Chapter 10:
A sleek black luxury car pulled up to the Beau estate, chandeliers from the grand staircase spilling golden light over the driveway.
Jin stepped out first, opening the rear door with smooth precision.
Will Shade emerged—elegant, cold, in a storm-black suit. From the other side, Lena stepped out slowly, her red floral gown catching the light like falling petals.
Gasps whispered across the crowd.
Together, they looked like a couple from a painting.
"Mr. Shade," Mr. Beau greeted warmly, extending a hand. "A pleasure."
Will accepted it with cool grace. "All mine."
Jin stepped forward, offering a black velvet gift box. "Happy anniversary," Will added.
Madame Beau, radiant in silver, chuckled. "You shouldn't have. Thank you." She passed the box to an assistant—then her eyes turned to Lena.
"And this lovely young woman is…?"
"Lena Morisawa," Will said evenly.
Lena stepped forward with poise. "It's an honor. I also prepared something—just a small bouquet."
She handed over a bundle of delicate blooms, tied with a pale ribbon. "There's a note inside explaining each flower's meaning. It's called Le Langage des Fleurs. Happy anniversary."
Mme Beau raised a brow, intrigued. She inhaled the fragrance, then unfolded the note:
"Ivy for fidelity…
Red roses for passionate love…
Baby's breath for everlasting affection…
Myrtle for good luck in marriage…
Daisies for innocence and joy…"
A hush settled.
To Lena's surprise, Madame Beau's eyes shimmered. She turned away suddenly, bouquet clutched to her chest, and hurried out of the room.
"Juliette?" Mr. Beau called gently, following after her.
Lena stood stunned.
Before she could react, Will took her hand and whisked her to a nearby balcony.
"Was that too much? I tried to make it simple but what work works right? She must be so happy. I saw a couple in our shop. She reacted like that too wow love is great I am right or what? she asked lightly. "Because if you're about to praise me, just say it—"
"Can you just shut up?" Will snapped.
Her smile faltered. "What…?"
He stepped closer, voice cold as steel. "You think this is your flower shop? This world doesn't run on sentiment. It runs on power."
Lena's back hit the stone wall.
"If I lose this deal because of you, your entire family pays the price. Do. Not. Act. Without. My. Permission. Understood?"
Her throat tightened. "…Yes."
"Stay out here until I call for you. No one needs to see you again tonight."
He turned and left, door slamming behind him.
Lena slid to her knees, fingers clutching her dress. But she refused to cry.
Not here.
Meanwhile, Outside Lena's Part-Time Job…
Eliot paced outside the shop, fists clenched. The manager had confirmed Lena hadn't shown up in two days.
At home, he burst through the door.
"I'm calling the police."
"What?!" Paige gasped. "Are you crazy? What if Kyle finds out?"
Eliot's voice broke. "I have a bad feeling. We never should've signed that contract."
Just then, Kyle strolled in, beaming. "Hey! Great news—Lena covered all my internship fees! Isn't she amazing?"
Paige and Eliot froze.
"You… know about it?" Paige whispered.
"Yeah. She told me she's gardening for some rich family up in the mountains," he grinned. "You guys were trying to surprise me, huh?"
They exchanged a look of stunned relief.
Kyle grinned. "You guys already knew, right? I guess you wanted it to be a surprise. And Mom… all this new stuff around the house? Pretty obvious."
Paige chuckled, a little nervously. "You caught us."
"I'll work hard," Kyle added. "She believes in me. I won't waste that."
Back at the Beau Estate…
Madame Beau sat in her room, eyes on the flowers resting in a crystal vase.
"No one—not even our closest friends—gave something this personal," she murmured. "Every bloom had meaning."
Mr. Beau embraced her gently. "You deserve to be seen. Someone saw you tonight."
Together, they returned to the ballroom. Madame Beau placed the bouquet at the center of the room for all to admire.
On the Ballroom Floor…
Will mingled through the crowd, trying to steer conversations back to business.
"Where's your fiancée, Mr. Shade?"
"She's… freshening up," he muttered, jaw tight.
Even Mr. Beau found him again.
"My wife is looking for her," he said cheerfully. "She wants to thank her personally."
Will blinked. The bouquet meant that much?
He signaled to Jin.
Outside, on the Balcony…
Jin gently opened the door. "Miss Morisawa?"
Lena didn't look up. "If you're here to tell me I ruined everything, I get it. Just… don't tell my parents."
"No," Jin said quietly. "I'm here to bring you back."
"…What?"
"Madame Beau is asking for you. Personally."
Lena stood slowly. "She is?"
When she entered the ballroom, Madame Beau immediately approached and grasped her hands.
"There you are! I've been looking everywhere."
Lena blinked. "You… liked the flowers?"
"They meant everything to me," the woman said sincerely. "Now, tell me—what flower best represents your love story with Mr. Shade?"
Lena hesitated. Love story?
But then she remembered the file Jin gave her. She forced a smile.
"Sunflowers," she said. "They represent loyalty… and boldness. Just like him."
Madame Beau beamed. "So romantic. You clearly adore him."
Will watched from a distance, stunned.
She's holding her own… like she belongs.
As the Night Ended…
Mr. Beau handed Will a folder. "To our future partnership."
Will nodded, distracted by the girl slipping into the car beside him.
Lena let out a long sigh as the door closed.
What a day…