Diego glared at his younger brother and voiced out his discontent fiercely. "How can you give the ring to Aileen? She is not even a member of the Tatum family."
That comment literally stabbed Aileen's heart. She laughed sarcastically but only inwardly. They should know who she really is.
But, too bad, her mouth was shut tight and she couldn't say anything. Aileen could only force a smile and continue pretending.
"That's right Uncle George, that ring shouldn't be given to me," Aileen said softly and in a persuasive tone. "Even if the ring has to be given to someone, Hailee is the right person for it. She deserves it more than me."
"Of course," Zia said quickly. "How could such an important ring fall to Aileen? I can't understand."
Zia's sharp words, got a fierce look from Ed, who had always sided with George all this time, because he had not been blessed with a son, so he already thought this youngest nephew of his as his own son.
"Diego, you should educate Zia well so she doesn't make any random comments," Ed chided Diego, which made Zia clench her fists, signaling that she was going to get back at Ed's words.
However, her father, who was sitting right next to her, put his arm around her shoulder, making a gesture so she wouldn't have to fight back.
"I agree with Zia's words. How could such an important ring fall to Aileen? Of course this is a one- sided decision from George, even Aileen herself doesn't know anything about this, right?" Diego's gaze now fell on Aileen.
Aileen, who was stared at like this, felt embarrassed as she couldn't help but agree. "Yes, I don't know about this, but I think Uncle George has been very good with his intentions, although I don't think I can accept it."
What an answer that was so humble that it made Hailee have to curb a sneer down.
"Sorry Aileen, but I agree with Diego," Emelyn said, taking Aileen's hand and rubbing it gently. She didn't hate Aileen, but also couldn't say she was close to her nephew's adopted daughter. That said, Emelyn and Derek were neutral parties, while Ed had clearly expressed a dislike for Aileen from the first time he saw her twenty- two years ago.
"I understand," Aileen said understandingly.
Actually, George just wanted to embarrass Ramon at the family event, but his fatal mistake was; he was too impulsive and did not measure his own abilities against Ramon Tordoff.
You could say that was an utterly stupid move. Declaring an open war on Ramon without a good strategy.
This was also the reason why George was completely unable to manage the company well, because his judgment was not based on careful thinking which eventually led him to be a bad figure as a decision maker.
While they were having disagreements about the ring and George was still stubborn about not giving it to Ramon, Hailee looked at the man next to her who remained silent, as if enjoying this dispute.
Isn't he going to say something? Hailee wondered.
She glanced again at Ramon and just at that moment, Ramon was staring back at her. He then nodded at Hailee, as if to ask; What?
And Hailee furrowed her brows and nodded at Diego and the others, as if to ask; are you going to let this happen?
Ramon nodded slightly and leaned his back against the back of the chair, while rubbing Hailee's shoulder, indicating that Hailee shouldn't have to worry about this.
Seeing Ramon who didn't care much, Hailee also shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. After all, it was Ramon who wanted the ring from the start, but he was also the one who stayed silent when things turned out like now with George's unreasonable wish, then Hailee could just let it go and not bother either.
At this point, Hailee felt that their relationship was going very well. Just imagine, the two of them could communicate with only small gestures, isn't that amazing?
The dispute over the ring lasted for several minutes, until finally Theodore realized that Ramon had not said anything, even though he should have been defending the ring.
"Why don't we just ask Mr. Tordoff?" Theodore said interrupting arguments between Diego and George, which had now shifted into other aspects of the Tatum Jewelry company, and not just about the ring alone anymore.
Hearing Theodore's words, Ed, who was speaking, immediately stopped and looked at Ramon, along with several pairs of eyes there.
"I'm fine," Ramon answered lightly. It was indeed this moment he was waiting for them to finally focus all their attention on him, so he didn't have to bother arguing. "If the ring isn't for sale, that's fine."
"Then how about your wedding ring?" George asked in an irritated tone. He had been fighting this far, but it didn't seem like it had any effect on Ramon.
This young businessman, in fact, did not seem to care and was more engrossed in the woman next to him.
"Looks like Mr. George was misinformed too," Ramon said slowly, his black eyes mocking as he stared at George. "I will still marry Hailee with or without the ring. You don't think that that ring is the most expensive diamond, do you?"
"That's not what Uncle George meant, Mr. Tordoff," Aileen took this opportunity to talk to Ramon, just like a small business woman who tried to grasp whenever an opportunity arised.
However, like before, Ramon didn't even glance at her at all as his eyes focused solely on George.
"I bought the ring for Hailee, because I thought it looked good on her, but as it was not for sale, it doesn't matter anymore." Ramon chuckled, a laugh that could give you a bad feeling. "Because Tatum Jewelry belongs to Hailee, automatically, the ring will be hers too."
In other words, Ramon had declared that George, Aileen or anyone with an interest in the company should think twice, because he would make sure that Hailee would get it.
This was a hidden warning conveyed in a very subtle way.
As expected from someone like Ramon...
Hailee could only nod and be more proud of her future husband, Ramon could easily convey his goals without being very obvious that he was eyeing the company.
"Then, how about your wedding ring?" Zia couldn't help but ask.
"The Tordoff family, have a hereditary ring that was given to the first child in the family, and I would be very happy if Hailee accepted it." Ramon then looked at Hailee gently. "Will you accept it?"
Do you even have to ask? Of course Hailee's answer is very clear. "Of course," Hailee said with a big smile, as if she was going to smile forever.
"Oh, I just remembered!" Derek patted his forehead, as if he had just remembered something. "The Tordoff family has a red diamond ring called red tears. Right?"
"Yes, exactly." Ramon nodded.
For people who didn't really know about diamonds and other precious stones, they wouldn't be familiar with the name red tears, but for people like Derek, George, Ed and Aileen, of course they have heard of red tears.
The value of the stone could even be said to have the price of seventeen times the ring they had been fighting about earlier.
This of course made George have to clench his fists tightly, to keep his anger, which now seemed to overflow.
He totally forgot about that! How could he possibly forget such an important fact?! In fact, the diamond owned by the Tordoff family was once listed as one of the ten most expensive precious stones in the world.
On the other hand, Aileen glared at Hailee, which she hid with a sweet remark. "Wow, congrats Hailee... you are very lucky, Ramon loves you so much."
Then Aileen took her drink and drank the rest of her anger along with the detox tea. She couldn't stop thinking, how could Hailee be this lucky ?!
While herself; Aileen had to suppress her urge to get a ring, which Ramon thought was worthless.
"Wow... we have to meet after you get married, I want to see the ring!" Zia exclaimed with a distinctive laugh.
Meanwhile Hailee just smiled in response and found Ramon glancing meaningfully at her, which made Hailee laugh.
Just then, an idea crossed her mind...
But, she wouldn't say this to Ramon now,Hailee would wait until they were alone.
After a while, the tension from the previous argument started to ebb, although it could be seen that George was not at all happy with the outcome.
"Hey," Hailee whispered to Ramon and pulled the man's shirt so that he would lean toward her. "You're really going to give your family's heirloom ring as our wedding ring?"
"Of course," Ramon answered with certainty.
"How much is the ring worth?" Hailee was curious because they seem surprised when grandpa Derek told them about the Tordoff family ring.
Ramon then whispered the value of the ring into Hailee's ear, which made this girl widen her eyes in disbelief.
"Really?!" Hailee hissed under her breath.
However, the brief chatter ended when Diego cleared his throat again and chuckled. "You two, stop being affectionate in front of us."
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