Chapter 3 I'll DESTROY GIULIA.

Giulia's face flushed red with shock as she turned to face Richard's mother, Liliana. Liliana's luxurious gown and sparkling diamond earrings seemed to gleam with malice as she smirked, clearly pleased with the fear she inspired in Giulia.

"Congratulations to you both," Liliana said, her smile faltering for a moment before she regained her composure.

Giulia's jaw dropped in shock, her mind reeling from the sudden confrontation. Richard's eyes narrowed suspiciously as he glanced at his mother.

"Mrs. Millan..." Giulia stuttered, unsure of how to react.

Richard interrupted, his voice firm. "What are you doing here, Mother? You've made it clear you don't approve of our relationship."

Liliana's expression turned sugary sweet, but her eyes remained cold. "Richard, I'm your mother. I carried you for nine months, gave you everything, and you think I wouldn't support your happiness?"

Richard raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Save it, Mother. You've done everything in your power to keep us apart."

Giulia felt a surge of guilt, knowing she was the reason for the tension between Richard and his mother.

Liliana's smile never wavered. "Since you've decided to marry, your father and I have decided the wedding will take place in three days."

Giulia's heart skipped a beat. Three days? She hadn't even had time to process the proposal, let alone plan a wedding.

"I think we should decide that," Giulia said, trying to sound calm.

Liliana's eyes flashed with anger, but she quickly regained control. "Richard is a billionaire, and if this wedding doesn't happen, it will affect our reputation. I won't tolerate that."

"I need time to think," Giulia said, trying to stand her ground. "Yes, I'm in love with your son, but I can at least think about this. This is also about my life."

Liliana's smile turned icy. "Fine, but know this: the wedding will happen in three days, with or without your consent."

Richard stepped forward, his eyes blazing with anger. "Mother, that's enough."

Liliana's gaze never wavered from Giulia's face. "I'd like to have a word with my son, excuse us."

Richard hesitated for a moment before allowing his mother to drag him away. Giulia watched them go, feeling a sense of unease wash over her.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Liliana's demeanor changed. Her smile dropped, and her eyes flashed with anger.

"You think you can just waltz into our lives and steal my son's heart?" Liliana spat. "You're nothing but a poor waitress. You'll never be good enough for Richard."

Richard's face darkened. "That's enough, Mother."

Liliana's eyes never left Giulia's face. "You'll pay for what you've done. Mark my words."

Giulia felt a shiver run down her spine as Liliana's words hung in the air, heavy with malice.

Giulia took a deep breath and tried to shake off the feeling of unease. She walked out of the room, her mind racing with thoughts of the impending wedding and Liliana's ominous threat.

As she stepped out into the cool air, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. She took a deep breath, trying to clear her head.

Just then, she heard the sound of footsteps behind her. She turned to see Richard approaching her, his face etched with concern.

"Giulia, I'm so sorry about my mother," he said, taking her hand in his. "She can be...overbearing at times."

Giulia smiled weakly. "That's an understatement."

Richard chuckled. "I know. But please, don't let her get to you. We'll face this together, okay?"

"Let me be"She said shunning him before leaving.

Giulia nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Richard. But as she looked into his eyes, she couldn't shake off the feeling that Liliana's threat was more than just an empty warning.

Meanwhile, Liliana watched from the window, her eyes narrowing as she saw Richard and Giulia together. A cold smile spread across her face as she turned away from the window.

"It's time to put my plan into action," she muttered to herself, her eyes gleaming with malice.

♡♡♡♡

Moana lived with her father and stepmother, Jarvis, in the grand Brown's Mansion. Her stepsister, Bianca, was treated like a servant, while Moana was spoiled rotten. Bianca's beauty and kindness only seemed to fuel Moana's jealousy.

"Bianca!" Jarvis shouted from the kitchen. Bianca rushed to the kitchen, startled.

"Yes, Mom?" Bianca replied, trying to hide her frustration.

"You're useless! You were supposed to prepare dinner!" Jarvis screamed, her face red with anger.

Moana faked tears, and Jarvis immediately turned to comfort her. "Baby, please wait a little bit. Dinner will be ready soon," Jarvis cooed.

Bianca seethed with anger, feeling like a maid in her own home. She glared at Moana, who smiled sweetly, enjoying the drama she had created.

"Mom, my room is dirty. Tell Bianca to clean it up," Moana added, her voice dripping with entitlement.

Jarvis snapped at Bianca, "Clean Moana's room now!"

Bianca's eyes narrowed, but she said nothing. She knew that arguing would only make things worse.

With a sigh, she turned and walked out of the kitchen, feeling trapped and helpless.

As Bianca walked out of the kitchen, she could feel Moana's triumphant gaze on her. She knew that Moana was manipulating their stepmother, but she also knew that no one believed her.

Bianca trudged up the stairs, her feet heavy with resentment. She felt like a servant in her own home, and it was all because of Moana's jealousy.

As she reached Moana's room, she saw that it was spotless. There was no dust, no dirt, no mess. Bianca's eyes narrowed. Moana had deliberately lied to their stepmother, just to get Bianca in trouble.

Bianca's anger boiled over, and she stormed out of Moana's room, determined to confront her. But as she reached the kitchen, she saw that Moana was nowhere to be found.

Jarvis looked up at her, a look of annoyance on her face. "Where's Moana?" Bianca asked, trying to keep her cool.

Jarvis shrugged. "I don't know. She said something about going out with friends."

Bianca's eyes rolled in frustration. She knew that Moana was up to something, and she was determined to find out what.

As Bianca walked away, her stepfather, Marcus, watched her with an unsettling intensity. He sent her a text message that made her skin crawl.

Bianca's heart sank as she read the message. She had always felt uneasy around Marcus, and the way he looked at her made her skin crawl. She hesitated for a moment, wondering if she could avoid him, but something about the message seemed ominous.

She slowly made her way to Marcus's study, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios. As she entered the room, she saw Marcus sitting behind his desk, a sly smile spreading across his face.

"Ah, Bianca," he said, his voice low and menacing. "I've been wanting to talk to you about something."

Bianca's instincts screamed at her to run, but she stood frozen, unsure of what to do next.

"Please, have a seat," Marcus said, his eyes glinting with an unsettling intensity. Bianca hesitated, but her legs seemed to move of their own accord, carrying her to the chair in front of Marcus's desk.

As she sat down, Marcus leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "I've been noticing that you've been spending a lot of time alone in your room," he said, his voice dripping with innuendo. "I'm starting to think that you're feeling a little... neglected."

Bianca's skin crawled as Marcus's eyes roamed over her, his gaze lingering on her chest and legs. She felt a wave of revulsion wash over her, and she knew that she had to get out of there - fast.

Bianca's heart was racing as she tried to think of a way to escape the uncomfortable situation. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, trying to avoid Marcus's lecherous gaze.

"I-I'm just studying a lot, that's all," Bianca stuttered, trying to sound convincing.

Marcus raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "Studying, huh?" he repeated, his voice dripping with disbelief. "I didn't know you were so interested in academics, Bianca."

Bianca felt a surge of panic as Marcus leaned forward, his eyes glinting with a sinister intent. She knew she had to get out of there, fast.

"I should probably get back to my room," Bianca said, trying to sound casual. "I have a lot of homework to do."

Marcus's face fell, but he quickly regained his composure. "Of course, dear," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I wouldn't want to keep you from your studies."

Bianca quickly stood up, eager to escape the uncomfortable situation. As she turned to leave, she felt Marcus's hand on her shoulder, his grip tightening uncomfortably.

"Remember, Bianca," Marcus whispered, his breath hot against her ear. "I'm always watching you."

Bianca's skin crawled as she shook off Marcus's grip and hurried out of the room, feeling like she had just narrowly escaped a predator.