The day before the gala, a sleek black box arrived at Ava's doorstep, bearing the discreet logo of a renowned luxury fashion house. Intrigued, Ava carefully lifted the lid, her breath catching in her throat at the sight that greeted her.Nestled within layers of tissue paper was a breathtaking red gown, its silk fabric shimmering with a subtle iridescence. Delicate diamond embellishments traced the neckline, cascading down the bodice and accentuating the flowing skirt. It was a masterpiece of design, elegant yet daring, perfectly tailored to flatter every curve of Ava's figure.Beneath the gown, she found a series of smaller boxes, each containing exquisite accessories. A pair of ruby earrings, their deep red stones surrounded by a halo of diamonds, shimmered with fiery brilliance. A matching necklace, featuring a larger ruby pendant, lay nestled in a bed of velvet. A pair of designer heels, their sleek lines and delicate straps echoing the elegance of the gown, completed the ensemble. And finally, a crystal flacon filled with a delicate fragrance, its scent a blend of jasmine, rose, and a hint of spice, reminiscent of Ava's own natural aroma, promised to add the final touch of allure.Ava stared at the luxurious ensemble, her mind reeling. Who could have sent her such an extravagant gift? Her first thought was Chloe, but she knew her friend, despite her generous nature, wouldn't have splurged on something so opulent.She grabbed her phone and fired off a message to Chloe:Ava: OMG, Chloe, you shouldn't have! The dress is absolutely stunning! But you really didn't have to go all out like this. It must have cost a fortune! 😱Chloe's response was almost immediate:Chloe: Wait, what dress? The one I sent is still stuck in customs! Apparently, there's some issue with the ruby earrings. 🙄Ava's heart skipped a beat. If Chloe hadn't sent the dress, then who had? A wave of confusion washed over her.Ava: But I just received a package with the most gorgeous red gown, diamond earrings, the whole shebang! It's incredible!Chloe: Whoa, hold on! Send me a picture!Ava quickly snapped a few photos of the dress and accessories, sending them to Chloe.Chloe: Holy moly! That is breathtaking! It looks like it was made for you! But who sent it? Do you have any secret admirers I should know about? 😉Ava, just as bewildered as Chloe, shook her head, even though her friend couldn't see her. She had no idea who would send her such an extravagant gift.Just then, her phone chimed with a new message. It was from Liam.Liam: I hope the dress fits. Consider it a gift from Aesher Solutions. See you at the gala.Ava stared at the message, her jaw dropping. Liam had sent her the dress? The man who had been criticizing her cooking, feigning illness, and generally playing mind games with her had just gifted her a designer gown fit for a queen?Ava: Liam, this is... incredible. But why?Liam: Consider it an investment in Aesher Solutions' most valuable asset. You deserve to shine, Ava.Ava's heart fluttered at his words. She couldn't deny the thrill of wearing such a stunning gown, of feeling like a princess at the ball. But she also couldn't shake the feeling that Liam was playing another game, manipulating her with his charm and generosity.She relayed the news to Chloe, who was equally stunned.Chloe: Wow, this guy is playing for keeps! He's pulling out all the stops. Just be careful, Ava. Don't let him buy your affection.Ava: Don't worry, Chloe. I won't. I'm going to that gala to represent Aesher Solutions and the Phoenix project, not to be Liam Blackwood's arm candy.But even as she typed the words, a flicker of doubt lingered in her mind. Could she truly resist Liam's charm, his generosity, his undeniable allure? She wasn't sure. But one thing was certain: the gala was going to be a night to remember.