Livia's POV...
I woke before my alarm went off, I looked out my window, it was still dark outside.
For a moment, I lay still, staring at the ceiling, my thoughts were already racing ahead of me.
Today was the board meeting and Lucian was trusting me to handle everything.
The thought alone made my chest tighten.
I exhaled slowly, pushing myself up and swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. There was no time to hesitate. No time to feel overwhelmed.
If I was going to stand beside Lucian today—
I couldn't afford to be weak.
The dressing room was larger than my entire bedroom back at my father's house.
Rows of clothing lined the racks.
They were all elegant, expensive and perfectly arranged.
Now, apparently, they were mine.
I hesitated for only a second before stepping inside.
Rachel was already waiting.
"Good morning, ma'am ," she said softly. "Shall I assist you?"
I nodded faintly.
"Yes… please, but please call me Livia"
She looked at me for a moment and nodded.
A sleek outfit was selected for me, it was a fitted pink blouse made of soft silk, the fabric was smooth against my skin as it was carefully buttoned up.
The neckline was low but still modest enough framing my collarbone just enough to feel perfect without being revealing.
The sleeves were long, tailored perfectly to my arms, ending neatly at my wrists.
Then I wore the skirt.
It was a high-waisted pencil skirt in deep charcoal black color , hugging my waist and hips before falling straight to just below my knees.
I watched myself in the mirror as Rachel adjusted the fit, smoothing out every crease, ensuring everything stayed exactly as it should.
My hair was styled next.
Soft waves were pulled back slightly from my face, and pinned just enough to keep it neat while still allowing it to fall naturally over my shoulders.
I did my makeup next, it was very light and minimal.
When everything was done, I barely recognized myself.
Not because I looked different but because I looked…Confident.
Like someone who belonged in a room full of power.
The thought sent a strange feeling through my chest.
"Perfect," Rachel said softly.
I smiled at her
"Thank you."
When I stepped out of my room, Lucian was already waiting In his wheelchair.
He wore a black suit—perfectly tailored, to fit him, with sharp lines and every detail precise.For a moment, I just looked at him.
"You're staring," he said calmly.
Heat rose faintly to my cheeks.
"Sorry."
His gaze moved over me slowly then he nodded
"Perfect"
I blinked.
"That's your compliment?"
"It's enough."
Despite myself, I almost smiled.
I helped him to the car and the driver drove us to Kingsley Enterprises.
The building itself was… intimidating.
It was made of glass and steel which rose into the sky like it owned everything around it.
Which, in a way It did.
People went about their daily work activities and the moment we entered—
Everything shifted.
Eyes turned to us immediately and whispers followed us
"They're here…"
"That's him…"
"And… his wife?"
I felt the attention immediately, but I kept my posture straight and my expression calm like ivory used to always say.
I had signed the contract.I had agreed to this.
Now I had to play my role.
The boardroom doors opened and the tension inside was palpable
Men and women were in expensive suits, their expressions sharp and calculating.
These were all powerful people and dangerous in their own way.
And all of them turned to look at us, Shock flickered across their faces.
Because Lucian Kingsley was here with m
My hands tightened slightly at my sides as I pushed his wheelchair forward, my movements steady despite the weight of their gazes.
I could feel it all, the disbelief, the curiosity and even the unease.
We stopped at the head of the table.
"Well," a voice broke through the commotion . "This is… unexpected."
I turned and saw him.
Victor Kingsley.
He looked like Lucian in some ways.
They had the same height and the same sharp features.
But where Lucian was controlled Victor was expressive and overconfident .
There was a smile on his face but it didn't reach his eyes.
"Brother," he said, his gaze settling on Lucian.
"I didn't think you'd make it."
"I'm glad to be here" Lucian said his eyes still wide and unblinking.
Victor's smile twitched slightly.
Then Helen spoke.
"I believe I made it clear you didn't need to attend," she said coolly.
Her eyes flicked briefly to me with irritation and I stared right back at her.
Lucian remained silent and then without warning—
He spoke up
"My wife will speak for me in the board meeting"
The room went still and everyone turned to me.
Slowly, I stepped forward.
"I will be representing Mr. Kingsley today," I said, my voice steady despite the storm inside me.
A ripple of reaction moved through the room.
"Victor leaned back slightly, amusement flickering across his face.
"This should be interesting."
Helen's expression hardened.
"This is inappropriate," she said sharply. "She has no position here."
"She has mine," Lucian replied calmly.
And just like that there was nothing she could say.
, not with without challenging him directly.
Her lips pressed into a thin line but she said nothing more.
The meeting began immediately,it was boring but I But I listened carefully to everything that was being said.
Victor spoke often and every time he did Helen supported him fully.
And through it all Lucian remained silent, keeping up his act.
At one point, a question was directed at him from one of the board members, all eyes turned to me waiting for my reply.
"Mr. Kingsley agrees with the proposed direction," I said calmly. "However, adjustments will be necessary to maintain long-term stability."
The room shifted with a different emotion, I had gotten their attention now and Helen glared at me.
Victor's gaze sharpened.
"Oh?" he said. "And what adjustments would those be?"
My heart pounded in my chest but I didn't hesitate.
I couldn't.
"Resource allocation," I replied. "Specifically within the secondary divisions. The current distribution is inefficient."
Everywhere went silent then a murmur went round and some members nodded in agreement with me and Victor's smiled faded slightly while Helen's eyes narrowed.
And beside me Lucian remained still.
But I felt it, Something subtle like an approval .
Victor leaned forward slightly, his gaze locked on me now.
"You speak confidently," he said.
I met his gaze.
"I speak carefully."
A flicker of something crossed his expression like challenge.
"Let's test that," he said
The room went quiet again.
"Tell me," Victor continued, his voice smooth but edged, "on what authority do you make these recommendations?"
My breath hitched , he was asking to know my status in the board?
"I have said this before, she is representing me as a board member, so treat her accordingly" Lucian said
Victor let out a scoff and went silent, the meeting was finally over and I wheeled Lucian back to the car.