Betrayed Spotlight
Chapter 16: Meeting Grandma Liu

Chapter 16: Meeting Grandma Liu

The next morning, Sarah was getting ready for her first day working with Zachary when Mason knocked on her bedroom door.

"Come in," she called, putting on her earrings.

Mason entered, looking more nervous than she had ever seen him. He was wearing a casual navy sweater instead of his usual business suit, which made him look younger and less intimidating.

"Change of plans," he said. "We need to make a stop before you go to the studio."

Sarah turned to face him. "What kind of stop?"

Mason ran a hand through his hair, messing up his perfectly styled look. "My grandmother wants to meet you."

Sarah felt her stomach drop. "Your grandmother?"

"She saw the news about the charity gala. About me already calling you my wife." Mason’s jaw tightened slightly. "She’s been calling me non-stop since yesterday. She demands to meet you immediately."

Sarah sat down on the edge of her bed, suddenly feeling weak. "Mr. Liu, I don’t think that’s a good idea. What if she doesn’t like me? What if she sees right through our arrangement?"

"She’s going to see through it anyway, plus she already saw you once in this mansion." Mason said matter-of-factly. "My grandmother is the smartest person I know. But she’s also fair. If she’s okay with it, she’ll support whatever story we tell her."

"And if she doesn’t like me?"

"We won’t find out." was all he said.

An hour later, they were driving through the hills outside the city toward an area Sarah had never visited before. The houses here were massive, sitting on huge pieces of land behind tall gates and perfect gardens.

Mason turned into a driveway that seemed to go on forever, lined with old oak trees. At the end of it sat a mansion that looked like it belonged in a movie. It was traditional Chinese architecture mixed with modern luxury - red roof tiles, carved wooden details, and gardens that looked like works of art.

"Wow," Sarah breathed. "This is where your grandmother lives?"

"She’s lived here for forty years," Mason said, parking the car. "My grandfather built it for her when they first got married."

Sarah smoothed down her dress nervously. She had chosen a simple but elegant outfit - a soft pink dress that was modest but flattering. She hoped it was appropriate for meeting someone so important.

Mason came around to open her car door, and she noticed his hand was slightly tense as he helped her out.

"Are you nervous too?" she asked.

"Terrified," Mason admitted with a straight face. "My grandmother has very strong opinions about everything."

They walked up the stone steps to the front door, which was painted bright red with gold decorations. Before Mason could even knock, the door swung open.

Grandma Liu walked out.

"Mason," the woman said in accented but perfect English. "You’re late."

"Sorry, Grandma," Mason said, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "Traffic was heavy."

Grandma Liu’s sharp eyes moved to Sarah, looking her up and down with the intensity of a detective examining evidence. Sarah felt like she was being x-rayed.

Unlike the first time she smiled at Sarah, this one was even worse.

"So," Grandma Liu said after a long moment. "You are the girl who has captured my grandson’s attention."

Sarah felt her cheeks burn. "Mrs. Liu, it’s an honor to meet you."

"Hmm." Grandma Liu continued staring at her. "You’re prettier than your photos. But beauty fades. Come inside." She didn’t look so happy to see her.

The inside of the mansion was even more impressive than the outside. Beautiful furniture, priceless art, and fresh flowers everywhere. Grandma Liu led them to a sitting room with huge windows overlooking the gardens.

"Sit," Grandma Liu commanded, pointing to a couch. "I’ll have tea brought."

Sarah perched on the edge of the couch, her back straight and hands folded in her lap. She felt like she was being interviewed for the most important job of her life.

Mason sat beside her, close enough that she could feel his warmth but not touching her. She could tell he was trying to appear relaxed, but she knew him well enough now to see the tension in his shoulders.

A maid brought in a tea service with delicate china cups and what looked like expensive cookies. Grandma Liu poured the tea herself, her movements precise and graceful.

"So," Grandma Liu said, handing Sarah a cup. "Tell me about yourself. And don’t give me the pretty answers you would give to reporters. I want the truth."

Sarah’s hand shook slightly as she accepted the tea. "What would you like to know?"

"Everything. Your family, your dreams, your mistakes. Why my grandson chose to marry you in secret."

Sarah nearly choked on her tea. "I... we..."

"Grandma," Mason warned.

"Don’t ’Grandma’ me," the old woman snapped. "I raised you, Mason Liu. I know when you’re lying. You two got married without telling anyone, didn’t you?"

Sarah felt her face turn bright red. She looked at Mason, not sure what to say.

Grandma Liu studied both of their faces, then suddenly started laughing. It was a warm, delighted sound that completely changed the atmosphere in the room.

"Oh, you two," she said, wiping her eyes. "You think you’re so clever. You both don’t even have wedding photos. You’ll need one. I’ll make sure to arrange for it tomorrow."

Sarah’s mouth fell open. "We don’t really ne_"

"Shh. Even if you don’t want to get married in a grand style, try getting wedding photographs. I’ve been alive for eighty-three years, child. I’ve seen every kind of arrangement people make." Grandma Liu’s eyes sparkled with amusement.

Mason’s tea cup rattled against his saucer. "Grandma, that’s not..."

"Mason, dear boy, you forget I know you better than anyone." Grandma Liu turned back to Sarah. "Yiu’re the first girl he actually let into his house. Well, second."

Sarah felt warmth spread through her chest. "Really?"

"Really. Now, tell me about your family. The real story, not what I read in the newspapers."

For the next hour, Sarah found herself opening up to Grandma Liu in a way she hadn’t expected. She talked about her childhood, her dreams of becoming a singer, her relationship with her father and Hannah. She even told her about the loneliness she had felt even before the scandal.

Grandma Liu listened without judgment, occasionally asking questions or making sympathetic sounds. Gradually, Sarah began to relax. This woman might be intimidating, but she was also kind and genuinely interested in getting to know her.

"Your sister sounds like a jealous little girl," Grandma Liu said when Sarah finished explaining about Hannah. "And your father sounds like a fool."

"Grandma," Mason said, but he was almost smiling.

"What? It’s true." Grandma Liu turned to Sarah. "You’re better off without them. Family should support you, not tear you down."

Sarah felt tears prick her eyes. "Thank you for saying that."

"Now," Grandma Liu said, standing up. "Let me show you the gardens. Mason, you stay here. I want to talk to Sarah alone."

Mason frowned like a bull. "Grandma..."

"Trust me," the old woman said firmly.

Sarah followed Grandma Liu outside into the most beautiful garden she had ever seen. There were flowers of every color, perfectly trimmed hedges, and small bridges over tiny streams.

"This is incredible," Sarah said honestly.

"My husband designed it for me," Grandma Liu said with a soft smile. "He said a beautiful woman should always be surrounded by beautiful things."

They walked in comfortable silence for a few minutes, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.

"Sarah," Grandma Liu said finally. "Can I give you some advice?"

"Of course."

"My grandson is a good man, but he’s stubborn and proud. He’s convinced himself that he doesn’t need love, that business arrangements are safer than real feelings."

Sarah’s heart started beating faster. "Mrs. Liu, I..."

"But I see the way he looks at you. And I see the way you look at him." Grandma Liu stopped walking and turned to face Sarah. "Don’t let him treat this marriage like some business. If you want to maintain this real thing with him, you’re going to have to fight for it."

Sarah felt her cheeks burn. "It’s complicated."

How was she supposed to tell her that this marriage wasn’t real?

P

"Love always is," Grandma Liu said with a knowing smile. "But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it."

When they returned to the house, they found Mason pacing in the sitting room like a caged animal.

"What did you two talk about?" he asked immediately.

"Girl things," Grandma Liu said mysteriously. "Sarah, you’ll come to dinner on Sunday. Both of you."

"Grandma, we don’t need to..."

"It wasn’t a request, Mason." Grandma Liu’s voice was firm. "Sarah is part of this family now. She needs to know where she belongs."

As they were leaving, Grandma Liu pulled Sarah aside one more time.

"Remember what I told you," she whispered. "And don’t let him scare you away. Underneath all that business suit armor, he has a good heart."

Sarah nodded, hugged her and followed Mason out.

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