Aristocracy 101

Chapter 6

BREAKING NEWS

Second Daughter of the Chen Family, Lilian Chen, Found Sleeping With an Unknown Man in a Hotel.

Is the Untouchable Ice Queen Finally About to Be Melted by Love?

Lilian stared at the headline on the screen, her fingers tightening around the phone.

She scrolled down slowly, her stomach twisting with every comment.

Viewer 1: Wow, the Ice Queen’s tree has finally blossomed. I thought she’d stay single forever.

Viewer 2: Who’s the guy? Maybe she finally wanted to experience heaven. Whoever captured her heart must have some serious skills. They should teach me.

Viewer 3: I have a feeling it’s that boy from the Johnson family. She’s always been around him like a bee protecting its honey.

Viewer 4: Hah! Didn’t you hear? She got rejected on her birthday. Maybe she just wanted to let loose after guarding her precious gem for so long.

Her brows furrowed as she continued reading.

A bitter feeling settled in her chest.

For years, people had called her the Ice Queen.

Cold.

Untouchable.

Perfect.

But they never knew the reason behind it.

She had never been careless with herself. Not because of Oliver. Not because she was waiting for him.

She simply believed some things were worth saving.

And now, all it took was one night for everything she had protected to become entertainment for strangers.

Ice Queen finally melted by love.

Those words made her feel like she wasn’t even a person anymore.

Just a headline.

Just gossip.

She was about to close the page when a new notification appeared.

Her eyes froze.

BREAKING UPDATE

Regarding the recent incident, the Johnson family has announced that Oliver Johnson and Lilian Chen will be holding their wedding in two weeks.

Any further rumors or defamatory statements regarding the couple will result in legal action.

Johnson Empire.

Lilian read it once.

Then again.

Her heart sank.

Oh boy.

That was the only thought running through her mind.

What just happened?

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

A few hours later, Lilian sat silently on the living room couch, staring at the front door.

The Chen family was preparing to welcome the Johnson family.

Her father had practically lit up the moment he discovered the man involved was Oliver.

Not that his happiness mattered to her.

Whether he was angry or pleased made no difference.

The only thing she cared about was Oliver.

How would she face him after this?

Would he ever believe her again?

The longer she waited, the more anxious she became.

She hadn’t even had time to investigate what happened.

Everything had moved too quickly.

The scandal.

The announcement.

The marriage arrangement.

It felt like every second that passed buried the truth deeper.

A knock sounded.

Gerald opened the door, allowing the Johnson family inside.

“Welcome, my dear in-laws,” Mr. Chen greeted enthusiastically as he descended the stairs with his wife.

Mrs. Johnson smiled politely.

“Apologies for arriving without warning. We should have contacted you beforehand, but the situation required immediate action.”

She glanced toward Lilian.

“Regardless, we have always liked your daughter.”

“Yes, yes. Young people always act before thinking,” Mr. Chen replied casually.

His words made Lilian’s expression darken.

As if he wasn’t the one benefiting most from this situation.

Mr. Johnson remained quiet.

He only gave Mr. Chen a polite nod, his reserved personality making him completely different from his energetic wife.

Lilian’s attention shifted to Oliver.

The moment their eyes met, she froze.

His expression was terrifying.

His anger was barely contained.

If looks could kill, she would already be dead.

“So, we were thinking of moving the wedding date forward,” Vivian said cheerfully. “Perhaps one week from now.”

“One week?” Mr. Chen stammered.

“Mrs. Vivian, we haven’t even discussed the bride price.”

He gave an awkward laugh.

“No offense, but I can’t simply hand over my daughter without discussing proper arrangements. Surely, my daughter has some value.”

The words made Lilian’s stomach turn.

It wasn’t about her.

It was never about her.

Her father just needed to feel powerful.

He needed to feel like he had gained something.

Even now, he was turning her pain into a business transaction.

But in his mind…

This was finally something she had done right.

His daughter was worth hundreds of millions.

His pride swelled.

Lilian wanted to disappear.

Before she could say anything, Mr. Johnson spoke.

“We will provide five hundred million in investment funds and establish a lifelong partnership with the Chen Group.”

The room went quiet.

“As long as Lilian becomes our daughter-in-law.”

Mr. Chen blinked.

“Five hundred million…”

“Six hundred million,” Mr. Johnson continued calmly.

“And an additional hundred million as the bride price.”

The silence lasted for exactly two seconds.

“Deal!”

Mr. Chen’s voice almost echoed through the room.

His excitement was impossible to hide.

His daughter…

His daughter was worth this much?

For years, he had dreamed of a marriage like this.

A marriage that would elevate the Chen family.

And now, it was happening.

Vivian smiled brightly.

“Wonderful. Then I’d love for Lilian to come with me to choose her wedding dress.”

She had always wanted Lilian as her daughter-in-law.

Beautiful.

Elegant.

Graceful.

But more importantly…

Strong.

Because Vivian knew her son.

Oliver was difficult.

Prideful.

Broken in ways most people couldn’t see.

He needed someone who could stand beside him.

Someone patient enough to understand him.

And Vivian believed Lilian was that person.

“I want my mother to come with me,” Lilian said quietly.

She looked toward her mother.

The longing in her eyes was impossible to miss.

“Of course,” Vivian agreed immediately.

But before she could say more—

Crash!

Everyone turned.

Oliver had slammed the flower vase beside him onto the floor.

The room fell silent.

“Sorry,” he muttered without sincerity.

Then he walked out.

“Perhaps the day after tomorrow?” Vivian suggested, forcing a smile.

“Sure,” Lilian replied.

But the smile on her face felt painfully fake.

She escorted the Johnson family outside.

Just as she was about to close the door, she noticed him.

Oliver.

Standing by the fence.

Waiting.

Her heart tightened.

She wanted to walk away.

But then—

“Lily.”

Her body froze.

Oh s**t.

He only called her that when he was truly angry.

“Are you happy now?”

His voice was cold.

“You ruined my life.”

Lilian stared at him.

“I don’t understand. I’m a victim too. I—”

“Stop.”

His interruption was sharp.

“I investigated.”

Her heart sank.

“The hotel room was booked under your name.”

Her eyes widened.

“The receptionist confirmed that you were the one who made the reservation.”

“No.”

Her voice shook.

“I didn’t know. Oliver, you have to believe me. Someone is framing me. Check the surveillance footage—”

“You think I’m stupid?”

His voice rose.

“You would have erased it already.”

Pain flashed across her face.

“Oliver…”

“I hate being controlled.”

His voice lowered.

“And you know that better than anyone.”

He looked at her with disappointment.

“I wanted to marry someone I loved. Not someone who trapped me into it.”

Her chest tightened.

“You ruined that.”

Then he walked away.

Leaving her alone.

Again.

Lilian stood there, unable to move.

She didn’t know what hurt more.

The accusation.

The betrayal.

Or the fact that the person she cared about the most was the one who refused to believe her.

But one thing was certain.

She wouldn’t let this end here.

Someone had planned this.

Someone had destroyed her reputation.

And she would find out who.

No matter what it took.