The car glided smoothly through the dimly lit streets, the city's brilliance reflecting off the tinted windows. Liyana sat poised in the back seat, legs crossed, fingers resting lightly against her lap. To an outsider, she looked as composed as ever, her expression unreadable, her gaze fixed ahead.
But inside, she was anything but.
The Lu family estate was more than just a house—it was a place filled with memories. A place where, as a child, she had once laughed freely, running through the vast gardens without a care in the world. A place where she had watched Damien from afar, trying—failing—to make him see her the way she wanted.
Now, she was returning, not as the little girl who used to linger by the grand staircase, hoping for a passing glance, but as a woman who had carved her own empire.
Yet, the weight of the past still clung to her, like a whisper she couldn't quite shake.
"Miss Xu," Ethan's voice cut through her thoughts. "We're almost there."
Liyana's gaze flickered to the passing scenery—glass towers fading into old-money grandeur. The Lu estate was located in one of the most prestigious parts of the city, an area untouched by time, where wealth didn't need to be flaunted because it was understood.
As the car turned onto the long, winding driveway, the mansion loomed ahead, bathed in the golden glow of evening lights. The estate was breathtaking—stately yet warm, the kind of place that felt lived-in despite its vastness. The manicured gardens, stretching endlessly, carried the faint scent of night jasmine.
The moment the car came to a stop at the grand entrance, a small group of staff members immediately moved forward, their familiarity evident in the way they carried themselves around her.
One of the older butlers, Mr. Cheng, stepped forward first, his wrinkled face breaking into a warm smile.
"Miss Xu," he greeted, bowing slightly. "It's good to see you again."
Liyana felt the tightness in her chest ease—just a little.
"It's been a while, Mr. Cheng."
"Far too long," he said, eyes twinkling with genuine affection. "The young masters and young miss have been waiting for you all evening. If it were up to them, they would have dragged you here themselves."
A small chuckle left her lips, the warmth of the estate already working its way through her carefully constructed walls.
Another staff member, a middle-aged housekeeper, Mrs. Lan, stepped forward. "It's a pleasure to have you here again, Miss Xu. The chef has prepared your favorite dishes."
Liyana's brows lifted slightly. "My favorite?"
Mrs. Lan smiled knowingly. "The young miss may have mentioned a few things to the kitchen staff."
Liyana exhaled softly, amusement flickering in her gaze. Lu Meilin.
"Thank you," she said, the words carrying more meaning than mere politeness.
The doors to the mansion swung open, revealing the grand yet welcoming interior.
The air smelled of home-cooked meals, of warmth, familiarity, and something deeper—something she had once allowed herself to yearn for.
She stepped inside.
And in that moment, Liyana wasn't just the CEO of Celeste or the heiress of the Xu family.
She was simply Liyana.
Liyana stepped through the grand entrance of the Lu mansion, the soft glow of chandeliers casting golden light over the elegant interiors. The familiar scent of home-cooked delicacies filled the air, mingling with the faint traces of aged wood and fresh flowers.
She didn't need to be told where to go—the heart of the Lu household had always been the grand lounge, where the families gathered before dinner.
As she rounded the corner, the familiar hum of laughter and conversation greeted her.
Her family was already there.
Her mother, Madam Xu, sat gracefully on one of the plush sofas, a warm smile on her lips as she spoke with Madam Lu, Damien's mother. Their voices carried an ease that spoke of years of friendship.
Across from them, her father and Damien's father were engaged in a deep discussion, their tones serious but amicable—likely about business, as always.
And at the center of it all, sitting side by side with bright, eager expressions, were Lu Meilin and Lu Yuhan, Damien's younger siblings.
The moment Liyana stepped in, Lu Meilin's eyes lit up.
"Liyana-jie!"
Before Liyana could even react, Meilin shot up from her seat and rushed toward her, throwing her arms around her in a tight hug.
Liyana blinked, momentarily taken aback, before a small chuckle escaped her lips. She gently patted Meilin's head, indulging the younger girl's affection.
"You act like you haven't seen me in years," Liyana teased.
Meilin huffed dramatically. "It feels like years! You're always so busy! Do you know how hard it is to get you on the phone?"
Liyana arched a brow, amused. "Didn't you just call me this afternoon?"
Meilin pouted. "That doesn't count!"
Before she could argue further, Lu Yuhan joined them, his usual reserved demeanor giving way to a more relaxed expression. Unlike his sister, he wasn't the type to throw himself into hugs, but there was an unmistakable fondness in his eyes.
"You're late," he said, though there was no real accusation in his tone.
Liyana smirked. "I had a company to run."
Yuhan shook his head. "Excuses."
Their playful banter was interrupted by a warm chuckle from Madam Lu.
"Let the poor girl breathe, you two," she said with a smile, turning to Liyana. "It's been too long, dear. How have you been?"
Liyana shifted her gaze to Madam Lu, the older woman's expression filled with genuine warmth.
"I've been well, Auntie," Liyana responded smoothly, offering a small bow out of respect. "And yourself?"
Madam Lu smiled, her gaze sweeping over her. "Busy as ever, I see. You've grown even more beautiful, Liyana."
"She has," Madam Xu added, her eyes soft with motherly pride. "Though I keep telling her she works too much."
Madam Lu nodded in agreement. "You should visit more often, Liyana. You know our doors are always open for you."
Before Liyana could respond, Lu Meilin piped up again.
"We've been telling her the same thing! She should just move in with us at this point."
Liyana laughed, shaking her head. "And let you pester me every day? I think I'll pass."
Meilin gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. "How cruel!"
The room filled with laughter, a comfortable warmth settling between them. This was what made the Lu and Xu families different. Despite their wealth, despite their power, they had never let it create distance between them.
They were more than just business allies.
They were family.
As the conversation continued, Liyana felt something she rarely allowed herself to indulge in—a sense of belonging.
And yet, beneath all the warmth, she couldn't shake the feeling that tonight's dinner would be more than just a casual gathering.
The atmosphere in the grand lounge was warm, filled with laughter and easy conversation. The families were at ease, enjoying each other's company, as if tonight was no different from the countless gatherings they had shared over the years.
But something was different. Liyana could feel it.
And that feeling solidified the moment the deep, measured sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway.
A presence. Unmistakable.
The conversation faltered slightly as heads turned toward the entrance.
Damien Lu had arrived.
Dressed in a sharp, tailored black suit that seemed effortlessly elegant, he carried himself with his usual air of quiet dominance. His jet-black hair was styled with precision, and his striking features held a natural intensity that could command attention without a word.
But Liyana knew better than to be affected.
His gaze swept across the room—acknowledging his parents with a respectful nod, offering a polite yet reserved smile to Liyana's family—before finally landing on her.
His dark eyes didn't waver, holding hers for just a beat too long.
Then, the corners of his lips lifted slightly in an almost amused smirk. "I see I'm not the last one to arrive for once."
Liyana arched a brow, tilting her head. "You should celebrate the moment, then. It's rare for you to be anything but fashionably late."
His smirk deepened, but before he could respond, Madam Lu's voice broke the moment.
"Come, Damien. Sit down," she said, gesturing to the empty space across from Liyana.
He moved without hesitation, taking his seat with the kind of effortless grace that came only from years of confidence. The subtle air of authority he carried wasn't something he wore—it was simply who he was.
With Damien at the table, the conversation naturally shifted.
The men spoke about business—Damien's recent return to the country, Lu Group's ongoing projects, and the global expansion efforts both families were involved in.
The women, on the other hand, indulged in more personal topics—Liyana's work with Celeste, the upcoming charity gala, and even Lu Meilin's university plans.
Liyana, for the most part, listened—her attention torn between her family's easy interactions and the silent weight of Damien's presence across from her.
Every now and then, she would catch him watching her.
Not in a way that was obvious.
Not in a way anyone else would notice.
But she noticed.
Because Damien Lu had a way of making his presence known even in silence.
As the conversation carried on, the moment she had been expecting finally arrived.
A subtle shift in tone. A weight in the air.
It was Damien's grandfather who spoke first, his deep, authoritative voice breaking through the comfortable atmosphere.
"There's something we've been meaning to discuss."
Liyana's fingers curled slightly against the armrest of her chair.
Here it comes.
"Your families have been close for decades," the elder Lu continued, his gaze moving between Liyana and Damien. "And now, both of you have built legacies of your own."
Liyana forced herself to remain neutral, her expression unreadable.
"We've always envisioned a future where our families grow even stronger together," her own grandfather added, his tone gentle yet firm. "And what better way to solidify our bond than through marriage?"
Silence.
The words hung in the air, their weight pressing down on the room.
Liyana felt her pulse slow, steady—but not out of surprise.
She had expected this.
What she hadn't expected was the sharp glint in Damien's eyes, his gaze locked onto her, as if waiting to see how she would react.
As if this was a battle, and he was anticipating her next move.
The game had just begun.