?Chapter 551:


    “Where’s Brenna?”


    Tommy tipped his head toward the reception room, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.


    “Sharing lunch with Mr. Mitchell.”


    He waved his meal box slightly, the aroma wafting through the air tantalizingly.


    “Mr. Mitchell really went all out—gourmet meals from a chef plucked right from a five-star kitchen. Want a taste?”


    Joe’sughter rang out, light and genuine.


    “Lucky me. I’m not passing this up.”


    Tommy grinned as he dug into the stic crate nearby and retrieved thest portion, offering it to Joe.


    “They sent an extra; you can have it.”


    Joe epted it with a grin, then nced toward the ss walls of the reception room. Brenna and Ethan were still deep in conversation,ughter lighting up their faces. He wisely decided not to disturb them and instead followed Tommy to an empty corner to settle in for a meal.


    Meanwhile, Ethan’s spirits were noticeably lifted. Seeing Brenna talk to and smile at him like old times melted away the concern that had been weighing on him for days. She wasn’t cold toward him. She wasn’t avoiding him. Relief loosened the knot in his chest.


    Brenna, noticing the easy grin on his face, couldn’t resist teasing him,


    “Who would’ve thought a high-and-mighty CEO like you would actually have the patience to sit around and wait for me? I’m truly ttered.”


    Ethan noticed that Brenna hadn’t brought up the blind date. She seemed at ease, and that alone made his chest feel lighter. The tension he had been carrying slowly melted away.


    After they finished their meal, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a small red velvet box. His hands were steady, but his eyes carried a hopeful glint as he opened it in front of her. Inside the box was a stunning ne. Its design was intricate, speckled with gemstones that caught the sunlight and shimmered like stars.


    Th3 l4t3st upd4t3s 4v41l4bl3 0n g4ln0v3ls.c0m


    Without a word, Brenna turned and brushed her hair aside so Ethan could fasten it around her neck. She was already wearing an expensive ne, a gift from Giselle.


    But she had never measured love by price tags or brands. What touched her most was the gesture itself.


    The ne Ethan chose was worth a lot. She couldn’t say if it was a one-of-a-kind piece or part of an exclusive line, and she didn’t care to find out. She liked how it looked. And more than that, she liked the thought behind it.


    Ethan beamed.


    “I’m d you like it. Let me help you put it on.”


    Ever so carefully, he unfastened the ne Brenna had on and ced it gently in the velvet box. Then, he lifted the one he had brought and moved to sp it around her neck. His fingers worked slowly, steadying the sp, but his breath hitched when they brushed against her skin. Her skin was soft and warm, and for a second, his heart skipped a beat.


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