The chamber remained thick with the lingering scent of incense, though its effect had weakened after burning for so long. The heavy fragrance that once filled the air was gradually fading, leaving only a faint trace that tugged at the senses but no longer held power over those present. Ethan Li stood calmly, his expression unreadable, as if the incense had never existed at all. Beside him, Lila Chen remained composed, her posture straight and elegant. Her silver needles had already been safely tucked away, the battle long finished, yet her eyes still held that sharp, piercing focus that made the room feel tense and alive.
The two men who had tried to corner her earlier—Zhang Wei and Liang Jun—lay helplessly on the ground, their bodies stiff from the precise strikes she had delivered. Around them, the other men who had followed them sprawled across the floor, groaning, struggling to move, each subtly reminded of the consequences of arrogance. Their earlier confidence had vanished like smoke. The trembling waitress, who had swallowed Vivian's vial and obeyed orders under fear, cowered beside them, her hands pressed against her knees.
The once lively banquet room had fallen into an uneasy silence. Many guests had rushed upstairs after hearing a mysterious commotion. In truth, it was Vivian who had deliberately brought them there. Earlier, she had moved among the crowds below with a charming, mischievous smile, whispering that there would be a free show upstairs—something so sensational that no one would want to miss it. Curiosity spread quickly. Some followed in a small cluster, whispering excitedly; others alerted paparazzi eager for a scandal. Within minutes, the group had filled the corridor outside the chamber, eager to witness the spectacle Vivian promised.
But the scene they encountered was not the one Vivian had imagined. Instead of Lila trapped, humiliated, and cornered, they witnessed the impossible: the calm, controlled dominance of Lila Chen, standing untouchable at the center of the room.
Vivian stood frozen near the doorway, her face drained of color. Her carefully orchestrated plan had collapsed entirely. Just moments ago, she had been certain that Lila would be disgraced, that every eye would see her humiliated. But now… everything had turned against her.
Ethan Li's gaze shifted sharply toward the trembling waitress who had guided Lila upstairs. His voice was calm, but every syllable carried a subtle weight that tightened the air around them.
"Who told you to do it?"
The waitress's body trembled violently. She fell to her knees, her face pale. "Lord Ethan… please forgive me!" she cried, her voice shaking. "I—I was only following orders! I didn't want to…" Her trembling finger pointed directly at Vivian.
"It was Miss Vivian who asked me to do it!"
Gasps spread through the room. Vivian's eyes widened, disbelief and panic warring in her expression. Before she could even form a word, footsteps echoed sharply in the corridor.
The door swung open forcefully. Mr. Chen rushed inside, the noise of hurried steps announcing his presence long before he reached the chamber. He had heard the commotion and hurried upstairs, only to find a chaotic scene waiting for him. His sharp gaze swept across the room: the frightened waitress, the subdued thugs, and the men lying stiffly on the ground—Zhang Wei, Liang Jun, and the others who had accompanied them. Finally, his eyes landed on Vivian. Understanding dawned instantly.
Without a single word, he strode forward.
Smack!
The sound of the slap rang sharply through the room. Vivian's head snapped to the side. The force left a bright red mark on her cheek, which began swelling immediately. Shock froze her in place.
"You! How dare you!" Mr. Chen thundered, his voice echoing in the chamber. "Humiliating your sister… on my birthday!"
Mrs. Chen stepped forward, her usual polished anger flaring. "Lila Chen! How dare you humiliate my daughter like this—"
"Enough!" Mr. Chen's voice cut sharply. Mrs. Chen froze mid-step.
He turned toward her, his face dark with fury. "Watch your words," he said coldly. "She is your daughter, yes—but she is also my daughter."
His gaze flickered toward Lila, who met it calmly, and then back to Mrs. Chen.
"For years, I trusted you to manage this household," he continued, his tone steady but heavy with disappointment. "I believed everything was peaceful under this roof… but it seems I was wrong. I was not aware of what Lila has been going through in the Chen family house."
The room grew even quieter. Mrs. Chen's expression stiffened. Vivian's heart skipped a beat.
"If I had known earlier that things had reached this point," Mr. Chen said slowly, "this situation would never have happened tonight."
Lila said nothing. Her calm presence alone carried more weight than any words. Mr. Chen took a steadying breath before regaining full composure.
"What has happened has already happened," he said finally. Turning respectfully toward Ethan Li, he added, "Lord Ethan… I will take these men and deal with them myself. I will take Zhang Wei and Liang Jun, along with the others, and the waitress."
He gestured at the men lying on the ground. "This incident happened in the Li Hotel, on my birthday. If I do not discipline them properly, the dignity of the Chen family will be dragged through the mud."
The entire room waited, tense. Ethan remained silent for a moment before giving a slight, approving nod.
"Very well," he said finally.
Relief flashed across Mr. Chen's face. He turned toward his bodyguards. "Take them away."
The guards immediately stepped forward. They lifted Zhang Wei, Liang Jun, the other men, and the terrified waitress, escorting them from the chamber to face the consequences of their arrogance. The air, though still faintly scented with lingering incense, seemed to clear slightly with their departure.
The guests, who had been watching eagerly for a scandal or performance, began to murmur in confusion. Cameras lowered in disappointment. Slowly, one by one, they left the chamber. Within minutes, the once crowded room was nearly empty, leaving only a small group of witnesses: Ethan Li, Lila Chen, Serena, Derek, Mr. and Mrs. Chen, and Vivian.
Vivian's face was flushed and swollen, but the burning humiliation in her chest was far worse. Slowly, she lifted her head, her eyes locking onto Lila. The hatred in her gaze was unmistakable, sharp enough to cut through steel. Lila met her calmly, a faint, mocking smile curving her lips.
Derek, standing nearby, stiffened as he realized his plans had completely failed. Lila had outwitted them all. Embarrassment and frustration clouded his features. Without another word, he turned and left the room silently, unable to bear the confrontation.
Serena stepped forward and stood beside Lila, a quiet but steadfast presence, offering reassurance in the tension-filled chamber. Ethan glanced once more around the room before speaking, his voice calm but decisive.
"Let's go."
Lila nodded, her movement graceful and deliberate. Together, Ethan, Lila, and Serena walked toward the door. Mr. Chen watched silently, pride and relief mingling in his expression.
As Lila reached the doorway, she paused briefly. Without turning back, she said softly, "Some mistakes… should never be repeated." Then she walked away, leaving behind a room still charged with tension, a room that had witnessed the revelation of a legend.
Vivian remained, her nails digging into her palms, eyes burning with pure hatred. This humiliation… she would never forget it. And she would never forgive Lila Chen.
The night ended not with scandal or disgrace, but with revelation, precision, and authority. Every plan of betrayal, every scheme, had been turned into a testament to Lila's unmatched skill and intelligence. Her name—Bai Xian'er, the legendary doctor—was no longer whispered in secret; it had stepped fully into the light, untouchable and commanding respect.