The echo of applause still lingered in the grand hall long after the Bright Youngstars stepped off the stage. Incense had thinned, but tension remained—a strange mixture of pride, envy, and disbelief that hung over the marble floor like mist.
The elders huddled at the far end of the table, whispering over the data-screens. The rankings were no secret; everyone in the room already knew who had risen and who had fallen. Still, the formal announcement carried weight—centuries of Yun tradition compressed into a few deliberate words.
Elder Yun Zhaoran adjusted his spectacles. "The results are final. By total merit and growth contribution, first place — Jason Yun."
No one clapped. The silence spoke louder than applause ever could.
Jason simply nodded, hands loosely folded behind his back. He looked calm, almost detached, as if this victory were something he'd seen coming all along.
"Second — Britney Yun," the elder continued.
Britney inclined her head with measured grace, her eyes flicking sideways toward Jason. For the first time, her curiosity outweighed her confidence.
"Third — Alex Yun."
A muscle jumped in Alex's jaw. The faint hum of the ceiling fans seemed to mock him.
"Fourth — Jane Yun. Fifth — Lance Yun. And last — Jessy Yun."
The words landed like stones. Jessy froze, color draining from her face. She turned sharply toward Jason, eyes burning.
"You think this is funny?" she hissed when the elders began signing off the ledgers. "Standing there like some saint when everyone knows you—"
Jason's gaze cut through her fury like glass. "If you're that upset," he said quietly, "next year, work harder."
Jessy's breath caught; she spun on her heel and stormed out. The hall doors slammed behind her, shaking the frames of the portraits on the wall.
Britney exhaled through her nose, half a sigh, half amusement. "You've changed," she said softly.
"Maybe I just stopped playing their game," Jason replied.
Her lips curved. "Then you finally learned how the family plays it."
Before he could answer, an attendant entered with a tray of tea and the elders' approval seals. Elder Zhaoran looked up. "The results will be entered into record. Dismissed."
The six dispersed slowly. Jane gave Jason a small, genuine smile on her way out. Britney lingered only long enough to meet his eyes again—a silent acknowledgment—then followed the others.
Jason remained for a moment longer, staring at the polished floor that reflected the fading lights of the chandeliers. His watch pulsed once, the blue glow of the Software App sliding across its surface.
[Result Confirmed – Yun Evaluation Rank #1 Achieved]
[Influence Tier Upgrade: Internal Node Unlocked]
He shut it off with a flick of his finger. Numbers were just numbers. What mattered was what came next.
Far across the mansion, behind a locked guest-room door, Alex Yun slammed a fist onto his desk. The glass tabletop rattled, a small crack spidering outward. A dozen reports were scattered across it—investment charts, Son family trade summaries, the preliminary notes for the Phoenix Infrastructure Project.
All worthless now.
His phone buzzed. The name flashing across the screen made him hesitate before answering.
"Madam Michelson."
Her voice flowed through the receiver like silk drawn over a blade. "Such a formal greeting, Mr. Yun. Have you decided to start fearing me already?"
"I don't have time for games," he snapped. "You said the Son elders would side with me. Instead, they gave the project to Jason."
"And they did," she replied smoothly. "Because I told them to."
He froze. "You what?"
A low laugh echoed through the line. "Relax, Alex. It's called bait. Jason Yun's appointment isn't a triumph—it's a test. One he was never meant to pass."
Alex sat back slowly, confusion melting into wary interest. "Explain."
"The Phoenix Infrastructure Project," she began, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "is the Son family's most ambitious development plan in decades. Complex logistics, enormous budgets, inter-city coordination. Jason Yun may have charm, but he lacks roots. The first problem he can't predict will bury him."
Her tone softened, coaxing. "And when that happens, I'll recommend a replacement. Someone already familiar with the project's foundation… someone the family elders trust."
Alex's pulse quickened. "Me."
"Of course."
Madam Michelson's smile was audible. "You'll swoop in, rescue the deal, and restore the Son family's faith. My father-in-law's old allies will rally behind you. Once the dust settles, we'll have an easy narrative — a capable young man who saved the family's greatest venture. And what better way to reward him," she purred, "than by linking him to the family permanently?"
Alex swallowed. "You're talking about —"
"Son Liying," she finished for him. "Her engagement is… flexible now. The elders will follow my lead when the timing is right."
He let the idea sink in. Jason humiliated, the Phoenix project in ruins, the Son family indebted to him — and Son Liying at his side. It sounded perfect. Too perfect.
"What if it backfires?" he asked quietly. "If he actually succeeds — "
Madam Michelson laughed, soft and sure. "Jason Yun doesn't even realize the structure he's overseeing is missing three critical permits. When those surface, his budget will stall, the media will pounce, and the Son elders will panic. They'll need a savior. You'll be ready."
She paused, letting the silence coil between them. "But, Alex… be careful."
"Of what?"
"Your habits." Her tone sharpened just enough to draw blood. "That little hairdresser you've been entertaining — Kate, isn't it? — could ruin everything if anyone connects her to you. You might think you're discreet, but salons have more eyes than you imagine."
Alex's stomach turned. "You — how do you know about —"
"I know everything." She said it casually, but the words landed like a warning shot. "You'll keep that affair buried, or I'll bury it for you. Do we understand each other?"
His jaw locked. "Yes."
"Good boy." A soft hum, almost affectionate. "Now, go pour yourself a drink and smile for the cameras tomorrow. Let the world believe Jason Yun finally has his moment. We'll enjoy watching him choke on it."
The line went dead.
Alex lowered the phone slowly, the echo of her voice still in his ear. Outside, fireworks from the estate's evening celebration burst faintly in the distance—red, gold, mocking.
He looked down at the cracked glass of his desk, at the reflection of his own face, eyes hollow with fury.
Enjoy it while it last Jason.