From outside came Mrs. Song's anxious voice."I'm not here to see President Fu. I heard Miss Celia was here, so I just wanted to see her."
"That won't do."
Song Zilin sounded impatient. "Move aside."
The office door swung open, and he stepped in with Mrs. Song following close behind.
Celia had considered slipping into the lounge, but it was too late. She quickly raised a book to cover her face, leaving only her bright, clear eyes visible.
Mrs. Song's gaze fell on her, filled with excitement. She walked forward, her voice trembling."Miss Su… is it really you?"
Celia's heart skipped.
Other than her family, no one knew she was allergic to jasmine—no one, except King, her secret identity as a perfumer. When she had casually mentioned the jasmine incident earlier, Mrs. Song's reaction had betrayed her shock.
She must have put the pieces together.
When Mrs. Song had gone to Rosalie earlier, she had been utterly clueless. That could only mean one thing—Rosalie was an impostor. The real King was here, in front of her: Celia.
Celia lowered her lashes, realizing Mrs. Song had already uncovered the truth. She gave a small, almost imperceptible nod."Yes."
Mrs. Song grew so excited that her words tumbled out in a rush."Miss Su, it's my fault! I was blind enough to mistake someone else for you!"
Song Zilin stared, his expression skeptical. Celia's face was still hidden behind the book, which only fueled his disbelief."Are you kidding me? How could you possibly be King?"
Pa!
Mrs. Song smacked him on the head. "How dare you shout like that? You're nothing but a fool. You've got no eyes, no taste, no sense at all!"
Song Zilin: "…"
Mom, are you scolding me or yourself right now?
She hit him again. "This is your sister! Hurry and call her Sister Celia. From today on, you'd better protect her properly, do you hear me?"
Sister? This country girl? His sister? He wanted none of it.
"Celia, we won't disturb you anymore. We'll be on our way."
Not wanting her face exposed, Celia quickly spoke up, "Young Master Song, Madam Song, goodbye."
Mrs. Song dragged her son toward the door. "Out, you brat!"
Song Zilin's face darkened. He had never liked Celia—this so-called country girl who dared to climb high—and now, the idea that she was King made him even more unwilling to accept her.
But why hide behind a book?
She was acting so secretive. Suspicion gnawed at him.
In a sudden move, he spun back, crossing the room in two strides. He yanked the book from her hands."You're ugly, aren't you? Everyone knows it, so why even bother hiding—"
His words choked off.
The book slipped from his fingers.
Beneath it, Celia's cold, breathtakingly beautiful face was revealed, her sharp yet delicate features stunning him into silence.
Mrs. Song also sucked in a sharp breath, utterly astonished.
Before either could speak further, a low, displeased voice cut through the air.
"What are you doing?"
Nathaniel Fu had returned.
Song Zilin was still gripping Celia's slender wrist, but the man's heavy footsteps echoed across the floor like thunder. As Nathaniel drew near, Zilin flinched as though burned, releasing her at once.
Nathaniel stepped forward, pulling Celia behind him. His narrow, dark eyes locked onto Song Zilin with quiet menace, his lips pressed into a hard line."Second brother."
Song Zilin instinctively lifted his head, but Nathaniel had already shielded the girl completely, his tall frame blocking every angle of her face from view.
"Get out."
The two words, cold and heavy, left no room for argument.