Chapter 240: A Ring, A Mask, A Game

Yunice sat sideways on the stool as Wyatt, seated across from her, reached out to take the wedding ring offered by the sales associate. The diamond was massive—dazzling, overwhelming, practically blinding.

With practiced ease, Wyatt lifted Yunice’s hand and slid the ring onto her fourth finger. “What do you think?”

Yunice moved her hand slightly. “Too big.”

It was so heavy, it hurt. Wyatt plucked the giant stone off her hand and tossed it casually onto the tray, then picked a slightly smaller pink diamond and slipped it on for her. “How about this?”

Yunice replied, “It’s fine.”

Wyatt leaned an elbow on the crystal display, his gaze oppressive as he looked at the saleswoman. “‘Fine’ means she doesn’t like any of them.”

The woman’s face turned pale. She panicked, afraid Wyatt would think they weren’t putting in enough effort to satisfy the bride.

Flustered, she turned to Yunice, her voice both cautious and eager. “Miss, is there a particular style you prefer? Could you describe it for us?”

Yunice felt awkward. She knew Wyatt didn’t care about money—whatever he picked was guaranteed to be top-of-the-line. And honestly, to her, they were all fine. They were just props for the wedding day, after all. She hadn’t expected a throwaway comment to make things difficult for the staff. But she understood—Wyatt wasn’t really scolding the saleswoman; he was warning her to take this seriously.

This time, she didn’t brush it off. She thought carefully. “I want something subtle, something I can wear on regular days.”

Wyatt raised an eyebrow and smirked. “If we’re getting a ring, it should be huge. If it’s not flashy, people will say I’m stingy.”

“I want it loud.”

Yunice was speechless. Then why bother letting me choose at all? Supposed to listen to?

Not wanting to cause trouble, Yunice relented. “Go with his choice.”

So the associate brought out even flashier, more eye-catching diamonds.

Wyatt held Yunice’s hand as he slipped on each ring. If he didn’t like it, he’d swap it out for the next. Yunice’s palm started to tingle from the gentle drag of his fingertips. She resisted the urge to pull away. Fortunately, the round of fittings didn’t last long.

The saleswoman watched Wyatt closely, but his expression didn’t soften. Cold sweat broke out on her back.

Noticing this, Yunice picked up the first ring—the massive one. “After all that, I think I like this one best.”

Wyatt narrowed his eyes. “Do you actually like it—or do you just like that it’s expensive?”

Yunice didn’t know if she was overthinking it, but that question felt layered. He wasn’t asking about the ring; he was asking about their marriage.

Before she could answer, Wyatt added, “There’s a royal heirloom pair of rings up for auction at the Gelt event today. I’ll take you to see it.”

Yunice didn’t want to make a fuss, but she couldn’t exactly say no either.

Wyatt stood and pushed the entire tray forward. “Wrap them all up for her.”

Yunice’s eyes widened. Why would she need thirty different diamond rings in all shapes and sizes? Even if she used her fingers and toes, there weren’t enough to wear them all at once.

The jewelry box was handed to her. It was light—but worth more than most people’s lives. Maybe this is what it feels like to marry into money, she thought.

As Yunice walked past him, arms full of wealth, Paul remained hidden in the shadows. He didn’t leap out or demand answers. He just clenched the raffia ring in his hand. Compared to the high-end diamonds Wyatt bought her, the little straw ring he’d once given Yunice seemed childish and pathetic.

That image consumed him. More than Yunice’s supposed “resurrection,” what hurt most was how easily she seemed to have moved on. He hadn’t let go. So why had she?

Paul jumped into his car and followed them straight to the Gelt auction house. It was an elite, anonymous auction. Guests were handed masks at the door to conceal their identities.

Wyatt didn’t bother with any of that. He walked in confidently, with Yunice on his arm. They bypassed every check and went straight to the VIP front row. Being that close to the showcase—that was the privilege Wyatt granted her.

Of course, Yunice wasn’t new to these kinds of events. But under her current identity, she had no business attending them anymore.

Paul took a mask, but without a reservation, he was stuck in the back row. All he could see was the back of Yunice and Wyatt’s heads. But he made a silent vow. Whatever Yunice wants tonight—I’ll buy it first.