The banquet was dazzling.
Crystal chandeliers sparkled like a thousand stars.
The Gu family had spared no expense.
Yue Xinyan glided through the crowd, flawless, every eye following her.
She carried her plan like a weapon.
Chen Yuxi stood near the terrace, her mind alert, the system humming silently in her head.
She hadn't planned to attend the banquet, but Lin Guo had insisted.
"Keep close," he had said.
"Observe. Learn. Survive."
Yue Xinyan approached Lin Guo quietly.
"Dinner is almost over," she murmured, sliding a small, velvet vial into his champagne glass when no one was looking.
Just a little… harmless… aphrodisiac.
She smirked faintly.
Tonight, he'll have no choice… and I'll finally claim him.
Lin Guo raised the glass.
Touched it lightly.
Paused.
And then—
He set it aside.
Yuxi, from across the room, raised a brow.
System, detect anomaly.
"Chemical presence detected. Trace neutralized."
Yuxi blinked.
He already knew.
Meanwhile, Yue Xinyan's smile faltered slightly.
She'd expected success.
Instead… nothing.
Lin Guo turned, catching Yuxi's gaze.
A faint, knowing smile tugged at his lips.
So she tried… but failed.
Hours passed, the banquet winding down.
Guests departed.
The chandeliers dimmed.
Yue Xinyan's plan had failed entirely.
But one thing remained—Lin Guo wasn't going home yet.
He glanced at Yuxi, his expression sharp.
"You're leaving now," he said quietly.
Her heartbeat skipped.
"I… was going to wait for the car," she replied.
He shook his head.
"Come with me."
The drive was silent, the city lights blurring outside.
When they reached the villa, it was empty—quiet.
Too quiet.
Lin Guo's hand brushed hers—not touching, but close enough to burn.
"You shouldn't be alone tonight," he said.
Her mind raced.
Is he… offering protection… or something else?
The moment she turned to reply, he stepped closer.
Closer than ever.
And in a blink, a kiss landed.
Not gentle. Not testing.
Dominant. Commanding.
And it ignored all the rules she had set in her mind.
Her system went quiet.
Nothing could process this.
Hours later…
Yuxi awoke, disheveled, heart racing.
She wasn't alone.
Lin Guo was beside her—calm, perfectly composed, as if nothing had happened.
Her eyes widened.
He… he slept with me?
The realization hit like a thunderclap.
Yue Xinyan's plan backfired completely.
And now… Lin Guo owns this moment. Not her.
Lin Guo opened one eye, smirking faintly.
"You're awake," he murmured.
Yuxi blinked, words catching in her throat.
"Why…?"
"Because," he said softly, leaning just close enough to make her pulse race,
"you were the only one I wanted tonight."
Her mind spun.
He… he didn't drink the drug. He knew. He…
And now…
Her thoughts betrayed her.
This man… is impossible.
Lin Guo smiled faintly, closing his eyes again.
"Sleep. You'll need your strength tomorrow. The Gu family… will not be gentle."
Yuxi's heart raced.
Part fear.
Part something else…
Something she didn't fully understand yet.