Chapter 3 The Unpleasant Encounter

Ryan stood frozen for a moment before letting out an exasperated sigh. "Ivy, what are you doing in my room?"

Ivy smirked, leaning against the doorway with her arms crossed. "Hello, big brother. That's not a good way to welcome your little sister. Won't you even give me a hug?" She pouted, her tone playful but sharp.

Ryan forced a smile. "You know you're always welcome, Ivy, and I missed you. But I wasn't expecting you in my room this early."

Ivy gave a dramatic roll of her eyes. "I got back last night. Went to see Mom and Dad first thing. Came here this morning, thinking you'd be at the office, but then I saw you coming in with... her."

Her eyes darted toward Iris, who stood quietly beside Ryan, looking slightly uncomfortable under Ivy's cold gaze.

"Who is she, Ryan?" Ivy's voice was dripping with disdain. "Your newest plaything?"

Ryan stiffened, shooting Iris a quick, apologetic glance before answering. "Ivy, this is Iris, my.... my fiancée."

Ivy blinked, her face falling in disbelief. "Fiancée? Ryan, please tell me you're joking. Since when do you even have a girlfriend, let alone a fiancée?".

Ryan rubbed his temple, clearly regretting the situation already. "Look, Ivy, it's a long story. I'll explain everything later."

Ivy chuckled dryly. "Long story? I bet. But let me guess, you're just having your fun with her. She doesn't look like the kind you'd seriously marry."

Before Ryan could respond, Iris straightened her posture and spoke up. "Excuse me, but I'm not some fling. I'm Ryan's fiancée, and I would appreciate some respect."

Ivy's head snapped toward her, eyes narrowing. "Oh, so she talks?" she sneered. "Listen, sweetheart, I don't know where you crawled out from, but you're out of your league here."

"That's enough, Ivy," Ryan interrupted, his voice firm. "Don't talk to her like that."

Ivy raised a brow, glancing back at her brother. "Really, Ryan? You're defending her?"

Ryan shot a glare at Iris. "And you, Iris, don't speak to my sister that way."

Iris looked taken aback. "But she called me-"

"I said, enough!" Ryan's voice cut through the room. "Ivy, go to your room. I'll talk to you later."

Ivy didn't move for a moment, her eyes locking onto Iris with a warning glare. "This isn't over," she whispered sharply before turning on her heel and walking out.

As the door clicked shut behind her, Iris exhaled slowly, trying to gather herself. "That was... intense."

"That was my younger sister, Ivy," Ryan muttered, reaching for a bottle of whiskey and pouring himself a glass. He threw it back in one gulp, clearly frustrated. "You'd better get used to her."

"Doesn't seem like I'll ever get used to her," Iris muttered under her breath.

Ryan turned, his eyes dark. "What was that?"

Iris glanced at him, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Nothing."

Ryan poured another drink but didn't offer her any. "Good. Because I wouldn't have given you one anyway."

Iris scoffed, folding her arms. "You're treating me like I don't even exist, Ryan. We're supposed to be getting married. I'm a human being-"

Ryan cut her off with a wave of his hand. "I don't care what you are. This isn't some fairy tale.

You're here for a reason, so just do your part and don't make things harder than they need to be."

Iris felt a lump form in her throat, but she swallowed it down, determined not to let him see her weakness. "I'm doing this for my mother."

Ryan smirked coldly. "Right, and I'm doing your mother a favor. You'd do well to remember that."

Before Iris could respond, Ryan glanced at his watch. "We're going to see my parents tonight. Be ready before 7 p.m."

Without waiting for an answer, Ryan pressed a button on the wall. A few seconds later, there was a knock at the door. "Come in," Ryan called out.

A maid entered, her head bowed. "Sir?"

"Sarah, take Iris to her room, show her around, and make sure she's prepared for tonight. If she does anything wrong, you'll be the one I punish. Got it?"

The maid nodded nervously. "Yes, sir."

Iris shot Ryan a furious look but said nothing as she followed Sarah out of the room.

In her new bedroom, Iris couldn't help but be in awe of the luxurious surroundings. "Wow," she muttered, running her hand along the soft fabric of the bedspread.

Sarah smiled kindly. "Everything here is yours, Miss Iris. The wardrobe is full of designer clothes and accessories. Mr. Ryan wanted you to look the part."

Iris moved toward the wardrobe, her eyes widening as she saw the collection of dresses, shoes, and handbags. "These... these are all mine?"

"All yours," Sarah confirmed, laughing softly at Iris's stunned expression.

Iris couldn't believe it. She had always dreamed of owning luxury brands-Christian Louboutin, Versace, Dior-but never imagined she'd actually have them.

"This is insane," Iris whispered, pulling out a shimmering dress. "I can't believe it..."

Sarah smiled and gestured toward the adjoining bathroom. "I'll draw you a bath. You'll want to relax before the dinner tonight. Trust me, Mr. Ryan's parents are not people you want to meet feeling tense."

As Sarah disappeared into the bathroom, Iris stood in front of the mirror, holding the dress up to herself. "I guess there's some benefit to this arrangement after all," she murmured.

A few moments later, Sarah reemerged. "Your bath is ready, Miss Iris."

"Thanks," Iris replied, putting the dress back and walking toward the bathroom. "And please, just call me Iris. No need for the formalities."

Sarah hesitated for a moment before smiling. "Okay, Iris."

As Iris stepped into the warm water, she let out a sigh of relief, trying to push the chaotic thoughts out of her mind. The warm bath soothed her, but her mind raced with thoughts about what lay ahead. Ryan's parents, his cold demeanor, Ivy's hostility-it was all overwhelming.

Suddenly, a soft creaking sound echoed through the room.

Iris's eyes flew open, her heart racing. "Sarah? Is that you?"

There was no response.

Iris sat up in the bath, listening carefully. The creaking sound was followed by the unmistakable noise of something shattering.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she scrambled out of the tub, not even thinking to grab her towel. "Sarah?" she called out again, No answer.

Panicking, Iris burst out of the bathroom, still dripping wet, her bare feet slapping against the cold floor as she rushed into the bedroom. Her eyes darted around, scanning the room.

And then she saw it-a figure standing in the corner, cloaked in shadows.

Iris frozen in place, her breath catching in her throat as the figure slowly stepped forward.