---
Su Meilin's vision wavered as if the very air around her rippled.
Her knees felt weak, and the taste of metal lingered at the back of her throat.
The chandelier above blurred into bright, swimming spots.
What on earth had gone wrong?
Why were they blackmailing her? What did they want?
Her eyes darted nervously toward the two men in the room.
They sat on sleek leather chairs like kings observing a prisoner.
Cold. Heartless. Powerful.
Their aura was suffocating.
William, with his sharp gaze that could slice steel, rested his elbow on the chair's arm, his fingers curled under his chin in contemplation.
Eric, on the other hand, leaned back lazily, his fingers drumming the armrest with a smirk stretched across his lips.
She swallowed, forcing herself to speak. "W-What do you want from me?" she asked in a whisper, her voice shaking like a candle flame in the wind. "Is it… money? Power? Connections?"
The moment the words escaped her lips, she wanted to slap herself.
What kind of question was that?
Of course they didn't want money—men like them had money.
They didn't need connections. These men were the epitome of control.
Of cruelty. Of command.
They didn't need anything she could give.
William's deep, chilling laugh echoed across the room.
"Did you hear that?" he said, glancing at Eric. "She thinks we're after her money."
Eric let out a low chuckle, running his eyes over her like a predator toying with his prey. "She's dumber than I thought. I almost feel sorry for her."
William leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Do I look like I need your money, Su Meilin?"
"No," Su Meilin blurted, shaking her head quickly, her vision stinging with unshed tears. "I— I didn't mean—"
"Do. we. look. like. we. lack. money?" William sneered, standing up, word by word.
He stepped forward, his polished shoes tapping on the marble floor, each step a chilling echo.
"I could buy half of this country without blinking. My connections stretch from here to Celverra. Do you think you, of all people, have anything we'd want?"
Su Meilin quickly shook her head, eyes wide with growing panic.
"No. No. That's not what I meant."
Please don't provoke them.
She could feel her composure slipping, the tears welling up in her eyes.
Her hands trembled at her sides.
She quickly shook her head, trying to stop the tears threatening to fall.
How did her life spiral into this?
Just weeks ago, she was the precious jewel of the Su family. The pampered, untouchable heiress. The future bride of Liang Yexuan.
And now... now she was standing in a room, trembling like a helpless deer.
If it were anyone else, any other time, she could have made them disappear.
Quietly. Permanently.
She could usually call a few bodyguards and make problems disappear.
But...
But not this time.
Because these men were untouchable.
Her voice was smaller now. "Then what do you want from me?"
Eric's smirk vanished.
His eyes flared with something close to hatred.
He slammed his hand against the wall, the loud bang causing her to flinch.
"You still don't get it, do you?" he snapped making her flinch.
William held up a hand, calm and steady.
"Enough," he said to Eric before turning his gaze back to Meilin. "You don't need to know."
He called out, brushing imaginary dust off his sleeves. "Walter."
The heavy door opened silently, and the man who had brought her in earlier stepped inside. "Yes, Master?"
"Escort her out."
Walter nodded. "Let's go."
Su Meilin hesitated but then followed, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor.
Just as she stepped out, she heard Eric mutter something.
"I heard the old man is still in the hospital…"
Her steps faltered.
William laughed. "Only you would suggest a gift at a time like this."
Eric's tone was casual, chillingly so. "It's just a greeting. He should know we're in the country."
The door shut behind her before she could hear anything else.
However, the words lingered in her mind like shadows.
Gift?
Which old man?
Something didn't feel right. Her gut twisted with unease.
But she couldn't put her finger on it.
---
At the gleaming entrance of the Liang Conglomerate, the revolving glass doors turned smoothly as Liang Yexuan stepped inside, the polished floor gleaming beneath his Italian leather shoes with his bodyguard behind him.
The sleek marble floors reflected the sunlight pouring in from the high windows.
As always, people paused to bow or greet him respectfully, but he barely acknowledged them.
He was used to the attention.
Power was second nature to him now.
Just as he adjusted the cufflinks on his wrist, about to head straight for the elevator, when something—or rather, someone—caught his attention.
Standing near the elevator lobby, a little to the side of the grand chandelier, was Lin Yue.
He froze.
She was holding her phone to her ear, a large smile lighting up her face.
She looked relaxed, even playful—her shoulders loose, one foot tapping slightly.
Her cheeks glowed slightly, a big, radiant smile on her face.
She laughed—
A real, warm laugh that made her eyes sparkle like she held a secret to the universe.
She brushed her hair behind her ear, giggling again as whoever was on the other side said something funny.
Her hand covered her mouth for a second, and she nodded as if responding to something said from the other end.
Yexuan's brows furrowed slightly.
Who is she talking to?
His steps slowed, gaze fixed. She looked...
---