A sharp smack echoed through the hallway as Celia's palm landed hard across Nathaniel Fu's face, turning his head sideways with the force of it.
Her hand stung. She had used all her strength in that slap—and in her mind, it should've landed last night, when he had taken her against her will.
Nathaniel's expression darkened instantly. It was the first time in his life that a woman had dared to strike him.
He let his tongue graze the inside of his cheek, the one she'd just hit, then slowly turned his face back toward her, his eyes full of a cold, dangerous fire.
She'd actually hit him.
"You—" he growled.
But Celia raised her face defiantly, voice trembling but proud."Go ahead, Mr. Fu. Hit me back. You're the mighty Nathaniel Fu—one word from you and I'll disappear from Yecheng like I never existed. You can crush me any way you like!"
A wave of hot, bitter anger surged through Nathaniel's chest. No one had ever dared talk to him like this, not even Sylvia. And yet…
He looked at her—at her tear-bright eyes and trembling figure—and his rage faltered. She wasn't just some disposable pawn. No matter how he tried to lie to himself, he couldn't ignore what had passed between them.
She had been with him.
And that mattered.
Without another word, Nathaniel turned and stormed off. The heavy villa door slammed behind him with a resounding bang, and the roar of his engine echoed into the night.
Back in her room, Celia curled up under the covers. Her stomach cramped painfully. She held it with both hands and turned onto her side, folding herself like a shrimp. Her face was buried in the pillow, silent and pale.
The next day, Celia received a call from the Su family's old estate. The family matriarch—Grandma Su—had summoned her for dinner.
Power in the Su family still lay firmly in the hands of the old lady. The first and second branches of the family were constantly scheming and competing over the family inheritance.
Now that Sylvia had embarrassed herself publicly, the old lady had taken notice.
As soon as Celia stepped into the mansion, she heard the old woman's furious voice echoing through the hall:"Absolutely disgraceful! Sylvia! Dating some old man and then getting dumped? You've dragged the Su family's name through the mud!"
Sylvia, Charles Su, and Lilian stood nearby, faces dark with shame.
Old man?
It was clearly Nathaniel Fu—the head of the Fu family.
But the Su family didn't know about Sylvia's secret marriage. Two years ago, Charles had stolen Celia's jade pendant and used it to strike a private deal with the Fu family. At that time, representatives from the Fu family had shown up at the Imperial Garden with a secret marriage agreement—one no one else was supposed to know about.
Sylvia had never been satisfied with the deal. She believed she was marrying an illegitimate son, and had even asked Celia to stand in for her. That was why the news never spread.
But everything had changed the moment Nathaniel returned to China.
"Mother, please calm down." Su Jun, another relative, quickly poured tea and offered it to the matriarch.
Grandma Su took a sip, then set the cup down slowly."I've called you all here because I have two important announcements. First—next Friday night, the head of the Fu family will officially be named President of the Fu Group. The inauguration will be held at the Song Hotel."
The room erupted.
"Oh my God! Is that the legendary CEO of the Fu family?"
"They say he's been a genius in business since childhood. He turned the Fu empire around overseas and brought it to the pinnacle of wealth and power."
"No one even knows which branch of the family he comes from! He's a total mystery. We'll finally see his true face at the ceremony."
Celia stood quietly in a corner, her face unreadable. So… he was finally going to reveal his identity. The moment she had dreaded had come.
And everyone was about to lose their minds for him.
Then, the old lady took Vivian Su's hand and beamed,"Now for the second piece of good news. My darling Vivian has just signed with Starshine Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Fu Group. She's officially under their label."
"It's true what they say—proximity to water brings the moon's reflection. With Vivian's beauty and background, who knows? She might just become Mrs. Fu."
Vivian was indeed a beauty—graceful and elegant, a former Victoria's Secret model with countless suitors from Yecheng's wealthiest families. She had always been proud and selective, never lowering herself to chase after the ordinary.
Her sights had always been set on the one man no other woman could touch—Nathaniel Fu.