---
Su Meilin's hands trembled.
Her eyes stared at the phone screen, the blood draining from her face.
There, vivid and damning, were clips—nude videos of her and screenshots of intimate conversations. At the bottom, a message blinked menacingly:
"Princess, you're playing with fire, and it'll burn you. Come to this address quickly and quietly."
The words were ice on her skin. Her vision spun. Her heart skipped a beat as she clicked on the address pinned beneath the message.
It was not just any location—it was Emperor Crown Pavilion, ultra-luxurious hotel known only to the country's top elite.
You couldn't book a room without influence, power or serious connections.
Ordinary people didn't even dare to dream of stepping through its gold-trimmed glass doors.
Her throat tightened. Her world tilted.
William. Eric.
Of course it was them. Who else could be so shameless, so heartless?
They were monsters.
She could already imagine the fallout if those videos leaked.
Her grandfather would disown her.
Her newly established company—Elva Allure—would be ruined.
And Liang Yexuan... would destroy her.
It would be merciful if he didn't kill her and fed her bones to sharks.
Liang Qianyu, seated beside her, noticed her unease and frowned. "Sister Meilin, are you okay?" She asked, already reaching for her phone.
Startled, Su Meilin jolted upright and snatched her phone away with a stiff smile. "I'm fine. Just a little headache. It's nothing."
Liang Qianyu raised an eyebrow but said nothing more.
The tension in Meilin's shoulders didn't go unnoticed, but Liang Qianyu leaned back into her seat, silently watching.
Those two bastards! Wasn't it just a game for fun…?
Are they really threatening me now? She bit the inside of her cheek.
The food arrived shortly after.
Staff placed dishes on the table one by one—grilled Wagyu steak with truffle reduction, creamy lobster bisque, smoked duck salad with caviar pearls, freshly baked bread with herb butter.
The room filled with soft aromas.
The staff bowed and stood silently to the side, awaiting further instructions.
---
Meanwhile at Liang Conglomerate
Lin Yue stared blankly at her computer screen.
No matter how much she tried to push it away, her mind kept drifting back to Liang Qianyu.
That name, that face… it gnawed at her.
Why do I feel like I've met her before?
She shut her eyes, trying to picture it.
The office around her grew quieter.
Colleagues stood up one by one to head out for lunch.
Lin Yue decided to get up and take a walk, maybe clear her head.
As she walked towards the elevator, laughter and chatter from a nearby group caught her attention.
Several employees were huddled together, their eyes glued to their phones.
"OMG, our CEO is just too handsome!" one said, practically swooning.
"Did you see his long legs? Like a model!"
"He's unreal! Those legs—do they go on forever or what?"
"Su Meilin is lucky though. She's the next Young Madam Liang."
"I think Qianyu looks even better. No wonder she's his sister. So pretty."
"She's like a princess! All three of them look like celebrities."
Another chimed in, "They are celebrities, in the business world."
"Who needs idols when we have real royalty at work? I'll definitely buy Elva Allure once it drops. Can't wait to support our future Young Madam Liang."
The words cut through Lin Yue like glass.
Young Madam Liang.
Her chest tightened.
Liang Yexuan.
Ah Yan.
'Why… why did he forget me? Didn't he promise to love me forever?' Her mind spiraled. She clenched her fists. 'Was it for herself she wanted to be remembered? Or… was it for their baby?'
She bit her lip hard enough to taste blood.
Yexuan... Ah Yan... why did everything change?
As she was about to step into the elevator, a voice called out behind her.
"Lin Yue!"
She turned to see Du Liyao and Ma Zhen waving as they approached.
"You didn't bring lunch today?" Du Liyao asked, pressing the elevator.
"I did. I just wanted to walk a little," Lin Yue replied.
Ma Zhen smiled. "Good idea. Let's walk together."
The three of them entered the elevator.
—
When the doors opened at the lobby, a few other colleagues joined them.
Song Ziyan was among them. The moment her sharp eyes landed on Lin Yue, a smirk curled her lips.
"Lin Yue," she said, her voice syrupy sweet, "You've never treated us to anything, have you?"
Lin Yue blinked.
Song Ziyan looked around as if speaking to the group. "It's good to make friends. We've all visited each other's places… except yours."
Du Liyao stiffened.
"What are you trying to say?" she asked, stepping slightly in front of Lin Yue.
Song Ziyan blinked innocently. "What? Did I say something wrong?"
Du Liyao opened her mouth to argue but paused. Ziyan hadn't said anything outright rude.
Yet everyone knew exactly what she was implying.
Others looked at Lin Yue, curiosity in their eyes.
Everyone knew Lin Yue lived alone.
No family. No husband. And even pregnant.
However, her aloof and quiet demeanor made people curious.
And she never talked about her husband or past.
Some of the colleagues subtly leaned in, intrigued.
Many had silently wondered about Lin Yue's life outside of work.
She wore luxury clothing—elegant, high-end designer pieces that didn't seem affordable for someone claiming to be alone.
Some had started whispering that maybe she wasn't as poor as she claimed.
—
If Lin Yue knew the designer dresses Mo Yuwei had chosen for her would stir this much curiosity among her colleagues, she'd probably vomit blood on the spot.
She would be utterly speechless—because she didn't even know where they were bought.
Before she came to the Capital, Mo Yuwei had waved off her concerns with a casual, "Don't worry about clothes, I'll handle it."
Lin Yue had assumed that meant a few simple outfits.
If she ever found out Mo Yuwei nearly emptied an entire luxury boutique—only stopped by Chen Linfei dragging her away—she might just faint on the spot.
—
Du Liyao folded her arms. "Yueyue is living alone, Song Ziyan. You know that. How do you expect her to treat the entire department?"
Some nodded as they hesitated, having forgotten Lin Yue was not some rich lady.
She didn't even have a husband.
Song Ziyan frowned. Her plan was failing.
She wanted Lin Yue to feel cornered, ashamed.
She hated that icy calmness Lin Yue always wore.
It infuriated her.
Song Ziyan smiled, not backing down. "I didn't say it had to be fancy. Just a casual get-together."
Some nodded, others hesitated.
They had been wondering where Lin Yue lived too.
Song Ziyan smirked. "Or... is it a crime to be friendly?"
Some colleagues looked away awkwardly.
Others were genuinely curious.
Lin Yue's mysterious aura had always drawn whispers.
Now Song Ziyan had voiced what many had been thinking.
Lin Yue stared at Song Ziyan.
She knew what Song Ziyan wanted—to humiliate her.
But Lin Yue stepped forward, her voice calm and firm.
"Okay," she said.
Everyone looked up.
"I'll treat everyone to a hearty meal at my place this weekend."
The group went silent.
Song Ziyan blinked, clearly stunned.
Her smirk slowly returned. "Really? You mean it?"
Du Liyao and Ma Zhen both turned to Lin Yue in disbelief.
"Are you serious?" Ma Zhen asked in a whisper.
Lin Yue only smiled.
"I'm serious," she said. "Everyone's welcome."
---