Chapter 6 Try Getting Married

When she went to handle the transaction, Adeline was still confused.

What did he mean by "gift"?

Thinking about the astronomical price of the necklace, Adeline kept reassuring herself that with such a high price tag, maybe he just meant to let her examine it up close?

As a jewelry designer, getting to see a legendary piece in person was quite a gift in itself.

Having adjusted her expectations, Adeline visibly relaxed.

In the VIP lounge, staff members brought in the auction items one by one.

Ronald sat on the sofa sipping tea while Adeline diligently performed her secretarial duties.

Ronald had purchased four jewelry pieces, each incredibly valuable, and Adeline naturally inspected each with care.

Watching her concentrated expression, Ronald's gaze softened slightly.

When they reached the final necklace, Adeline unconsciously tensed up.

She changed gloves again and held her breath, afraid to miss any detail.

Ronald waved his hand, dismissing the auction house staff.

After examining it for a while, Adeline finally exhaled. "Mr. Williams, all jewelry items have been inspected. How shall we transport them back?"

"We'll wear this one back," Ronald stood and walked to her side, picking up the Nebula's Heart and placing it around her neck.

Adeline froze, feeling as if her neck carried a thousand pounds.

Five hundred million dollars hanging from her neck felt suffocating.

Ronald frowned, slightly displeased. "You don't like it?"

Adeline nodded frantically, then quickly shook her head.

What exactly did she like? Five hundred million dollars or the necklace?

Ronald remained expressionless, sitting back on the sofa. "I said it's a gift for you. Didn't you just say you regretted never seeing these pieces in person?"

Adeline stared at him blankly, emotions building in her chest, threatening to overflow.

He'd remembered her words and wanted to give her this incredibly expensive necklace? Why?

The 12th Valorian Queen's sapphire necklace was legendary.

It had been crafted by her beloved's own hands. Legend had it that each diamond was personally found and polished by her lover before being set into the necklace.

This wasn't just an ordinary jewelry—it was a vessel of love.

While writing her thesis, Adeline had pored over countless documents, deeply moved by this love story.

She was an ordinary girl who dreamed of a beautiful romance.

Though she wouldn't call herself love-obsessed, she had hoped that someday she and Allen might share a simple yet beautiful love.

Thinking of her tragic love life and this chaotic one-night stand, she lowered her head, removed the necklace, and carefully placed it back in its box.

"Mr. Williams, I can't accept this necklace."

"Why not?" Ronald frowned slightly, seemingly bewildered.

She liked it, he bought it—shouldn't she be happy?

Adeline looked at him, at a loss for words.  Five hundred million dollars —did Ronald expect her to accept it without a second thought?

Even if they weren't just one-night stand partners but actual lovers, she could never accept such an extravagant gift.

"Mr. Williams, last night was just a misunderstanding. We both consented to what happened, and you don't need to compensate me for anything."

Ronald knew it was her first time having sex, so he wanted to compensate her—this was the only reason Adeline could think of.

She looked up at Ronald, speaking earnestly, "I told you from the beginning that I wouldn't hold you responsible, and you don't need to be responsible for me either. That's all there is to it."

She turned to place the jewelry in the secure carrying case.

"Mr. Williams, I need to contact—"

"I can be responsible," Ronald stood up and moved behind her, placing his hands on the table on either side of her, enclosing her in his embrace as he whispered, "Let's give it a try."

"Give what a try?" Adeline didn't immediately understand his meaning.

Remembering his vigorous performance yesterday, she quickly shook her head. "Mr. Williams, the doctor said I'm not suitable for sex right now."

Not just right now—she didn't want to have sex for quite some time, especially not with her direct boss.

Ronald's eyes darkened as he leaned in closer.

His hot breath tickled Adeline's neck, making her shrink back instinctively. The movement reminded her of yesterday, and her lower body still faintly ached.

Seeing her reddened ears, Ronald resisted the urge to bite them and straightened up.

The pressure suddenly gone, Adeline quickly turned around. "Mr. Williams, I'm not looking for a friends-with-benefits situation."

In her understanding, someone of Ronald's status surely had no shortage of women.

Based on yesterday's performance, Ronald seemed to have a strong sex drive. Feeling her body still protesting, she repeated, "I don't do casual hookups. Yesterday was an accident."

If she had known Ronald's identity, if she had been even slightly more sober yesterday, she never would have had a one-night stand with him.

Ronald's gaze was profound, his cold expression at odds with his words, "I'll take responsibility for last night. Let's try marriage."

Adeline's pupils dilated in disbelief.

Ronald repeated himself, "Let's get married. Think about it?"

The moment he'd encountered Adeline at the company, Ronald had felt a certain premonition.

His family had been pressuring him about marriage for ages, and he'd avoided visiting his parents' home for a long time, but that wasn't a sustainable solution.

Within minutes of returning to his office, Ronald had carefully reviewed everything that had happened the previous day.

The moment he'd laid eyes on Adeline, he knew she was his type.

Though he typically disliked being touched by strangers, he hadn't minded Adeline's touch—he'd even been willing to drink alcohol for her.

Since they'd already slept together, marrying her wasn't out of the question.

Rather than entering an arranged marriage with some business partner, why not choose someone he didn't dislike?

Seeing Adeline still speechless, Ronald tried another approach. "We can get married first, then fall in love."

"No!" Adeline finally reacted.

But her reaction was so extreme that it startled Ronald.

Adeline looked at him conflictedly before finally deciding to come clean. "I'm sorry, but I have a boyfriend."

"Is that so?" Ronald raised an eyebrow.

He genuinely hadn't considered this possibility. Given Adeline's inexperience last night, he'd assumed she was single.

Adeline nodded awkwardly. "My boyfriend and I have been together for several years."

"I see." Ronald's tone remained neutral, revealing neither pleasure nor displeasure.

His calmness only made Adeline more uncertain about what to say.

She didn't know how to explain her current relationship with Allen, much less bring up his betrayal.

Her phone vibrated, and seeing Allen's incoming call, Adeline instinctively wanted to decline it.

But with Ronald right there proposing marriage, she decided to answer.

"Babe, where are you? I'm so sorry I couldn't be with you on your birthday yesterday."

Allen's concerned yet guilty voice sounded particularly jarring in the quiet lounge.