Chapter 3: The Proposal
559 Words
When Lydia Harper got home from school, the first thing she noticed was the sleek black Rolls-Royce parked out front.
She paused at the gate.
Are we expecting company?
Not just any company.
The moment she stepped inside, her father called out,
“Lydia, come here. Say hello to your aunt.”
In the living room sat an elegant woman, radiating grace and luxury in every detail.
Beside her—
A man.
Tall. Impeccably dressed in a tailored suit.
Sharp brows. Deep eyes that seemed to hold stars. A straight nose. Perfect lips.
Strikingly handsome.
The kind of man who turns heads wherever he goes.
But his expression was cold. Distant. Untouchable.
Lydia lowered her gaze.
From the car, the clothes, the air surrounding him… definitely high society.
Still, she smiled politely.
“Hello, Auntie.”
The woman rose and took her hands warmly.
“So you’re Lydia! My, you’re beautiful. So pure, so graceful… like a fairy.”
Lydia wore a simple white dress. Her long black hair fell naturally down her back.
No makeup.
Yet her skin glowed. Soft brows. Clear, bright eyes. Delicate, natural features. Effortless beauty.
The man beside her only glanced briefly before standing.
His tone was cool.
“So you’re Lydia Harper.”
A brief pause.
“You’re… okay. Just a bit prettier than most.”
“I’m Alexander Blackwood,” he added, extending his hand.
Lydia blinked.
So this is the Blackwood heir. No wonder he carried himself like that.
She shook his hand lightly.
“Nice to meet you.”
Vivienne Blackwood looked slightly surprised.
Since when does my son greet girls first?
Samuel Harper chuckled awkwardly.
“My daughter isn’t special. She wouldn’t get Alexander’s attention.”
Clara Winslow snorted quietly.
“That’s right. She doesn’t even bother to dress up. Pretty maybe—but always bare-faced. Plain.”
She crossed her arms.
“You’re the eldest daughter of the Harper family. Even if we’re not top-tier, we’re known in design circles.”
Lydia lowered her head, silent.
Clara’s tone sharpened.
“You should learn from Nora. She knows makeup, fashion—how to present herself.”
“A girl should care about her looks. Not wander around looking dull all the time.”
Lydia nodded calmly.
“You’re right,” she said softly.
Just then—
Alexander spoke.
“How’s Nora doing in the U.S.?”
Clara’s face brightened.
“She’s doing great! Focused, hardworking—never causes trouble.”
Her tone turned pointed.
“Unlike some people. Going to a mediocre school… probably won’t amount to much.”
Lydia said nothing. She was used to it.
At social events, her father and stepmother always brought Nora. Bright. Charming. Popular.
Everyone knew the younger daughter.
The eldest? Almost invisible.
Samuel Harper’s expression darkened.
“Enough,” he snapped. “Mo Bei University ranks fourth in the country. Don’t talk nonsense.”
He turned politely to Vivienne.
“What brings you here today?”
Vivienne smiles.
“Good news.”
A brief pause.
“We’re here to arrange a marriage.”
Clara perked up immediately.
“Oh! It’s a shame Nora isn’t home—”
Vivienne shook her head.
“You misunderstand.”
“It’s not Nora.”
Her gaze settled on Lydia.
“It’s Lydia.”
“Our Alexander is engaged to her. We’re here to formally propose.”
- Writer
