This is a madman, a rich madman, Peng Hong thought. She couldn't believe Han Lie could command a fortune far exceeding her own family's. Just considering his age, it seemed utterly unrealistic. But she had to admit, she was no match for his casual attitude toward spending money. This kind of person is incredibly difficult to deal with.

So, Peng Hong decided to bide her time and observe for now.

Just then, Zhao Anni walked over.

"Lie Lie, what's all this? Are you trying to spring a surprise on your Auntie Annie?"

Zhao Anni had also figured things out. A triumphant smile spread across her face as she looked at Han Lie with eager anticipation.

"Alright, stop being coy! Hurry up and show Auntie!"

Han Lie winked at her. "Then you'll have to ask Pan Ge."

With that, he casually pulled the small box Cartier had gifted them from his bag and slipped it into Pan Ge's hand.

"Happy New Year!"

Pan Ge couldn't wait and immediately opened the box. She instantly covered her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes.

A 22.8-carat pigeon-blood red ruby, sparkling brilliantly under the lights.

The top-tier cut caused the Star of Romance to lose a bit of weight. However, its full and symmetrical pavilion and beautifully crafted culet made its fire utterly captivating.

This "fire" referred to the internal reflection of light from the gemstone's facets, a critically important characteristic.

As she gently rotated the table facet and observed closely, over 80% of its crown shimmered with countless tiny flames.

Exquisite!

As befitting a competent general manager, Lu Yisi immediately began to flatter Pan Ge.

"Miss Pan, I stake Cartier's reputation on it: the Star of Romance is an unequivocally natural gemstone. It hasn't even undergone heat treatment!"

Pan Ge nodded gently, her delight growing.

Heat treatment is a purely physical method. Therefore, it's widely regarded as a way to enhance nature's work, not as a deceitful practice, and such gems are considered equivalent to truly natural ones.

A gemstone as perfect as this without undergoing heat treatment was definitely considered half a grade superior to a heat-treated one.

Lu Yisi continued, "Currently, the largest top-grade faceted ruby exhibited on the market is likely the Carmen Lucia Ruby. It weighs approximately 23.1 carats, merely 0.3 carats more than yours…

I can't definitively claim the Star of Romance is the second largest in the world. However, in terms of overall presentation, the Star of Romance is by no means inferior to the Carmen Lucia Ruby in the slightest! It was Cartier's honor that Mr. Han selected the Star of Romance. And for the Star of Romance to ultimately find its way into Miss Pan's hands is its own good fortune…"

Stop, stop, stop! Pan Ge thought. Enough with the flattery! Any more of this, and I won't be able to resist jumping him!

Pan Ge snapped the box shut, clutched it tightly in her hand, then threw her arms around Han Lie, practically hanging off his arm.

Ugh, so clingy!

Zhao Anni felt goosebumps rise at her daughter's overt affection and teased, "Putting it away already? Not even going to let your mom have a look?"

"Nope!"

Pan Ge pouted defiantly, her voice taking on a childish, whiny tone. "This is Lie Lie's gift to me! You'll get to see it when we get home!"

A wave of shock and envy rippled through the crowd, everyone breaking out in goosebumps.

Pan Ge was usually very mindful of her image. However, she was naturally coquettish, and when her emotions ran high, she felt no compunction about acting cute and affectionate in public.

The two wealthy young socialites, who had just been engaged in an evenly matched verbal spar, found it completely unbearable.

Socialite Number One exclaimed, "Mind your surroundings!"

Socialite Number Two added, "And your image!"

Even their close friends chimed in teasingly, "And try not to cause any collateral damage to us innocent bystanders!"

Pan Ge just pouted. "Innocent? Which one of you is innocent?"

Today, everyone must suffer!

She was already dying to cuddle, hug, and kiss Han Lie. She was only holding back because elders like Zhao Anni were present. Once they left…

Zhao Anni saw her daughter was completely smitten. On one hand, she felt a slight exasperation, wishing her daughter had more composure. On the other, she was immensely gratified by Han Lie's thoughtfulness. Her feelings were truly a bundle of contradictions.

However, she wasn't about to pass up such a prime opportunity to show off.

She shot a sidelong glance at Madam A, delivering a verbal slap: "So, I'm just talking without a care, am I? What about it? You see, the matter of getting jewelry for our Nannan's dowry? It seems I don't need to lift a finger...

Oh, by the way, Manager Lu, if we later decide to have the Star of Romance set into wedding jewelry, would Cartier offer a discount?"

Lu Yisi was unaware of their prior conflict. However, his stance was clear: he would unconditionally support the owner of the Star of Romance.

"Of course, Mrs. Zhao. Cartier is always prepared to assist with the Star of Romance."

Madam A's lips trembled with anger, but she was utterly speechless.

Damn it! They're holding the ultimate weapon; there's no arguing with that!

Next, Zhao Anni turned to Madam B, her smile radiant. "Oh, Blan, you really guessed it... Our Nannan is just so fortunate, she can barely keep up with all the betrothal gifts!

She's still a ways from marriage, but by the time she's of age, collecting a full jewelry set shouldn't be a problem, right?

Han Lie, this boy, honestly... I don't know where he learned to be so extravagant. It's just New Year's, not a major celebration like a birthday or Valentine's Day, yet he's already spending so lavishly..." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Madam B's face turned ashen. She nodded hastily, "Yes, yes indeed, Annie! You've truly found an excellent son-in-law, top-notch in every respect!"

She had no choice but to quickly agree. Earlier, when arguing, she had casually blurted out, "I'd pay 30 million US dollars too!" At the time, she had assumed the mysterious tycoon who bought the gemstone was some unrelated person. It had just been empty boasting.