As Alise and her family arrived home, they exited the car, their stomachs rumbling with hunger. The clock had struck 5 o'clock, and they hadn't eaten all day due to their time out.
Entering the house smiles graced their faces as a delightful aroma wafted through the air. Walking to the dining table, where the maids were busy setting up. Unable to contain her curiosity, Neva inquired about the evening's menu.
The maid replied, You'll be having broccoli potato soup, miss."
Responding with an eager "Hmm," they couldn't wait to savor the meal.
Anticipation filled the room as they eagerly awaited their seats at the table. Within a brief five-minute wait, everyone had gathered around, and the maids emerged, carrying steaming bowls of the mouthwatering soup.
Before indulging in their meal, they joined hands in a circle, expressing their gratitude with a heartfelt blessing: "God is great, and God is good. We thank Him for our food today, amen."
After the prayer, their excitement was palpable as they stared at the delicious bowls before them, eagerly anticipating the first spoonful. With each savory spoonful, joy danced upon their taste buds.
Amid the meal, Neva decided to share our experience at the bridal shop earlier that day. Our father brushed it off as insignificant, a sentiment the rest of the family seemed to share.
The table fell silent until Silon, his eyes gleaming with anticipation, began sharing the latest industry gossip. "Would you all like to hear what I witnessed today at Stargates Hotels?" The family leaned in, hungry for the story.
Silon paused for dramatic effect and continued, "I was there for business as usual, and guess what I saw?" eyes locked on him. He chuckled and said, "Alright, fine. I saw Emily Hart."
Neva quickly added, "So, what's the big deal?"
Silon grinned and added, "I also saw Daniel Katzaki, you know, the one engaged to the lady from the Osaka Family."
Knowing glances were exchanged as mischief sparkled in Neva's eyes. "So, what were they doing at the hotel?" she playfully inquired.
With a smirk, Sincere responded, "Kissing as they entered a hotel room," triggering laughter from everyone. Sincere added, "This has to be karma."
Neva and the others replied in unison, "Yeah," chuckling with the family.
Silon, "Who would've thought the family that betrayed our company would have their future son-in-law in such a situation?"
Neva added, "Yeah, who would've thought? I wonder how she'll react."
Silon's smirk left the family wondering if he had something up his sleeve. Their curiosity grew as he revealed, "Guess who got a picture?" All eyes were on him in anticipation.
With a confident grin, Silon declared, "Me."
Neva, feigning shock, exclaimed, "No, you didn't!" Her playful expression mirrored the family's eager glances.
Both Neva and the others chimed in, "Let us see," eager to catch a glimpse of the picture.
As they examined the photo, Neva was the first to confirm, "It's indeed Daniel." The visual evidence confirmed his identity, and they exchanged nods of acknowledgment.
As they discussed the situation, Alise continued to eat, her thoughts drifting to the past. Their families had once been close, starting a company together. However, a bitter betrayal tore them apart when they shared a project with a rival company, leaving Alise's family to deal with the consequences.
Deep-seated resentment lingered in their hearts, and forgiveness was out of the question, especially for Blaise, their daughter. She would have to face the consequences alongside her parents, depending on what Silon and Neva chose to do with the photos.
Savoring the satisfaction of the delicious broccoli potato soup, Alise couldn't help but pat her satisfied stomach.
Neva playfully remarked, "Looks like you've got a mini food baby," prompting laughter around the table.
With contented stomachs, she rose from the table, making her way to the living room. The idea of lounging after a satisfying meal was tempting.
Sinking into the comfortable embrace of the couch, Alise had no desire to move. As everyone else got up from the table, the maids entered to clear it, a reminder of their accustomed luxury.
She closed her eyes and soon dozed off on the couch. The room was quiet, and the gentle hum of the air conditioning was the only sound.
Upon waking, she felt a bit disoriented, rubbing her eyes as she assumed everyone had gone about their night, leaving her in the peaceful solitude of the living room.
As she rose from the couch and headed toward the stairs, she noticed Silon and Neva together, fully aware that they intended to send the compromising picture of Daniel Katzaki and Emily Hart anonymously.
With a sigh, she couldn't help but chuckle, realizing that the Osaka family would undoubtedly be shocked by the revelation that awaited them tomorrow.
She turned the other way, deciding it was time to retire for the night, heading to her room.
Settling into her bed, the faint chirping of crickets outside provided a soothing background symphony. Slipping under the covers, her cozy bed enveloped her in warmth and comfort.
In the peaceful darkness of her bedroom, in a world of serenity, she closed her eyes, attempting to find some rest. Yet, her mind couldn't help but dwell on the fact that her wedding day was now less than a day away. Thoughts and emotions swirled within her, making sleep a distant prospect.
She reflected on her days at home since her return, contemplating how she'd soon be living with someone else.
Alise was very nervous as she thought about that, tossing and turning with bubbles in her stomach full of nervousness.
Her mind kept circling back to the earlier picture. She acknowledged that Auston was good-looking, but she reminded herself that appearances could be deceiving. Just because someone was attractive didn't necessarily mean they were a good person. Alise had learned not to judge a book by its cover.
She told herself that she wouldn't jump to conclusions or assign any labels to him until she got to know him personally. After all, it was only fair to give him a chance and let their interactions determine their views of each other.
As those thoughts raced through her mind, she yearned for silence. With closed eyes, she sought rest as she drifted into sleep.