Chapter 1 The Engagement

It was a late afternoon, and the sun was lazily hanging from the sky, casting a soft golden hue over the expansive estate of the Han family. The sprawling mansion stood majestically on the hill-a symbol of affluence and power that was coated with immaculately trimmed hedges and fountains that sparkled under the radiant rays of the sun. From the shining marble pillars to the posh cars lining the long driveway, every minute detail of the estate screamed affluence.

Inside, the grand foyer was truly a work of elegance: chandeliers dripping with crystals, the soft click of heels echoing against the polished floor, and priceless artwork donned the walls. Every inch of the mansion was a testament to the Han family's opulence.

Their youngest daughter, Lianna Han, had just returned from her graduation abroad. For her beauty and charm, she had always been the family's pride and an indulgence. At this moment, she was attired in a designer outfit, with a flow of long jet-black hair cascading down her back as she entered the house nonchalantly.

"Lianna, dear," her father, Chairman Han, called from the grand sitting room. The voice was commanding, as it had always been, and yet today something more. final.

Lianna looked toward the room, her sharp eyes immediately catching the figure of her father as he sat beside the large mahogany desk. As always, he was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, graying hair combed backward. Chairman Han was not only a father but also an empire builder, and one thing that everyone who had ever dealt with him knew was that his word was law.

"Father," Lianna replied as she stepped inside; the sound of her heels echoed against the cold marble floor. Her voice was casual, almost bored, like nothing in the world could surprise her. She had lived her whole life in luxury-what else could life possibly throw at her?

Chairman Han watched her for a long moment, his keen eyes cutting through the veneer of coolness that was standard issue with this woman. "Sit down," he said quietly, his hand gesturing to the plush chair opposite him.

Lianna's eyebrow winged up, but she did as she was bid, seating herself in the chair as if attending yet another of her high-class galas.

"There's something quite important I need to discuss." His voice was even, his eyes never looking away from hers.

A flicker of irritation crossed Lianna's face. Only just returned from years abroad, couldn't they save the serious conversations for later? "What is it?" she asked, her voice carefully controlled though a hint of impatience crept in.

The Chairman threw himself back into his chair, his fingers lightly tapping against the armrest. "You've been abroad for quite some time, and now that you are through with graduation, it is time to focus on your future."

Lianna's eyes narrowed a little. There was something in his tone that made her feel a little ill at ease, though she couldn't exactly pinpoint her finger on it.

"I've arranged a marriage for you," he said forthwith, the words cutting cold as a blade through the air.

Lianna stared, in a moment unblinking, before bursting into laughter-light, carefree, as though he had just told her some ridiculous joke.

"You're not serious," she said, her laughter dying off into a confused smile. "I just came back home, Father, and already you want to marry me off? To whom?"

Chairman Han's face didn't change. "A young man from the Zhao family. He is the firstborn son and is destined to inherit all the family business. It's a perfect match-both our families' benefit in union.

In an instant, the smile on Lianna's face vanished; her eyes were disbelieving. "You actually want me to marry a stranger? A man I have never seen, only because it would 'benefit' the family?" Her voice was indignant now, breaking through her calm exterior.

"It's already been decided." Chairman Han's voice was firm, unyielding. "The engagement will be announced next month at the gala."

In one bound, Lianna sprang from the chair and onto her feet, where with flashing eyes and rising voice, she interrupted, "No! You can't do that, sit there and dictate my life to me like this! I refuse to marry some. stranger for your business dealings!"

Her father's eyes did not warm up; his face did not change. "You have been coddled all your life, Lianna. Whatever you have wanted, you have received on a silver platter. It is high time that you realize life is not always about what one wants."

Lianna's eyes flashed at him as her hands shook in anger. "I'm not some pawn in your business games, Father."

Chairman Han's eyes gentled, but his voice didn't waver one whit. "You're part of this family, and with that comes responsibility. The engagement isn't up for discussion."

Lianna was starting to feel claustrophobic. Marrying a person she did not know, just because of a business deal, felt stifling. Then a thought struck her-a way out.

"What if." she began slowly, her voice now quieter, but an edge to it. "What if I could prove to you that I don't need this marriage? That I can make it on my own?"

Chairman Han raised his brow. "What are you suggesting?

Lianna straightened, her chin lifted defiantly. "Give me a year. If I can support myself for an entire year without any help from the family, without using any of our wealth or connections, then you'll cancel the engagement."

For one taut, silent moment, nobody spoke. Chairman Han regarded her closely, the corners of his mouth hiking in humour. "And how exactly do you plan on keeping yourself? You've never worked a day in your life."

Lianna crossed her arms, refusing to back down. "That's for me to figure out. But if I succeed, you'll keep your end of the deal."

Chairman Han leaned forward, and a small smile played across his lips. "Alright," he said slowly, and in his eyes gleamed something that resembled amusement. "You have one year. If you can survive without the family's help, I'll call off the engagement."

Lianna exhaled, her heart released of its burden yet at the same time so determined. "And if I fail?"

"You'll marry Zhao Ling," he replied with his ice-cold indifference.

A deal was struck. Lianna knew her father didn't believe one second that she was capable of keeping herself alive, but the point needed to be proved-to him, to herself, and to the world.

She refused to allow him to call the shots in her life.

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