Chapter 14: Entangled Fates

The warm golden lights reflected off the polished marble table, casting a soft glow over the private VIP dining room. The restaurant, owned by Lu Group, was exclusive—where only the most powerful names dined behind closed doors, far from prying eyes.

Liyana lifted her wine glass, swirling the deep red liquid, her gaze meeting Damien's across the table. "I still don't know why you insisted on dining here," she mused, raising a brow.

Damien leaned back in his chair, lips curving into a lazy smirk. "Because if we're going to discuss business, might as well do it over a good meal."

She narrowed her eyes. "And you just happened to choose your own restaurant?"

"Of course. It guarantees privacy." His gaze flickered to her wine glass. "And the best wine."

Liyana huffed but took a sip anyway. She had to admit—this place had excellent taste.

Their conversation was interrupted by the sudden buzz of Liyana's phone. She glanced at the screen, only to freeze for a second.

Incoming Video Call: Lu Meilin & Lu Yuhan

Damien's siblings.

Before she could decide whether to answer, the call connected on its own—an overenthusiastic Meilin's face appearing on screen.

"Mei-Mei! What's this we're hearing about you and Gege?" Meilin's voice was almost accusatory.

Yuhan's head popped into the frame, his eyes squinting in suspicion. "You haven't denied it, though. Are you really getting married to our brother?"

Liyana choked on her wine. "Wh-What? No!" She immediately denied, flustered. "It's a misunderstanding—"

"But the news is everywhere," Meilin pressed. "And you didn't clear it up, so…"

Liyana felt a vein twitch in her forehead. Just as she opened her mouth to argue, Yuhan's eyes sharpened. "Wait a second…"

His gaze flickered, as if analyzing her surroundings. Then—his lips parted in realization.

"…You're having dinner with someone."

Meilin's eyes widened in sync. "Who?!"

Liyana panicked. "No one—"

Before she could tilt her phone away, Damien's deep chuckle rumbled across the table. "Hello, Meilin. Yuhan."

Both siblings froze.

Then—

"YOU'RE WITH DAMIEN GEGE?!"

Liyana winced. "It's not—"

"Are you on a date?!" Yuhan exclaimed.

Meilin gasped dramatically. "OH MY GOD. ARE YOU TWO ALREADY ACTING LIKE A COUPLE?!"

Liyana's face burned. She shot Damien a glare, only to find him completely unfazed, watching the scene with an amused smirk.

He leaned forward slightly, voice smooth as silk. "Do you really think I'd let someone else take her out to dinner?"

Liyana's head snapped toward him, eyes wide. "What—"

Meilin practically screamed. "YOU'RE SO POSSESSIVE!"

Yuhan shook his head in disbelief. "This is crazy…"

Liyana, still flustered, gritted her teeth and tried to regain control. "We're just discussing business! It's not a date!"

But Meilin and Yuhan exchanged a knowing look.

"Sure, Mei-Mei," Meilin drawled. "Whatever you say."

"Have fun on your business date," Yuhan added, winking.

And before Liyana could argue, the call ended.

She sat there, speechless, gripping her phone like it had betrayed her.

Damien, meanwhile, was chuckling. "You're adorable when you're flustered."

Liyana scowled. "You. Set. Me. Up."

His smirk deepened. "I didn't say anything untrue."

Her jaw clenched. "You let them think—"

"That you're mine?" He tilted his head, eyes dark with amusement. "Isn't that what the world already believes?"

Liyana's breath hitched.

The teasing. The possessiveness. That look in his eyes.

This dinner was a mistake.

She needed to leave before she fell deeper into whatever game Damien Lu was playing.

But why did a part of her not want to?

Meanwhile, in a luxurious Xu family estate, an exclusive group chat was buzzing with activity.

[Granny Xu created the group "Future Grandchildren Project"]

Granny Xu: It's time to discuss our next step. The plan is going smoothly.

Granny Lu: Oh, this is getting exciting! I heard from my sources that they even had dinner together!

Mother Xu: Liyana actually agreed to dine with Damien? That's progress.

Mother Lu: Of course, it is! Did you see how possessive Damien was? The boy didn't even deny it when the media linked them!

Granny Xu: That's because our little push was perfectly executed. Reporter Zhang did a good job.

Mother Xu: Wait… it was your idea to involve the media?

Granny Xu: Of course! If we left it to those two stubborn children, they'd waste another decade pretending they don't care.

Mother Lu: Hah! I like your style, Xu. So, what's the next step?

Granny Xu: Simple. We sit back and watch them squirm for now. Once they've gotten used to the idea, we'll slowly nudge them towards a real engagement.

Mother Xu: Do you really think it'll work? Liyana is extremely resistant to romance.

Granny Xu: Oh, it will. Especially once they realize how much this fake engagement benefits them both.

Granny Lu: Not to mention, fate is on our side. Have you seen the way Damien looks at her? That boy is already half in love.

Mother Lu: Then, we just need to make sure Liyana sees it too.

Granny Xu: Exactly.

As the grandmothers schemed, sipping their evening tea, the seeds of fate had already been planted.

And soon, Liyana and Damien would have no choice but to play the game they had unknowingly stepped into.

Liyana swirled the wine in her glass, her gaze flickering to Damien, who was lazily leaning back in his chair, watching her with an amused smirk.

She was about to retort when his phone vibrated on the table. The screen lit up, and instinctively, her eyes flickered toward the name.

Jiang Ruoxi

The playful glint in her eyes dimmed.

Liyana wasn't sure why, but an odd heaviness settled in her chest.

Ruoxi.

She knew that name. Knew the woman. A high-profile entrepreneur, brilliant, capable, and Damien's long-time business partner. They had studied together abroad, worked together on multiple ventures. Liyana still remembered the time when she overheard Ruoxi casually ask Damien about her—back when they had just reunited.

"You and Liyana Xu… is there something between you two?"

And Damien's answer?

"She's just an old family friend."

Nothing more. Nothing less.

Liyana lifted her glass to her lips, but the wine tasted bitter all of a sudden.

She wasn't sure why she cared.

Maybe it was because she hated being underestimated. Or maybe because, for one fleeting second, she had almost forgotten—Damien wasn't hers.

Not really.

Damien's gaze flicked to his phone. He let it ring for a few seconds before picking it up.

"Ruoxi," he greeted, voice smooth, casual.

Liyana forced herself to focus on her plate, stabbing at her food with more force than necessary.

She wasn't listening.

She wasn't.

But her ears still caught the way his tone softened, the way he spoke with familiarity.

And suddenly, the meal in front of her didn't seem so appetizing anymore.