Chapter 117: Discuss the engagement
At this moment, Shin’s face was unreadable but anyone who knew him well enough would recognize the faint chill behind his expression.
One of the few things he despised most about human nature was the insufferable habit of prying into others’ lives instead of minding their own.
If it had been about business, he might have tolerated their chatter. But tonight, these people were nothing more than meddling busybodies.
Fortunately, the Keir guards were seasoned professionals. Reading the tension instantly, they moved with precision, clearing a respectful path through the sea of eager onlookers. Shin and Tristan stepped forward without pause, cutting through the crowd like blades slicing water.
Behind them, Calin’s composure cracked. Her carefully crafted mask of elegance began to slip. If she continued hesitating, clinging to her pride, then when would she ever seize her chance?
No. Tonight had to be the night.
With false frailty, she deliberately let her heel falter, staggering as though she had been shoved from behind. Calculating perfectly, she aimed her fall toward Shin Keir’s chest, imagining the scene where he would catch her, strong hands steadying her, and perhaps... finally, their eyes would meet.
"I—I’m sorry, I just lost my balance..." she whispered breathlessly, already savoring the victory until she looked up.
Her expression froze. Horror and humiliation burned across her face.
It wasn’t Shin Keir holding her.
It was a guard.
The man looked baffled, his hands gripping her arms firmly but politely to prevent her from collapsing onto the marble floor. He clearly hadn’t expected a socialite to come crashing into him.
What Calin failed to realize was that the moment she threw herself forward, Shin Keir had shifted aside with effortless precision, as if he had eyes at every angle. He avoided her as though she were nothing more than an inconvenience in his path.
The unfortunate guard, trailing a few steps behind, was forced to catch her instead.
Flustered, Calin yanked herself upright, brushing off his hands with a snap so sharp it was almost a slap. Shame crawled up her skin like fire.
Why? Why is it so impossible to catch Shin Keir’s attention? Is he even a man at all?
"Calin, are you alright?" a wealthy heir asked, rushing forward.
"You almost had a bad fall! Who pushed you?" another chimed in, eager to display concern.
Summoning her signature angelic smile, Calin let her charm return, radiant and delicate.
She always carried that allure, the kind that could captivate men without even uttering a word. But no matter how flawless her charm, it simply didn’t work on Shin Keir.
Ignoring the men’s offers to escort her home, Calin hurried after Shin Keir with quickened steps.
Outside the auction house, Shin Keir stood tall under the night sky, regal and cold, his silhouette commanding. He lit a cigarette, smoke curling lazily between his fingers. The simple action looked devastatingly magnetic.
Calin’s throat went dry. She bit her lip, mind racing for the perfect opening. Without Tristan around to interfere, this was her chance.
"Brother Shin, are you waiting for your chauffeur?" she greeted sweetly, approaching with a gentle smile and a voice deliberately softened. "By the way, Dad invited Uncle Allister to golf with him soon. May I also invite you? There’s a friendly tournament coming up, and it would be wonderful if you joined."
Past experience had taught her that Shin preferred straightforward conversation, so she forced herself to get directly to the point.
Shin gave her a sidelong glance, exhaled smoke, and answered curtly.
"No."
Her smile didn’t falter. "You’ve been working so hard. It wouldn’t hurt to take a short break... In fact, Brother Saeki will most likely attend as well—"
Shin paused and turned to look at her fully. His gaze was sharp, his eyes cold yet piercing. Calin’s heart thundered. Butterflies fluttered wildly in her stomach. Heat flushed her cheeks. At last...at last, he was truly looking at her.
But the words that left his lips nearly sent her crashing to the ground again.
"Who are you?"
The question cut through her like a blade. Her face flamed crimson. Was he mocking her on purpose?
Laughter suddenly burst from the side. Tristan, who had just returned from taking a call, had caught the scene. He nearly doubled over in amusement.
His cousin’s ability to forget irrelevant people was legendary. To Shin, anyone who did not matter, man or woman alike, simply ceased to exist in his memory.
"Are you finished?" Shin snapped at Tristan, his patience fraying. This idiot had insisted they leave together. If he’d known he’d be forced to wait, he never would’ve dismissed his chauffeur.
Tristan dangled his car keys with an apologetic grin. "You only waited a few minutes. That call was important."
"At eleven o’clock at night?" Shin sneered, pulling open the passenger door. "What kind of degenerate does business at this hour?"
Calin, still frozen in her embarrassment, jolted back and stopped Tristan.
Tristan smiled, "Just so you know, I already have a girlfriend," he said casually, as if warding her off before she could even speak.
Calin nearly choked. Who cares about your fleeting women?
"That’s not it," she forced out, swallowing her disgust. "It’s about the pink diamond ring. Could you... sell it to me? Please?"
Tristan’s brow arched, his smile sharpening. Was she probing for her family business? Or fishing for information about the true buyer?
"Of course," he replied smoothly. "One hundred and forty million."
Calin’s expression cracked. Is he insane? Why not just rob a bank?
Tristan chuckled. "Come now. For an eighty-million piece, the value only appreciates. Add the auction fees, plus my personal effort to attend... that’s a fair bargain."
Calin was speechless. Unreasonable didn’t begin to cover it.
But before she could retort, Shin’s voice cut through the night from the half-open window.
"Are you driving, or not?"
"Alright, alright," Tristan surrendered, sliding into the driver’s seat.
The Bugatti roared to life, sleek and merciless, leaving Calin standing in the smoke of its departure, rage and humiliation boiling in her chest.
---
The next day, the online world was in an uproar. Netizens were frenzied, and the article quickly shot to the top of the trending list:
"Eighty Million Dollar Ring Sold to the Keirs!The Auction of the Century."
Many admired the dazzling pink diamond ring, praising it as a ’timeless treasure’ or even the ’diamond ring of the century’.
But many also seized the moment to condemn the extravagance of the wealthy, accusing them of tossing money around without the faintest hint of guilt.
"Eighty million? With that much I could buy a house, a few cars, and still have enough to start my own business!"
"You’re all shocked at eighty million? Lol, these Keir bastards could throw away a billion and not even blink."
"The money of the rich is built on the blood, bones, and tears of the poor. The least they could do is donate if they have nowhere else to dump it!"
"Comment above, before you choke on your jealousy, did you even read the article? It’s a charity gala. A portion of the money goes to charity."
Others pointed out the auction’s charitable nature, but the mention of charity only stirred more contempt. The majority sneered, dismissing it as nothing but a farce to polish reputations.
Far away from the noise of the internet, Yeri scrolled through the article with fascination. The attached video clip showed the ring glinting like captured starlight.
She couldn’t help but whisper, almost dreamily, "So beautiful..."
Though the buyer remained unnamed for privacy, the article confirmed it was one of the Keirs.
Yeri’s heart stirred. She loved pink diamonds. If she could just see it once, she’d already be satisfied.
The idea slipped in, should she ask Shin Keir for that favor?
Almost immediately, she shook her head. Asking Shin Keir would surely lead to a misunderstanding.
"Never mind," she sighed softly.
Since their engagement was looming, perhaps by then she would eventually see the person wearing that ring.
Then, Madam Zhi sat across from her and delivered the news. "Princess, the date has been set. We will meet the Keir family in two weeks to discuss the engagement."
Yeri looked up and nodded quietly.
"They wanted it sooner," Madam Zhi added gently, "but you’re still recovering, and next week is your final exam. It’s better to let these pass so your mind will be free of worries."
Yeri agreed, nodding once more.
Madam Zhi hesitated, her voice softer now. "When do you want to hold the official engagement party?"
Yeri thought carefully. Too soon would be rash, but too late might embolden the Song and Nafplion families circling their family.
Planning would have to be meticulous. She could already sense that not everyone in the Keir household would welcome this union.
After all, she wasn’t simply being tied to any Keir. She was about to be engaged to the current heir, the CEO and the very backbone of the entire clan’s empire.
"I’m not sure, Mom. Whatever you and Dad decide, I’ll follow."
Madam Zhi smiled, patting her daughter’s hand. In truth, her heart ached at marrying Yeri off so soon. Her eyes shimmered faintly, betraying unspoken sorrow, but she said nothing.
Yeri, oblivious, showed her the article with enthusiasm. "Mom, look at this pink diamond ring! Isn’t it gorgeous?"
Madam Zhi, who ran a jewelry boutique, leaned closer with interest.
---
Meanwhile, on the Keir side, harmony was nowhere to be found.
Elder Madam Keir was already raging that morning, berating her maids after nearly slipping on polished floors. Her shrill voice echoed through the manor.
Then came Calin’s call telling her of the sold ring last night.
Elder Madam Keir had a maid read the news article aloud to her. With her aging eyes squinting over the blurry screen, the story of the pink diamond ring sent her heart fluttering.
Unlike common collectors, Elder Madam Keir adored relics with history, jewels steeped in tales. Reading the beautifully crafted and romantic narrative attached to this one, her smile grew.