Chapter 101: One of a Kind

James Bennett, who had been standing quietly, suddenly froze, his eyes fixed intently on the ring that emitted a dazzling light under the lamps. After several seconds, he blurted out incredulously, "Wait... How is this ring in your hand? How is that possible?" Clara Bennett noticed the strange expression on her big brother’s face and asked confusedly, "Huh? Big brother, do you also recognize it? Why do you look so shocked?" She lowered her head and examined the ring carefully, pondering what special significance it might have. In fact, she herself didn’t know the background of this ring. However, when she saw both Samuel Grant and James Bennett showing expressions of shock, curiosity couldn’t help but rise in her heart. The ring shone with dazzling brilliance under the light, as if it contained some mysterious power. Her gaze involuntarily fell on the ring, and countless questions began to flood her mind: What is so special about it? Why would it surprise the knowledgeable Samuel Grant and James Bennett so much? After a moment of silence, James Bennett slowly nodded, speaking with a touch of emotion, "A few days ago, an auction house just sold a diamond ring for an astronomical sum, with a transaction price as high as 780 million. You know, there are only a few pieces worldwide that can reach this valuation. I also considered trying to bid, but the price was so overwhelming that it made me hesitant. After much deliberation, I decided to give up." As his words fell, the room instantly became silent. Clara was dumbfounded, never imagining that such a small ring could possess such astonishing value. Even more unexpectedly, this rare treasure was ultimately acquired by William Foster. For a moment, her mind was in turmoil, feeling both shocked and incredulous. Although Clara didn’t quite grasp how knowledgeable her big brother was, she knew for certain that he was an expert in jewelry. So, she took the ring off her finger and gently handed it to James Bennett, a hopeful smile appearing on her face, "Big brother, take a look at this and appraise what’s special about this ring." James Bennett cautiously took the ring, and the moment his fingertips touched the cold metal, his expression abruptly turned grave. His eyes swept back and forth over the ring, carefully observing every detail, as if he were immersed in deep thought. After quite some time, he sighed softly and looked up at his sister, a complicated tone emerging, "Does he really love you that much?" It turned out, this ring had a unique name—"Secret." The name itself was filled with romantic allure, symbolizing "I love you," serving as a sweet signal exclusively between two people. Its design concept was unique, not just an ordinary piece of jewelry, but rather a symbol of emotion, an unspoken promise. Although William Foster had brought numerous well-prepared gifts today, James Bennett always held some doubts regarding these luxurious items. In his eyes, these things seemed valuable but were somewhat overly reliant on monetary embellishment. After all, the Foster family’s wealth was well-known worldwide, almost to the point of rivaling nations. For a family like them, spending money might not be something that warrants consideration at all. However, upon personally witnessing this custom-made, priceless ring for Clara, James Bennett’s attitude gradually changed. He originally thought that William Foster had just casually selected a few fine gifts as a perfunctory gesture, but now, this "Secret" completely overturned his assumptions. Such a unique ring was obviously not something that could be casually bought to get by but rather an artifact laden with profound meaning. If it were merely to court Clara for her beauty or simply to establish a connection with the Bennett family, why would he expend such great effort and wealth to specifically acquire this expensive ring? Such actions went far beyond mere material aspects, with genuine emotions and profound intentions hidden within, compelling a reevaluation. Seeing her big brother’s complex expression, Clara mistakenly assumed he was only astonished at the immense expenditure, so she didn’t think further in other directions. She raised her lips in a light smile and said in a half-joking manner, "Of course, he likes me! Otherwise, how could there be such sincerity? If he didn’t like me, would I be willing to marry him?" After speaking, she pursed her lips, her expression revealing a hint of confidence and anticipation for the future. With that, she turned and went into the kitchen. Edward Bennett leaned over, curiously looking at the ring. Although he had no expertise in jewelry, he couldn’t help but ask, "7.8 billion? That’s too outrageous! It’s just a little ring, does it really worth that much?" His tone was filled with shock and doubt, clearly finding the price inconceivable. Hearing his brother’s question, James Bennett showed a meaningful smile. He explained, "It’s worth it! Of course, it is! It depends on the rarity of the item. The conch pearl on this ring, with its unique color and texture crafted by nature itself, is extremely rare in the world. More importantly, the quality of this conch pearl is flawless, even the toughest appraisers cannot find a single flaw. Such a treasure, do you think it could be cheap?" He spoke earnestly, his words carrying a tone of reverence. Charles Bennett, who had been silent on the side, suddenly commented, his tone carrying a hint of teasing and reflection. "Doesn’t something so unique also suggest that this young man’s feelings for our Clara are absolutely singular too?" Although her voice was light, it provoked everyone into deep thought. James Bennett nodded, then sighed deeply, his eyes revealing complex emotions, "Ah, although I’m reluctant to admit it, it’s true. I didn’t detail it in front of Clara earlier because it wasn’t the right time to discuss too many details. You only know this is a 7.8-billion ring, but in reality, there’s more to it than meets the eye, with even deeper intricacies." His voice was steady and soft, as if he were revealing an important truth. Edward Bennett quickly noticed the mystery in his brother’s words, so he hurriedly asked further, "So, it’s not just about having money to buy this ring, is it? Were there any additional conditions besides bidding for it?" He widened his eyes, eager to learn more. James Bennett nodded and continued, "That’s right, it’s far from that simple! This item was the final highlight of a top-level auction, and ordinary buyers didn’t even have the qualifications to participate in the bidding."