Chapter 2

Lily's POV

I settled into the passenger seat of William Sterling's Bentley, the soft leather enveloping me completely.

The luxury was undeniable, but I kept my expression neutral, as if I rode in similar cars regularly.

The other brothers took the Mercedes and Aston Martin.

Inside the car, I remained silent, and William did the same, probably pondering my peculiarities. After all, for a country girl, I knew far too much.

I gazed out the window, my thoughts drifting to memories I usually kept locked away in my heart.

My mother Jane Spencer had died when I was so young I could barely remember her face.

After that, it was just Dad and me in that Blue Mountain cottage, making the best life we could.

Everyone in town thought we were just getting by, and we let them believe that.

The simple small-town life was peaceful and serene.

Two months ago, Dad's heart finally gave out.

James Reed, the man who taught me everything from changing spark plugs to keeping my head down, was gone.

His final wish was for me to fulfill the agreement he'd made with his old friend Walter Sterling.

"You need to marry one of Walter's sons, Lily," he'd said, his voice weaker than I'd ever heard it. "Promise me."

I'd known about this arrangement for years, and had fought against it just as long.

What kind of archaic practice was an arranged marriage? But looking at Dad's pale face in that hospital bed, I couldn't refuse him.

So I agreed, even though I secretly planned my own way of handling things.

The Bentley slowed as we approached ornate iron gates that automatically swung open to both sides.

Beyond them stood a mansion that wouldn't look out of place in a European fairy tale—all stone, columns, and perfect symmetry.

William drove along the circular driveway, stopping behind the other two cars.

"We're here," he said reluctantly, the first words he'd spoken since we left Vermont.

I nodded, grabbing my small suitcase before he could offer to help.

I didn't want to see him frown while reluctantly asking if I needed assistance.

The five brothers unconsciously formed a V-formation, leading me toward the massive front doors that opened automatically before we even reached them.

The interior was exactly what you'd expect from a multi-billion-dollar family.

Soaring ceilings, marble floors, artwork that probably cost more than most people's houses.

In the center of it all, on a pristine white sofa, sat a woman I assumed was the Sterling family matriarch, Elizabeth Sterling.

"Finally!" Michael groaned dramatically, collapsing onto the sofa next to his mother. "That was the longest four hours of my life."

Elizabeth Sterling first gave her youngest son a loving smile, stroking his hair with maternal affection.

Then her gaze turned to me, and her expression changed instantly.

Her perfectly made-up face froze, eyes widening with obvious shock.

I stood my ground, calmly meeting her stare.

I'd expected this reaction.

That old photo she'd dug up had served its purpose: setting low expectations.

Now she was facing reality: I was no longer the awkward, overweight teenager from that picture.

"Well," she finally said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Lily Reed, you're certainly... different from what I expected."

I smiled politely.

"Lovely to meet you, Mrs. Sterling."

She rose from the sofa, circling me like a shark that had scented blood.

"Quite a transformation. Modern plastic surgery can achieve remarkable results, can't it? Especially when there's a wealthy family to marry into."

The brothers exchanged glances, even they seemed uncomfortable with their mother's directness.

"I haven't had plastic surgery," I replied calmly. "I just grew up."

Elizabeth laughed. "Of course, dear. I'm sure you just happened to become beautiful right before meeting my sons."

I remained silent. After all, this was my first meeting with Mrs. Sterling, and I should show some respect.

I'd dealt with worse situations than Elizabeth Sterling's childish provocations.

Elizabeth snapped her fingers， and an older man immediately appeared. "Tyler Foster, please inspect Miss Reed's luggage. Make sure she hasn't brought anything... inappropriate into our home."

"I'm sorry," I stepped between the butler and my suitcase. "Those are my personal belongings."

Elizabeth's perfectly sculpted eyebrow arched. "This is my home, and I have the right to know what's being brought into it."

I held my ground. "With all due respect, Mrs. Sterling, these are my things, and nobody touches them except me."

Her eyes narrowed.

She glanced at Tyler and gave him a slight nod.

The message was clear: take the suitcase no matter what.

"Ma'am," I emphasized again, "these are my belongings!"

None of the five Sterling brothers intervened.

They watched this standoff with varying expressions—William cold, Thomas gleeful, Samuel calculating, Henry uncomfortable, Michael openly enjoying the drama.

When Tyler took another step toward my luggage, I grabbed the handle and said to Elizabeth.

"I said no. Don't try to provoke me—you might not be able to handle the consequences."

Elizabeth's face flushed with anger, and she snapped sharply: "Security!"

Two men in black suits appeared so quickly they must have been waiting nearby.

"Please help Ang handle Miss Reed's luggage. She's being difficult to cooperate with."

The Sterling brothers finally stirred, setting down their phones and adjusting their positions.

They clearly expected me to back down now, facing security personnel, so they prepared to watch the show.

They just didn't expect that I remained completely calm, already calculating which nearby decorative items could serve as improvised weapons if necessary.

Since she didn't want civility, let's make a scene!

Just as the tension reached its peak, the door opened again.

"What the hell is going on here?"

Walter Sterling rushed to my side, his face red with anger.

He was older than in the photos I'd seen, with more silver than dark in his hair, but his presence brought an immediate sense of security.

"Lily, I'm so sorry," he said, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Mr. Sterling," I replied.

He turned to his wife, fire flashing in his eyes.

"Elizabeth, what do you think you're doing?"

"Protecting our family," she said harshly. "Someone has to check what she's bringing into our home. Who knows if there might be drugs in there."

"She's not bringing things into our home," Walter thundered. "She's coming to live in her home. Lily is family now."

Elizabeth's face twisted with fury. "She's not family! She's just some country nobody who wants to be..."

"Enough!" Walter's voice silenced the room.

"Go upstairs, Elizabeth. Now."

For a moment, I thought she might refuse.

Instead, she shot me a look of pure malice, then stomped toward the grand staircase.

"This isn't over," she muttered, just loud enough for me to hear.

After she disappeared, Walter turned to me again. "Lily, I apologize for my wife's behavior. That was unacceptable."

"It's okay," I said, though we both knew it wasn't. "I understand this is difficult for everyone."

Especially for me, I added silently.

Walter turned to the staff. "Listen carefully. Lily Reed lives here now. You will treat her with the same respect you show any member of this family. Understood?"

The security guards and Tyler nodded quickly.

Then Walter turned to his five sons, who suddenly found the floor extremely interesting to study.

"And you five—you will not bully Lily, nor will you stand by and let others do so. She's under my protection. Clear?"

They reluctantly mumbled, "Yes, Father."

I watched the five brothers, noting their expressions. They were clearly confused by their father's attitude toward me.

If they knew the full story, they wouldn't be surprised.

"Thank you, Mr. Sterling," I said softly.

"Please call me Walter," he insisted. "You're home now—your home forever."

Home? I almost laughed at the word.

This mansion would never be my home, just as I would never truly become part of the Sterling family.

But that was fine.

I wasn't here to belong.

I was here to fulfill my father's wishes—in my own way.

Watching the five Sterling brothers stare at me with expressions mixing curiosity, confusion, and some resentment, I couldn't help but find it amusing.

They had no idea what was coming next.