The merger between Blackwood Enterprises and the Sterling Group proceeded smoothly . Three years later , Julian and I were married . The wedding was held in a charming , old - world town abroad , where every house had colorful wind chimes hanging . When the breeze passed through , there would be a clear , tinkling sound , like sincere blessings . Towards the end of the reception , I received a wedding gift . No name was left , but everyone recognized the Thorne Corporation's seal . In fact , after Julian officially took over the Sterling Group , he initiated comprehensive and intense pressure on the Thorne Corporation . If the Thorne Corporation , without Mrs. Sterling , had been a crumbling skyscraper before , then after Julian got through with it , only scattered bricks and rubble remained . Julian would not spare the family that had betrayed his mother . I unhesitatingly chose to cooperate , and even intensified it . The Thorne Corporation had long been irrelevant in our circles because I , too , would not spare the person who had betrayed me . Under such circumstances , I was quite surprised to receive congratulations from Liam Thorne . Opening the box , I discovered a dazzling purple diamond ring . A forgotten memory from when I was eighteen suddenly resurfaced . The memory wasn't entirely clear . It was after a mock exam , and I was helping Liam analyze his mistakes . Eighteen - year - old me was completely devoted to him, discussing the questions while imagining a future with Liam . But I wasn't the only one distracted. Liam gazed at me , his earnestness then not seeming like a pretense : " Aria , what kind of ring do you like ? " I casually tossed the ring to him , Because when I was sixteen , a purple wind chime arrived in my life , even before any talk of rings . At that time , a younger , more inexperienced Julian hadn't considered my family background . At that time , a younger, more inexperienced Julian hadn't considered my family background . He only occasionally returned home to help his mother with business , and happened to see the girl next door when he visited the Thorne family mansion . He happened to overhear the girl's mother tell her , " Our Aria loves purple , doesn't she ? " " That's wonderful ! Purple is so elegant , I love purp too . " As if by some strange impulse , Julian stayed an extra two days , and had someone send a string of purple wind chimes from abroad. During those two days , he witnessed the family's illegitimate son deliberately hurt his arm , then go to the girl to gain her sympathy . He also witnessed the girl becoming increasingly sympathetic and caring towards her nominal step - brother . A seed of jealousy and possessiveness grew wildly in Julian's heart . The day he left , he impulsively knocked on the girl's door and gave her the wind chimes . He even couldn't resist saying something bold . Sixteen - year - old Aria Blackwood just stood there , unangered . She simply said softly , " Have a safe trip . " And after that , Aria found her true peace and joy , with no regrets , for this lifetime and beyond . CANIS 400