Being Dumped by My EX, I Marriied His Older Brother-Chapter 18: Inherited Jade Pendant

’So, in a way, she and Justin Kane were fated to be together. But since he didn’t like anyone, she knew their fate would end the day he finally found someone he liked.’ Nina balled her hands into fists and looked at Old Master Kane with a pleading expression. "Grandpa, about Justin and I getting our marriage license... we can’t make it public just yet."

"Oh? What are you worried about?" Old Master Kane asked, surprised.

Nina felt awkward and troubled, but she explained honestly, "A lot of people in our circle knew about Cole Kane and me before.

"If word suddenly gets out that I married Justin, it will inevitably affect both of our families’ reputations. I’m also worried it will impact Justin’s image at the company."

"So, I was thinking of finding an opportunity to announce that Cole Kane and I never had any romantic feelings for each other and that the engagement is officially off."

This would also minimize the fallout.

After listening to her, Old Master Kane grew thoughtful for a moment before laughing. "My dear girl, you really have grown up."

"You and Justin are indeed a better match. See? You’ve already learned to be so considerate and think about both of our families."

Nina was overjoyed. "Grandpa, you agree?"

"Yes, I agree." Old Master Kane gave her a doting smile. "We’ll do it just as you said.

"All I want is for you to be happy, my dear. In the beginning, I was worried Cole Kane was too immature and would hurt you. But things are better now. Justin is mature and responsible. He’ll treat you well."

Nina’s nose tingled, and her eyes welled up, touched. "Thank you, Grandpa."

"Silly girl, still being so formal with your grandpa." Old Master Kane handed her the documents from the table. "These are your wedding and birthday gifts from me."

There were several documents in total.

Among them were the transfer deeds for ten commercial properties, a three-percent stake in The Kane Group, and a Black Gold Card loaded with one billion.

Seeing all this, Nina was dumbfounded.

’She just got married, and her net worth had already skyrocketed?’

Leaving aside the one-billion-dollar Black Gold Card, the three-percent stake in the group and the ten commercial properties under The Kane Group were enough for her to live lavishly for ten lifetimes.

Especially since The Kane Group’s properties were in the most luxurious and commercially valuable locations in all of Sylport. The monthly profits were comparable to the earnings of a sizable company.

Let alone the three-percent stake.

Although the Thorne Family’s business was second only to the Kane Family’s, she had no interest in managing a company and was, in fact, completely clueless about it.

So she had no clear idea exactly how much money the Thorne Family had.

Thinking of all this, Nina quickly tried to refuse. "Grandpa, these gifts are too valuable. I can’t accept them..."

Old Master Kane gave her no chance to refuse. "You’re part of the Kane Family now. What’s a small gift like this?"

He then took an exquisitely carved box from a drawer and pressed it into Nina’s hands.

"This is the Inherited Jade Pendant from Madam Kane. It was always intended for Justin’s wife, and now I’m giving it to you."

Nina opened the brocade box and was instantly captivated.

The jade pendant inside was clear and translucent, with a fine texture. She touched it; it felt cool against her skin.

Clearly, this was top-grade ice-type jadeite, incredibly valuable.

Thinking about how her marriage to Justin Kane might be short-lived, Nina couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt.

"Grandpa, you’ve given me too much. And you should keep this jade pendant for safekeeping."

"Silly girl, once it’s given to you, it’s yours." Old Master Kane’s kind face was wreathed in a cheerful smile. "You two, hurry up and give your grandpa a great-grandchild. A grandson or a granddaughter, it doesn’t matter, Grandpa will love them all."

"I understand, Grandpa." Unable to refuse his overwhelming kindness, Nina blushed.

’Oh well. I’ll just have to discuss it with Justin Kane when I get back.’

Nina walked out of the study and into the main hall, where she froze.

There, Justin Kane sat with an upright posture on the sofa, sipping tea. His profile was chiseled, and he exuded an air of noble elegance.

Nina found herself mesmerized by the sight of him.

Justin Kane noticed her, set down his teacup, and raised an eyebrow. "Finished talking?"

Nina didn’t react.

The corner of Justin Kane’s mouth curved into a slight smile as he rose and walked closer. "Am I that good-looking?"

The sound of his voice snapped Nina back to her senses, and a crimson blush quickly spread across her cheeks.

She was mortified. She quickly lowered her head to avoid his gaze, secretly biting the inside of her lower lip.

’She couldn’t bear to think how starstruck she must have looked just now.’

Fortunately, Old Master Kane came out of his study just then, and the butler approached to remind them it was time to head to the dining room for their meal.

Feeling as though she’d been granted a pardon, Nina hurried over, not daring to spare another glance at Justin Kane behind her.

...

By the time they finished the birthday meal, it was already four in the afternoon.

Old Master Kane was elderly and needed plenty of rest. Before returning to his room, he instructed Justin Kane to treat Nina well, or else he wouldn’t let him off easy.

Justin Kane agreed readily.

Nina lowered her eyes. ’Justin is a man with a strong sense of responsibility,’ she thought. ’He would never treat me poorly.’

’But the moment she thought about how he would leave her one day when he found someone he truly liked, another wave of sadness washed over her.’

’It was probably because she was already starting to get used to having Justin Kane around.’

...

In the car, Nina was silent the entire way.

As soon as they got back to the villa, she went straight upstairs.

Justin Kane watched her slender figure retreat, his brow furrowing. A shadow passed through the depths of his eyes.

A moment later, he followed her upstairs.

"What’s wrong?" Justin Kane caught Nina’s slender arm, a hint of unease in his eyes.

Nina looked up. Seeing how anxious he was, for a moment she almost misunderstood again.

But she knew Justin Kane’s concern stemmed from his sense of responsibility, from his promise to her grandfather, and from the close relationship between their two families.

Justin Kane’s voice was low and magnetic. "Nina, you can tell me if something’s on your mind."

"I’m fine." Nina gently pulled her arm free, not knowing what to say.

’She couldn’t possibly tell him she didn’t want him to find someone he liked, could she?’

Seeing her cold attitude as she pulled her arm away, Justin Kane’s brow furrowed slightly.

He remembered the text message from Cole Kane last night, asking her to meet him at the Civil Affairs Bureau, and his eyes gradually dimmed.

’So, she was upset because she couldn’t go?’

A sudden flare of irritation burned in Justin Kane’s chest. He pressed his thin lips together. "Fine. You get some rest. I’m going to the study."

Justin Kane quickly left the room.

Nina sat on the sofa, feeling inexplicably agitated. She decided to distract herself with her phone, scrolling through her social media feed.

Suddenly, she froze.

Fifteen hours ago.

Justin Kane had posted an update: "You, with me for every meal, through every season."

The accompanying photo was of the four dishes and a soup he had cooked himself yesterday, with two place settings.

Nina had very few mutual friends with him, so she couldn’t see if anyone had liked or commented on the post.

She stared at that line of text, and her mind started racing again.

’Was Justin Kane’s post meant for her?’

’Or was it just for show, a way to let the Kane Family know he already had someone so they would stop pressuring him to get married?’

’After all, for someone from a prominent and wealthy family, he was considered to be marrying late.’

After thinking for a moment, Nina gathered the gifts from Old Master Kane and went to the study to find him.

"What is the meaning of this?" Justin Kane watched her place the items on his desk, raising a slight eyebrow.

Nina answered honestly, "These are the gifts from Grandpa, along with the Inherited Jade Pendant. I think it would be better if you kept them."

Justin Kane’s expression darkened, his brow knitting tightly. "What is the meaning of this?"

His gentle demeanor from the past few days vanished, replaced by a cold severity. A faint sneer touched his thin lips. "Nina Thorne, are you having regrets?"

He was no longer calm. He rose and walked right up to Nina, staring at her intently, his eyes dark with a suppressed emotion. "Drawing a line between us already? Refusing to admit you’re my wife?"