The moment Lin Xinyi ended the call, she knew one thing Lu Yifan wasn't bluffing.
Her fingers tightened around her phone as her mind raced. If Lu Yifan was bold enough to threaten her outright, that meant he was already making his next move.
And Chen Wei wasn't here.
She turned toward the door. She needed to warn him.
But just as she reached for the handle a shadow moved behind her.
Too late.
A cloth covered her mouth. The scent was sharp chloroform.
Her body fought back, but her vision blurred, darkness pulling her under.
The last thing she saw was the glint of a man's watch.
The first thing Xinyi felt when she woke up was the cold.
Her wrists were tied. Her ankles, too.
The second thing she felt was fear.
She forced her eyes open. A dimly lit room. Concrete walls. The scent of dust and leather.
And then Lu Yifan.
Sitting across from her, completely at ease, a wine glass in hand.
"Awake, Miss Lin?" His voice was smooth, like silk wrapped around a knife.
Xinyi's jaw clenched. "What do you want?"
Lu Yifan smiled. "Straight to the point. I like that." He set the glass down, leaning forward. "It's simple, really. I want Chen Wei to kneel."
Xinyi's heart pounded.
Kneel?
Lu Yifan chuckled. "Your fiancé is arrogant, isn't he? Always acting untouchable. But even kings have weaknesses." His gaze sharpened. "And you… you are his greatest one."
Her stomach twisted. So this was his plan.
Leverage. Use her to break Chen Wei.
But Chen Wei wouldn't bend. He never had. He never would.
And that's what scared her the most.
Lu Yifan stood, slowly walking toward her.
"You know," he murmured, "it doesn't have to be this way."
Xinyi kept her glare firm. "Spare me your games."
He smirked. "Fine. Let's speak plainly. I want Chen Wei's empire. His power. His position. And you, Miss Lin… you are the key to his destruction."
She forced herself to stay calm. "So what? You'll use me as bait?"
Lu Yifan chuckled. "Oh, no. You're far more valuable than that."
He leaned in, whispering, "Be mine."
Xinyi's breath caught.
Be his?
Lu Yifan smiled. "Marry me instead."
Her mind went blank. What?!
"You're beautiful, intelligent. The perfect CEO's wife." His fingers trailed along the armrest beside her. "Why waste yourself on a man who will only bring you pain?"
Xinyi's pulse roared in her ears. This man was insane.
She forced herself to laugh. "Do you really think I'd betray Chen Wei for you?"
Lu Yifan's expression darkened.
"I think," he said slowly, "you don't understand the situation you're in."
His hand lifted, grazing her cheek.
Xinyi didn't flinch.
Because at that moment, the door behind him burst open.
The air shifted.
Cold. Dangerous. Lethal.
And standing in the doorway Chen Wei.
Dressed in all black, his presence swallowed the room. His eyes murderous.
The moment their gazes met, something inside Xinyi shattered.
Relief.
He came for her.
Chen Wei's voice was like ice. "Let. Her. Go."
Lu Yifan sighed, shaking his head. "Chen Wei, you're always so dramatic."
Chen Wei didn't blink. Didn't breathe.
Then he moved.
Fast.
One second, Lu Yifan was smirking. The next he was slammed against the wall.
Xinyi gasped.
Chen Wei's grip was tight around Lu Yifan's throat, his knuckles white.
This wasn't a warning.
It was a death sentence.
"You put your hands on her," Chen Wei murmured. "That was your first mistake."
Lu Yifan coughed, but his smirk didn't fade. "Kill me, and you'll regret it."
Chen Wei's grip tightened.
Xinyi's breath caught. He was serious.
He wasn't going to stop.
And if he killed Lu Yifan here there would be no turning back.
"Chen Wei." Her voice was quiet. But he heard it.
His gaze flickered to her. Wild. Untamed.
"Let him go," she whispered.
A long silence.
Then his grip loosened.
Lu Yifan dropped to the floor, coughing violently.
Chen Wei didn't spare him a second glance. His only concern was Xinyi.
In two strides, he was in front of her, untying her restraints. His hands were shaking.
The moment she was free, she collapsed into his chest.
And he held her.
Tightly.
Like letting go wasn't an option.
"Are you hurt?" His voice was rough.
She shook her head.
But his body didn't relax. His anger was still there, burning beneath his skin.
And Lu Yifan knew it.
Still gasping for air, he chuckled. "So touching."
Chen Wei's jaw clenched. One more word, and he'd snap.
Lu Yifan wiped his mouth. "This isn't over."
Chen Wei's gaze was lethal. "No. It isn't."