• Later – Lu Family Estate, Private Office
The atmosphere in the study was suffocating, as if the walls themselves knew what was about to unfold. The rich scent of aged wood and old books did nothing to ease the pressure weighing down on Xie Lu's shoulders. He stood in silence, hands folded behind his back, posture still sharp despite the exhaustion in his eyes.
Across from him sat Lu Zhong, the formidable patriarch of the Lu family. His expression was as unyielding as stone—eyes sharp, lips pressed in a hard line. The room seemed colder under his gaze.
To the side stood Jin Lu, the perfect image of a concerned elder brother—except for the flicker of triumph hidden behind his well-crafted worry.
"Father," Jin began smoothly, breaking the silence, "I don't believe Xie is capable of continuing in his current role. I've tried to handle it quietly, but… It's getting worse."
Lu Zhong's eyes narrowed, fixed on Jin.
"What do you mean? Worse, how?"
"His mental health," Jin said quickly, as if the words had been rehearsed. "He's unstable, unpredictable. Just yesterday, there was an incident. He lashed out violently at a staff member, unprovoked. I'm genuinely worried about his condition… and the company's reputation."
Lu Zhong turned sharply toward Xie Lu, suspicion gleaming in his eyes.
"Xie. Is there truth to this?"
Xie Lu met his father's gaze, his voice calm but hollow.
"I don't know what he's talking about. I haven't done anything to be called unstable. He's saying nonsense, "I've given my all to this company—you know that."
Jin cut in, his tone firm.
"With respect, Father… I have proof."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small flash drive, holding it with an air of finality, like he was offering irrefutable truth.
"It's all here. Security footage. No edits, no tricks. You'll see the attack. The dissociative episode. Everything. He needs help… needs to get treatment."
He stepped forward and placed the drive gently on the desk, as though presenting evidence to a judge.
Xie felt the sting in his chest, but his face remained unreadable. This was the script. He had no choice but to play his part—for her sake.
Lu Zhong's gaze lingered on the flash drive, then slowly returned to Xie.
"I'll see it for myself. If what you say is true…"
He didn't finish the sentence. He didn't have to.
The silence that followed was louder than any words spoken.
Lu Zhong motioned silently toward the laptop on his desk. Jin inserted the flash drive and played the footage.
The screen flickered to life. Xie Lu was seen in his office, seemingly calm. Then J entered with the wine. The bottle "accidentally" dropped, staining Xie's shirt. A beat later, Xie grabbed a knife and lunged, stabbing J in the abdomen. The camera captured J's fall, the blood, the panic—and Jin's dramatic entrance to "save" the day.
Lu Zhong's jaw tightened. He paused it and he commanded.
The video froze on the image of Xie Lu standing over J, expressionless. Lu Zhong slowly turned to his younger son. "Xie… What the hell is the meaning of this?
Xie Lu lowered his gaze, playing into the narrative he had no choice but to accept. "I… I don't remember doing it," he said quietly, voice shaken but calculated. I hear about things I've done, but I don't remember them." It's a false accusation
Are you saying I'm….mentally unstable?" his father asked, his voice gruff with disbelief.
Are you trying you're …not mentally unstable?" his father asked, his voice gruff with disbelief. Jin stepped in quickly. "Father, I've been suspicious for some time. I consulted a private psychiatrist. Dissociative Identity Disorder. It explains the erratic behaviour—the lost time, the mood swings. He's not safe to run the company like this."
Jin Lu's voice carried a calm, deceptive concern as he faced their father.
"Father… he's not emotionally stable anymore. Maybe it's the pressure—years of overwork, mental exhaustion. But if we don't act now… I fear it'll escalate to something worse. He has already injured someone with a knife. I didn't believe the rumours at first—staff saying he's been throwing things, yelling—but I witnessed it myself." He paused for effect, casting a careful glance toward Xie Lu.
"And if we don't get him help soon... who knows what he'll do next?" This was the time to lash out at his brother in front of his father
---
That was the moment Xie Lu snapped. Or rather, acted like he did.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TRYING TO PULL, HUH?!" he scouted, his voice echoing in the room. Before anyone could react, he launched at Jin Lu, pinning him to the ground and pressing by the collar. His hands pressed down on his brother's throat, his eyes wild with fury.
"YOU LYING PIECE OF SHIT! He shouted
Jin gasped dramatically, struggling beneath him.
"S-Stop! Xie—control yourself!" "GUARDS!" Lu Zhong called, rage contorting his face.
Two guards stormed into the room, freezing in shock at the scene before them.
"WHAT ARE YOU STANDING THERE FOR?! GRAB HIM—NOW!"The guards rushed forward, but Xie was too strong. With a violent shove, he broke free and launched at Jin again. "YOU MOTHERFUCKER! I'LL END YOU RIGHT HERE!
It took a third guard to finally pin him down. Even as they restrained him, Xie thrashed like a madman, roaring, spitting, eyes blazing with wrath. It was all an act. A desperate performance to save the one person who mattered.
Jin staggered up from the floor, breathing heavily, playing his part."Father… this… this is what I was afraid of. He needs treatment. This isn't just stress. He's not the same."Lu Zhong stared at Xie Lu with a mix of shock and revulsion. Everything he'd seen pointed to one truth: his son had lost control.
"Enough," Lu Zhong said coldly.
"Admit him to the hospital. Immediately. Until his condition stabilises. I never expected this from you, Xie…"
Xie didn't speak. A wave of sadness hit him like a tide, but he kept his expression blank. He had to hold on. For her.
Lu Zhong turned to the guards. "Take him away. I don't want to see him again. He's an embarrassment to the Lu family. Strip Xie of his title before he's admitted. I won't have our name stained any further"
The guards dragged him toward the door, Jin spoke up—mockingly quiet.
"Well done." Xie heard it. It cut through him like a blade. But he gritted his teeth and swallowed the pain. He couldn't react. Not yet. Not until she was safe.
"Jin," Lu Zhong continued, wiping his hands of the matter.
"You'll take over the company immediately."Jin bowed slightly, masking his glee behind a solemn expression."Of course, Father. I'll take care of everything."He turned to Xie one last time, giving him a subtle smile. Everything in his expression screamed:
We did it, Victory tasted sweet.
Xie Lu remained silent, his wrists gripped tightly by the guards, his fate seemingly sealed. But inside, he made a silent vow.
This isn't over.
And just like that—Xie Lu fell from power. Later
Arrival at the Asylum – Nightfall: The black car pulled up in front of the looming building. It stood like a silent monster, grey and lifeless under the pale blue moonlight. The word "Lu Psychological Rehabilitation Centre" was engraved in cold stone above the iron gates. How ironic, Xie Lu thought bitterly—his family owned the place, and Jin was in its care
The guards didn't even ask questions. They knew who he was. Or maybe they only knew who Jin Lu told them he was now—just a man who had lost his mind. The door opened, and two orderlies stepped forward.
"This is the patient?" one of them asked without emotion, giving a stiff look "Yes," the driver confirmed. "Under family authority."
Some male nurses came in—huge, figures that looked more like monsters than medical staff. One of them grabbed Xie Lu's arm roughly, not with restraint, but with the indifference of handling a thing, not a person. Without a word, they snapped cold steel cuffs around his wrists. Xie Lu didn't resist. He simply stared blankly ahead, eyes burning with quiet determination. Not yet… Not until Xiao Si is safe. I have to see this through.
They dragged him into a sterile examination room and shoved him through the door. He nearly stumbled, catching himself at the last second. One of the men barked at him."Clothes are in the locker. Change up. Hurry. You've got your check-up, piece of shit."
Xie said nothing, glancing at the locker. Inside was a set of white medical clothes—clean but eerily clinical, like what surgeons wore in the OR but in white colour. With his hands still cuffed, it was difficult to undress, but he managed, his movements slow and mechanical. Just as he was removing his shirt, a man walked in. Xie looked up, startled. The stranger stared at him with a lifeless expression, eyes devoid of anything human. "Hey, I'm changing. Can't you see?" Xie said, frowning.
Then he realized—it was the doctor.
The man spoke in a disturbingly flat tone: "Hm, you've got good body features… and a pretty face. That'll be attractive to the customers." The words hit like ice water. Customers? The doctor turned toward the door. "Hurry up. I don't have time to waste on you." And with that, he left.
Xie stood frozen. What the hell did he just say? Customers? His gut twisted. The people here were more than corrupt—they were insane. Once changed, he stepped into the main room. The doctor was sitting behind a metal desk. "Take off the clothes. Full check-up."Xie glared at him with disbelief. Slowly, grinding his teeth, he removed the gown again. The doctor examined him with clinical detachment."Don't have anything down there? He asked, scribbling on a clipboard. "Some kind of disease?" Had I not known what kind of," Xie replied flatly, his voice cold.
After several more prodding checks, the doctor muttered while flipping through a file, "Hm. Married… developed Dissociative Identity Disorder suddenly. Explains the erratic behaviour. Ironic. Hope you find some peace in here."
No reaction. Just silence.
Xie changed back and walked out, where the same two orderlies were waiting. One grabbed him by the back of the collar.
"Let's go, pretty face." He'd had enough. "Get your hand off me. I'm walking, aren't I?" They only laughed. "Haha—sorry, sorry. Let's take you to your room. Oh yeah—welcome to hell.
Xie shot them a deadly glare but kept walking. He wouldn't waste energy—not yet.