Location: NovaVerse Executive Tower – Singapore
The tension inside the NovaVerse Tower had thickened to a breaking point.
Despite Tang Xinyi's rescue and the global launch of NovaBank, Bai Chen now found himself walking a tightrope. His empire was booming, yes, but behind closed doors, the cracks were showing. The harem dynamic was no longer smooth—the women closest to him were all starting to burn with quiet fire.
And somewhere in the shadows…
Black Nine was ready to strike back.
System Alert: Undetected Threat Identified
⚠️ Security Warning: System Flag — "Silent Needle" Protocol
Detected: Altered chemical compound in NovaVerse lounge wine stock
Origin: Unknown
Target: High-ranking female executive
Status: Active within 48 hours
Scene: Strategy Hall, 14th Floor
Bai Chen gathered the core women of his circle: Su Yiran, Ye Qingyue, Lin Yuwei, and even the still-recovering Tang Xinyi, now walking again with the help of a sleek medical exosuit.
"Someone inside our building is trying to poison one of you," he said bluntly.
Yuwei narrowed her eyes. "Poison?"
Qingyue immediately accessed the internal surveillance feeds on her tablet.
Su Yiran folded her arms. "You think Black Nine infiltrated us again?"
"It's not just infiltration," Bai Chen said. "It's psychological warfare. They're targeting you to get to me."
Xinyi looked up. "Then use me as bait."
Everyone turned.
She straightened her back. "They think I'm the weakest link. Let them."
Bai Chen's fists clenched. "Absolutely not."
But Qingyue gave her a slow nod. "She has a point."
System Prompt
🔥 Mission Triggered: "Poisoned Gifts"
Objective: Identify assassin within NovaVerse's internal staff
Method: Simulated party event – Recreate the poison deployment scenario
Risk: One female lead may be harmed if identification fails
💡 Suggested: Deploy Tang Xinyi as misdirection
Reward: Reveal of mole + Enhanced Trust Buff from chosen lead
Scene: The Masquerade Trap
To draw out the mole, NovaVerse hosted a charity masquerade gala, open only to top investors and executives.
Tang Xinyi wore a flowing silver gown and porcelain mask, her soft hair braided over one shoulder. The illusion of innocence made her the perfect bait.
Bai Chen stood at the entrance, shaking hands with guests, eyes flicking constantly.
Lin Yuwei mingled with the crowd, pretending to drink.
Su Yiran danced with a suspicious Middle Eastern banker.
Ye Qingyue watched silently from a private booth, scanning thermal profiles.
🧠 Shenhao Boost Activated: Social Radar – Detect increased heart rate, micro-expressions, and breathing patterns
Time ticked. The wine servers moved. The poisoned glass was placed.
Then—
A gloved hand reached for it.
Not Tang Xinyi's.
It was Ye Qingyue.
She had stood up from her booth. Unaware. Distracted.
The glass was already at her lips.
Bai Chen Moves
In one fluid motion, Bai Chen swept across the ballroom. With a loud crash, he smacked the wineglass from Qingyue's hand. The glass shattered.
The crowd gasped.
Ye Qingyue blinked. "Chen—?"
"Don't drink that," he said through gritted teeth.
Her eyes widened as she realized. "So they were after me…"
A waiter dropped his tray and tried to flee.
Too late.
Su Yiran kicked the man's leg out from behind, slamming him to the floor. Guards rushed in, pinning him.
✅ Poison Source Identified
🎯 Mole Captured: Undercover Black Nine agent, disguised as catering staff
💎 Bonus Unlocked:
– Trust Boost with Ye Qingyue +10%
– Media Reputation: "CEO Bai Saves Heiress at Gala"
– Hidden Intel: Black Nine's Next Location – Rome
Aftermath – Qingyue's Office, Midnight
She sat alone, staring at the ruined gown and the wine stain on the floor.
Bai Chen entered quietly.
"You okay?" he asked.
She didn't look at him.
"You said you'd protect us all," she whispered. "But I… I let myself believe I was untouchable."
"You're not just one of them, Qingyue," he said, approaching slowly. "You're the brain behind this entire empire. And you were nearly gone in one sip."
She turned, eyes blazing—not with anger, but fear.
"I was scared," she admitted. "Not of dying… but of never hearing you say what you truly feel."
Silence stretched between them.
He took a step closer.
"Then let me say it," Bai Chen murmured. "You weren't a tool. You weren't just a strategist. You became something… dangerous."
Qingyue whispered, "To you?"
"No. To my heart."
Their eyes locked.
Then… she kissed him.
Fierce. Desperate. Real.
System Update
💘 Romance Event Completed – Ye Qingyue
💞 Intimacy Level: Unlocked
💎 Trait Gained: "Strategic Bond" – +25% effectiveness in high-level missions with Ye Qingyue present
🌸 Relationship Status: Love Confirmed – Ye Qingyue
Final Scene – War Council Reconvenes
The next morning, the team reconvened.
Bai Chen stood at the head of the table, voice calm.
"We've confirmed Black Nine's European division is regrouping in Rome."
Su Yiran nodded. "What's the move?"
"Simple," Bai Chen said.
"We go to war."