Chapter 7 - Chapter 7 – Ambush

The car screeched to a halt outside her family villa. Lin Xinyi reached for the door. "I'll go alone." Mo Yichen's hand blocked her. "Your father invited me too. Do you think I'd let you walk into their trap unarmed?" She froze. "Trap?" Before he could answer, the villa doors burst open. Lin Ruoyi—her half-sister—strode out, face full of false sweetness. "Sister! You didn't tell us you were seeing President Mo." Flashes blinded them—paparazzi again. Dozens of cameras, all aimed at her. Lin Xinyi's stomach dropped. Set up. Ruoyi's smile sharpened. "So it's true. Father, did you know? Your daughter's been hiding her affair with President Mo while still engaged to Chen Yuze!" Gasps, murmurs, accusations—chaos. Lin Xinyi's fists trembled. "That's a lie!" But Chen Yuze stepped forward, face pale with rage. "Xinyi, I can't believe you'd humiliate me like this. You dare cheat on me with him?" The reporters erupted, voices overlapping. Mo Yichen moved instantly. His arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against him. His glare silenced the crowd. "Enough," his voice was ice. "She's not cheating. She's my wife." The world froze. Her father staggered back. Chen Yuze's face turned white. Ruoyi's smirk vanished. Reporters screamed questions, flashes blinding. Lin Xinyi's breath caught, her body rigid in his hold. Wife? He'd just made it real. Her voice trembled. "Why would you say that—" Mo Yichen bent close, his whisper sharp. "Because letting them control the story means you lose. With me, you win." Her heart thundered. But was she really winning… or falling deeper into a game she couldn't escape?