YEARS LATER
"Make sure everything is perfect. Today is a big day for my baby girl." Sloane Moore said to the maids, as they busy themselves decorating the mansion.
This is the scene a twenty-one-year-old Eliana walked into.
Sloane looked at her daughter and said with a frown "You are late."
"Am I? Do you want me to go buy flowers for your baby girl?" Eliana asked sarcastically.
"I see you haven't changed at all, that school did nothing to your manners. Our guest will be arriving soon and your dad will soon be here with your grandma, I believe I do not have to tell you that you should behave yourself."
"Grandma is coming?" Eliana asked. There was a slight excitement in her voice.
Sloane rolled her eyes and replied "Only if she is well enough. Don't forget what today means for Amber, do not misbehave tonight."
She walked towards Eliana who just stood and looked at her emotionlessly. Words could not describe how much she hated this look. "A word of advice from your mother. If you want to be the best Model in this world, then you have to lose some weight, you are becoming too fat."
Eliana scoffed and replied "Don't worry about my weight, mother, I am still much slimmer than you, so take your own advice."
Sloane watched angrily as she walked away and took in a deep breath to control herself. "Today is a great day, and nothing is going to ruin it."
...
Rieve Estate.
Inside a dark-lit room, a young man sat on the couch with his eyes closed as he listened to his assistant report.
"You have a meeting by one with the Lennox group, and also your mother called to remind you of the party the Moore family is holding for the success of Amber's career and that you should not forget to propose."
"And my brother?"
"He sends a message saying he will be back in a week or two." Ethan, the assistant replied.
With his eyes still closed, the young man named Zachary Sanders said, "Today is the day my engagement with Amber will be announced, right?"
"Yes sir. Forgive me for saying but you don't seem excited."
"There is nothing to be excited about. My marriage to Amber is a means to an end."
"But the both of you have been betrothed since young, and I think Amber is a nice girl. I'm sure once you two are married, it won't take long before you fall in love with her." Ethan said with a smile.
Zach finally opened his eyes to look at his assistant and said mockingly "I didn't know you were now a relationship counselor. Perhaps you have been doing the wrong job all this while."
Ethan swallowed hard and said, "I'm sorry sir, I shouldn't have crossed my boundaries."
"Our engagement will be announced today, and the wedding will be in two months, and our divorce will be in two years. I have watched Henry Moore build his empire and have even helped him build it so that his fall will be excruciatingly painful. Fifteen years ago, Henry caused my father's death, but his life will be the last thing I will take. I will destroy the Moore family to the point of no return, I will look at Henry's proud eyes and see only despair, and then will I grant him death."
Ethan felt chills at the coldness in his boss's voice, he felt a little pity for Amber. It was a shame that she was the daughter of Henry, if only the young girl knew that her married life was going to be so miserable that she would regret ever getting married.
...
"Mom, how do I look?" Amber asked, turning from the mirror to look at her mother.
Sloane smiled warmly and said "You look beautiful. If I'm feeling this emotional in your engagement ceremony, imagine how I would feel on the wedding day."
"You will probably cry your eyes out," Amber said jokingly.
Sloane laughed and said "It doesn't matter, as long as my baby girl is going to be happy. The Sanders family is the richest family not just in this city or country but in the world. Your marriage to Zach is every woman's dream, and I know how important your career as an actress means to you, but after your marriage, the way to secure your position in the Sanders family is to produce an heir. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"I understand. What about about Eliana though? Who do you plan to have her marry?"
Sloane sighed and said, "That girl is too wild for anyone to take her as a wife."
"But I feel bad. I feel as if ever since I was born, all I have ever done is take things from her." Amber said sadly.
"No, that is not true. What that evil woman did was not your fault. You are my daughter and will always be my daughter. Today is your happy day, Do not let the thought of that evil witch and Eliana ruin your day. I'm sure Zach will fall head over heels for you again once he sees you in this dress."
Amber blushed and said, "Stop teasing me, Mom."
While they were talking, no one noticed Eliana who stood behind the door, listening to their conversation.