Lilian waved her hand repeatedly, her delicate fingers moving back and forth in a deliberate motion. She waited patiently until the receptionist finally snapped out of her trance.“You…” The receptionist’s voice faltered as her trembling hand pointed at Lilian. Her eyes were wide, brimming with disbelief, as if she had just seen a ghost.“What?” Lilian asked, breaking into a soft laugh. She tilted her head slightly, feigning confusion at the receptionist’s dramatic reaction. Deep down, though, she had anticipated this. After all, such a response was only natural.“You’re really siblings?” the receptionist asked, her voice rising with incredulity. She leaned forward, her gaze darting between Lilian and the elevator as though Moses himself might suddenly reappear to confirm this shocking revelation.Lilian nodded with a small smile, her lips curving just enough to tease. She raised a finger to her lips in a mock secret gesture and whispered, “Secret.”The receptionist blinked rapidly, n
Lily strolled through the opulent shopping mall, her heels clicking against the marble floors. Bright lights reflected off every polished surface, highlighting luxurious store displays adorned with gowns, jewelry, and accessories. The mall bustled with activity: shoppers chattering excitedly, clerks adjusting displays, and the faint hum of a distant piano playing a soft melody. For Lily, this was no ordinary day—this was wedding shopping, the day she’d anticipated ever since she had said “yes” to Marcus.Her two closest friends, Joy and Medusa, accompanied her, their arms laden with shopping bags from previous stops. Joy, ever lively and opinionated, seemed almost as thrilled as Lily herself. Medusa, on the other hand, was quieter, occasionally offering a hesitant smile or a murmured agreement.They arrived at a high-end jewelry store, its entrance marked by shimmering chandeliers and a red carpet runner that hinted at exclusivity. Lily’s eyes immediately scanned the dazzling array of
Medusa smiled politely at Lily, her demeanor calm and composed. “Thank you for your offer, but I don’t think there’s any need for that,” she said, her voice even, though there was a trace of unease behind her words.Lily’s expression hardened instantly. Her perfectly manicured nails drummed against the counter, and her jaw tightened as her eyes bore into Medusa. “Medusa!” she snapped, her tone sharp enough to cut through glass. “If you want to attend my wedding, you must get a new dress!” Her voice rose with each word, filled with the kind of authority she had perfected over years of getting her way.Medusa’s polite smile faltered as her brow furrowed. “Why does it matter so much?” she asked, her voice soft but tinged with frustration. She looked at Lily, her shoulders tensing as though bracing herself for the inevitable.Before Lily could launch into what would no doubt be a tirade, Joy interjected with a cheerful laugh that seemed almost out of place. “Of course, she’ll get a new dr
“Huh?” Medusa blinked her eyes innocently, tilting her head slightly as if she didn’t understand why Lily seemed so upset.“You picked a gown worth $550,000?” Lily’s voice was sharp with disbelief, her eyes narrowing as she stared at Medusa.Medusa smiled, not even flinching under Lily’s gaze. “It was the most beautiful and rare piece there,” she said with a touch of smugness. “I couldn’t resist.”Lily scoffed. “Can you afford to pay for it? Do you even have that kind of money in your account?” She crossed her arms, her voice thick with condescension.Before Medusa could respond, Joy quickly jumped in, trying to smooth over the situation. “I think the dresses here are all quite expensive, Lily,” she said, her tone calm and reassuring. “This is actually one of the more affordable options here.”Lily’s expression flickered, her posture stiffening before she forced a smile. “Oh, really?” she asked, her voice still laced with suspicion.Joy nodded, her smile unwavering. “Yes, you can even
“Damn,” Medusa gasped, her eyes wide as she stared at her phone screen.The room fell into silence as everyone turned to look at her.“What’s wrong?” Joy asked, her voice laced with concern.Medusa didn’t take her eyes off the phone. “A friend of mine just sent me some pictures, that’s all,” she replied, her voice calm, though a hint of tension lingered.Joy raised an eyebrow. “What pictures? Let me see them,” she said, stretching her hand out toward Medusa.Medusa hesitated for a moment before handing her phone over to Joy. Joy took it and immediately began scrolling through the images, her expression shifting from curiosity to something darker.Glory leaned in, trying to see the picture as well. She gasped quietly when she recognized what was on the screen, her gaze flickering to Lily.“When was this?” Joy asked, looking at Medusa to confirm that it wasn’t an old picture.Medusa shrugged casually. “She said she met them yesterday at a coffee shop,” she explained, her tone indifferen
Lily drove to Marcus’s office in a fury. Her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles turning white as frustration boiled inside her. She barely slowed down as she swerved into the parking lot, yanking the car into an uneven spot before slamming it into park. She didn’t care how haphazardly she’d parked—she had bigger things on her mind.She threw the door open, her heels clicking furiously on the pavement as she marched toward the office building. The heat of her anger seemed to radiate off her, drawing glances from passersby, but she was too focused to notice.Inside, Marcus’s assistant looked up from his desk with wide eyes as Lily strode toward him. The young man opened his mouth to speak, to stop her maybe, but something about her stormy expression froze him in place.“Ma’am, Mr. Marcus—” he stammered, but Lily ignored him completely.She pushed past his desk, her hand already on the door handle. Without so much as a knock, she shoved the door open and stepped insid
“What?” Lilian asked, her face etched with a frown.The female employee misinterpreted her reaction, thinking Lilian was jealous and saw her as competition.“I’m just jealous of you, that’s all,” the employee said with an awkward smile.Lilian raised an eyebrow, confused. “He’s my brother, not my boyfriend!” she clarified, returning the smile.The employee froze, stunned by the revelation. For a few moments, she stood motionless as Lilian turned back to the mirror, inspecting the dress before removing it.When she noticed the employee still staring at her in shock, Lilian tilted her head. “What?” she asked again, her tone light.The employee snapped out of her thoughts and quickly shook her head. “Nothing. I’m sorry for the misunderstanding,” she said, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.Lilian smiled gently. “It’s fine. I understand. No harm done,” she replied reassuringly.“Thank you,” the employee murmured, relieved.Lilian left the changing room and headed toward Noah, who was
Lily came back to her senses as soon as she got home, slamming the door behind her. Her chest heaved with anger and regret. What had she been thinking? She should never have gone to confront Lilian like that. Charging into a public place to cause a scene? It wasn’t like her. Now she was sure people must have recorded her outburst. Videos of her yelling, gesturing, and acting like some crazed, jealous woman were probably circulating online already. The thought made her stomach churn.Clenching her fists tightly, she paced back and forth in her small living room. “What have I done?” she muttered under her breath. Her gaze darted around, searching for her phone. After a moment of frantic searching, she spotted it on the table. She grabbed it with trembling hands and dialed her mother’s number.As soon as the call connected, Lily’s emotions spilled over. “Mom,” she cried, her voice cracking.Her mother’s concerned voice came through the line instantly. “Lily? What’s wrong? Did Marcus do s
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