"President Lin, this is an invitation from Shen Group for tonight's banquet."
As Lin Wannian stepped out of the elevator, her assistant handed her a gold-rimmed invitation card.
She glanced at it. Bold words were printed across the top: "Shen Group Appreciation Banquet – Cordially Inviting President Lin Wannian of Lin Group to Attend."
She let out a cold laugh and casually slipped the invitation into her handbag. "He's really good at coming up with excuses."
The assistant hesitated. "President Lin, are you really going? I heard… tonight's banquet isn't just a simple thank-you event."
"What do you mean?"
"There's a rumor that a major announcement will be made at the banquet tonight."
Lin Wannian arched an eyebrow, a mocking smile playing at her lips. "If I don't go, will he not make the announcement?"
"Assuming you don't show up, he might…"
"Then I want to go even more." Her voice was cold and sharp. "I'd love to see what new tricks he has up his sleeve."
——
7:30 PM, Crystal Hall, Shengjing Hotel.
The Shen Group's appreciation banquet was extravagant in every detail. The guest list included top business elites, and the flashes of cameras were endless. Champagne flowed freely, and a red carpet stretched across the lobby. Everything glittered with luxurious grandeur.
Lin Wannian arrived in a perfectly tailored black mermaid gown that accentuated her graceful silhouette. Her long hair was elegantly pinned up, her jewelry shimmering under the lights, and her powerful aura instantly captivated the entire hall.
"President Lin."
"Good evening, President Lin."
"You really came—your reputation precedes you."
She responded with polite smiles, all while subtly scanning the room's layout. As expected, at the center of it all stood Shen Sihan in a deep blue suit—handsome and imposing—exchanging pleasantries with several elder executives.
Their gazes met across the crowd. His lips curled into a confident and provocative smirk.
But Lin Wannian simply smiled faintly, her eyes colder than ever.
"President Lin, may I have a drink with you?"
A familiar male voice sounded beside her. It was Lu Chen, Vice General Manager of Tianheng Capital, and a key partner in an upcoming project.
"Of course." She clinked glasses with him gracefully, her demeanor poised and calm throughout the exchange.
Shen Sihan watched the two of them chat and laugh, and his hands clenched into fists by his sides.
"Ah Han," Old Madam Shen approached slowly. "Wannian is here. You mustn't do anything reckless tonight."
"If she comes back willingly, I'll do nothing," he replied coolly. "But if she keeps running from me like this, then I'll make sure the whole world knows—she still belongs to me."
The old lady furiously knocked his hand with her cane. "You scoundrel!"
——
8:00 PM sharp, the banquet officially began.
After a brief speech from the host, Shen Sihan stepped under the spotlight. His gaze swept over the audience and eventually locked onto Lin Wannian.
"Tonight, I have a special personal announcement to make."
The hall fell into a hush. Lin Wannian frowned slightly.
"My collaboration with President Lin of Lin Group will be elevated to the next level—transitioning from business cooperation to a family alliance."
A collective gasp swept through the crowd.
"Our two companies, Shen Group and Lin Group, will establish a more stable foundation through joint ventures."
"I, Shen Sihan, will be re-engaged to Miss Lin Wannian."
The moment the words left his mouth, the banquet hall exploded with chatter.
Lin Wannian shot up from her seat, face pale with rage.
Shen Sihan stepped down from the stage and approached her, lowering his voice. "If you didn't come, I would still have announced it. Since you're here, you've got no reason to deny it."
"Are you insane?" she gritted out through clenched teeth. "Do you even realize what you're doing?"
"I'm bringing you back."
"I'm not an object. I'm not your trophy to reclaim."
"But you are my wife." His voice was calm but firm. "Lin Wannian—past or present, you're mine."
She took a deep breath. "This is coercion, not reconciliation."
"Then go ahead—refute my statement with your own."
"Fine." Her eyes turned icy. "I will."
She turned with poise and stepped up onto the stage, facing the crowd without flinching.
"What President Shen just said about a 're-engagement'—I hereby formally deny it."
Gasps rippled again through the room.
"President Shen and I are divorced and have no intention of reconciling. Shen Group's unilateral announcement of a renewed engagement is not sanctioned by Lin Group. We reserve the right to pursue legal action."
Shen Sihan's eyes turned frosty, but the next second, he smirked.
"You're going to sue me?"
"If you force me to, I will."
With those words, Lin Wannian elegantly lifted the hem of her gown and walked off the stage without looking back.
From beginning to end, she was the most dazzling and defiant presence of the entire evening.
——
10:00 PM, Lin Wannian's residence.
She removed her makeup and changed into something comfortable. Exhausted, she sank into the sofa. Her phone buzzed—it was a message from Li Cheng:
[President Lin, tonight's banquet has exploded online. Your firm stance drew massive support. The majority of netizens are siding with you.]
She replied calmly: [Maintain public sentiment monitoring.]
As expected, tomorrow would mark the beginning of her counterattack against Shen Group.
She would no longer allow anyone to control her life.
Especially not Shen Sihan.
——
At the same time, at the Shen residence.
Shen Sihan stood silently by the window, staring at the city lights.
"She really went up there and denied me," he chuckled, though his eyes were devoid of amusement.
His assistant cautiously asked, "President Shen, public opinion is overwhelmingly in favor of Miss Lin. Should we activate crisis PR?"
"No." His eyes turned cold. "Let her be arrogant for a few days."
"But…"
"You think she's just putting on a front?" he cut him off sharply. "She's not that heartless."
He knew her soft spots too well—she could sever emotional ties, but she could never truly harden her heart completely.
And he would use everything in his power to force her back to his side.
This battle of offense and defense… had only just begun.