The banquet buzzed with chatter and laughter, but Lin Xinyi could feel the weight of Mo Yichen's gaze on her. Cold, unreadable, and sharp enough to pierce through her soul.
She lowered her eyes, steadying her breath. In her past life, she had been too insignificant to ever stand in his line of sight. But now… now everything was different.
Her father, Lin Jianhong, beamed as he guided her toward a group of businessmen. "Xinyi, greet Mr. Chen properly. You'll be married soon, after all."
Her stomach twisted, but she forced a smile. Chen Yuze stood there, smug and charming, as if her rejection earlier had never happened. He reached out as though to claim her hand.
But before his fingers could touch her, another hand intervened.
Strong. Cold. Possessive.
Mo Yichen's tall frame loomed between them, his deep voice slicing through the room like a blade.
"She's with me."
Gasps erupted among the guests. All eyes turned, shocked at the audacity of the city's most feared man.
Lin Xinyi blinked, her heart skipping a beat. With him?
Chen Yuze's smile cracked, his face paling. "President Mo… what do you mean by this?"
Mo Yichen's gaze never wavered. "Exactly what I said." He turned slightly, his dark eyes locking onto hers, unreadable yet burning with an intensity that made her breath hitch. "Lin Xinyi belongs to me."
The room went silent. No one dared speak.
Lin Xinyi's heart pounded wildly, but then—like lightning—a thought struck her.
This… this was it. The chance she had prayed for.
If she aligned herself with Mo Yichen, even in name only, she would never again be at the mercy of her treacherous family or her ex-fiancé. He was untouchable. With him, no one could harm her.
And if fate wanted to rewrite her story, then she would seize it with both hands.
Her lips curved into a faint smile as she lifted her chin. "Yes. I am with President Mo."
The whispers exploded instantly, spreading like wildfire across the hall.
Mo Yichen's expression didn't change, but the flicker of approval in his eyes was unmistakable. He leaned closer, his voice so low only she could hear.
"You're bold, Miss Lin. But boldness has a price. Are you prepared to pay it?"
Her pulse quickened. She met his gaze, unflinching.
"As long as it keeps me alive… I'll pay anything."
His thin lips curved slightly, the first hint of a smile. "Then, Lin Xinyi, from this moment forward—you are my wife. In secret."