Chapter 36: Confession

Outside the H Hotel in the city center, luxury cars lined the entrance. With thirty minutes to go before the Brilliance Jewelry auction commenced, Fang Boyan approached the Maybach, his signature charming smile lighting up his face.

“Yichen, sister-in-law, you’re here.”

Mo Yichen stepped out first, his tall, elegant frame clad in a sleek black suit. Turning back, he extended a hand to help Zhu Jia out of the car. Her fair hand, glimmering under the hotel’s entrance lights, rested delicately in his grasp.

Zhu Jia carefully stepped out of the car in her high heels. Though the dress was stunning, it wasn’t very comfortable to wear. One side of the gown had a slit that ran up to her thigh, exposing her entire leg as she walked. Her movements had to be deliberate and refined.

Fang Boyan, though not holding an official position in Fang Corporation, needed to attend grand events like this to assist with hosting and networking. His primary task this evening was to welcome Mo Yichen and a few other prominent local guests.

He led Mo Yichen and Zhu Jia to the 35th-floor jewelry exhibition hall. The displayed jewelry would later be auctioned during the event.

As soon as Mo Yichen appeared, he garnered everyone’s attention. With each step, people approached him to exchange pleasantries and make their presence known.

Their gazes invariably turned to the beautiful woman beside him. Her pink gown accentuated her delicate charm, making her appear both alluring and elegant.

Her presence was radiant enough to explain why the seemingly aloof Mo Yichen had fallen for her.

Zhu Jia, long accustomed to such attention, followed Mo Yichen with poise, meeting and greeting various elite figures from business, the arts, and the entertainment world.

However, what intrigued her most were the exquisite jewels on display. Seizing the chance when Mo Yichen was encircled by a crowd, she wandered off to explore the exhibition on her own.

“So this is what the name Radiant Jewelry truly signifies!” Zhu Jia thought, her eyes sparkling with awe. The splendor of these treasures far surpassed her imagination as an ordinary girl.

Ruby and diamond palm tree brooches, platinum diamond and sapphire rings, teardrop emerald earrings, imperial jadeite sets, rectangular blue diamond rings, serpentine pearl bracelets—all of them were breathtakingly beautiful!

But the crowning jewel of the evening, the grand finale of the auction, was an 11.15-carat pink diamond. The diamond boasted a vivid pink hue, flawless clarity, and unmatched brilliance.

This Pink Star had been crafted into a necklace called “Angel’s Wings.” Diamonds formed the shape of outstretched wings poised for flight, with the pink diamond as the pendant centerpiece.

Zhu Jia subconsciously touched her bare neck and couldn’t help but imagine how well the necklace would complement her gown.

Realizing her audacious thought, she shook her head. What was I thinking? Even selling myself ten times over wouldn’t cover the cost of this diamond!

“Mrs. Mo, the auction is about to start. Would you like me to guide you to your seat?” A gentle voice interrupted her musings.

Zhu Jia turned to see a young woman in a professional outfit, about her age, gazing at her intently.

The woman was stunning, with soft, serene features and large, doe-like eyes.

Instantly feeling a sense of warmth, Zhu Jia responded with a sweet smile, “Sure, thank you.”

The girl seemed momentarily stunned by her smile, a fleeting emotion crossing her eyes that Zhu Jia couldn’t decipher. Bowing her head slightly, the girl softly replied, “This way, please.”

Following the girl, Zhu Jia arrived at the seating area. Most attendees were already seated, but there was no sign of Mo Yichen yet.

“Mrs. Mo, your seat is here,” the girl said, leading her to a spot in the center of the front row.

Zhu Jia sat down and didn’t forget to thank her.

The girl lowered her doe-like eyes and murmured a polite response before turning and walking away. Zhu Jia observed her slender, delicate figure as she left. Since when did event staff have to be so gentle and beautiful?

Before long, Mo Yichen arrived with Fang Boyan’s father, chatting as they walked. Fang Boyan and his brother followed closely behind. The group took their seats in the front row.

The auction began shortly after, with each item dazzling the audience. However, the prices were equally staggering. A Burmese no-heat ruby and diamond ring sold for 50 million yuan, while a necklace with 33 imperial jadeite beads fetched 20 million yuan.

“Anything catch your eye?” Mo Yichen leaned over to ask softly.

Zhu Jia shook her head vehemently. “No.” While the jewels were mesmerizing, she had no intention of owning any of them—she was content just admiring them.

Mo Yichen watched her conflicted expression as she shook her head, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived: the Pink Star was up for auction. Many attendees had traveled far and wide just to vie for this masterpiece.

“80 million,” an affluent bidder from out of town called out first.

“190 million.”

“1.2 billion.”

The competition was intense, and soon the bidding reached 3.2 billion yuan.

“4 billion,” Mo Yichen’s voice cut through the room, silencing the crowd instantly.

Zhu Jia stared at him in disbelief. His expression remained calm and indifferent, as always.

“Are you really going to buy it?” she whispered. Mo Yichen didn’t strike her as someone interested in jewelry, but its immense value might make it a worthwhile investment.

“You like it, don’t you?” he asked casually.

Zhu Jia froze. Was he implying he intended to buy it for her? She studied his composed face, searching for any hint of his thoughts, but as usual, his expression betrayed nothing.

Despite some participants clenching their teeth in frustration, no one dared to outbid him. The price had reached a level even the most avid collectors couldn’t justify.

Unsurprisingly, the Pink Star was awarded to Mo Yichen.

After the auction, many attendees gathered to congratulate him.

“You can head to your room first. The Pink Star will be delivered shortly,” Fang Boyan said with a knowing smile and a raised thumb, his expression brimming with meaning.

Mo Yichen stood, took Zhu Jia’s hand, and led her out. “Let’s go upstairs and wait.” The event organizers had arranged hotel rooms for every guest.

Unnoticed by anyone, in a dim corner of the hall, a pair of doe-like eyes lingered on the departing couple—the tall man and the woman in the pink gown. They glimmered with sadness and bitterness, a mixture of emotions quietly overflowing.

They arrived at a presidential suite on the 45th floor. Zhu Jia turned to look at Mo Yichen. “What did you mean earlier?”

“Exactly what it sounded like,” Mo Yichen replied, meeting her gaze directly, without hesitation.

She wanted to press further, but something stopped her. Her courage faltered, and she turned away, biting back her question.

The doorbell rang, cutting through the awkward silence and saving her from her own confusion. It was the Pink Star, safely delivered and housed in a jewelry box.

When the box was opened, Zhu Jia could hardly look directly at the radiant brilliance inside. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen, stunning to the point of stealing her breath.

Mo Yichen gently yet firmly pushed her toward the full-length mirror. Standing behind her, he placed the Angel’s Wings necklace around her neck.

The woman in the mirror blinked, her delicate features highlighted by her radiant beauty.

Her soft, wavy hair, the shimmering mermaid-pink gown, and her elegant neckline now adorned with the breathtaking necklace created a scene out of a fairy tale. The necklace’s focal point, the stunning pink diamond, seemed like a magical charm capable of granting wishes.

“Do you like it?” Mo Yichen whispered close to her ear, his breath tickling her skin as he leaned slightly forward, his hands lightly resting on her shoulders.

Zhu Jia’s heart raced at his voice and the warmth from his proximity. She quickly averted her gaze, biting her lip. “It’s too valuable. You should put it away,” she stammered, trying to push him away.

Unexpectedly, Mo Yichen didn’t move. Instead, he trapped her firmly between himself and the mirror, his imposing figure blocking any escape.

Zhu Jia suddenly realized how dangerous this position was. All exits were effectively sealed off.

“Take it off,” she urged, her voice trembling as she avoided his eyes. “I don’t want to wear it.”

“Do you like it?” Mo Yichen’s question was persistent, his voice unyielding.

With no way out, Zhu Jia finally raised her head and decided to face him head-on. “We’re going to divorce soon. Why are you giving me something so expensive?”

Her words left them both stunned. As her eyes met Mo Yichen’s dark, fathomless gaze, she froze, overwhelmed.

A sudden chill enveloped the room as Mo Yichen’s demeanor turned icy. His restrained elegance vanished, replaced by a piercing intensity.

“You want to divorce me?” he asked, his tone low and chilling, as if her response would unleash a storm.

In that moment, Zhu Jia realized the truth she’d been avoiding. The man before her wasn’t someone she truly understood; he was a stranger in many ways, his emotions layered and concealed.

Mo Yichen gripped her chin tightly, forcing her to look at him. Her attempts to look away were futile—he would simply redirect her gaze back to his.

Her eyes brimmed with tears. She hated being treated like this. “We agreed, didn’t we? One year of marriage. It’s almost over.” Her voice broke, her tears falling freely.

“I don’t like you, and you don’t like me. Are we really going to tie ourselves together for a lifetime just because of the child?”

Her words were like ice water on a raging fire. Mo Yichen’s gaze remained cold, but his anger simmered just beneath the surface.

He released her chin and traced her cheek with his fingers, his movements harsh and unkind. Lowering his head, he closed the distance between them, their breaths mingling.

Zhu Jia panicked and struggled against him, but her resistance was futile against his strength. Pinned against the mirror, she had no choice but to close her eyes and await the inevitable.

Yet, just as his lips were about to touch hers, he froze.

Warm drops fell onto his hand, and he realized she was crying. A strange ache stirred within him, softening his resolve.

He stepped back, releasing her, and studied her closely.

Zhu Jia stood trembling, her eyes red and lifeless, her once-tidy hair now disheveled. A vivid red mark on her chin bore evidence of his earlier grip.

The Angel’s Wings necklace around her neck gleamed with cruel brilliance.

Mo Yichen sighed deeply, his voice finally softening. “I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do,” he said after a long pause.

“I don’t want a divorce—not because of the child.”

Zhu Jia looked up at him in disbelief.

“You said I don’t like you, but you’re wrong,” he continued, stepping closer with uncharacteristic gentleness. “I do like you.”

“I want to stay with you—not just this year, but the next, and the one after that. Forever.”

His confession left Zhu Jia speechless. She stood frozen, unable to process his sudden declaration.

“I don’t need your answer now,” he added softly, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “But I hope you don’t bring up divorce again until you’re sure.”

This wasn’t how he wanted things to be. To get what he truly desired, he would have to be more patient.