[Gabby, the custom engagement ring I commissioned from Chaumet just arrived at their boutique. Would you like to see it?]
Chaumet, the prestigious Parisian jeweler favored by European aristocracy.
She’d only agreed to the arranged marriage days ago, yet the ring was already here?
Had it been commissioned in advance?
Gabriella replied with a simple “Sure.”
At the Chaumet boutique, the specialist, with the polished grace characteristic of the Parisian house, presented the ring.
“Miss Rodriguez, this is the ring Mr. Blackwood specially commissioned for you.”
Gabriella examined the exquisite piece. A rare five–carat blue diamond, surrounded by a halo of pink and white diamonds, sparkled brilGabbyntly under the boutique lights. It was breathtaking.
“We’ve engraved your initials inside the band, as requested.”
Gabriella looked closely-“AB TW” was delicately inscribed within.
The thought and care put into the design was evident.
The ring fit perfectly on her finger.
“It’s stunning,” the specialist said sincerely.
Just then, Drake’s voice cut through the moment.
“Gabriella? What are you doing here?”
She turned with a frown.
Drake instantly dropped Sienna’s hand.
A flash of coldness crossed Sienna’s eyes before her expression smoothed.
Gabriella wasn’t surprised to see them together. Not anymore.
“Just trying on a ring,” she said with a sweet smile.
Drake strode forward, his expression darkening when he saw the ring.
Gabriella wiggled her fingers, making the diamonds catch the light. “What do you think? Beautiful, isn’t it?”
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Anger flickered in Drake’s eyes.
“No. It’s not.”
They both knew what a ring symbolized.
Drake had thought Gabriella understood her place.
He hadn’t expected her to aspire to things beyond her station.
Marriage wasn’t something he could offer her.
She wasn’t worthy of it.
Sienna smiled brightly at Gabriella. “What a coincidence! Drake and I are here to look at rings too.”
Gabriella laughed inwardly.
So that’s what Drake’s earlier phone call had been about.
His “important business” was shopping for rings with Sienna?
Drake didn’t deny it.
Sienna’s eyes fixed on Gabriella’s ring.
That center stone had to be at least five carats.
And those rare pink diamonds in the halo…
This ring must cost millions. The audacity of her even trying it on–how embarrassing.
Gabriella ignored Sienna’s challenging tone, admiring the ring on her hand.
She had to admit, Asher had impeccable taste.
S
“That’s quite a ring, Gabriella,” Sienna said sweetly.
“Isn’t it? I think so too.”
Drake’s face darkened further. “Take it off, Gabriella.”
“Why?”
“What are you playing at? Trying to pressure me into marriage?” Drake finally exploded. “I will never marry you!”
Sienna’s lips curved slightly, triumphant.
“Actually, Drake and I are here at Caroline’s request,” she said, referring to Drake’s mother. “She’s very particular about the family ring.”
06:43
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Chapter 14
The implication was clear: she was Caroline Ashcroft’s chosen daughter–in–law, Gabriella shouldn’t dream of joining the Ashcroft family.
Gabriella found their assumptions amusing.
She was trying on her fiancé’s custom ring, and they were having a meltdown?
One assuming she was desperate for marriage.
The other bragging about Caroline’s approval.
As if the Ashcrofts were such a catch. Her father wouldn’t even consider them significant enough to matter.
“Noted,” Gabriella said neutrally.
Drake and Sienna exchanged confused looks.
Why wasn’t she upset?
Sienna studied Gabriella’s face, searching for signs of jealousy or resentment.
But Gabriella’s expression revealed nothing.
Sienna couldn’t tell if she was genuinely unbothered or just hiding it well.
Drake’s face had turned thunderous.
“Is this funny to you? Did you plan this? Did you know we’d be here?”
“Let me be clear–we will never work out. This little stunt won’t change that!”
“Marriage is about equal standing. How could someone like you ever marry into my family?”
Drake’s anger spilled out. “Look at yourself—it’s embarrassing!”
Gabriella remained calm.
“I’m embarrassing?” she asked mildly.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but we haven’t broken up. So that makes Sienna the other woman, and you the cheater. Who’s really embarrassing here?”
Drake’s chest heaved with fury. “Take. It. Off.”
“No,” Gabriella said quietly.
“Fine! Keep it on! I’ll never buy you a ring, and I’ll never marry you!”
“Mm–hmm.”
Drake glared at her indifference, then stormed out.
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Chapter 14
“Drake, wait!” Sienna hurried after him.
Once they left, the specialist looked bewildered. “Miss Rodriguez, those people were…?”
“No one important.” Gabriella replied.
Three years together, and Drake had never considered marriage.
Linie did he know, he wasn’t even in her league. She’d never planned to marry him either.
Gabriella sent photos of the ring to Asher.
[What do you think?)
Meanwhile, in London, in the CEO’s office of Blackwood Industries…
Asher smiled at the message from “Gabby.”
Setting aside his documents, he typed:
[Beautiful. Do you like it?]
[I do.]
His smile deepened.
[I’m glad.]
[Asher, this ring must have cost a fortune.]
[You’re worth every penny.]
His assistant, WilGabbym, stood by awaiting signatures, trying and utterly failing to be subtle about stealing glances
at his boss.
Bloody hell, was he seeing this right?
The infamous Ice King of London’s financial district–the man whose mere presence could lower room temperature by several degrees–was actually… smiling?
And not just any smile, mind you. The usually stoic CEO looked positively chuffed, like a man who’d just been handed the keys to Buckingham Palace.
“Documents are signed. Something fascinating about my face, WilGabbym?” Asher’s voice snapped back to its usual arctic temperatures.
WilGabbym practically jumped out of his bespoke suit. “Right! No, absolutely not, sir. Nothing at all. I’ll just…” He snatched up the papers, nearly dropping them in his haste. “I’ll have these processed straightaway.”
Gabriella headed to the watch boutique next door, planning to buy Asher a welcome gift for when she arrived in
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London
Her father had shown her recent photos of Asher.
Cool and dignified, with sharp features and striking eyes–just as she remembered.
She carefully selected a sophisticated black timepiece that suited his style.
As she finished paying, a famiGabbyr voice called out.
“Gabriella, what are you.”
***
