Chapter 31


    Chapter 31


    Ava was so angry that her face flushed a furious shade of red.


    She had always cared about her reputation. Now, this caused her to lose face. Ava’s boiling anger


    found its way to Jane, her hand flying up in a fit to strike. But she was stopped by the people nearby.


    With a nod towards the surveince camera on the ceiling, they urged her to cool her jets.


    Ava stared at Jane with hatred. After a while, she gritted her teeth and said, “What’s so great about


    marrying a poor man? He can’t even buy you a copper ring, let alone a diamond ring! You two, joined in


    penury, may you forever be strapped for cash!”


    With that, she pivoted on her heel and stormed off. Jane watched Ava’s exasperated back with a faint


    smirk.


    It looked like there would be no peaceful days in thepany in the future.


    Jane realized she needed to n ahead and create her own safety.


    The following day, Jane showed up to work with a little something different.


    Normally averse to makeup, Jane had decided to put on a light touch, and now sported a certain


    essory.


    An emerald ring of impressive size.


    Coworkers’ eyes nearly popped out of their heads at the sight of it. The ring, seemingly of pure gold,


    sported intricate carvings, and the emerald on top was clear and luminous a sight to behold.


    Though the design seemed a bit dated, like a relic from a bygone era.


    Jane nced down, fondly stroking the ring.


    She had taken it out of the box the previous night. With her long, slender fingers, it was a tadrge on


    her. Dan, her husband, suggested getting it resized at a jewelry shop, but she simply couldn’t wait.


    Didn’t Ava im that her husband couldn’t even afford a ring?


    Let her get an eyeful today and see just what Jane was wearing!


    “Jane, this is drop-dead gorgeous!” Her female colleagues swarmed, curiously inspecting the ring. “I’ve


    never seen a ring like this, is it custom-made?” ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    “But it does look a bit dated,” one dissenting voice piped up. ‘Like some old relic.”


    “Jane, is this a gift from your husband? Why’d he give you something so extravagant? Did your mother-


    inw wear it before? Could it be a family heirloom?*


    Jane just smiled, choosing to remain silent.


    Ava passed by, sneaking a peek at Jane’s ring.


    A spark of interest red in her eyes. Though the design was old-fashioned, she could see it was an


    exquisite piece, steeped in years of history. However…


    How on earth did Janee to possess such a ring?


    Ava scoffed lightly, a cold smile ying on her lips. “What if it’s a knock-off?”


    ??


    Chapter 21


    Suddenly, there was a dead silence in the office. The atmosphere turned awkward, and everyone


    returned to their desks.”


    “Jane, we’re from the same alma mater, for the sake of the days when I was your senior, I feel obliged


    to give you a piece of advice.” Ava shot her a sidelong nce. “This ring is so old, and that thing on top


    just looks like dyed ss. What emerald… ha! I bet your husband has pulled the wool over your eyes.


    Did he think this piece of junk would win your heart?”


    Jane ran her fingers gently over the ring, met Ava’s gaze, and responded nonchntly, “I wear a ring


    as a symbol of my marital status, nothing more. It could be ss or an emerald, doesn’t matter to


    me.”


    “And besides,” Jane added, a serene smile crossing her face, as long as it’s a gift from my husband,


    even if it is a ring of copper, it represents his affection, and I cherish it!”


    “Hmm,” Ava scoffed, “truly a penny-pincher!”


    Jane didn’t let this get under her skin, plunging back into her workload.


    In the afternoon, as Jane was plotting the sales strategy for the next quarter, she overheard Annie


    muttering under her breath, “Ava must be order-obsessed, bringing all and sundry into thepany.”


    Jane turned around, giving Annie a puzzled look.


    ingi


    Annie gestured with her lips towards Ava’s office, where Jane saw another horde of people filing in and


    out.


    If she remembered correctly, this was the fifth delegation Ava had entertained that afternoon.


    It seemed Ava had held onto the grudge about the order she lost.


    Jane just smiled wryly, ready to dive back into her work, when Ava’s voice echoed from the doorway of


    her office. Jane, can you step into my office for a moment?”


    (6)