“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
Lilian stepped out of the car as it rolled to a stop in front of the bustling airport. The crisp morning air carried the faint hum of planes landing and taking off in the distance. Her father and brothers had come along for the introduction, an event that had filled her with both excitement and nerves. She took a deep breath, adjusting her scarf as she scanned the area.Noah, her cousin, climbed out of the driver’s seat and stretched. He looked around, squinting at the runway. “I don’t think the plane has landed yet,” he remarked, checking his watch.Lilian turned to him, one brow arched. “We can wait for them in the waiting room,” she suggested, her tone calm but firm.Noah nodded, offering her a grin. “Lead the way, Your Highness,” he teased, gesturing for her to go ahead.She rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the small smile that tugged at her lips. Taking his hand, they made their way into the airport’s waiting area, the chatter of travelers and the occasional announcements ov
They stepped out of the car, the late afternoon sun casting a golden hue over the house. Silas and Franklin lingered outside with Noah, their voices carrying faintly as they talked about something unimportant. Meanwhile, Lilian and her father made their way indoors, the door creaking softly as they entered.The living room smelled faintly of fresh flowers from a vase on the table, their bright petals catching the light. Lilian led her father to the large couch in the center of the room. He sat down heavily, leaning back with a sigh of relief. Lilian took a seat beside him, her posture straight and attentive.“Would you like some cold water? Or maybe something else?” she asked, her tone warm and inviting. A small smile curved her lips as she waited for his reply.“Just water is fine,” he said simply, resting his hands on his knees.Nodding, Lilian rose and headed toward the kitchen. Her steps were brisk but quiet, the sound of cabinets opening and closing soon echoing faintly from the
The next day, Lilian accompanied Franklin to the shopping mall to pick up groceries for their home. The sun shone brightly in the clear morning sky, and a gentle breeze carried the hum of activity outside the mall. People streamed in and out of the grand entrance, their conversations blending into a lively symphony.As Lilian and Franklin stepped into the spacious, brightly lit mall, the faint sound of background music greeted them. Rows of neatly arranged shelves and colorful displays stretched ahead, tempting shoppers with discounts and seasonal promotions. Lilian looked around, her gaze thoughtful as she adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder.“We should just focus on getting foodstuffs,” she said decisively, glancing at Franklin.Franklin shrugged with little interest. “Sure,” he replied, his tone as casual as his posture. Shopping wasn’t high on his list of enjoyable activities, but he didn’t mind tagging along. For him, spending time with Lilian, even on an errand like th
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
Lilian walked into the company the next day, her heels clicking against the polished floor with an air of authority. The receptionist immediately stood up when she saw her, her professionalism sharp and unmistakable.“Good morning, ma’am,” the receptionist said politely, a warm smile on her face.Lilian acknowledged her with a small nod. “Hello, good morning to you too,” she replied, her tone calm yet direct. Without breaking stride, she headed straight for the elevator.Inside the elevator, Lilian pressed the button for her floor and leaned slightly against the wall. It had been a whirlwind few days, and she was determined to tackle everything head-on. As the elevator arrived with a soft chime, she straightened her posture and stepped out, ready to start her day.What greeted her, however, made her pause. A young woman sat at the desk outside her office, engrossed in her phone. Lilian’s brows furrowed slightly. This was unexpected.The woman, oblivious to Lilian’s presence, continued
Lilian arrived home later than usual, the weight of her day evident in her slightly tired expression. She had stayed back at the office, determined to finish the stack of files that had been sitting on her desk for too long.As she stepped into the living room, the soft glow of the lights made the space feel warm and welcoming. Noah looked up from where he was sitting, immediately smiling when he saw her. “You’re back,” he said, his tone cheerful at first, though his smile soon faded into a concerned frown. “How was work? And why are you so late?”He was the only one in the living room, and the absence of the usual chatter made the house feel quieter than normal.Lilian offered him a tired but genuine smile. “It’s been a while since I was at the office, so I took the opportunity to finish up some pending work,” she explained, setting her bag down on the nearest chair.Noah nodded in understanding. “Where’s everyone?” she asked, glancing around as if expecting someone to suddenly appea
Lilian walked into the company lobby, her heels echoing on the polished tiles. She carried herself with the calm confidence of someone who knew the space inside and out. The familiar environment of her workplace brought a small sense of comfort, yet something was off. Her eyes immediately landed on the receptionist’s desk.Where Linda, the usual friendly face, should have been, sat a stranger. A young woman, neatly dressed in a crisp blouse, was typing away on the computer. Her sharp focus broke the moment she spotted Lilian approaching.The receptionist quickly stood up, smoothing her skirt nervously. “Good morning, ma’am. Do you have an appointment?” she asked, her tone professional but polite.The question threw Lilian off. She raised an eyebrow, her expression morphing into confusion. “Uh… no,” she replied distractedly, her gaze fixed on the woman as if trying to place her.The receptionist gave her a tight, apologetic smile. “Oh, I see. I’m sorry, but you’ll need to make an appoi
Lilian hadn’t gone to the company in days. She stayed home, consumed by emotions she couldn’t quite understand or control. The smallest things made her anxious. Every time Matt left her sight, her heart would start to race, and her mind would conjure the worst scenarios. She tried to hide it, but her panic was always evident.Her brothers, Noah, Franklin, and Moses, stayed close, trying to comfort her whenever they could. But it was clear to everyone in the house that Lilian’s silence weighed heavily on them. Gabriel, her father, was especially worried. He had seen Lilian strong and confident in the past, so this sudden vulnerability scared him. He felt powerless watching his daughter struggle, and he didn’t know how to help her.That morning, Gabriel and his sons gathered in the living room. The air was heavy with unspoken concerns. The usually lively house was eerily quiet, the only sounds coming from the occasional creak of a chair or the ticking of the clock on the wall. No one sa
Marcus clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles whitening under the pressure.“That means you’re a father!” Benson, one of his closest friends, exclaimed, his face lighting up with a wide grin. His tone was filled with excitement, almost as if it were his own discovery.Marcus’ lips twitched into a small smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. The weight of Benson’s words settled heavily on his chest. The realization was overwhelming, and his emotions were all over the place. Was he happy? Nervous? Angry? He couldn’t tell.His mother’s face flashed in his mind. She would be thrilled to hear this—ecstatic, even. For years, she had begged him to settle down and give her grandchildren. And now, the dream she’d been holding onto for so long was real. But his excitement was dampened by a darker thought: Lilian’s family.He already knew how they felt about him. Every interaction with Moses or any of Lilian’s brothers had been marked by tension. Their disdain for him was obvious. They
Moses walked into the company building with an urgency that made the receptionist sit up straight. She blinked in surprise—she hadn’t seen him here in ages. Ever since Moses had stopped coming to the office regularly, his appearances had become rare, almost nonexistent. To see him now, walking in with such a determined expression, left her momentarily speechless.Quickly regaining her composure, she stood up from her desk. “Good afternoon, sir,” she greeted, her tone cautious yet polite.But Moses didn’t respond. He brushed past her as if he hadn’t even heard her voice. His intense expression and hurried steps suggested something serious was going on. The receptionist watched, puzzled, as he headed straight for the elevators and stepped inside.“What could’ve happened?” she murmured, watching the elevator doors close. He looked so worried. But whatever it was, it clearly wasn’t her business, so she sat back down and returned to her tasks.Upstairs, the elevator dinged softly as Moses