Engaged to a Billionaire

, observing the crowd with a mixture of wariness and resignation. **How did she get there?** Just a few days after her return, she found herself at the

eel like she belonged. All around her, wealthy and influential guests exchanged feigned smiles and empty compliments, their gazes occasionally

ght. You almost think you

her fists to contain the wave of anger rising within her. Her half-sister, re

it to make a good impression,** replie

n eyebrow, amuse

. as long as you don't imagine that it will give you a

her shoulder. She turned around to see her mother-in-law

Lyra , you should go greet our guests. T

she felt a knot forming in her stomach. This evening was just a masquerade, a theater orchestrated by Esther to restore the ima

osed to marry had just arrived. Her heart accelerated despite herself. She tu

was perfectly styled, and her features, although undeniably beautiful, were marked by an almost intimidating coldness. But

a few guests with a simple nod before stopping in fr

Lyra , I

, too flustered to respond immediately. She forced herself to r

meet you,** she said in what

slightly, his exp

s charming as your gran

ut something in his tone suggested that he was only fo

as I imagined,** she rep

his lips, but it disapp

rictive for you. These social receptions h

word,** she admitted, a hin

think of this man. He was polite, certainly, but distant, almost inaccessible. Yet there w

by Esther, who appeared at th

s, a moment of at

s her. Esther raised her glass of champagne, her

n our family and bring prosperity and happiness. Allow me t

ssment rise to her cheeks. It was as if she had no control ove

ssive, raising his glass slightly to g

ng, at least for tonight,** he whispe

eally have a choice,** sh

small talk with the guests while maintaining his cool distance. Lyra , for her part, felt more and more suffocated, stuck between the expectatio

on with a group of guests, her conspiratorial tone leav

d with a venomous smile. ** Lyra is not made for this

ain calm. Reacting publicly would only prove him right. Still, a

respite. She stood on the terrace, enjoying the fresh air to calm her n

night,** he said, his t

ged her s

ll have to get

l, more peace

ntinued after a moment. **But if we're going to

his attempt at appeasement. Maybe

ed. **But I warn you: I'm not the

n his eyes, and for the first

Note

ery, but she was determined to find out what was behind his icy facade. And one thing was cer