Is everything okay?

Lilian gently lifted the gown out of its package and the soft but luxurious deep sapphire blue gown came into full view making everyone gasp at its soft yet intricate embroidery that shimmered in the light.

Slowly she helped Scarlet into the dress before carefully zipping it up.

Scarlet stood in front of the full-length mirror, unable to recognize herself.

The evening gown hugged her curves perfectly, its off-shoulder design exposes her delicate collarbones. The silk fabric shimmered under the soft lights of the sitting room, giving her an elegant yet mysterious aura. Her long, wavy black hair had been styled into soft curls that cascaded down her back, and her makeup—subtle yet stunning—accentuated her large, expressive eyes and delicate features.

Mario, standing a few feet away, clasped her hands together dramatically before letting out an ear-piercing scream.

"Oh. My. God!" she exclaimed. "Scarlet, is this really you?!"

Scarlet, still in shock, touched her face lightly. "It feels… weird."

"Weird?!" Mario rushed over, grabbing her shoulders. "Girl, you look like a goddess! Are you Athena, Medusa or which of the other Greek goddess are you? She shrieked.

Slowly she twirled Scarlet around and gasped again. "Wow! I knew you were beautiful, but damn! You've been hiding this?!"

Scarlet laughed nervously. "You know I never bother with all this. I don't have time or money to waste on looks."

Mario shook her head in disbelief. "And to think you've been walking around in those outdated second-hand clothes. No offense, but Scarlet, This is what you were meant to look like and I think your adoptive parents should get a glimpse of you!"

Scarlet sighed. "I just did what I had to do. Saving money, supporting my so-called family… I never really thought about myself."

Mario's face softened. "Well, tonight, you better think about yourself. Because whoever sees you in this dress will never be able to take their eyes off you."

Before Scarlet could respond, the stylist, Lillian, stepped forward with a final touch—a pair of silver heels and a delicate diamond necklace.

"Miss Scarlet," Lillian said with a smile. "Now you're ready."

Scarlet smiled with all sincerity "Thank you, you've worked hard."

Lilian looked at her once again to ensure everything is perfect before she packed her things, a smile on her lips.

Scarlet turned to the mirror and froze briefly. The woman staring back at her looked nothing like the plain, reserved Scarlet Winters she had always known. This woman was poised, elegant, and breathtaking.

"If the president doesn't fall at your feet tonight, I don't know what will."Mario whistled with a smirk.

Scarlet hesitated, running her fingers over the intricate embroidery. Everything about this night felt dreamlike.

She is yet to settle into her new status as someone's wife , and now she was being whisked away to an elite dinner party as the president female companion. .

"What type of man will provide an expensive gown for his wife to go to a party with another man?" She mused. But then it doesn't make sense. She has to find out.

*Mar, where is my bag? The one I returned from work with? Scarlet asked her hand clenching in nervousness. She didn't know what she should be expecting but then she knew she has to find out.

"Is everything okay? Mario asked. She noticed Scarlet countenance has a taken a different turn since she saw the hand note attached to her gown.

"Yes, I just wanted to check on something", she replied while praying silently in her heart.

Mario spurned around on her heels to get the bag but the door bell rang halting her in her footsteps. With a sigh, " it seems the driver is here." She muttered.

She made her way to the door, and with a click she pulled the door open and froze at the sight of the man standing before her. Lucian Sterling. The president of Sterling Group. The same man Scarlet had been talking about moments ago.

She has only seen him in magazines and news but seeing him up close her mouth fell open in awe. Never expected God to be this partial in creation.

Her breath hitched as she took in his striking presence—towering height, broad shoulders, and a face so perfectly sculpted that it looked so unreal. His chiseled jawline, sharp cheekbones, and piercing eyes made her feel as though she was staring at a man carved from perfection itself.

His custom-made black suit, tailored to fit every inch of his muscular build, only added to his overwhelming aura.

"Are you going to let me in, or should I assume Miss Winters has decided to stand me up?" Lucian's deep voice snapped Mario out of her reverie.

Quickly she stepped aside, nearly tripping over her own feet. "O-of course, come in," she stammered, still processing the fact that this man had come to pick up Scarlet personally.

At that moment, Scarlet, unaware of who had arrived, walked toward the entrance while adjusting the hem of her dress. "Mar, who—" Her words caught in her throat as her gaze locked onto Lucian.

Her heart lurched.

Lucian Sterling.

The initials. The name. The man standing before her. Scarlet had a lot of questions but it seems not right to ask this man and she need to find answers to her own problems.

A slow smirk tugged at the corner of Lucian's lips as his gaze traveled over her, taking in her transformation. "I can see the stylist did a good job," he said smoothly.

Scarlet, still processing the shock, barely managed to respond. Her fingers instinctively clenched the fabric of her dress as reality dawned on her.

Lucian Sterling was happy at the transformation that he would have kissed her lips there and then but recalling he is just her boss he held back. While he did a quick comparison between Scarlet Roberts and Scarlet Winte

A smile tugging his lips as he pinpointed the difference which as wide as the heaven and earth.

Why Scarlet Roberts is arrogant, feisty, elegant, scheming, and calculative Scarlet Winter is the opposite. And for Lucian, she is groomable which he believes he will do making them a perfect match.