The city was already glowing with lights when Ethan’s car finally pulled up in front of the club.
Lillian looked through the window.
The building was impressive, with bright lights illuminating the entrance and several expensive cars parked outside.
She raised her eyebrows.
“So this is where we’re going?”
Ethan glanced at her.
“Yes.”
Lillian looked at the entrance again.
“I thought you said we were going somewhere for dinner.”
“We can eat here.”
She turned toward him.
“At a club?”
Ethan smiled.
“There’s food inside.”
Lillian gave him a skeptical look.
“That’s not exactly what I had in mind.”
He chuckled.
“You’ll have fun.”
Lillian didn’t answer.
She picked up her handbag and opened the door.
Before getting out, her phone suddenly began ringing.
She glanced at the screen.
Her eyes brightened.
“Alex.”
Then she noticed the second name appearing beside it.
“Alicia too.”
She smiled and answered the video call.
Immediately, two familiar faces appeared on her screen.
Alex Morgan and Alicia Morgan were twins.
Although they shared similar facial features, their personalities were very different.
Alex was the more masculine one, always dressing in a tomboyish style and carrying herself with the confidence of a handsome young man.
Alicia, on the other hand, was more feminine and expressive.
The twins had been Lillian’s closest friends for years.
Alex’s face filled most of the screen.
“Where are you?”
Lillian laughed.
“Hello to you too.”
Alicia pushed Alex slightly.
“Let her answer first.”
“I’m asking because she disappeared.”
Lillian turned the phone slightly so they could see the entrance.
“I’m at a club.”
Both twins stared.
“A club?” Alicia repeated.
Alex’s eyes widened.
“You’re actually at a club?”
“Yes.”
“With Ethan?”
“Yes.”
Alicia leaned closer to the camera.
“Are you sure you want to marry that man?”
Lillian blinked.
“What kind of question is that?”
“I’m asking seriously.”
Alex nodded.
“Me too.”
Lillian smiled.
“I don’t know yet.”
“You don’t know?” Alicia asked.
“We’re only getting to know each other.”
Alex crossed her arms.
“That’s exactly why I’m asking.”
Lillian sighed.
“Don’t worry about me.”
“We’re your best friends,” Alicia said.
“We’re supposed to worry.”
Alex nodded.
“Exactly.”
Lillian laughed.
“You two are too much.”
Alicia smiled.
“What are you wearing?”
Lillian turned the phone toward herself.
“This.”
Alicia nodded approvingly.
“Pretty.”
Alex immediately added,
“Don’t let Ethan ruin your mood.”
Lillian laughed.
“I won’t.”
Ethan looked toward her.
“Who are you talking to?”
“My best friends.”
Alex heard him.
“Is that Ethan?”
Lillian nodded.
“Yes.”
Alex stared at the screen.
“Tell him I said hello.”
Lillian looked at Ethan.
“My friend says hello.”
Ethan gave a polite nod.
“Hello.”
Alicia smiled.
“Okay, Lillian.
We’ll let you go.”
“Wait.”
Alex looked at her.
“What?”
Lillian smiled.
“Don’t worry so much.”
Alex’s expression softened.
“I know you can take care of yourself.”
Alicia nodded.
“But we’re still allowed to worry.”
Lillian smiled.
“Fine.”
Alex pointed at her.
“Call us later.”
“I will.”
The call ended.
Lillian lowered her phone.
Ethan looked at her.
“Your friends seem protective.”
“They are.”
“How long have you known them?”
“Since school.”
He nodded.
Lillian smiled slightly.
“They’re annoying sometimes.”
“But you love them.”
“Of course.”
She opened the car door.
“Come on.”
They stepped out.
Inside the club, the music became louder.
Lillian followed Ethan toward the entrance.
One of the staff members immediately recognized her.
The employee’s eyes widened.
“Miss—”
Lillian quickly raised one finger to her lips.
The employee immediately stopped.
“Welcome.”
Ethan didn’t notice the exchange.
He continued walking.
Lillian followed him with a small smile.
Meanwhile, several streets away, Alexander Moore sat in his office.
He was working through several documents when his phone vibrated.
A message appeared in the Moore family group chat.
Perry: Where is everybody?
Alexander smiled.
He typed a reply.
Alexander: I’m working.
Almost immediately, Perry replied.
Perry: Boring.
Alexander shook his head.
Alexander: And what are you doing?
Perry: Waiting for Lillian to come back.
Alexander raised an eyebrow.
Alexander: Why?
Perry: Because I need something.
Alexander laughed.
Alexander: There it is.
Perry sent a laughing emoji.
Then another message appeared.
Perry: Don’t tell Mom.
Alexander replied.
Alexander: I’m telling her.
Perry immediately sent another message.
Perry: BIG BROTHER!
Alexander laughed.
A few seconds later, Evelyn joined the conversation.
Evelyn: What did Perry do now?
Alexander replied.
Alexander: Nothing yet.
Perry immediately protested.
Perry: I didn’t do anything!
Victor finally sent a message.
Victor: Then why are you shouting in the family group?
Perry replied.
Perry: Because Alexander is trying to frame me.
Alexander laughed.
Their family group was rarely quiet.
Evelyn sent a laughing emoji.
Then she asked,
Evelyn: Has Lillian arrived home?
Perry replied.
Perry: No.
Alexander looked at the message for a moment.
He wondered where his sister was.
Then Perry sent another message.
Perry: She’s probably still with Ethan.
Alexander’s expression became thoughtful.
He typed.
Alexander: Let her enjoy herself.
Perry replied almost immediately.
Perry: I still don’t like him.
Alexander smiled.
Alexander: You said that yesterday.
Perry: And I still mean it today.
Evelyn sent another message.
Evelyn: Perry, stop worrying about your sister.
Perry: I’m not worrying.
Victor replied.
Victor: You’re worrying.
Perry sent a sad emoji.
Alexander laughed and placed his phone on the desk.
He leaned back in his chair.
He trusted Lillian.
If she wanted to get to know Ethan, he wouldn’t interfere.
Still, as her older brother, he couldn’t help being protective.
He picked up his phone again and sent a private message to her.
Alexander: Enjoy yourself.
If you need me, call.
Lillian’s phone vibrated.
She looked down.
Seeing her brother’s message made her smile.
She replied.
Lillian: I know.
Then she added:
Lillian: Stop worrying.
Alexander smiled.
Alexander: I didn’t say I was.
Lillian shook her head.
“All of them…”
She put her phone away.
Ethan looked at her.
“Family?”
“My brother.”
“You seem close.”
“We are.”
They reached the private section of the club.
Ethan opened the door.
“After you.”
Lillian walked inside.
She looked around.
The private room was beautifully decorated, with comfortable sofas, a large table, and several bottles already waiting.
She sat down.
Ethan took the seat opposite her.
“So,” he said, “let’s continue getting to know each other.”
Lillian smiled.
“Okay.”
Only a short distance away, another private room was occupied by Adrian Sterling and his friends and of course the overdressed Ryan.
For now, Lillian simply sat across from Ethan, determined to find out whether the man her family had chosen for her was someone she could actually imagine spending her life with.