Liyana Xu had just finished her morning routine at Celeste's headquarters. The office was bustling, as usual, the energy of fashion designers, managers, and staff all creating an undercurrent of excitement in the air. But today, there was a different buzz—one that was impossible to ignore. The announcement of her engagement to Damien Lu had spread like wildfire.
Liyana felt the weight of every eye that glanced in her direction. Even with the presence of Mira by her side, ensuring that everything was handled with care, Liyana knew her life had entered a new chapter. The press had already begun to settle into their own rhythm, capturing every tidbit of news that emerged from their high-profile engagement. The world was watching.
As she adjusted herself in her seat, her phone buzzed on the polished wooden desk. It was a message from Damien:
Damien:You've been on my mind all day. Let's talk tonight. I miss you.
Liyana couldn't help but smile. Her relationship with Damien had always been intense, but this engagement felt like the next step toward something more permanent. Something that, despite their tumultuous past, felt real.
But as she tapped her phone to reply, an unsettling buzz from the outside world broke into her calm. News outlets were already updating their feeds with new headlines, but one in particular caught her eye: "Damien Lu and Liyana Xu Announce Engagement Amidst Growing Tensions with Rival Companies." It was a simple line, but beneath it lay something more—an undercurrent of gossip, drama, and hidden stories.
Her phone buzzed again, this time from an unexpected contact: Qin Xieren.
Qin:"I hope you're happy, Liyana. But remember, things are never as perfect as they seem. I wish you both all the best... for now."
The message felt cold. It was subtle, almost too polite, but Liyana knew better. Qin had always been calculating—her seemingly sweet demeanor masking her true intentions. The timing of this message couldn't have been coincidental. Liyana's stomach churned. Qin had always harbored feelings for Damien, and now, with their engagement news out in the open, Liyana knew that this would push her rival to act.
Meanwhile, across the city, Qin was pacing in her luxurious penthouse. The news had hit her like a thunderclap. She hadn't been able to focus on much else since hearing about the engagement. Her own feelings of frustration and resentment boiled beneath the surface. She had spent so long hiding her jealousy, feigning support, and maintaining a facade of friendship with Damien. But deep down, she knew that this was a line she couldn't cross without losing everything.
Her hands trembled slightly as she set her phone down on the marble countertop. She couldn't allow Liyana to have him. The thought of Damien, the man she had always wanted, slipping through her fingers to someone else, someone who had always been in the background of his life, consumed her.
This was supposed to be her story, she thought bitterly.
Qin had always considered herself the perfect match for Damien. She was beautiful, ambitious, and well-connected—everything he needed. But Liyana, with her cool, aloof demeanor and powerful presence, had won Damien's heart in a way Qin never could. And now, the engagement was just a reminder of how Liyana had outmaneuvered her once again.
Her reflection in the glass walls of her apartment glared back at her, a reminder of how her carefully crafted plans had always fallen short. She had underestimated Liyana, never truly believing that this woman—who was just a girl when they first crossed paths—would grow to be someone who could match Damien in more ways than one. But now, it was too late to change the course of their lives.
Qin picked up her phone again, her fingers swiftly typing out a message to her close friend and confidant, Li Fengzhi—her old university classmate and someone she had known long before her business dealings with Damien began.
Qin:"I need you to find something—anything—that can help me. Liyana's engagement is the final blow, and I won't let her have everything she wants. She needs to be reminded that she doesn't control the world as much as she thinks."
The message was clear, and there was no mistaking her desperation.
Minutes later, Li Fengzhi replied, the message succinct but ominous:
Li Fengzhi:"Leave it to me. I know just the angle to approach."
Qin's eyes narrowed. She had to make her move now, before Liyana became too comfortable in her new role. The engagement was a symbol of everything she had failed to achieve with Damien. If she didn't act fast, she would be relegated to nothing more than a footnote in their story.
Meanwhile, at the Lu family estate, Damien sat in his office, the weight of his actions pressing on him. He had been in constant contact with Liyana, and everything felt right. They had a plan for their future—a life together. But even as he gazed at his phone, waiting for Liyana's reply, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
Qin's message to Liyana had not gone unnoticed by him. He had long since learned to recognize the subtle signs of manipulation. He had seen the way Qin operated before, and he knew that she was calculating every move. His eyes darkened as he stared at his phone, wondering what lengths she would go to now that Liyana had become a target of her envy.
But for now, his priority was clear: protect Liyana.
He quickly typed out a message to her, trying to reassure her despite the brewing storm.
Damien:"Ignore Qin. We have this. Our future together is what's important."
Liyana's response came almost instantly, her words brief but filled with determination.
Liyana:"I know. Let's stay focused on us. Nothing can tear us apart."
As Damien read her message, he felt a sense of calm wash over him. They were strong. Their bond was solid, no matter what Qin or anyone else tried to do.
But even as the foundation of their relationship felt secure, both Liyana and Damien knew that this engagement would ignite a series of events that would push them to their limits. And the real test—of love, loyalty, and power—was only just beginning.