The next day, Liyana stared at herself in the mirror, the weight of her decision still heavy on her shoulders. The dress she wore for the public appearance was a perfect blend of sophistication and power—sleek, black, and elegant. It was the perfect outfit to make a statement.
A statement she never thought she would need to make.
Damien had called her earlier that morning, giving her no room to back out. The press conference to address the engagement rumors was set for noon. No surprise, he had handled all the arrangements. He always did.
Liyana wasn't angry about the decision to go public. She was angry at how easily it was done. How quickly Damien had manipulated the narrative to his advantage. But she couldn't back down now. The media had already latched onto the rumor, and if they denied it, it would make them seem weak. If they confirmed it, they could control the story. But it wasn't about control anymore. It was about power—and Damien loved to have power.
The sound of her phone vibrating broke her train of thought.
It was Damien.
She answered without hesitation, not bothering to mask her irritation. "Yes?"
Damien's voice came through, smooth and controlled, but there was an edge to it that made her frown. "I trust you'll look stunning, as always. Be ready in thirty minutes. I'll pick you up."
"I'll be there," she replied curtly, not giving him the satisfaction of a response.
"I'm looking forward to it. See you soon, Mei-Mei."
The call ended before she could respond, and Liyana's hand tightened around her phone. He was too confident, too certain of his power in this situation. But this time, she wouldn't let him control the narrative. She'd play her own game.
Liyana placed her phone down, the weight of the conversation lingering in the air. "Stunning, as always." His words rang in her ears, but she refused to let them affect her. This was a game, after all. Nothing more. She'd been trained to play it well, and she would. No room for emotions.
The clock on her wall ticked on as Liyana stood in front of the mirror. She was calm, composed, but deep inside, the questions gnawed at her. Why did it feel different this time? Why did the thought of walking into that press conference, standing beside Damien, suddenly seem so daunting?
She let out a steadying breath as she ran a brush through her hair. Her reflection stared back at her, her eyes sharp and determined. She wasn't going to back down now. If Damien thought he could rattle her, he was wrong.
Her phone buzzed again, breaking her train of thought. Mira's name flashed on the screen.
"Yes?"
"Miss Xu, everything's set for the press conference. You just need to arrive in the next thirty minutes. The reporters are already gathered."
Liyana nodded, despite Mira not being able to see it. "I'll be there."
As she hung up, her eyes flickered toward the door. She knew Damien would be waiting for her, and she had no choice but to meet him head-on. She didn't have the luxury to hesitate, even though a part of her wanted to run in the opposite direction.
Taking a final look in the mirror, Liyana straightened her dress, a deep, regal shade of emerald that accentuated her poised figure. The gown was more than just clothing—it was armor, a shield against the world's prying eyes. And today, it would serve as a statement.
As Liyana and Damien faced the sea of reporters, the cameras flashing like strobe lights in their faces, it became clear that the rumors wouldn't remain just that. The media was relentless, and despite her usual ability to control situations, today was different. This was bigger.
Damien gave her a sideways glance, his usual smirk present, but there was a subtle shift in his gaze—one that indicated he was in this with her, not just by her side, but in it together. He squeezed her hand lightly, a silent signal that it was time to make it official.
Liyana, though apprehensive, met his gaze with quiet determination. She wasn't going to let the media turn her engagement into a spectacle, but there was no point in denying it anymore. The question had already been asked, and now, it was time to control the narrative.
She took a steady breath and turned her focus back to the reporters. She could feel Damien's presence beside her, strong and unwavering.
A reporter, eager for confirmation, raised their hand again, cutting through the tension in the room.
"Mr. Lu, Miss Xu, is it true that the two of you are indeed engaged, as speculated by the media? And if so, when did this happen?"
Liyana glanced at Damien briefly, her heart pounding in her chest. But she didn't let the pressure show. She was calm. Composed.
Damien spoke first, his voice smooth and confident, like he was used to handling situations like these. "Yes, the rumors are true," he said, his eyes locking with Liyana's for a brief moment. "Liyana and I are engaged."
The room erupted into murmurs, the buzz of excitement filling the space. Liyana felt a momentary pang of discomfort, but she forced herself to remain neutral, letting Damien take the lead with the announcement.
"But let me be clear," Damien continued, his voice growing more commanding. "This isn't just a business arrangement, as some have suggested. Our relationship is based on mutual respect, and we've made this decision together, with full understanding of what it means."
Liyana didn't flinch at the mention of "mutual respect." It was an accurate portrayal of where they stood, even if there was more beneath the surface. Her eyes remained locked on the crowd, her posture straight and regal, matching Damien's unwavering confidence.
Another reporter, not wanting to let them off easily, asked, "What can you tell us about the timeline? How long have you two been together, and what led to this engagement?"
Liyana gave a small, knowing smile. "We've been in each other's lives for quite some time. Our families have known each other for years, and as for the engagement, it's something we've both been considering for a while. We've always had a strong partnership, and this is the natural next step for us."
Her answer was carefully crafted, not giving too much away but also making it clear that their bond had a depth beyond the surface. She wasn't just a pawn in Damien's game, and she wasn't going to let the media reduce their connection to just business.
Damien placed a hand lightly on her lower back, his touch subtle but unmistakable. It was a signal—both to her and to the reporters—that they were in this together. No more games, no more pretenses.
The questions continued, but this time, they didn't feel as invasive. They were still curious, of course, but Damien and Liyana had set the tone. The narrative would follow their lead.