CHAPTER 4: CHAPTER 4: I WILL NEVER MARRY YOU

[Talia, the engagement ring I customized for you at Chaumet Paris has arrived at the Mirehaven store. Visit whenever you have time.]

Chaumet Paris is a world-renowned diamond ring brand.

She had just agreed to the arranged marriage a few days ago, and the customized ring arrived today?

Could this ring have been ordered in advance?

Talia didn’t ask much, she simply replied with "Okay."

Inside the Chaumet Paris store.

The store clerk enthusiastically presented the ring.

"Miss Rhodes, this is the ring that Mr. Jennings customized for you."

Talia picked up the ring and admired it closely.

A rare 5-carat blue diamond was set in an outer band of small pink and colorless diamonds, emitting dazzling brilliance under the lights, mesmerizingly beautiful.

"The inside of this ring is also engraved with the initials of you and Mr. Jennings."

Talia held the ring carefully and saw it was indeed engraved with "JSX RCT."

Clearly, a lot of thought had gone into this ring.

Talia put on the ring; it fit perfectly.

"It’s really beautiful," the store clerk sincerely praised.

Just as she put on the ring, Ethan Grant’s voice suddenly sounded from behind.

"Talia, what are you doing here?"

Talia frowned and turned around.

Ethan Grant let go of Vivian Coleman’s hand the moment Talia turned around.

A cold glint flashed in Vivian’s eyes, but she quickly resumed her composure.

Talia wasn’t surprised to see Ethan show up before her with Vivian.

She smiled sweetly and replied, "I’m here to try on rings."

Ethan processed her words and stepped forward, and upon seeing the ring on Talia’s hand, his face darkened abruptly.

Talia flashed the dazzling diamond ring at him, beaming as she asked, "How does it look?"

Ethan’s eyes filled with a hint of anger.

"It doesn’t look good."

They both understood what the ring symbolized.

Ethan had thought Talia was obedient and sensible.

He never imagined she would covet things that didn’t belong to her.

Marriage, he couldn’t provide.

And she wasn’t worthy.

Ethan kept a cold face and said nothing.

Vivian looked at Talia with a smile, "What a coincidence, Miss Rhodes. Ethan and I are also here to look at rings today."

Talia sneered inwardly.

So, the call Ethan received earlier was from Vivian.

The "business" he mentioned was going shopping with Vivian, including looking at rings?

Ethan offered no explanation.

And tacitly acknowledged Vivian’s words.

Vivian’s gaze landed on the ring in Talia’s hand.

Wow, the blue diamond at the center must be five carats.

Surrounded by a row of rare pink diamonds.

This ring must cost at least seven to eight million. Does she really dare to try it on? Isn’t she embarrassed that she can’t afford it?

In response to Vivian’s provocative words, Talia just uttered an indifferent "Oh" and continued to admire the ring on her hand as if nothing happened.

I have to admit, Adrian Jennings has good taste; she was quite pleased with the ring.

"Miss Rhodes, your ring is so beautiful," Vivian remarked with a smile.

"Yes, I think it’s very beautiful too."

Ethan’s expression turned extremely unpleasant, "Talia, take off the ring."

"Why?" Talia feigned puzzlement as she tilted her head to look at him.

"What’s the point of trying on rings, are you forcing me to marry you?" Ethan could no longer hold back, shouting angrily, "I will never marry you!"

Vivian’s lips curved into a subtle, almost imperceptible smile, secretly pleased.

"Miss Rhodes, Ethan and I are here today according to Aunt Eleanor’s wishes to try on rings."

By "Aunt Eleanor," she meant Ethan’s mother, Eleanor Madison.

Vivian’s message was clear: I am the daughter-in-law Ethan’s mother wants, and she’s already settled on me. You, Talia Rhodes, shouldn’t dream of marrying into The Grant Family.

Talia amusedly watched the couple before her.

She was just trying on her fiancé’s customized engagement ring, yet they were behaving as if it was something significant.

One was narcissistic enough to think she was trying to force a marriage.

The other provocatively flaunted that she had gained Eleanor Madison’s approval.

Besides, Talia’s father wouldn’t even consider a small household like The Grant Family in Mirehaven.

"Oh, I see," Talia replied flatly, emotionless.

Vivian and Ethan were both slightly startled.

Why did she seem unconcerned?

Vivian studied Talia’s face, watched her expression, trying to find a trace of jealousy or frustration.

However, Talia’s expression was impeccable.

Vivian was momentarily unsure.

Was Talia pretending not to care, or did she genuinely not care?

Ethan’s face had turned as dark as it could get.

"Talia, is this amusing to you? Did you know I would be here today with Vivian to look at rings and you’re just waiting for me?"

"Let me tell you honestly, there will never be anything between us, and forcing a marriage today won’t help!"

"Marriage is about equal social status. With your condition, how could you possibly marry me?"

Ethan pressed aggressively, "Look at how pathetic you look right now. I find it embarrassing!"

He was genuinely angry, spouting off a whole list at once.

Yet, Talia was not the least bit upset.

She smiled good-naturedly, "And I’m embarrassing myself again?"

"I remember we haven’t broken up yet, so doesn’t that make Miss Coleman a mistress, and you the cheating scoundrel? Who’s the one embarrassing themselves?"

Ethan was thoroughly infuriated by her words, his chest heaving with rage as he shouted, "Are you taking it off or not?"

Talia, in a relaxed and easy tone, responded, "No, I’m not."

"Fine! Wear it if you like, because I will never buy you a ring, nor will I marry you!"

Talia: "Hmm, okay."

Ethan, seeing Talia completely unyielding, couldn’t do anything with her.

He shot Talia an angry glare before turning and leaving in a huff.

Vivian ran after him, "Ethan, wait for me."

After the two walked out, the store clerk was bewildered, "Miss Rhodes, who are those two?"

"Irrelevant people, don’t pay them any mind."

After dating for three years, Ethan wasn’t considering marrying her.

Little did he know, he wasn’t worthy of marrying her, and she never intended to marry him.

Talia took a few photos wearing the ring and sent them to Adrian Jennings.

[Does it look good?]

At this moment, in Oakhaven, in the office of The Jennings Group CEO.

Adrian Jennings looked at the message from the girl noted as "Talia" on his phone and a smile appeared on his lips.

He put down his documents and typed back a reply.

[It looks great. Do you like it?]

[I love it.]

Adrian’s smile deepened.

[I’m glad you like it.]

[Adrian, the ring must be expensive, right?]

[Not expensive. You’re worth the best.]

Assistant Sean Lynch was standing aside, waiting for Adrian Jennings to sign the documents.

He had already sneakily glanced at his boss several times.

Was he seeing things?

The usually icy-faced CEO was smiling?

And smiling so... sweetly?

It felt like there were pink bubbles floating around the boss.

"I’ve signed it. What are you looking at?" Adrian asked, returning to his usual cold demeanor as he looked at his assistant.

Sean snapped back to attention, quickly taking the documents from the CEO’s hand, "Nothing, sir. I’ll be stepping out."

Meanwhile, Talia picked up the ring, turning to the next-door men’s wristwatch store, planning to buy Adrian Jennings a watch as a gift for her return to Oakhaven.

Her father had shown her recent photos of Adrian Jennings.

He looked poised, with sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, and striking features, not much different from her impressions.

Talia carefully selected a black wristwatch that suited Adrian Jennings very well.

She had just finished the purchase when a familiar face approached her to greet.

"Talia, what are you doing..."