Brittany was initially confused by Arianna's words. "What should I do, then?" she asked, a newfound courage blossoming within her. Her earlier confusion faded.

Arianna leaned in, whispering almost against Brittany's cheek, "Brittany, you're beautiful. You light up the room. You should make him notice you." Before Brittany could respond, Arianna abruptly changed tone. "But—"

"But what?" Brittany's heart pounded.

"It's too late! You've done too much, and he doesn't care anymore. No matter what you do, he won't change his mind. Plus, you have competition, and you're running out of time. This won't work."

Arianna released Brittany and sat at the dressing table, meticulously applying hand cream. Her flawless skin, a testament to her diligent self-care, far surpassed Brittany's in delicacy, despite Brittany's greater beauty. As Arianna applied the cream with a serious expression, Brittany grew anxious. "What should I do? You said divorce was still possible even after an engagement. What do you mean it's too late?!"

Arianna sighed, turning to Brittany. "There's a way, but I doubt you have the courage."

"I don't have the courage?! Who says I don't?!" Brittany felt nothing could stop her from being with Alexander.

"Really?" Arianna raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on her lips. "Why are you so naive? Don't you know who Alexander is? How significant his marriage would be? He has to get his family's approval."

A marriage into such a prominent family required the consent of elders and relatives—a kind of election. Brittany would need to become the preferred candidate. Brittany listened intently, but after hearing Arianna's explanation, she shook her head. "No, Arianna, you don't understand him or the Russell family."

"What do you mean?" Arianna asked.

"Your plan might work for other families, but not Alex! He's the patriarch of the Russell family. He endured so much to reach his position. While there are elders, he's not easily swayed by their manipulations. No one can influence his decisions. That's what makes him so special. No one dares challenge him." Therefore, no one could change his mind about the engagement.

Admiration shone on Brittany's face as she spoke of Alexander. Arianna watched, perplexed. She'd met Alexander twice. While handsome, he was cold and aloof; she doubted he even remembered their brief encounters.

Growing up wealthy in the Tanner family, Arianna understood the intense power struggles and schemes within such families. Her own uncle, Derrick, was the family patriarch. Even though her father, Joseph, had significant assets, he remained subservient to Derrick. Similarly, despite Arianna's abilities, she was always secondary to her cousin, Benedict.