“We should focus on finding a solution, not wasting time on meaningless arguments!” Lily said, her tone firm as she frowned at the two of them.Austin nodded. “You’re right. That’s exactly what we should be doing,” he said, his voice calm but resolute.Sarah’s face hardened in response, but she bit back her retort. As much as she disliked admitting it, Lily had a point.After a moment, Lily turned to her father, her expression thoughtful. “Dad, do you know Mrs. Thompson from somewhere? She started acting differently the moment you showed up. There has to be a reason for that.”Austin’s expression darkened at her question, his brows furrowing deeply.Sarah seized the opportunity to press him further. “You need to tell the truth,” she said firmly, her voice cutting through the tense air. “This is about your daughter’s future. Unless, of course, you don’t want her to marry into the Thompson family.” Her gaze bore into him, daring him to deny it.The car came to a halt, interrupting the c
The next day, Lilian woke up later than usual. She stretched, yawned, and made her way to the living room.To her surprise, the room was empty. This was unusual; on any normal day, the living room would be bustling with activity. Her father was often lounging around, her brothers would be busy tidying up, and the general hum of the house was always present. Yet today, the place felt eerily quiet.Lilian frowned as she walked in, wondering where everyone had gone. She took a seat on the couch, absentmindedly munching on her favorite snack, a bowl of mixed nuts. She glanced around, her eyes searching for her phone.Before she could spot it, a sudden knock on the door startled her.“Who is there? The door is open,” Lilian called out, raising her voice to ensure the person heard her.The door creaked open, and to Lilian’s surprise, three groups of women stepped into the living room. She furrowed her brows, confused. None of them looked familiar.“Uhm… who are you?” Lilian asked them, her
One of the ladies knelt beside Lilian, carefully slipping on her heels, making sure the straps were perfectly adjusted.“All done!” the third lady exclaimed, her face glowing with excitement.“I think the car should be arriving soon,” the first lady said, her tone carrying a note of anticipation. Her smile mirrored the others, all of whom seemed to share in a secret that Lilian couldn’t decipher.Almost as if on cue, a car horn sounded outside.“Oh, the driver’s here now!” the third lady giggled, her voice filled with enthusiasm as she clapped her hands together.Lilian gave a faint smile, her thoughts clouded with uncertainty. She had no idea what was going on. No one had explained why she was being dressed so elegantly or why there was such an air of excitement around her. It was as though she had been dropped into the middle of a story whose beginning she had missed.The ladies gently guided her outside, their cheerful chatter buzzing around her like a swarm of bees. As they reache
Sarah turned to Austin with a frown, her arms crossed in clear irritation. “Why are you here? You should be in the car waiting with her,” she said sharply, her tone carrying the weight of disapproval.Austin’s expression hardened, and he crossed his arms in return. He wasn’t in the mood for Sarah’s usual dismissiveness. “What about the Thompsons? Why aren’t they here yet? What’s happening?” he demanded, his voice low but filled with tension.Sarah shrugged with an air of nonchalance, her calm demeanor almost mocking. “How am I supposed to know that?” she replied flatly. “They might have run into traffic on their way here or gotten delayed for some reason. It happens.” Her face showed no sign of concern, as though the entire ordeal was a minor inconvenience.Austin stared at her, his frustration mounting. “Traffic? Delayed?” he repeated, as though the words were absurd. “Sarah, it’s been over two hours! What kind of traffic causes this kind of delay?” His voice rose slightly, though he
“Why did you leave the car?” Sarah asked with a sharp frown. She looked at the reporters who had gathered around them and, with a subtle shift in demeanor, she gave them a warm smile. “Dear press, we’re all friends here. You shouldn’t cause unnecessary chaos just to get a few headlines. Please, don’t distract everyone.”The reporters paused, exchanging glances, as Sarah’s calm, authoritative tone made them reconsider their aggressive approach.“But is the wedding canceled?” one of the reporters pressed, unwilling to back down just yet.Sarah let out an exaggerated sigh. “Canceled?” she repeated, feigning confusion. “Who told you that? The wedding is still happening as planned. I’ve already spoken with the Thompsons. They’re on their way here now.”The reporters glanced at each other, their skepticism giving way to uncertainty. They had hoped for a scandal, but Sarah’s composure made them question their assumptions.“Oh, we’re sorry for the misunderstanding,” one of them apologized, ba
Lily frowned, her mind racing. “We know that’s a lie. I called Marcus’s phone, and it was switched off, along with Mrs. Thompson’s. So how did Mom reach them?” she asked, her voice tinged with frustration, confusion, and a growing sense of betrayal.Austin glanced at her, noting the sharpness in her tone. He hadn’t expected her to catch on so quickly, but now that she had, there was no way to hide the truth. He had to try to keep the situation under control, even though he didn’t have all the answers.“Just calm down, okay?” he said, his voice strained as he tried to maintain control of the conversation. It was all he could manage, but his words felt hollow against the rising tension in the air.“Calm down?” Lily’s voice rose, her tone full of disbelief. “How can I be calm in this situation? I’ve already boasted about this wedding to everyone! All of the people I invited are inside that hall right now. How am I supposed to stay calm when everything’s falling apart?” Her face twisted i
Austin noticed a woman hastily walking towards the exit and immediately stepped in her path, stopping her. “Where are all the guests?” he asked, confused and slightly alarmed. He had been outside just moments ago and hadn’t seen anyone leaving.The woman’s impatience was evident as she answered, barely sparing him a glance. “I heard there’s another event upstairs, so everyone rushed there,” she said, her tone clipped as she hurried past him, clearly heading in the same direction.Lily’s brows furrowed at this. She looked to her father for some clarity. “I thought the hall was rented just for my wedding?” she asked, her voice thick with frustration and disbelief.Before Austin could respond, Sarah walked into the hall. She froze when she saw the emptiness. “Huh? What’s going on? Why is the hall suddenly empty?” she asked, her voice rising in confusion as she looked around the space.Austin met her gaze, but said nothing, his thoughts consumed by what the woman had just told him. Sarah,
Here’s your 1,200-word version, expanded with richer descriptions, deeper character emotions, and smoother dialogue, while keeping the original storyline intact.Chapter: The Grand IntroductionLilian walked into the grand hall beside Franklin. The moment she stepped inside, a wave of whispers and murmurs spread through the crowd. Every pair of eyes in the room turned toward her, their gazes lingering as they took in her presence. She could feel the weight of their attention pressing down on her, making her stomach twist with nervous energy.“Wow, who is that stunning lady?” someone whispered.“Is she single?” another voice asked.“I think that’s her boyfriend beside her,” came another hushed comment.“Oh, you’re right! They look so good together!”“A perfect match! It’s like they were made for each other.”Lilian’s fingers unconsciously tightened around Franklin’s arm. She wasn’t used to being in the spotlight, and all this attention made her uneasy. The whispers only added to her di
Lily stepped out of the car as soon as Moses parked. A gentle breeze brushed against her face, making her long hair sway slightly. She stood beside him, adjusting the hem of her dress, a radiant smile lighting up her features.“Where is this?” she asked, her eyes scanning the massive glass-fronted building before her. There was a slight furrow in her brows as she tried to process her surroundings. Everything about this place screamed wealth and power.Moses, standing tall beside her, kept his face emotionless. His sharp jawline was set in its usual cold expression. He barely spared her a glance before looking away. “One of my workplaces,” he said, his tone indifferent.Lily’s eyes widened, her jaw dropping slightly. She turned back to the imposing structure before her, marveling at its grandeur. “Wow,” she breathed, her voice laced with admiration. “You have so many sources of income?” She turned to face him, studying him like she was seeing him for the first time.She had always know
Lily stepped into the restaurant, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. The place exuded an air of quiet elegance, with dim lighting and hushed conversations filling the space. Almost immediately, a waiter noticed her and approached with a polite smile.“Hello, Miss. Do you have a reservation, or would you like to book a table now?” he asked, his tone warm and professional.Lily gave a small nod, masking her impatience. “Someone is already waiting for me,” she replied, forcing a smile even though she found the entire process irritating.The waiter’s expression remained courteous. “May I ask which room?”“Five,” she answered without hesitation.“Ah,” he murmured with a knowing nod. “Please follow me, Miss.”He turned gracefully and led the way through the restaurant, weaving between tables occupied by well-dressed patrons engaged in quiet conversations. The scent of expensive wine and gourmet dishes lingered in the air, but Lily barely noticed. She had more important th
Lilian pushed open the gate and froze in shock at the sight of her brother, Moses, standing outside.Her breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t expected to see him there.Moses stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over her with concern. “You didn’t drive in? Why?” His voice carried a note of suspicion as he studied her expression.Lilian quickly nodded, forcing a yawn as if she were simply exhausted. “Oh, I’m just tired, that’s all,” she said, adding a weak smile for effect.Moses raised an eyebrow. He wasn’t convinced. He reached out his hand toward her, palm up.Lilian blinked, confused. “What?”“The key,” he said, his expression unreadable.“Oh.” She hesitated for a moment, then instinctively glanced behind her, scanning the street. Her pulse quickened. Marcus’s car was gone. He must have driven off already.“What’s wrong?” Moses asked, narrowing his eyes. He had caught the way her expression shifted.“Nothing,” she answered too quickly, shaking her head.“Then give me the key,” he
Lilian walked back into the room. The moment Timothy saw her, he stood up immediately, concern flashing in his eyes.“Are you done?” he asked kindly.Lilian nodded. “Yes, I am,” she replied, her voice steady.At that moment, Marcus walked in as well. His eyes landed on Lilian and Timothy, and a surge of irritation coursed through him. Their closeness unsettled him, but he swallowed his frustration. He was still treading carefully, hoping to earn Lilian’s forgiveness.“CEO Marcus, are you okay?” one of the executives asked, noticing the way Marcus’s expression had darkened for a moment.Lilian didn’t even bother turning her head in Marcus’s direction. Instead, she focused on Timothy and the executive who had organized the dinner.“I’ll be heading home now,” she said with a bright smile, shifting her purse onto her shoulder.“Oh? Leaving so soon?” the executive asked, his tone laced with concern. “Are you sure you can drive home safely? Maybe you should let someone take you instead.”Li
Lilian raised an eyebrow as she observed Marcus. The way he played was too smooth, too calculated. He didn’t look like a novice at all.Her eyes narrowed slightly. From the moment he picked up the controller, she had been watching him closely. There was a certain confidence in the way he moved, the way his fingers glided effortlessly over the buttons, executing each move with precision.Timothy noticed it too. And judging by the fact that Marcus had won every single round against him, there was no way this man was a beginner.“I thought CEO Marcus was a learner? How come you play better than me?” Timothy asked, chuckling, trying not to sound too loud.Marcus shrugged nonchalantly, leaning back in his seat with an air of self-assurance. “That just means I’m a fast and skilled learner,” he said, his tone carrying a hint of boastfulness.Lilian’s mouth twitched at his words. Typical. Always so sure of himself.Leaning back in her chair, she let out a small sigh, her boredom creeping in.
Lilian looked at Timothy and smiled.Marcus’ eyes darkened even further, his jaw tightening as he watched their interaction. The way Timothy leaned in, speaking in hushed tones, and the way Lilian responded with that effortless, radiant smile—it all grated on his nerves. He wasn’t one to let emotions control him, but right now, irritation clawed at him, demanding to be acknowledged.Lilian, seemingly oblivious to Marcus’ reaction, sat up straight and took a sip of her wine. The deep red liquid swirled elegantly in her glass as she held it with practiced grace. She wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary—just enjoying herself. And yet, the effect it had on Marcus was undeniable.The hall had grown noticeably quieter. Conversations had dwindled, replaced by subtle, expectant glances in Marcus’ direction.Everyone was waiting to see how he would respond.Would he lash out? Walk away? Or do something entirely unexpected?The tension in the air thickened.Marcus let out a slow breath, su
Lilian walked into the private room, her heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor. The air carried a subtle hum of conversation as several CEOs were already present, chatting amongst themselves in low voices. Heads turned briefly when she entered, though most of them quickly returned to their discussions, only sparing her a glance.“CEO Lilian, you’re here!” the host exclaimed warmly, his voice breaking through the quiet hum of the room. His welcoming smile was broad as he stepped forward to greet her.Lilian nodded politely, her expression composed yet approachable. “Yes, I am,” she replied, her voice steady and professional. Her gaze swept the room subtly, taking in her surroundings. It wasn’t overly crowded—just enough people to make the gathering feel important but not overwhelming.The host gestured toward a seat in a more secluded section of the room. “Please, let me show you where you can sit.”Lilian followed his lead, her movements measured and graceful, reflec
Moses walked into the living room with a deep frown etched across his face. He sank onto the couch, the weight of his thoughts dragging him down. Franklin, seated beside him, turned to look at him with concern. “Are you okay, brother?” he asked, his voice low but steady.Moses turned his head slowly to meet Franklin’s gaze. “I got an email from Lily,” he began, his tone laced with confusion and frustration. “She said we’ve made a mistake—that she’s actually our younger sister.”Franklin’s brow furrowed in response, but before he could say anything, Noah let out a loud chuckle from across the room. “What kind of nonsense is that?” he said, shaking his head in disbelief. “She must be dreaming. Someone needs to wake her up.”Franklin nodded in agreement, a scowl spreading across his face. “Ridiculous. She’s just being stupid,” he added dismissively.Moses didn’t respond immediately. His silence filled the room like a heavy fog, thick and suffocating. He leaned back against the couch, his
Lily stormed into the house, her expression a storm cloud of frustration and anger. She slammed the door shut behind her with a little more force than necessary, causing her mother to glance up from the table where she was sorting through some documents.“You’re back already?” her mother asked, a mix of surprise and curiosity on her face. “Was Marcus not at the company?”Without replying immediately, Lily tossed her bag onto the couch and sat down heavily, crossing her arms. Her face remained tight with irritation.“The gateman didn’t let me in,” she said sharply, her voice carrying the sting of humiliation.Her mother straightened, clearly startled. “What? Why not? Did he give you a reason?”Lily huffed in frustration, the memory of the encounter replaying vividly in her mind. “He said Marcus wasn’t in the office,” she explained, her tone dripping with annoyance. “I told him I’d wait inside, but he refused. Can you believe that? He wouldn’t even let me near the gate!”Her mother’s ex