Chapter 7
Reed finally closed his laptop and turned to look at me.[]
His eye sockets were deep, his pupils black as ink. When he stared at someone, it felt as if he might draw them in.[]
“You really like Gabriel, don’t you?“[]
“O–Of course, he’s my boyfriend!“[]
Reed’s expression remained unchanged, but the atmosphere in the car suddenly grew heavy.[]
Just as I wondered if I’d said something wrong. Reed withdrew his intense gaze.[]
Casually, he tossed me a jewelry box: “This is for you. I’ve been back a while but haven’t given you a welcome gift yet.“[]
I opened it and was instantly stunned–inside lay an emerald ring.[]
There were two such rings, left by the old Mrs. West for her future granddaughters–in–law.
In my previous life, I wore one just like this when I married Gabriel.[]
Why would Reed give me something so valuable? Was he testing me?]
Since Gabriel hadn’t proposed yet, I shouldn’t know this ring was a West family heirloom.]
I quickly pushed it back: “Reed, this is too valuable. I can’t accept it!“]
Reed didn’t take it back. Instead, he lifted his eyelids slightly, his gaze piercing: “Oh? Is it?“]
“Tell me what makes it so valuable?“]
“Well… it obviously costs a fortune…” I fumbled for an excuse.]]]
Reed chuckled: “How much could it be worth? Ten million at most! You’re worth it.“]
I opened and closed my mouth, unable to formulate a rebuttal.[]
Reed suddenly leaned in closer, his gaze penetrating as he looked into my eyes.
“My word is final.“}
27
By the time I could analyze his expression further, he had resumed his upright posture, reopening his laptop and returning to work.[]
The car stopped outside a café. After getting out
Reed responded with a simple “Mm.“[]
I watched as the window slowly rose and the car
of
car,
I said to Reed: “Thank you, Reed!“[]
rove away.
Then I turned and crossed the street to a different teahouse.
In a private room with excellent privacy, I exchanged a wad of cash for a package wrapped in brown paper with a bald man wearing sunglasses.
No words were exchanged, yet the transaction was complete.[]
That evening back home, I received a call from Gabriel.]
“There’s been a complication with the Bay Area project, and I need to fly over to handle it.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely be back before your ovulation period. I promise!”
After hanging up, my mood was exceptionally cheerful.
With Gabriel away, my next moves would be much easier.
Time flew by, and soon it was the day of my ovulation period.[]
Gabriel texted that he would return and asked me to wait for him.[]
But instead of Gabriel, Penelope arrived.[]
The Shaw family had distant relations with the Wests; Penelope called Gabriel’s mother her aunt.[]
The West mansion was practically her second home.[]
So when Penelope cornered me in the conservatory, I wasn’t surprised at all.]
She crossed her arms, her cold gaze lingering my belly for a long time before tossing me a paper bag.]
“Gabriel specifically instructed me to tell you to shower and change into this.”
I opened the bag to find an extremely sexy lace nightgown with cat ear accessories.]]
“When is Gabriel coming back?” I asked.]
Penelope smirked condescendingly. “What’s the rush? He’ll be back tonight, naturally!“[]
Then she turned and left, arms still crossed.
