---
Su Meilin quickly hung up, her fingers trembling slightly as she stared at the screen. She glanced behind her.
No one seemed to be paying her any attention in the car.
With a sigh of relief, she placed the phone back on her lap.
The car was quiet except for the soft hum of the engine and the muted murmur of the city outside the tinted windows.
Just as she started to relax, the screen of her phone lit up again.
It was William.
Again.
Her heart jumped. Her hand darted to the phone, and she hit the red button.
Decline.
A second later, it lit up once more.
Decline.
Again.
Decline.
Tch. Su Meilin clenched her teeth, her perfectly manicured nails biting into her palm.
What the hell did he want?
She quickly set the phone to silent, the buzzing now only vibrating against her palm.
But even in silence, William's persistence was irritating her to the bone.
The vibration was like a ticking bomb, each pulse fraying her nerves.
Five calls in a row.
She threw another glance at the rearview mirror.
The driver looked at her and met her gaze.
"Miss Su, are you alright?" he asked politely.
Su Meilin plastered on a sweet smile. "Yes. Just a little work stuff."
He nodded and turned his eyes back to the road.
Work stuff, her foot.
Which work will make you so tensed?
—
She quickly opened her contacts and blocked William.
Her hand hovered over the screen as she took a deep breath.
Anyway, Laetania would deal with them.
There was no need to be scared.
She wouldn't have to meet those people again.
She gave herself that comfort.
But just as she dropped the phone on her lap, it lit up once more.
Eric.
Her breath hitched.
What now?
She didn't even let the call go through a full ring.
Blocked.
She exhaled deeply, like a person finally freed from a vice grip.
Her shoulders slumped a bit in relief, her fingers relaxing.
—
Her eyes drifted toward the reflection of the man seated behind.
Liang Yexuan.
She stared at him silently.
He was perfect. Impossibly perfect.
He sat in the seat like he owned the world—which, in many ways, he did.
Every line of his posture was calm, dominant, and majestic.
His chiseled jawline, his intense eyes, his quiet aura of power—it all made him seem like a deity descending from a higher plane.
And he was hers. Her fiancé.
Too bad he had never even held her hand.
Too bad he had never even hugged her.
Not once. Not even by accident.
She swallowed hard.
He doesn't love me...
Su Meilin's eyes dimmed slightly. A pang of frustration clenched in her chest.
She wasn't unattractive. In fact, many considered her a goddess.
Then why?
But he would. She had promised herself that.
Before their wedding, she would make him fall for her.
Somehow.
He had to.
She closed her eyes for a second, then opened them again.
She hoped their grandfathers would agree to move forward with the wedding instead of keeping things stagnant at the engagement.
Yet, lately... something felt off.
She couldn't quite say what it was.
She couldn't pinpoint it, but there was an undercurrent beneath her perfectly curated life.
A sense of looming change.
Something wasn't right.
—
Before she could think more, the car slowed down and came to a stop.
They had arrived.
The restaurant in front of them shimmered like a dream.
Imperial Magnolia.
The name glowed in soft gold cursive letters, resting against an ivory-white marble backdrop.
Tall glass windows rose elegantly on either side of the grand doors, framed with trimmed velvet roses.
A majestic golden lotus fountain stood at the entrance, its petals catching the warm sunlight.
The path leading up was paved with polished black granite that gleamed under their feet.
—
The driver stepped out quickly and opened the door for Liang Yexuan.
The moment he emerged, all heads turned.
Gasps echoed softly around the area.
"That's Liang Yexuan, the CEO of the Liang Conglomerate!" someone whispered.
"The CEO of Liang Conglomerate!?"
"Oh my God, he looks even better in real life..."
Several businessmen hurriedly stepped forward.
Their suits strained as they quickened their pace, trying to catch his attention.
Even a nod of recognition from him could change the trajectory of their lives.
After all, even a small project from Liang Conglomerate was enough to turn a company into a goldmine.
But before they could get close, a sleek black car pulled up behind the Rolls Royce.
Men in black suits quickly stepped out and moved to surround Liang Yexuan in a protective circle.
The businessmen faltered and stepped back with regretful sighs, watching as the golden opportunity slipped through their fingers.
"Ahh... so close."
"He didn't even look at us."
"No chance..."
The door opened again, and another figure stepped out.
Liang Qianyu.
She looked like a doll in her soft pink dress, her long black hair curled perfectly, her skin glowing like porcelain.
Whispers followed her too.
"That's his sister, right?"
"She's the one who was ranked top three in the national college entrance exams threw years ago?!"
"Didn't she reject all the top universities in the country and went abroad instead?"
"She's back now, right? I heard she's a genius..."
Some of the older businessmen smiled thoughtfully.
"My son's still single. Maybe I should arrange something... being connected to the Liang family would be a dream."
"She's beautiful and smart. A real jewel."
"Imagine being a son-in-law to the Liang family..."
Su Meilin, still seated inside, hesitated.
She glanced at the open door.
Liang Qianyu turned back to the car, her delicate features holding a touch of mischief.
"What are you waiting for, Sister Meilin?" she asked, lips curving in a small smile that didn't reach her eyes.
Su Meilin's face paled.
She had been waiting for someone to open her door, like they had for the others.
Now she looked foolish.
Should I say it? That I was waiting for someone to open the door for me too?
No. That would only make her look more petty.
She forced a smile and opened the door herself, stepping out and walking to join the others.
The bodyguards resumed formation, surrounding the three as they entered the restaurant.
The crowd outside murmured amongst themselves.
"That's Su Meilin, right?"
"She's beautiful too... and now a CEO in her own right."
"With the Liang family backing her, Elva Allure might just take over the country's cosmetics market."
"She's lucky. Very lucky."
"Must be nice to be rich and powerful..."
"Miss Su is really beautiful. With the Liang family backing her, Elva Allure might become the biggest cosmetics brand in the country."
"And maybe even go international. That face, that connection... she's bound to win."
—
Near the entrance, a long line of staff stood waiting, all dressed in elegant black and gold uniforms.
A tall man in front, the floor manager, bowed low.
"Welcome, CEO. Welcome, Young Miss. Welcome, Miss Su."
He stepped forward quickly.
"Apologies. The hotel manager didn't know you were coming, so he's not around."
Liang Yexuan gave a slight nod.
The manager looked like he had been granted mercy and quickly turned to lead them inside.
Half the staff followed them with professional efficiency.
They were escorted to the elevator, which took them straight to the top floor—the VVIP level.
The doors opened to reveal a private dining corridor decorated with marble floors.
The walls were lined with soft ivory panels with embedded gold-veined mirrors.
A grand chandelier made of crystal blossoms hung above, its petals shimmering like diamonds.
Gold-accented chairs stood on a velvet carpet dyed in shades of midnight blue and pearl.
—
Their private room sat at the end of the corridor.
The manager opened the door for them.
Inside, the room was opulent. A crystal chandelier sparkled above a long dining table made of dark rosewood.
The windows revealed a panoramic view of the city skyline.
Plush velvet chairs, fine china, and fresh roses adorned the space.
The bodyguards took their position outside, but Liang Yexuan turned to them.
"Go to the next private room," he instructed.
The men exchanged glances.
"We're fine here, Young Master," their leader said, standing straighter.
Liang Yexuan understood, , understanding their loyalty.
They didn't want to be too far from him.
"Then exchange shifts," he said.
The men paused, then nodded.
Half stepped away toward the adjacent private room.
—
Su Meilin watched him with wide, glittering eyes.
He's so considerate... Even his men are looked after.
Her heart warmed. But the warmth quickly faded.
Why doesn't he treat me that way?
He doesn't even look at me.
They stepped inside the room.
Liang Yexuan sat at the head of the table. Liang Qianyu took the seat to his right.
Su Meilin stepped toward the chair on his left.
Just as she was about to pull it out...
"Sister Meilin, come sit next to me," Liang Qianyu called out sweetly.
Su Meilin froze.
She glanced at Liang Yexuan, but he didn't even look her way.
Instead, he motioned to the manager, who immediately handed him a menu.
She swallowed the lump in her throat and smiled as if unbothered, sitting beside Liang Qianyu.
Liang Yexuan selected a few dishes before handing the menu to his sister.
She took it eagerly.
"You didn't order my favorite," Liang Qianyu teased as she chose.
He didn't respond, only took a sip of the warm tea placed before him.
Su Meilin sat awkwardly, her back stiff.
She didn't even get to touch the menu.
After the order was placed, Liang Qianyu turned to her brother.
"Brother, since I came back, we haven't gone out together," she said, smiling. "Let's go shopping this weekend."
He glanced at her briefly. "We'll see."
Su Meilin just sat there, feeling increasingly awkward.
She was about to speak—when her phone vibrated lightly in her lap.
Her brows furrowed.
Who could it be now?
She picked it up, glancing at the screen.
Her blood ran cold.
Her hands trembled slightly.
Her face turned pale.
The color drained from her cheeks so fast it looked like she had seen a ghost.
No... no, no, no...
What she saw on the screen made her stomach twist.
Her breath caught in her throat.
She didn't even hear what Liang Qianyu was saying anymore.
---