Devilish secretary - Chapter 56

Chapter 56: Chapter 56 I’m not here for an engagement Chapter 56: Chapter 56 I’m not here for an engagement “Why don’t we clear the air first, before rushing into anything?” she continued, taking a step forward, her sharp gaze challenging him.

“After all, isn’t honesty the foundation of any good family?

Or does your family prefer sweeping inconvenient truths under the rug?” Old Mr.

Brooks’ smile faltered, his hand twitching as if he wanted to grab her and force her to comply.

But with all eyes on him, he had no choice but to maintain his composure, no matter how much her words stung.

Rayan shifted uncomfortably beside him, his face a mix of embarrassment and frustration.

This wasn’t going the way anyone had planned, and Lilith was making sure of it.

Lilith let out a soft, exaggerated sigh, drawing everyone’s attention back to her.

She tilted her head slightly, the corners of her lips curling into a sly smirk that sent a chill down Rayan’s spine.

Her piercing blue eyes held his gaze, making him feel as if she could see right through him.

“Actually,” she began, her voice calm but laced with mockery, “I forgot to mention something rather important.” She paused for effect, letting the room grow silent as all eyes fixated on her.

“I’m not here for an engagement.” Rayan’s face paled instantly.

His confident facade cracked as unease crept into his expression.

“W-What do you mean?” he stammered, a bad feeling settling deep in his chest.

Lilith’s smirk deepened, her eyes narrowing with amusement.

She stepped closer, her movements deliberate, as though savoring the moment.

“Oh, don’t look so surprised, Rayan,” she teased, her tone dripping with mock sweetness.

“Did you really think I’d let you and your family control my life so easily?” The crowd gasped softly, the whispers starting anew as everyone tried to process her words.

Mrs.

Brooks, standing nearby, clenched her pearls bracelet tightly, her face twisting with panic.

“Lilith, dear, what are you saying?” she asked, trying to maintain composure but clearly rattled.

Lilith turned her head slightly, her gaze sweeping over the crowd with disdain before returning to Rayan.

“I came here for one reason,” she said, her voice growing colder.

“To settle scores, not to play house with a man who thought he could betray me and still have me at his beck and call.” The room grew tense, the once judgmental murmurs now replaced by shocked silence.

Rayan swallowed hard, his bad feeling intensifying as he realized he had underestimated her yet again.

She took a slow step forward, her piercing blue eyes locking onto Rayan, who visibly flinched under her cold, calculating gaze.

“I almost forgot,” she said with a chillingly sweet tone, her voice carrying a venom that could slice through steel.

“I still need to settle a score with you, Rayan.” Her lips curled into a mocking smile as she tilted her head slightly, pretending to think.

“Was it after you and your darling spent your little romantic moments on a bed together while throwing me to the ground?

Oh yes,” she mused, tapping her chin.

“That time when I almost died.

Or…” She paused dramatically, letting her words sink in, the room deathly silent except for the faint murmurs of disbelief.

Her expression darkened, the mockery fading into something sharper.

“Or was it when your darling conveniently decided to commit suicide, leaving you to frame me for her suicide decision?” The crowd gasped audibly now, their whispers growing louder.

“And what a fantastic plan that was,” Lilith continued, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“The innocent woman, thrown in jail while you conveniently played the grieving friend…

and even sent your fiancée to fight for your so-called friend’s justice.” Rayan opened his mouth to speak, his face pale, but Lilith didn’t give him the chance.

She stepped closer, leaning in just enough to make him feel the full weight of her presence.

“But you know what’s really fascinating?” she added, her tone deceptively casual.

“How easily you bailed out of every situation.

Almost…

too easily.” She straightened up, her smirk widening into a dangerous grin.

“Don’t tell me, Rayan,” she said with mock innocence, her voice now loud enough for everyone to hear clearly.

“You wouldn’t happen to be involved in corruption, would you?” The murmurs in the crowd erupted into a cacophony of shocked voices, people exchanging glances and gossiping furiously.

Rayan’s face twisted with a mix of rage and fear, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.

“Lilith!” he barked, his voice trembling slightly.

“You’re talking nonsense!” Lilith laughed softly, a sound that sent shivers through everyone in the room.

“Am I?” she asked, her voice light but her eyes dark with fury.

“Why don’t we let everyone here decide, Rayan?” “Oh my God!

The Brooks family involved in corruption?” one of the gossiping women gasped, her voice loud enough to carry through the hall.

“Isn’t that just so common among rich families?” another chimed in with a dramatic sigh.

“But still,” a third said, shaking her head, “I didn’t expect such a story behind this engagement.” “Honestly,” the first one added with a disapproving tone, “Lilith is being so foolish.

She should just accept Rayan.

He’s rich, handsome, and going to take over the Brooks empire.

What more could she possibly want?” Lilith overheard their chatter and rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn’t fall out of her head.

Gossiping aunties, she thought with mild irritation.

They were always so predictable-clinging to outdated ideas and incapable of seeing beyond wealth and status.

Her gaze shifted to the back of the room, where a swarm of reporters stood armed with cameras and microphones.

At least they were doing something useful.

The constant flash of their cameras illuminated the room, capturing every flicker of emotion on Rayan’s increasingly pale face.

Some reporters were even seated on the floor, laptops perched on their knees as they furiously typed, already preparing articles with dramatic headlines.

At least the truth will reach the masses, she thought with a sly smile.

The media’s relentless focus on her only heightened her amusement.

She flicked her hair over her shoulder and stood tall, allowing her silver dress to shimmer under the chandelier lights.

In the corner of the grand hall, Lilith’s piercing blue eyes caught a familiar figure.

Human doll?

she thought, her heart skipping an involuntary beat.

What’s he doing here?

Her sharp gaze narrowed as she noticed him conversing with someone.

His tall frame stood out even among the lavishly dressed crowd, his dark, tailored suit hugging his form perfectly.

As if sensing her gaze, he stopped mid-conversation and turned to meet her eyes.

For a moment, everything else faded.

His deep, mysterious eyes locked onto hers, and an intensity brewed in their depths.

His gaze moved slowly-across her face, her neck, and then down to the silver gown that clung elegantly to her figure.

He seemed to take in every detail, every curve, as though committing her to memory.

Then, to her utter shock, his lips parted, and she read them clearly: “Beautiful.” Her breath hitched.

She couldn’t hear his voice over the noise of the room, but the way his lips moved-deliberate, almost intimate-made her heart thud louder than it should have.

Lilith’s brows furrowed in disbelief, her usual composure slipping ever so slightly.

She wasn’t used to being caught off guard.

As if sensing her reaction, a slow, deep smile formed on his lips, reaching his eyes and making them glimmer with amusement.

He slid his hands into the pockets of his trousers, exuding a casual yet authoritative presence, and without breaking eye contact, he began walking in another direction.

But just before he disappeared into the crowd, he stopped.

Turning halfway, he glanced back at her over his shoulder, his dark gaze still holding hers captive.

His lips moved again, slow and deliberate: “Wait for me.” And this time, he lifted one hand, making a subtle yet unmistakably romantic gesture.

He lightly placed his palm over his chest as if to say, I’ll be back for you, before pointing to her with two fingers, drawing an invisible line straight to her heart.

Lilith felt her pulse quicken, the boldness of his actions stirring something deep inside her.

For a man who often wore the mask of cold indifference, he was unexpectedly disarming-and dangerously charming.

What’s he planning now?

Lilith thought, her mind swirling with questions.

Could it be possible that Human Doll, with his dark and unreadable eyes, harbored feelings for her?

She wasn’t sure, but the intensity in his gaze say….

Before she could dwell further, Rayan’s sharp voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Lilith, we’re here for an engagement, not for your dramatics!” His frustration evident, Rayan grabbed her wrist tightly, his grip firm enough to sting.

He yanked her forward, pulling her toward the stage where the ceremony was meant to continue.

The audacity of his actions made Lilith’s anger boil.

If I weren’t feeling so civilized today, I’d have already thrown you across the hall, she thought, clenching her teeth.

Her sharp heel nearly stomped on his foot, her instincts urging her to teach him a lesson.

But before she could retaliate, the lights in the grand hall suddenly flickered and went out.

Gasps filled the room as darkness enveloped the space.