Chapter 94: The Proposal Preparation.
Liam’s POV
Liam sat in his office chair, his tablet resting in his hand as he scrolled endlessly through websites. He muttered to himself, words meant for no one else.
“This should do. I think I like the colors and the background. ”
“Or should I just go with this?”
“Nah… she wouldn’t like this.”
He couldn’t come to a decison. He kept going back and forth, visibly confused about what to do. With a frustrated sigh, he ran a hand through his hair. Then, suddenly, something clicked.
Scarlet.
He remembered her telling him she could help plan his proposal to Maureen—that it would be the best in town. Almost immediately, Linda crossed his mind too.
Without further ado, he picked up his phone and dialed both women, setting up an impromptu meeting at a nearby upscale restaurant.
Minutes later, he left his office and drove over. Once there, he settled into a private booth. Not long after, Scarlet arrived, followed closely by Linda. They exchanged pleasantries before a waiter approached.
They ordered chilled oysters on ice to start, followed by truffle pasta and wagyu steak. Scarlet opted for a glass of Dom Pérignon, Linda chose a classic Negroni, while Liam stuck with sparkling water.
“I’m really sorry for asking you both to come on such short notice,” Liam began, his voice edged with urgency. “I just… I needed your help.”
“Are you okay?” Scarlet asked, her brows furrowing in concern. “Is something wrong?”
“No, no,” he said quickly. “It’s….it’s about the proposal. I really don’t know how to go about it.”
“Oh wow,” Scarlet exclaimed, clasping her hands together, her eyes widening with excitement. “I love the sound of that already. I can’t wait. You don’t have to panic, dear cousin.” She added.
“You want to propose to… Maureen?” Linda asked, surprise written all over her face.
Liam nodded.
Linda screamed. Realizing where she was, she quickly covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh my God! I’m so excited to hear this,” she said, lowering her voice. “So… what’s the plan?”
“That’s exactly why I asked you both to meet me,” Liam admitted. “Honestly, I don’t want to mess this up. I don’t even know what she’d like. I’m completely confused.”
As if on cue, Scarlet and Linda exchanged mischievous looks before bursting into laughter.
Liam stared at them, baffled. He had just confessed his confusion, and the two women he trusted to help were laughing.
“Guys, this isn’t funny,” he said, his tone rising. “I’m serious.”
“And who said it is?” Scarlet replied, still smiling. “Relax. I’ve got you.”
“Actually,” she added, gesturing between herself and Linda, “we’ve got you.”
Linda nodded, smiling reassuringly.
For hours, they tossed around ideas, scrolling through the internet for inspiration, debating and revising every detail. Liam mostly watched, occasionally chiming in, as they picked apart one plan and replaced it with another.
Eventually, they reached a conclusion. It felt like a lot—too much, even—but Liam couldn’t bring himself to choose on his own, so he agreed.
Just then, his phone buzzed. It was a message from his PA.
‘You have a meeting with Mrs. Alexander in fifteen minutes, Boss.’
“Damn,” Liam muttered. “I have to see my mum. One of our investors landed in the city this morning.” He looked at them apologetically. “I’m really sorry, but can we continue this another time?”
“There’s not much left to decide,” Linda said with a grin. “Just give us the date you plan to propose to my bestie, and we’ll handle everything else.”
“Alright,” Liam agreed.
“Wait,” Scarlet said, standing up as she neatly arranged her handbag. “Let me go with you. I need to discuss a few things with Aunt, and I didn’t come with my car.”
Angela’s POV
“What the hell did you just say?” Angela’s voice boomed across her bedroom. She scoffed bitterly. “Anthony, I want to believe this is one of your cheap jokes. That can’t be true. Liam wouldn’t do that.”
“You’ll be standing there while your fiancée gets married to that dirty thing,” Anthony’s voice came through the phone on loudspeaker. “He announced it at the dinner we had last week.”
Angela said nothing. Anger began to boil violently inside her. Without another word, she ended the call, her grip tightening around the phone until her knuckles turned white.
“Argh!” she screamed.
As if that wasn’t enough, she hurled the glass of wine in her hand against the wall, where it shattered.
She stripped off her robe, pulled on shorts and a tank top, and grabbed her car keys. Her hair was still damp and tangled—she hadn’t bothered combing it after removing the towel.
Within minutes, she was already in her car, speeding toward Mrs. Alexander’s estate.
She stormed out of the vehicle and into the house. Mrs. Alexander wasn’t in the living room. Fueled by rage, Angela marched up the staircase, her footsteps pounding loudly.
Reaching the bedroom, she shoved the door open.
“How could you?” she shouted. “You promised me. You told me to step back and let you work your wonders. And now I’m hearing he wants to propose to that… thing?”
Mrs. Alexander, unfazed by the outburst, calmly placed the document in her hand on the bedside table. She removed her glasses, set them down neatly, and slowly lifted her gaze.
“Have you no manners?” she asked, her tone firm and unyielding.
Angela scoffed, the sound sharp and brittle. “You dare talk to me about manners? You, who cannot even keep your word? Just wow.”
Mrs. Alexander opened her mouth to respond, but no words came. Her lips parted, then pressed together again as she let out a slow, measured sigh, the kind that suggested restraint rather than remorse.