"Last night’s security was flawless. The moment we discovered the young miss had escaped, we reacted immediately—sealing every exit. Unless she sprouted wings, there’s no way she could’ve left the House of Yu."

The head of Yu security reported to Madam Yu, convinced his actions were beyond reproach. Yet Yuchuge remained missing.

Madam Yu’s glare cut him off. "I’ll say this once more," she warned, each word icy. "Yuchuge didn’t run away. She was *taken*."

Escape versus abduction—two entirely different threats. Madam Yu refused to let that ungrateful daughter jeopardize her standing in the House of Yu.

Twenty-four hours had passed. Not a trace of Yuchuge. No ransom call. Nothing. As if she’d vanished into thin air. *Could someone really have kidnapped her just to stop the wedding?*

Madam Yu mentally scanned Yuchuge’s sparse social circle—parents, servants, no one else. *Who could infiltrate the House of Yu so silently?*

"Who has such power?" she muttered, half-suspecting heaven itself had sent someone to reclaim Yuchuge.

Just then, the butler approached. "Madam, Director Li called again. He wishes to schedule a meeting with you and the master to discuss his engagement to the young miss."

A weary sigh escaped Madam Yu. Her head felt leaden, yet pride stiffened her spine. "Tell Li Feng," she commanded, voice low but sharp, "that after meeting him yesterday, Yuchuge was so overjoyed she slipped in the bath. She injured her leg. She’ll need time to recover."

She added coldly, "Assure him the injury won’t leave lasting damage."

As the butler dialed, shadows deepened in Madam Yu’s eyes. The Li family’s urgency mirrored her own—this marriage was a lifeline for both houses.

***

Across town, Li Feng stared at his phone after the butler’s call.

*"Find a way to make him work for the House of Yu."*

*"Find a way to make the House of Yu work for me."*

He weighed his options. His greatest need—developing that vast plot of land—was precisely what the Yus held over him. If he could secure a partner with a smaller appetite... he could break free.

But the only candidate who fit perfectly was a lunatic.

Wu Fan’s ambiguous smile flashed in his mind, heavy with unspoken desire. *Was this another layer of his act? Or did he truly want to get into bed with me?*

"Damn it!" Li Feng snarled, shattering his polished facade. Beside him, his secretary stirred awake, naked beneath rumpled sheets. The blanket slid down, revealing voluptuous curves.

Li Feng’s gaze locked onto her. He crushed out his cigarette, slapped her firm backside, and gestured impatiently. As she straddled him, the soft curves swaying before his eyes finally dispersed the cloud Wu Fan had cast. *This* was where he belonged—not tangled with some man.

Yet he couldn’t deny Wu Fan’s timing. He’d offered a solution the moment Li Feng needed it most... with himself as part of the package. He’d forced the choice: shattered dignity, or boundless opportunity.

Li Feng’s hands gripped the secretary’s shoulders, driving away the haze. Gazing at the silent night beyond the window, he clenched his jaw. *I’ll never sell myself to a man.*

Pressure on the Yus must intensify. The deal had to happen—now.

***

While schemes unfolded elsewhere, chaos reigned in Mu Yue Ran’s bedroom. The city’s usual nighttime clamor seemed louder tonight.

"This is *my* spot! Get out!" Ji Yueyi jabbed a finger at the space beside Mu Yue Ran’s bed, fiercely claiming the left half. Yuchuge ignored her, sliding smoothly toward the right side.

Ji Yueyi couldn’t tolerate sharing Mu Yue Ran’s sleeping hours. She shoved Yuchuge’s back—but recoiled instantly. The girl’s skin flushed crimson under the slightest pressure. Ji Yueyi crossed her arms, fuming.

Mu Yue Ran lay between them, lips curled in silent delight. *Like an emperor watching his consorts vie for his bed,* she thought, thoroughly entertained.

Until Ji Yueyi turned to her, lower lip trembling. "Sister Yue Ran! Look what you brought home! I always slept with you before!"

*Wait—since when was I ‘bringing her home’ like a stray cat? And weren’t you the one sneaking into my bed every night?*

"I think Xiao Yue is right—" Yuchuge began, turning over. Her eyes, luminous even in the dark, shimmered with unshed tears.

Mu Yue Ran’s breath hitched. The words died on her tongue. *Since when did you learn to do this?!*

*(Blame the certain unnamed books hidden under the sofa. Dolls excel at imitation.)*

Trapped under two pairs of burning eyes, sweat beaded on Mu Yue Ran’s forehead. "I... I need to—"