Cute enough to make him want to pin her down and ravish her completely.Hearing him call her "sweet Ondine," her hand trembled, and she nearly dropped her fork.Across the table, Seth let out a low chuckle, his chest vibrating softly. He was in an exceptionally good mood.After dinner, Seth calmly took her hand in his. She felt something cool and smooth slip onto her ring finger and looked down.A diamond ring now sat on her left hand."A Valentine's gift," Seth's voice was a low murmur. "Do you like it, Mrs. Thorne?"Her heart fluttered like a trapped bird. "I love it,” she whispered. "Thank you, Seth."He reached out and gently stroked her hair, his eyes full of affection. "I'm glad."Ondine looked down, her eyelashes trembling. "But I forgot it was Valentine's Day. I didn't get you anything."His gaze was soft, his affection undisguised. "Having you by my side is the best gift I could ask for."Her head snapped up, and she met his deep, loving eyes. For a moment, she felt herself start to fall.But she quickly pulled back, warning herself over and over: "He's only doing this because you're his wife. He would do the same for anyone in this position."Zaria's words echoed in her mind: "The moment Ethel returns, he'll get back together with her."The thought was like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing the fragile spark of hope in her heart....The Sheppard family was old1.nmoney. Old Mrs. Sheppard had been a shrewd woman, insisting Garland and Shania sign a prenuptial agreement. As long as Shania didn't file for divorce, she could continue to enjoy the lifestyle of Mrs. Sheppard, with access to all of Garland's wealth and resources. But she had no ownership of his assets. So when Garland offered her ten percent of the company's stock and ten million dollars in exchange for Ellis's hand in marriage, Shania eventually agreed.Garland was motivated by a sense of duty, Shania by greed. Neither of them cared what Ellis wanted.Ellis fought back furiously, but his rebellion only earned him a beating from his father and a complete financial cutoff. With Old Mr. and Mrs. Sheppard gone, Garland was the undisputed head of the family. His decisions were final.Ellis ran away from home for two weeks, but without money, he eventually had no choice but to return and accept his fate.In March, when the peach blossoms were in full bloom, Ellis and Chantal prepared for their engagement.The night before the ceremony, Ellis sent a text to Ondine from a new number.[Ondine, I'm getting engaged tomorrow.]He waited for hours, but no replycame. That night, he fell asleep clutching his phone. He woke up several times, instinctively checking for a message, but there was nothing. Each time, the ache in his chest grew stronger. The last time he woke, it was 4:30 in the morning. Sleep was impossible. He sat up in bed, staring at his phone in the pale moonlight that filled the room.Outside, a gentle spring rain was falling the soft patter like the sound ng mulberryof silkworms devouring mulberry Official source is find⁂novel.netleaves and his heart along with them. noveldramaEllis was from Boreal, so the engagement party was held there. As a prominent local businessman, Garland had invited all of Boreal's most influential figures.Ellis's closest friends were also there to support him.The party was held at the city's finest five-star hotel: the Mansfield Hotel, owned by the Thorne Group.