One week.
That was all the time left before Lillian and Adrian’s engagement party.
And the Moore residence had become busier than usual.
Since the two families had agreed on the engagement, preparations had been moving quickly.
Wedding planners came and went throughout the day.
Decorators arrived with samples of flowers and decorations.
Security teams were already discussing arrangements for the large number of guests expected to attend.
Boxes of gifts began arriving at the Moore residence from relatives, business associates, and families who had received the engagement invitation.
Even the dining room had temporarily been turned into a place where gifts were being sorted and recorded.
Evelyn stood nearby, watching the staff carefully arrange everything.
“This one goes over there,” she said, pointing toward a large gift box.
“And be careful with that one.
It looks expensive.”
Lillian walked into the room and stopped when she saw the number of boxes.
“Mom.”
Evelyn turned.
“Yes?”
“Are all of these for us?”
Evelyn smiled.
“Some are for you and Adrian.
Others are from family friends and business associates.”
Lillian looked around.
“There are so many.”
Evelyn laughed softly.
“That’s what happens when two powerful families announce an engagement.”
Lillian picked up one of the smaller boxes.
“Can I open this?”
“Not yet.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re keeping everything together until the engagement party.”
Lillian sighed.
“Fine.”
Evelyn smiled before taking her hand.
“Come with me.
I want to show you something.”
Lillian followed her upstairs.
When they entered the dressing room, several garment bags were hanging neatly beside one another.
Lillian looked at them.
“More dresses?”
Evelyn nodded.
“These are the final options.”
Lillian walked closer.
“You said you already chose one.”
“I changed my mind.”
Lillian stared at her mother.
“Mom.”
Evelyn laughed.
“You’re getting engaged to Adrian Sterling.
I’m allowed to change my mind a few times.”
Lillian couldn’t help smiling.
Evelyn opened one of the garment bags.
Inside was an elegant engagement dress.
It was sophisticated without being overly flashy, with delicate details that made it look expensive without screaming for attention.
Lillian touched the fabric.
“This one is beautiful.”
“I knew you would like it.”
Evelyn looked at her daughter carefully.
“You’re sure?”
Lillian nodded.
“Yes.”
“Then this is the one.”
Lillian smiled.
“Okay.”
Evelyn then walked toward a small jewelry box sitting on the dressing table.
She opened it.
Inside was a beautiful ring.
Lillian’s eyes widened slightly.
“Mom…”
“This is the engagement ring.”
Lillian carefully picked it up.
The stone caught the light.
“It’s beautiful.”
Evelyn smiled.
“Your father and Alexander spent a long time choosing it.”
Lillian looked at the ring again.
“It’s not too much?”
“Nothing is too much for my daughter.”
Lillian smiled warmly.
Evelyn gently took the ring from her hand.
“You’ll wear it at the engagement ceremony.”
Lillian nodded.
She looked at the ring for another moment.
For some reason, seeing it made everything feel more real.
She was actually getting engaged.
To Adrian.
The man she had barely known only a short while ago.
And yet, somehow, she no longer felt as uncomfortable about the idea as she thought she would.
Evelyn noticed her expression.
“What are you thinking about?”
Lillian smiled slightly.
“Nothing.”
Evelyn gave her a knowing look.
“Nothing?”
Lillian laughed.
“I’m just thinking that everything happened so quickly.”
“Sometimes life doesn’t give us enough time to prepare.”
Lillian looked at her mother.
“And you’re not worried?”
“About you?”
Lillian nodded.
Evelyn smiled.
“I trust you.”
Those simple words made Lillian smile.
“Thank you, Mom.”
Evelyn hugged her.
“Just be happy.”
Lillian hugged her back.
“I will.”
Across the city, Adrian’s day was far less peaceful.
He sat behind his desk at Sterling Technology while Daniel stood in front of him with a tablet.
“You have three meetings tomorrow morning,” Daniel said.
Adrian looked through the schedule.
“Move the first one to ten.”
Daniel nodded.
“And the investment meeting?”
“Eleven-thirty.”
“You also have the board meeting at two.”
“Move it to three.”
Daniel entered the changes.
“There’s also a dinner with the international investors tomorrow evening.”
Adrian paused.
“Cancel it.”
Daniel looked up.
“Cancel?”
“Yes.”
“Should I reschedule?”
“Next week.”
Daniel nodded.
“Understood.”
Adrian glanced at the calendar again.
“What about Friday?”
“Your schedule is full.”
“Clear the afternoon.”
Daniel hesitated.
“May I ask why?”
Adrian looked at him.
“I have an engagement party to attend.”
Daniel smiled slightly.
“Right.”
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
“Something funny?”
“No, sir.”
Daniel immediately returned his attention to the tablet.
Adrian continued looking at his schedule.
For the first time in a long while, he was rearranging business meetings around a personal event.
He wasn’t sure whether that was strange.
He simply knew he didn’t want to miss it.
His phone suddenly vibrated.
He looked down.
A message from Lillian.
Lillian: Are you busy?
Adrian replied almost immediately.
Adrian: I’m working.
Lillian: That means yes.
He smiled.
Adrian: What do you want?
A few seconds later, her message appeared.
Lillian: I chose my dress.
Adrian leaned back in his chair.
Adrian: Already?
Lillian: My mother helped me choose it.
Adrian: Can I see it?
Lillian: No.
Adrian smiled.
Adrian: Why?
Lillian: Because you’re not supposed to see it before the engagement.
He stared at the message.
Adrian: Then I’ll wait.
Lillian smiled at her phone.
Lillian: Good.
Then another message came.
Adrian: Did you choose the ring too?
Lillian looked toward the jewelry box.
Lillian: Yes.
Adrian: Do you like it?
She smiled.
Lillian: Very much.
Adrian’s expression softened.
Adrian: Good.
Their conversation continued for a few more minutes before Adrian finally returned his attention to work.
Daniel watched him silently.
He had worked for Adrian for years.
He had rarely seen his boss smile at his phone.
But he wisely said nothing.
That evening, Lillian’s manager arrived at the Moore residence.
She had barely entered the room before she pulled out her phone.
“Lillian, you need to see this.”
Lillian looked up.
“People are talking about you.”
Lillian frowned.
“About what?”
Her manager showed her the screen.
Several entertainment pages had already started discussing her engagement.
WHO IS LILLIAN MOORE MARRYING?
C-LIST ACTRESS LILLIAN MOORE ENGAGED?
WHO IS THE MYSTERIOUS MAN BEHIND THE RING?
Lillian stared at the headlines.
“They already know?”
“They know you’re getting married.
They just don’t know who.”
Her manager shook her head.
“And your fans are going crazy.”
Lillian took the phone.
The comment sections were filled with speculation.
(Who is she marrying?)
(She suddenly has an engagement ring!)
(Is he a businessman?)
(Maybe another celebrity?)
(I want to know who the man is!)
Lillian laughed softly.
“They’re really curious.”
“Curious isn’t even the word.”
Her manager showed her another screen.
The speculation had spread beyond Lillian.
People were also discussing Adrian Sterling.
Because Adrian was rarely seen publicly, his private life had always attracted attention.
Now the internet had connected the timing.
ADRIAN STERLING TO MARRY?
WHO IS THE WOMAN GETTING ENGAGED TO THE STERLING HEIR?
MYSTERIOUS FIANCÉE OF ADRIAN STERLING REMAINS UNKNOWN
Lillian stared at the screen.
“They’re speculating about him too.”
Her manager nodded.
“And nobody knows the answer.”
Lillian smiled.
“Good.”
Her manager looked at her.
“You really want to keep it secret?”
“Yes.”
She looked down at her engagement ring.
“I want people to know I’m getting married.
I just don’t want them to know who my husband is.”
Her manager sighed.
“That will make people even more curious.”
“I know.”
Lillian smiled.
“Let them wonder.”
Elsewhere, Serena sat in her bedroom with her phone pressed against her ear.
“So you’re going?”
The woman on the other end laughed softly.
“Of course I’m going.”
It was Isabella, Vanessa Sterling’s cousin.
The same woman who had been unhappy about Adrian’s engagement.
Serena leaned back against her chair.
“I heard the engagement party is going to be huge.”
“It will be.”
“And Lillian will be there.”
Isabella’s voice became colder.
“Yes.”
There was a brief silence.
Serena looked toward the mirror.
“She doesn’t even know what’s coming.”
Isabella smiled.
“That’s why we have to be careful.”
Serena lowered her voice.
“I don’t want anyone to suspect us.”
“They won’t.”
“What are you planning?”
Isabella gave a quiet laugh.
“Nothing that can be traced back to me.”
Serena’s fingers tightened around her phone.
“And if something goes wrong?”
“Then we were never involved.”
Serena smiled.
“Good.”
Neither woman said exactly what they intended to do.
But both had already decided that they were not going to simply sit quietly and watch Lillian become Adrian’s fiancée.
The engagement party was only one week away.
And everyone was preparing for it.
Some with excitement.
Some with curiosity.
And some with intentions they weren’t willing to reveal.
Author’s Note Hey, my loves!
The engagement is only one week away!
Lillian has her dress, her ring, and the whole internet is desperately trying to figure out who she’s marrying!
But wait… Serena and Isabella are talking too.
Should we be worried about these two?
What do you think they’re planning?
Remember, a new chapter drops every day!
Don’t forget to comment, review, and rate the story.
Tell me what you’re loving, what you don’t like, and what you want to see more of!
See you in the next chapter!