After all, their marriage remained in name only.

"Well? You can fulfill your promise when I helped you get the Watts group. I'll wait for you," said Stella confidently.

​​

Angelo didn't understand it. Why did Stella badger her?

"No. I won't marry you. I have been using you from the start. Just forget about it."

After saying that, Angelo hung up and sat on the bed in a daze.

Knock, knock!

Someone knocked at the door. Angelo raised her head and found Drake standing at the door and looking at her. She didn't even notice when he came.

"Drake…"

Angelo changed her face. She had been focusing on talking with Stella and gave no attention to the door.

When did Drake come?

How much did he hear?

"What's wrong, brother?" Angelo tried to look calm. Drake walked to her and handed her a cup of milk, "Here you are."

Angelo took it over. Her heart kept beating as if jumping out.

"Who were you talking with?"

Just as she thought, Drake heard the talk.

Angelo took a sip of the milk, and her eyes wandered, "Well, it's…."

How should she tell him?

Drake might be angry if he knew she had handed her ring to Stella.

"Stella?" Drake said before Angelo answered him.

Angelo was stunned and didn't dare to look at Drake. Drake must be here for a while, she thought, and he might hear every word she said.

"How could you eavesdrop on my phone call?"

Angelo put down the milk and turned back on Drake, looking like she was angry. But actually, she didn't want to lose control of her expression.

"I just got here, so I didn't hear much," replied Drake.

The bed caved in. Angelo knew Drake sat down.

"Then how do you know…."

How did he know it was Stella?

Angelo thought about it. She didn't call Stella's name during the talk.

"A few days ago, the Hills authenticated a ring. The authenticator recognized it as our family ring. He happened to know me and told me about it," said Drake slowly.

Angelo couldn't help widening her eyes after hearing that.

Patrick used to deceive Stella with a fake ring, so the Hills were quite cautious this time and took it for authentication. Coincidently, they met the maker of the ring. The maker had been in touch with the Thorne family for decades and recognized the ring was authentic. So, he mentioned it while talking with Drake, asking if anyone would get married.

"She…" Angelo stammered. She knew Stella wouldn't trust her.

"You gave a ring to Stella. Have you thought about the result?" Drake asked again.

Angelo couldn't help turning her body towards him, "What result?"

She couldn't understand it. It was just a famous ring. What could the Hills do to her even if she broke her promise?

"The ring originated from our ancestors. No one ever broke their agreements. If you do that, I have to change it with our property. So, it's not only a ring but also a certificate of the company's stock."

Drake's words shocked Angelo.

She stayed there, looking at Drake in surprise. She felt her throat was so sore that she couldn't utter a word.

A certificate of the Thorne' stock?!

A ring like that?!

Angelo felt her hair stand on end, and she even had a cold sweat on her head. She had never thought that a ring would have such a significant influence.

"Once you gave your ring to a girl, it means that you have made up your mind to share the rest of your life with her. So, we won't treat her badly, but now…" Drake looked at Angelo.

The weird thing was that it was a severe problem to send the ring out casually, and he was pretty angry when he heard the news of Angelo giving a ring to Stella, but he got much better when he heard Angelo say, "I won't marry you" to Stella.

"What should I do now?" Tears welled up, and Angelo's eyes were wet.

Had she known how important the ring was, she wouldn't give it to Stella. She would try to get it back even if she gave it out. But just now, she told Stella to keep it. Oh, god! Should Drake change the ring with his property?

No! She didn't want that. It would be a significant loss!

"Now you're scared!" said Drake, relaxed. But Angelo felt so depressed.

"I… I'll try to get the ring back."

"Do you have any ideas? Tell me."

Angelo didn't talk anymore. What could she do? She had said such ruthless words to Stella. So how could she ask Stella to give a ring back to her?

And the Hills must know the significance of the ring. Their company wasn't in good condition now. So, the ring became a safeguard for them.

"Got it!" Angelo's eyes lit up. An idea occurred to her. She hurried to get off the bed and rummage everywhere.

"This is Hill's seal. I can change the ring back with it." Angelo held the seal Nathan gave her. It was a symbol of the Hills. Although it didn't have as significant influence as the ring, it meant a lot to the Hills.

"How do you get it?" Drake took over the seal.

It was a real one.

"Nathan gave it to me as a return for saving Stella out of the Watts family," said Angelo in a low voice.

Drake noticed the change in her mood.

"Why should she get out of the Watts house?" asked Drake again.

Angelo stayed. Nathan came to beg for her help when he learned that the Watts family would take Stella's heart to save Ivy.

Had Ivy changed her heart?

Whose heart would she take?

***

The next day, Angelo went to the Hills with the seal. Drake insisted on going with her. Yes, he worried about her.

When they got to the Hill house, they learned that Stella went out last night and then lost in touch.

"Do you know where she went last night?" asked Angelo.