"Is that Yara Lu?"
"Yes, the very same Yara Lu. Her father, Lu Sinian, was once the wealthiest man in the capital. And her mother..." The speaker lowered their voice, as though sharing a secret too precious to speak aloud. "Her mother was none other than the legendary Xia Si. She was born with a natural fragrance, skilled in both perfumery and medicine. When she passed away, the fragrance in her chambers lingered for three days. She even left behind a rare incense manuscript—her life's work—for her daughter."
"So from the day she was born, Yara carried her mother's legacy. She grew up surrounded by admiration, raised in the splendor of the Lu family. Several of the great houses once sought to arrange marriages with her, each desperate to secure Xia Si's bloodline. But in the end, the daughter of Xia Si was destined for the Fu family."
"Mr. Fu and Miss Lu were childhood sweethearts. Everyone knows how deeply Mr. Fu cherishes her. It's no surprise he's finally marrying her."
"I heard their wedding is approaching. Two powerful families uniting—just imagine the grandeur of that event."
That evening, the Night Club glittered with lights as the woman at the center of it all finally arrived—Yara Lu.
She was stunning, the kind of beauty that silenced conversations the moment she appeared. She slipped off her coat and handed it to a waiter, revealing a black strapless gown sparkling with rhinestones. Her figure was elegant and alluring, every movement practiced and perfect.
"Yara, you're here!" Several young ladies from the city's most prominent families hurried to greet her.
Yara accepted the attention with ease. From the moment of her birth, she had been treated like nobility. The capital's elite had always revolved around her, as though she were the natural center of their world.
A waiter offered her a cocktail. She lifted it gracefully, sipping before speaking with a faint, indulgent smile."I just came from my engagement fitting. The French designer had used rhinestones I didn't like, so I had them replaced. That's why I'm late."
Her casual remark instantly drew envious sighs.
"Yara, your engagement to President Fu is truly the event of the year. From your gown to your veil, even the bouquet—everything is being custom-made. I heard the flowers were flown in directly from the Netherlands!"
"President Fu spoils you endlessly. You only mentioned wanting to come here, and he booked out the entire club just for you."
"That's right. Everyone knows how long President Fu has adored you. Now that he finally has you, he must be the happiest man alive."
The flattery brought a pleased curve to Yara's lips. Yes—everyone in the capital knew Nathaniel Fu was her unwavering knight, and she his princess. He had never once refused her anything.
"By the way, Yara, why hasn't President Fu arrived yet?" someone asked eagerly.
Back then, when the illegitimate son of the Fu family first rose to prominence, he had shocked the city with his brilliance. Now, he stood at the very top of the business world, the dream of countless women.
Yara stirred her drink with her straw, her voice carrying a quiet confidence."Nancheng has been buried in work since he came back. But he promised he would join me tonight. He should be here any moment now."
Almost on cue, a murmur rippled through the crowd:"Yara, President Fu is here!"
Yara looked up. A tall, imposing figure appeared at the doorway—Nathaniel Fu.
He wore a tailored black coat, his broad shoulders still carrying the faint chill of the night air. His presence was commanding, his aura so magnetic that the entire room seemed to hold its breath.
Yara's heart stirred as her gaze lingered on him. He was everything she had ever dreamed—a man who had been devoted to her since childhood. Yet, in that same moment, a trace of unease flickered through her.
Though he stood before her like a knight fulfilling her every wish, there was something in his expression—a shadow of distance, a fleeting frost—that she couldn't ignore.
For just a heartbeat, she wondered: was Nathaniel Fu's heart truly hers alone?
The thought unsettled her more than she cared to admit.