The next morning, the Moore residence was already unusually busy.
Lillian walked downstairs expecting a quiet breakfast.
Instead, she stopped halfway down the stairs.
Both of her parents were seated in the living room.
Alexander was going through something on his tablet, while Perry was eating snacks.
Lillian looked around.
“What’s going on?”
Perry glanced at her.
“Your wedding.”
Lillian blinked.
“My what?”
“Your wedding.”
He pointed toward the sitting room.
“They’ve been discussing it since breakfast.”
Lillian slowly walked over.
“I haven’t even had breakfast.”
Perry shrugged.
“They don’t need you for that part.”
Lillian stared at him.
Before she could respond, the sound of cars arriving outside caught everyone’s attention.
Victor stood.
“The Sterling family is here.”
A few moments later, Edward Sterling entered with Adrian and Ryan.
Lillian’s eyes immediately found Adrian.
He was dressed in a dark suit, looking as calm as though he were attending an ordinary business meeting.
Their eyes met.
He gave her a small smile.
She quickly looked away.
Edward greeted Victor warmly before taking a seat.
Ryan immediately greeted everyone.
“Good morning!”
Perry smiled.
“Good morning.”
Ryan sat beside him.
“What’s happening?”
Perry whispered,
“Wedding planning.”
Ryan’s eyes lit up.
“Oh, this is going to be fun.”
Lillian sat quietly beside her mother.
Adrian took a seat nearby.
For approximately thirty seconds, everything was peaceful.
Then Edward spoke.
“Now, we should start with the engagement party.”
Victor nodded.
“Yes.
The venue needs to be large enough to accommodate the important guests.”
Alexander lifted his tablet.
“I’ve already prepared a list of possible venues.”
Evelyn leaned forward.
“We need something elegant.
The decorations should be beautiful but not excessive.”
Edward nodded.
“Gold and white.”
Victor agreed.
“Good combination.”
Alexander added,
“We’ll need proper security.
Several high-profile celebrities and business executives will attend.”
Ryan immediately said,
“I’ll have to make sure my manager knows.”
Perry looked at him.
“Are you coming?”
“Of course.”
“Then bring gifts.”
Ryan laughed.
“What kind?”
Perry thought about it.
“A gaming console.”
Ryan nodded seriously.
“Done.”
Perry’s eyes widened.
“Really?”
“Really.”
Perry immediately smiled.
Lillian looked at them.
She couldn’t believe how quickly they had become friends.
The discussion continued.
The guest list became longer.
More names were added.
Business executives.
Actors.
Singers.
Fashion designers.
Influential families.
Top celebrities.
Even several international guests were mentioned.
Lillian sat silently.
Adrian sat beside her.
Neither of them had been asked a single question.
The adults were already deciding everything.
“The invitations should be luxurious,” Evelyn said. Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
“Of course,” Edward agreed.
“Some should be delivered personally.”
Victor nodded.
“And the rest can be sent digitally.”
Alexander looked at his tablet.
“We should also prepare an official announcement.”
That caught Lillian’s attention.
“What announcement?”
Everyone looked toward her.
Alexander answered,
“The engagement.”
He turned his tablet toward them.
“Once the invitations start circulating, people will know you’re getting married.
Social media will pick it up almost immediately.”
Victor nodded.
“The engagement will attract attention because of both families.”
Edward smiled.
“And because Adrian rarely appears publicly.”
Ryan laughed.
“People will definitely go crazy trying to find out who his fiancée is.”
Lillian looked at Adrian.
He seemed completely unconcerned.
Then she spoke.
“I want them to know I’m married.”
The room became quiet.
Lillian continued.
“But I don’t want them to know who I’m married to.”
Adrian turned toward her.
“Why?”
Lillian looked at him.
“Because I don’t want people thinking I got my opportunities because of my husband.”
Her voice was calm.
“I want people to know me because of what I can do.”
She paused.
“If they know I’m married to you, they’ll immediately connect everything to you.
My career, my opportunities, even my achievements.”
Lillian shook her head.
“I don’t want that.”
Adrian studied her face.
She continued,
“I want to use my own power.”
There was a quiet confidence in her voice.
“I don’t want anyone saying I borrowed my husband’s power to suppress people or get ahead.”
Adrian’s eyes softened.
“You want them to know you’re married, but not know who your husband is.”
“Yes.”
He nodded.
“I understand.”
Lillian smiled.
“Good.”
Edward looked impressed.
Victor’s expression softened with pride.
Alexander simply smiled.
“That can be arranged.”
Perry leaned toward Ryan.
“So everyone will know she’s married, but nobody knows to whom.”
Ryan grinned.
“That sounds entertaining.”
The adults immediately returned to planning.
The wedding date.
The invitation design.
The guest list.
The flowers.
The entertainment.
The security.
The celebrities who would be invited.
The gifts.
The press strategy.
Even the number of wedding photographs that should be released.
Lillian and Adrian simply sat there.
At one point, Lillian looked at him.
He looked back.
Neither said anything.
They both seemed to be thinking the same thing.
They’re planning everything without us.
Lillian almost laughed.
Then Charles Sterling and Vanessa Sterling arrived together.
The room became slightly quieter.
Charles greeted Edward before sitting down.
Vanessa smiled politely at everyone.
Her eyes moved around the room.
“This is quite a modest gathering for such an important family.”
Victor’s expression remained calm.
Evelyn said nothing.
Edward looked directly at Vanessa.
“Choose your words carefully.”
Vanessa’s smile stiffened.
“I meant no offense.”
“This family is welcoming you into their home.
Show some respect.”
Charles frowned.
“Father, there’s no need to make an issue out of a simple comment.”
Adrian finally looked at his father.
“It wasn’t a simple comment.”
Charles met his eyes.
Adrian’s voice remained calm.
“Lillian’s family deserves the same respect as ours.”
Vanessa lowered her eyes.
Charles said nothing.
The wedding discussion continued.
Soon, everyone was talking again.
Lillian remained quiet.
Adrian occasionally glanced at her.
She eventually leaned toward him.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For defending my family.”
Adrian’s lips curved slightly.
“I only told the truth.”
“You still did.”
He looked at her and said “if you want to thank me you can go something else.”
Lillian Smiled and said “How?.
“I would let you know soon.
he replied smiling slightly
Then she stood up shyly and said.”I’m going to the bathroom.”
She walked away.
A few minutes later, Adrian quietly followed.
Lillian had just stepped out when she saw him waiting in the hallway.
She stared at him.”You followed me.”
“I needed to use the bathroom.”
“You could have waited.”
“You took too long.”
Lillian folded her arms.
“I wasn’t gone that long.”
Adrian smiled and whispered softly”i wanted you to thank me now.”
She rolled her eyes.”and you prefer the bathroom?.”
He stepped closer.”You’re blushing.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
Lillian tried to hide her smile.
“You’re annoying.”
“And you’re smiling.”
She looked away.
Adrian gently touched her cheek.
Her expression softened.
For a moment, they simply looked at each other.
Then he leaned down and kissed her.
It was brief and gentle.
When they separated, Lillian stared at him.
“You really are shameless.”
Adrian smiled.
“You didn’t stop me.”
She lightly pushed his chest.
“Go back inside.”
“After you.”
They returned a few minutes later.
Ryan looked at them suspiciously.
“Where were you two?”
“The bathroom,” Lillian answered quickly.
Ryan looked at Adrian.
“Both of you?”
Adrian calmly sat down.
“Yes.”
Ryan’s eyes narrowed.
Perry looked between them.
Then he noticed Lillian’s flushed face.
His mouth slowly opened.
He looked at Ryan.
Ryan noticed it too.
Neither said anything.
Evelyn glanced at Lillian and immediately understood.
She simply smiled and continued discussing the wedding.
Meanwhile, Edward was still talking.
“And after the wedding, we should think about grandchildren.”
Lillian’s eyes widened.
Adrian closed his eyes briefly.
Ryan burst out laughing.
Perry nearly choked on his snack.
The adults continued talking as though discussing grandchildren immediately after an engagement was the most normal thing in the world.
Lillian looked at Adrian.
Adrian looked at Lillian.
Neither of them said a word.
They were both completely speechless.
But what do you think about Lillian’s decision to keep her husband’s identity a secret?
And that little bathroom moment… should we talk about it?
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See you in the next one!