Lu Chen's public "disabling" of Zhao Yuhang's wrist spread through every gossip corner of Feichi Group like the swiftest of messengers. What had once been merely astonishing—the thirty-million-dollar deal with Jiang Wanxing—now paled beside his brutally efficient humiliation of the arrogant rich heir Zhao Yuhang, trampled like a dead dog underfoot. Overnight, this reborn man inspired in everyone a bone-deep reverence…and an abiding fear.
No one dared whisper judgments behind his back, nor cast those "pretty face" or "lucky kid" glances at him. The instant anyone's eyes met his, they looked away or plastered on a flattering smile to hide their trepidation. Lu Chen reveled in this worshipful fear—for the first time, he truly tasted the incomparable thrill of power!
Of course, he knew this was only the beginning. A spiteful playboy like Zhao Yuhang would not let this pass. And that despicable worm Wang Hai was surely scheming more insidious revenge. But Lu Chen was no longer the meek ant to be crushed at will. With the "Heart-Hunting Spectrum," he could fathom every deceit of the human heart. No matter the obstacles or conspiracies ahead, he believed he could, like the finest hunter, dismantle them calmly—and force any who opposed him to pay the most painful price.
As afternoon edged toward quitting time, his personal phone vibrated. An unfamiliar number. He answered, and on the other end came a mature, cello-rich voice—husky, magnetic, penetrating. It was Jiang Wanxing.
"Lu Chen," she purred with just the right measure of languid command, "seven o'clock tonight. Top floor of Yunding Tiangong, Private Banquet Hall No. 6. Be there."
She hung up before he could respond. Lu Chen's lips curved into an almost diabolical smile, tinged with compassion. The "Ice Queen" who once froze every man with her aloofness had been utterly…captured by his fearless blend of domination and tenderness. Tonight's "private thank-you" banquet would be far more than mere gratitude.
Yunding Tiangong was Star City's most exclusive—and secretive—private club. Only the true power brokers and hidden tycoons of the province entered here. Every suite offered panoramic city views; every dish was crafted by Michelin three-star chefs from the rarest ingredients; each staff member, trained to imperial standards, possessed angelic looks, devilish figures, and could provide…anything you could imagine, and what you couldn't. Naturally, such luxury commanded an astronomical price: no six-figure budget, no right to order. Booking the off-limits Supreme VIP Halls with private terraces and hot-spring pools required a net worth in the tens of millions—and the deepest connections.
When Lu Chen arrived in his only decent but bargain-basement suit, every attendant and guard fixed him with looks of scrutiny and thinly veiled disdain. "Good evening, sir. Reservation?" asked a tall manager, polite yet dripping doubt. Lu Chen ignored the classist tone and gave only three words: "Jiang Wanxing."
Instantly, the manager's courteous smile froze, replaced by shock and awe. He bowed nearly to the floor. "A guest of President Jiang! Please, Mr. Lu, follow me—she's waiting for you in Hall No. 6 on the top floor."
A faint smile touched Lu Chen's lips. He enjoyed the tiger-repelling might of a single woman's name. In the VIP elevator—fit for a five-star presidential suite—he rose unimpeded to the pinnacle: Private Banquet Hall No. 6.
Silence reigned. Thick carpets muffled footsteps. Priceless antiques and modern art lined the walls. A richer, more intoxicating fragrance—exotic blooms, top-shelf cigars, aged wine—filled the air.
The massive rosewood doors swung open to twin hostesses in modified qipaos that accentuated every curve. Their smiles could ensnare any man. In soft Wu dialect they chimed, "Mr. Lu, welcome. President Jiang has been expecting you." With hands as smooth as white jade, they ushered him inside.
At that moment, a tide of scent—rare red wine, premium cigar spice, and the intoxicating musk of a mature woman—washed over Lu Chen, engulfing his senses like a gentle yet relentless wave. It was a paradise of desire capable of driving any man to madness…and a tender snare destined to trap the faint-hearted forever.
He steadied himself, adjusting his slightly tight suit, and stepped in with unwavering poise into the intimate hunting ground he would share with Jiang Wanxing.
The hall was larger than expected—almost a small ballroom. A massive round table for twenty held crystal wine glasses, gleaming silverware, and unidentified bottles whose designs spoke of immense value. To one side, a handsome young bartender in tails mixed vibrant cocktails; to the other, a golden-haired beauty in an off-shoulder gown played a classical piano piece that moved Lu Chen's soul.
Lighting was dim and suggestive, save for a giant crystal chandelier casting warm, amber light that bathed the scene in a dreamlike glow. Beneath that glow reclined the sole heroine of tonight's banquet—Jiang Wanxing.
Gone was her austere black suit, replaced by a silk burgundy slip gown designed to ignite obsession. Spaghetti straps clung to swanlike shoulders, revealing smooth skin and a valley of desire. The bodice hugged her curves; a high slit exposed perfect ivory legs in black lace thigh-highs and burgundy heels. Her smoky eyes gleamed with liquor and anticipation; her flame-red lips parted in a lethal invitation. One hand propped her porcelain forehead, the other swirled a ruby glass of top-tier red, her gaze drifting across floor-to-ceiling windows at the world at her feet.
Then Lu Chen entered her view. Her eyes sparked—brilliant as stars, fierce as flames—with surprise, longing, and a shy possessiveness she hadn't known she felt.
"Lu Chen…you came." Her voice, deepened by wine and emotion, was irresistibly magnetic. She rose, the silk gown clinging to every curve, and approached him with the grace—and danger—of a stalking panther. Each step struck his heart like thunder, catching his breath. This woman…so bewitching, so seductive, so perilous!
Lu Chen stifled the tremor her beauty-trap had ignited. A composed smile of admiration and challenge graced his lips. He knew tonight's "private thank-you" banquet was fated to be a thrilling battle of wills—and the crucial showdown that would shape both his destiny and his fate with the Ice Queen herself.