CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 51: CAN WE NOT GET ENGAGED?

Days passed along with the persistent autumn rain.

On the day of the engagement party, the sky, which had been overcast for several days, finally cleared up.

The Rhodes Family Villa.

Today is Talia’s big engagement day, and everyone in the Rhodes family got up bright and early.

Even Jasmine, who usually loves to sleep in, woke up early and put on a festive little red dress.

In Talia’s bedroom, a team of professional makeup artists was busy applying her makeup.

She was wearing a light pink, new-style qipao, her hair styled into a bun adorned with pearl ornaments.

Jasmine lay on the vanity table, tilting her head to watch her, and said crisply, "Sister, you look really pretty today."

Talia smiled and reached out to pinch her cheek.

Jasmine’s baby-fat face showed a hint of worry, and she frowned, asking, "Sister, will you still come home often after you get married?"

Talia was taken aback.

She didn’t expect Jasmine to ask that.

She curled her lips into a smile, her eyes filled with laughter, "Of course, the Jennings family is so close to our home, I can come back every day."

"Hm, sister is lying." Jasmine pouted, "You don’t even come home every day now, how can you come back every day after marrying Big Brother Jennings?"

Talia chuckled, "Sister has to work and can’t come home every day right now."

Jasmine held out her pinky, "Pinky promise, you’ll come home to see me every day from now on."

Talia smiled, realizing even kids are not so easy to fool.

She offered her pinky finger, "Sister can’t come home every day, but I promise I’ll come back to see you whenever I can, okay? I’ll visit often."

Jasmine nodded with a smile, "Okay."

Talia hooked her pinky, her smile sweet as ever.

...

The engagement ceremony was set at the Jennings family’s private estate in the northern suburbs.

Early in the morning, Adrian himself drove over to pick up Talia Rhodes.

Shawn Rhodes and Lillian Young both dressed up elaborately in formal wear, sitting in the downstairs living room waiting.

Shawn Rhodes beamed, standing up enthusiastically when he saw Adrian, "Adrian, just wait a moment, Talia will be down soon."

Lillian Young stood beside him, smiling softly.

She was genuinely happy today; although Talia wasn’t born to her, she felt no different from her own daughter.

She silently mused to herself: Clara, our Talia has grown up. She’s getting engaged today. If you could see from heaven, you’d be relieved, right? Adrian is an excellent child, and I can tell he cares for Talia. She’ll be very happy marrying him, so don’t worry.

The group sat in the living room chatting idly.

After a while, Jasmine ran down from upstairs, excitedly shouting, "Sister is coming out!"

Everyone turned to see Talia gracefully descending the stairs, holding a bouquet of flowers.

A hint of awe flashed in Adrian’s eyes, and he even forgot to breathe.

Talia was mesmerizingly beautiful today.

The new-style light pink qipao perfectly highlighted her curves, a slender waist that couldn’t be grasped in one hand.

The exquisite makeup made her features even more dazzling, and the lovely bun gave her a gentle and elegant appearance.

No matter how many times he’d seen this face, he couldn’t help but fall for her all over again.

A smile spread across Adrian’s lips as he stood up and took a few steps forward to greet her, taking Talia’s hand.

In the car, Adrian and Talia sat in the back seat.

He couldn’t hide his excitement, "Talia, the day has finally come."

Talia’s smile was a bit shy, her cheeks tinted with a blush, "I’ve been looking forward to this day too."

"I even wanted to skip the engagement and get married directly, making you Mrs. Jennings immediately."

Talia smiled, pursing her lips, "I’ll be yours sooner or later, why are you so eager?"

Adrian held her hand, his fingers gently stroking her palm, "I just can’t wait a day, no, not even a second longer."

Smiling, Adrian continued, "Before, I feared you might think marrying right away was too sudden, so I suggested to your father that we could get engaged first and marry later when we’re ready. Now I realize I was digging a pit for myself."

Talia replied with a laugh, "So, are we ready now?"

Adrian pinched her cheek, "You have to tell me. I was ready a long time ago."

Talia looked down with a soft smile, feeling playful, "Then wait a little longer."

Adrian chuckled indulgently, playing along, "May I ask when Miss Rhodes will be willing to become Mrs. Jennings?"

"We’ll see." Talia glanced at him playfully, "Depends on my mood."

All the way there, they chatted, and the mood was lively.

Arriving at the estate, Adrian opened the car door, extending his hand to Talia.

Talia placed her hand in Adrian’s and got out, walking inside with him.

The estate was filled with balloons and flowers, with thousands of fresh pink roses lining the path from the gate to the main villa.

Talia, in high heels, stepped onto the petal-strewn path, slowly entering the banquet hall of the main villa.

The banquet hall, meticulously decorated, radiated joy, with the soothing music lingering.

Guests came forward in succession to extend their congratulations.

After greeting the guests, Talia and Adrian walked to the backstage lounge to confirm the engagement ceremony procedures with the host.

The Jennings family was also present.

The patriarch, rarely seen due to his work out of town, had returned from Kenton just for the occasion. Dressed in a deep red traditional Chinese outfit, he wore a kind and warm smile, looking spirited.

The matriarch stood by his side, adorned in a silk qipao with exquisite jewelry, exuding elegance and nobility.

Ian Jennings and Melinda Lynch were also dressed in formal wear, looking dignified and gracious.

The Rhodes family arrived shortly after.

Jasmine greeted Lillian Young and ran off to play.

The two families gathered together, chatting and laughing, reconfirming the engagement procedures.

The engagement ceremony was nearing its start.

Adrian received a phone call.

On the other end, a woman sounded heartbroken, "Adrian, could you not get engaged to Talia Rhodes?"

The smile on Adrian’s face instantly vanished without a trace.

He stepped out of the lounge to take the call.

"Who are you?"

"Adrian, don’t you remember me? I’m Susu." The woman cried, "Why? Why are you getting engaged to Talia Rhodes? I’ve been chasing you for ten years, ten years!"

Susu? Ten years?

Adrian remembered.

The woman was a high school classmate, Jessica Coleman, the school beauty from their year.

Adrian’s face darkened as he spoke coldly, "Jessica Coleman, don’t call me again. There will never be anything between us."

He was about to hang up.

Jessica hurriedly said, "Adrian, if you don’t call off the engagement, I’ll kill myself."

A howling wind could be heard through the phone, causing Adrian to frown with annoyance.

Over the call, Jessica’s voice mixed with the sound of the wind.

"I’m standing on the roof of the villa where your engagement ceremony is being held. If you don’t call it off, I’ll jump."

This villa is ten stories high, a jump from there would be fatal.