Half an hour later.
A dazzling engagement ring with a diamond so bright that it almost blinded Dakota's eyes was placed on her left ring finger.
She blinked her eyes with a glint, waving her diamond ring, "This doesn't count towards the three hundred million, does it?"
"It doesn't count," Curtis turned his head to look at her. "This diamond ring is just a temporary prop we're using to play the role of a loving couple today."
Dakota: "..."
True to form, Curtis, a young financial tycoon who founded H Group independently of the family business, considered a nearly million-dollar diamond ring just a temporary prop.
"Do you have it so good?" Dakota asked half-believingly.
Curtis responded with a raised eyebrow, "After all, we're going home for dinner tonight, and in this world, no loving newlyweds go without wearing their wedding rings."
Saying that, he also slowly slipped on his own wedding ring, raising his hand to give it a gentle shake towards Dakota.
The simple yet stylish silver band looked good on his clearly defined fingers.
"At least you know how to flatter."
Dakota lifted her chin proudly, extending her hand adorned with the diamond ring, admiring its sparkle while pretending to be reluctantly persuaded:
"Since that's the case, I'll reluctantly play the part of a loving couple with you tonight."
Curtis raised an eyebrow.
He continued with Dakota's line, "Alright, then Mrs. Pineda, please hold onto your husband's arm tightly when we get home, don't let the fox tail slip out."
"Not a chance." Dakota's eyes sparkled.
She was extremely adept at playing the part, and immediately she affectionately linked her arm with Curtis'.
Curtis's lips, which had been casually curled, froze.
He slowly lowered his lashes to look at Dakota, not expecting her to start acting right away.
Dakota's beautiful eyes twinkled as she batted her long lashes, "Honey."
Curtis's spine tingled.
She smiled sweetly and gazed at him tenderly, "Do you think my acting is up to par?"
Curtis: "..."
He truly hadn't expected that Dakota had a whole set of tricks when it came to playing the part of a flirtatious girl. Her soft, coquettish voice made his Adam's apple bob involuntarily.
Curtis looked at her with a complex expression.
His gaze lingered over her parted, lusciously red lips, before moving down to notice that Dakota was wearing a white fitted dress today.
Her black hair was neatly styled, and her eyebrows were delicately drawn.
The high slit revealed glimpses of her long, fair legs.
Her limpid eyes seemed to shimmer with water, silently reeling in his soul.
Curtis: "..."
He slowly withdrew his gaze, a feeling of being overwhelmed consuming all his rationality.
Damn.
She must be reeling him in again!
Even Dakota didn't notice his ears turning red.
……
In the evening, the setting sun was crimson.
A Bugatti Veyron Super Sport glided past the white walls and black tiles, entering Moonlit Bay, located in the western suburbs of J City.
This was the Pineda's residence.
Madame Pineda, Reagan, hailed from a prestigious family in N City, so Andre built this garden-style villa for her.
On the main road paved with bluestone bricks,
the out-of-place Bugatti Veyron Super Sport slowly came to a stop.
Curtis circled around to the passenger side and opened the door.
The first thing he saw was a slender, fair leg. Dakota used her fingertips to gather the high-slit qipao skirt, and her elegant stilettos touched down on the pebble path.
She was looking for a steady spot to step out of the car, but a well-defined hand was offered to her.
Dakota looked up.
She saw Curtis leaning casually against the car door, offering his hand like a gentleman.
"What?" Dakota looked at him disdainfully.
Curtis looked at her nonchalantly, "What do you mean 'what'? As a caring husband, shouldn't I help my beloved wife out of the car in a gentlemanly manner?"
Dakota: "..."
"Hurry up, Mrs. Pineda."
The other person lazily beckoned to her with a finger, "They're going to come out to watch the monkeys in a minute. Don't hesitate. You have to do business."
"What show? Who's the monkey?"
Dakota was confused by Curtis's words, wondering if she was being teased, when suddenly a sweet voice called out from the courtyard—
"Wow! Breaking news! The most useless brother of the Pineda family has finally brought a beautiful lady back!"
Dakota's expression turned incredulous.
She looked in the direction of the voice and saw a little girl in a pink-and-white dress, running around in noisy shoes, spreading the news everywhere.
Voices rang out:"Curtis brought his wife home?"
"He managed to marry Kota, shocking heaven and earth, and now he's bringing her home?"
"If even Curtis can do this, I'll rush back to my hometown tonight to see if the sows have learned to climb trees."
"Kota is really back?"
"Oh, slow down! I haven't finished preparing my gifts yet!"
Dakota: ???
Hearing the voices of various relatives, Dakota's pupils shrank instantly.
It was like a reflex.
Or like a sudden enlightenment from a shock.
She immediately grasped Curtis's hand, and after he pulled her out of the car, she wound around his arm like a water snake, her voice soft and sultry, "Thanks, honey."
Curtis's spine stiffened indeed.
He slowly turned his head and met Dakota's charming smile, her eyes curved tenderly as she looked at him, showing no signs of insincerity.
It was too sincere.
This kind of flirtatious gaze was too much for any man to resist.
Curtis raised his hand to rub his brow.
With a complicated mood, he withdrew his gaze, not having the chance to ponder whether Dakota was acting or intentionally sending signals, as the relatives approached.
"Ah! Kota is really back?"
"It's not a dream!"
"Our family is blessed!"
Curtis instantly focused, reaching out to grasp Dakota's hand that was linked with his arm, "Uncle Kaleb, Aunt Lana."
Immediately, he felt her soften against his side.
Dakota softened her waist and leaned into him affectionately, "Hello, Uncle Kaleb, Aunt Lana."
"Oh great!" The relatives were pleased, stuffing numerous gifts into Dakota's hands, "Curtis, you lucky boy! Cherish her as much as you can!"
Curtis: "..."
Was it a matter of whether he wanted to cherish her?
Clearly, there was a female rogue who always ran after reeling him in, leaving no room for imagination.
Curtis turned his head with a resentful look.
Dakota lifted her face, her eyes curved in a smile, the light in her eyes like spring water infused with sunlight, making anyone who looked wish to drown in it forever.
Curtis: "..."
He pretended to look at Dakota tenderly, forcing a smile, "Kota, that's enough."
Dakota's smile deepened in her eyes.
She clung tighter to Curtis's arm, "Honey, shall we go in? Our parents should be waiting for us."
Curtis: "..."
He looked down at Dakota, turning his head away slowly and stiffly as his soul was being reeled in by her.
He wasn't going to fall for it again.
She was definitely—intentionally—reeling him in!
