Chapter 313 Chapter 313

Chapter 313 Chapter 313
Chapter 313

The morning sun gave way to a bright, clear afternoon as the clock in the main hall ticked over to twelve o'clock.

Outside on the estate’s private cliffside terrace, a quiet flurry of elegant activity was reaching its final, seamless conclusion. Ariana had arrived discreetly at noon, accompanying a handpicked team of high-end event designers. Working with practiced precision, they transformed the sweeping stone balcony into a breathtaking haven. Delicate glass lanterns were arranged along the perimeter, ready to glow as twilight approached. Fragrant arches of warm white florals, eucalyptus, and fresh cream roses framed the perimeter, framing the endless blue horizon of the Pacific Ocean below.

Nestled subtly near the corner archway, a talented classical pianist sat at a sleek grand piano brought in specifically for the evening. Her fingers danced effortlessly over the keys, coaxing soft, romantic melodies into the gentle ocean breeze—testing the acoustics of the cliffside setup to absolute perfection.

Ethan stepped out onto the terrace, taking a slow walk around the space. He ran his eyes over every detail—the flawless floral placement, the pristine tablecloth, the quiet sparkle of crystal stemware in the sunlight, and the gentle notes of the piano floating softly through the air.

Ariana walked over, crossing her arms with a proud, triumphant smile. "Well? What do you think, Ethan ?"

Ethan let out a low breath, a rare, genuine shine in his eyes as he looked out over the ocean. “It’s beyond perfect, Ariana. It really is. Thank you.” His voice carried a warmth and excitement that was impossible to hide, his eyes widening as he took in the breathtaking view before him. 

He slowly shook his head, almost as though he couldn’t believe what he was seeing, a huge smile spreading across his face. “Seriously, Ariana, this is incredible. I mean look at this!” he exclaimed, turning toward her with unmistakable enthusiasm. “The ocean, the view, everything… I don’t even know what to say.” 

He laughed softly, his excitement bubbling over as he looked back toward the water. “This is honestly one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe you actually did this.” He looked at her again, his expression bright and almost boyishly thrilled. “I love it. I absolutely love it. Thank you so much, Ariana. You have no idea how happy you’ve just made me.”

"She’s going to lose her mind," Ariana whispered warmly, giving his shoulder a supportive squeeze. "Everything is set. The pianist knows her cues, the lights will be lit right at sunset, and the ring is sitting safely in your jacket. Now go inside and handle your side of the plan."

Ethan gave her a nod of gratitude before slipping quietly back inside the villa.

Upstairs in the master suite, Isabelle was resting comfortably on the soft linen sofa, her hair loose over her shoulders. The past two days of coordinating movers, unpacking boxes, and choosing room layouts had completely exhausted her, but her face was calm and deeply content.

Ethan walked into the room, leaning against the doorframe for a moment just to take her in. He walked over, sitting down beside her and gently lifting her legs into his lap.

"You look exhausted, sweetheart," Ethan said softly, his thumbs stroking the side of her ankle.

Isabelle let out a relaxed sigh, resting her head back against the cushion. "I am, a little. But it’s a good kind of tired. The house is finally starting to feel like ours."

"How about we take it easy for the rest of the afternoon?" Ethan suggested, picking up the remote control from the coffee table. "No moving boxes, no phone calls, no interior designers. Just a quiet movie right here."

"That sounds like heaven," Isabelle smiled, leaning over to rest her head against his shoulder.

For the next few hours, they stayed curled up together on the sofa, watching a warm, lighthearted film. Ethan kept her close, his arm draped around her waist while his hand absentmindedly toyed with her fingers. To Isabelle, it was just a peaceful, quiet afternoon after a busy week of moving. She had no idea that every time Ethan glanced at the clock on the wall, his heart was beating with a steady, nervous anticipation.

By four in the afternoon, as the movie credits rolled, Ethan gently shifted beside her. He looked down at her with a calm, composed expression, casually laying out the cover story they had rehearsed.

"Isabelle," Ethan began smoothly, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "I have a small business dinner meeting this evening with a couple of key international investors. It’s a short notice thing, but it’s important for finalizing the main company contracts."

Isabelle sat up slightly, tilting her head. "Oh. Do you need me to stay home and rest, or..."

"Actually, I really want you to tag along with me," Ethan lied seamlessly, his tone carrying just the right amount of persuasive warmth. "I want them to meet the woman who holds my heart. But since you’ve been running around in comfortable clothes all morning, I set up something special for you first."

Isabelle raised an eyebrow, a small, amused smile playing on her lips. "What kind of something special?"

"I arranged a private appointment for you at a boutique fashion house downtown," Ethan explained, standing up and reaching out his hand to pull her to her feet. "Stylists, hair, makeup, and a choice of formal evening dresses. You can relax, get pampered, and get dressed up comfortably. I’ll come by and pick you up at six o'clock sharp, and then we’ll head to the venue together."

Isabelle laughed softly, shaking her head at his thoughtful gesture. "Ethan, you really didn't have to do all that just for a dinner meeting."

"I wanted to," Ethan replied, leaning down to press a warm, lingering kiss against her cheek. "You've worked so hard taking care of this house. Let me take care of you tonight. Go get ready, and I’ll have the driver take you down."

Isabelle didn't suspect a single thing. To her, it was simply Ethan being his usual protective, generous self, making sure she felt honored and taken care of before an official evening out.

"Alright, Mr. Castellan," she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck for a quick, affectionate kiss. "Six o'clock. Don't be late."

"I won't be a second late," Ethan promised softly.

As Isabelle headed down to the waiting car twenty minutes later, Ethan stood by the grand entrance glass, watching the vehicle pull down the long driveway. The afternoon sun was beginning its slow descent toward the west, casting a rich, golden hue across the estate grounds.

Back out on the terrace, the pianist began tuning her instrument once more, playing a soft, melodic passage that echoed against the cliffside. Ethan reached into his inner jacket pocket, his fingers wrapping around the small, smooth velvet box. Everything was in motion. The trap of love was set, and in just a couple of hours, his entire world was going to change forever.