"Oh what a pleasant surprise, what are you doing here?"
Elia Lam asked Ian as soon as she saw him. Then her eyes landed on Tia who was furtively looking behind Ian.
She immediately notice the dainty engagement ring that Tia's wearing, then she looked at Ian as if asking for some answers.
Ian grabbed Tia to come forward then cleared his throat.
"Mom, This is my fiance Tia Kim."
Ian profoundly said. Tia's eyes went wide from shock as soon as she realized who's infront of them.
'Mmmooom? Did he just said MOM'
Tia panicked inwardly then she mechanically bowed her head.
"Nnnice to meet you I'm Tia Kim."
She stutteringly introduced herself. Elia stood frozen in the spot as soon as she heard her name.
'Could it be...' She thought.
She had known that name all her life, and she can't believe that she'll be meeting her that way.
Now she knows why she felt so familiar when she saw her earlier.
The truth was the old jeweller had told her about the ring Ian had asked to design.
She got curious so she asked Ian's subordinate if Ian was dating someone.
Rin Chan being the ever loyal subordinate didn't tell her anything about Tia.
Ian had strongly told her that she mustn't tell his parents about Tia's identity.
She had expected that Rin wouldn't give her any clue, afterall out of their many subordinates the twins Rin and Sean Chan were the only two people who worked directly to Ian.
She tracked Ian's whereabouts and had decided to follow him. When she found out about where Ian was she asked her husband to immediately take her to the fortress.
Ethan Lee was oblivious about everything that's going on. He thought that Elia just impulsively wanted to have a vacation and so he obediently took her to the fortress with his yacht.
Elia mechanically walked towards the bedroom leaving Tia and Ian hanging as they wait for her reaction.
"Tian-Tian, get inside first I'll talk to her."
Ian said then lighlty pushed Tia who looked shocked and flustered inside their room.
She thought his mother hated her.
Elia glared at her after she introduced herself so there's no doubt that she doesn't approve of their engagement.
She looked at herself in the mirror. She realized that she had forgetten that Ian was a rich and noble man while she's just a lowly employee.
Who does she think she is? Just because she's pretty she can easily be with a guy like Ian who has status and power?
Ian followed his mom inside. Right before he enters the bedroom the main door opened again and his father came in carrying all of their luggage.
"Oh, you're here. Where's your mom?"
"Dad. She's inside. I need to talk to her."
"Alright."
Ethan Lee shrugged as he put down all of their suitcase in the living room.
Then he went outside to take a stroll.
Elia was sobbing in the bed when Ian came in. He went to her side and sternly said.
"Mom, I will marry her even if you oppose. No one can stop me."