Chapter 1: The heavy mahogany doors of the Schuett study clicked shut, sealing Lena inside with the sound of her father’s quiet, unyielding tone. Sunlight filtered through tall windows, gilding the edges of the leather-bound books lining the walls, but the warmth didn’t reach her. She stood stiffly by the desk, arms crossed over her chest, her expression as cool and unreadable as polished marble. “An arranged marriage?” she repeated, her voice steady but sharp, every word laced with disbelief. “Father, this is nonsense. Pure, outdated nonsense. We’re not living in the eighteenth century anymore. I build my own career, I run my own projects why on earth would I let you decide who I spend my life with?” Her father, a man who had built his empire on careful alliances and unshakable resolve, looked up from the document spread before him. His gaze was firm, but not unkind. “Lena, this isn’t just about tradition. It’s about stability. The Schuett Group and Siam Crown have been partners for decades, but a marriage will tie our futures together completely.It secures both our families, our businesses, and the people who rely on us. It’s the smartest move we could make.” Lena scoffed, turning away to stare out the window at the manicured gardens below. “Smart for the business, maybe. But what about me? What about what I want?” She already knew exactly what she wanted. There was only one person she had ever pictured by her side, only one name that made her heart race even when she thought of it Bow Maylada. Bright, warm, effortlessly kind Bow was everything Lena had ever admired, everything she had quietly loved for years. No arranged marriage could ever compare to that. No stranger could ever measure up. “You’ll have everything you need,” her father said, misunderstanding her silence. “And you already know her. Miu Natsha Taechamongkalapiwat.” Lena froze. The name hit her like a sudden gust of wind, sharp and unexpected. She turned back slowly, eyebrows drawn together in confusion. “Miu? As in the CEO of Siam Crown? That Miu?” The one everyone talked about cold, brilliant, terrifyingly sharp, and undeniably gorgeous. The woman who had turned her family’s company into a global powerhouse before she was thirty, who rarely smiled, who spoke only when necessary, and whose reputation for being grumpy and unapproachable was legendary. They had known each other since they were children, yes their families had always been close but they had never been anything more than distant acquaintances. Lena had always found Miu distant, too serious, and entirely too intimidating. She had never given her a second thought beyond polite greetings at family gatherings. And certainly, she had never liked her. “Yes, that Miu,” her father said, tapping the paper on the desk. “Her father and I agreed months ago. Everything is settled. The wedding will take place in three months.” “Settled?” Lena’s voice rose, sharp with frustration. “You decided this without even asking me? Father, I don’t want this. I don’t want her. I have no feelings for Miu none. And I certainly won’t promise to love her. That part of the deal? You can leave it out. I’ll go through with this farce for the company, for you, but don’t expect anything more. I won’t pretend.” Her father sighed, knowing better than to push her too far. He knew his daughter’s stubbornness ran as deep as his own. “Very well. The arrangement stands regardless. You will marry her, you will uphold your duties as her wife and as a Schuett, and that is final.” Lena left the study without another word, her steps heavy with irritation. Arranged marriages were nonsense always had been, always would be. And marrying Miu, of all people? It felt like some kind of cruel joke. She couldn’t imagine anything worse. continuation ➡️ Comment Section ⤵️ #lenamiu #miunatsha #lenalalina - @mrsschuet