabeth who died miserably in her past life, devoted to revenge in this one?
But she quickly collected herself, giving Jacob in the mirror a slight smile, just right, with the proper grace of accepting a gift, "Thank you, it's beautiful."
Jacob seemed very satisfied with her reaction, waving his hand grandly, "This one then. Get the matching earrings and bracelet too."
Next, they went to several top haute couture dress shops. Jacob seemed to enjoy himself, personally selecting several dresses in different styles for Elizabeth and having her try them on one by one.
His eye was discerning and unique, the styles he chose either emphasized extreme luxury to highlight her status, or had sharp tailoring to complement her cool temperament.
Elizabeth cooperated with his styling like an exquisite doll.
Finally, it was time to choose a suit for Jacob.
They entered a top Italian handmade suit boutique. Elizabeth selected a dark blue peaked lapel suit with subtle patterns based on his build and temperament, paired with a matching tie and pocket square.
"Go try it on," Elizabeth handed him the clothes.
"Want to come with me?" Jacob looked at her, his eyes carrying suggestive meaning.
Elizabeth thought of last night's indulgence, and her ears turned red, but she pushed Jacob with a straight face, "Go by yourself."
Jacob didn't mind being refused, instead finding her adorable. He took the clothes and walked into the fitting room.
Elizabeth sat in the waiting area outside, casually flipping through fashion magazines in the store, though her mind wandered elsewhere.
At the engagement banquet in three days, Charles would definitely get the news. I wondered how he would react?
And those who were just tricked by Jacob, I wondered what their reactions would be.
This banquet probably wouldn't be peaceful.
Just then, the store door was pushed open, and a group of people walked in.
Elizabeth looked up, her pupils contracting slightly.