Lin Xinyi stared at the contract in her hands, the weight of her decision pressing down on her chest like an iron cage. She had signed away her freedom for a single year just twelve months but standing outside Chen Group's towering headquarters, she felt as if she had stepped into a prison with no escape.
The air buzzed with whispers the moment she walked through the grand entrance.
"Is that Lin Xinyi? The one who got engaged to CEO Chen?"
"How did she manage to trap him? He never even looked at a woman before!"
"I heard it's a business deal. There's no way he actually loves her."
Xinyi clenched her fists, keeping her expression blank as she walked past the gossiping employees.
This was just the beginning.
She had expected the backlash—Chen Wei was the most untouchable man in the business world. Women dreamed of being by his side, but he had never entertained any of them. And now, out of nowhere, he had announced his engagement to her?
Of course, people wouldn't accept it.
But she didn't care. She wasn't here to be liked. She was here to survive.
When she reached the private elevator that led to Chen Wei's office, the doors slid open as if he had been expecting her.
He sat behind his massive desk, looking as cold and unreadable as ever. The entire office was made of glass, offering a breathtaking view of the city, but there was nothing warm about the space. Just like the man himself.
"You're late."
His voice was calm, but the sharp edge beneath it sent a chill down her spine.
Xinyi lifted her chin. "I wasn't aware I was on a schedule."
Chen Wei's lips curved slightly, but there was no amusement in his eyes. He leaned back in his chair, watching her like a predator studying his prey.
"From now on, you are. As my fiancée, you will attend events with me, make public appearances, and behave accordingly."
Xinyi crossed her arms. "Behave accordingly? Are you planning to train me like one of your employees?"
Chen Wei stood up and walked toward her, his towering figure making her instinctively take a step back.
"Not an employee, Xinyi. A wife."
Her breath hitched as he reached out, fingers brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. The touch was light, almost gentle, but the meaning behind it was anything but.
"I don't need a real wife," he murmured. "But I need someone the world will believe is mine."
Xinyi swallowed hard, forcing herself to hold his gaze. This was all just a performance. He didn't want love. He wanted control.
She wouldn't fall into his trap.
"Fine," she said. "But let's make one thing clear—I won't be your puppet. If you want me to act like your fiancée, I expect the same from you."
A flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes. "Are you giving me orders, Lin Xinyi?"
"I'm setting boundaries, Chen Wei."
For a second, she thought he might actually smile. But instead, he stepped back and nodded toward the desk.
"There's a gala tonight. You'll come with me."
Xinyi tensed. She had been in high society long enough to know what that meant. The public debut of their engagement. The wolves would be watching, waiting for her to fail.
But she wouldn't.
She straightened her shoulders. "Fine. I'll be ready."
Chen Wei's lips curled slightly. "Good girl."
She ignored the way her stomach twisted at his words and turned on her heels, walking out of his office.
She had sold her soul to the devil himself, but she refused to be his pawn.
If this was a game, she would play it on her own terms.