The next morning, Damon Qin arrived at his private office at exactly 7:00 a.m.—the way all tyrants do: punctual, powerful, and in desperate need of someone to say no to him.
Instead, he found Liana already seated on his leather couch, legs crossed, sipping espresso from his personal machine like she owned the damn place.
"Good morning, Mr. Qin," she said sweetly, tossing her hair back. "Your espresso beans are weak. Just like your prenup."
He blinked once. Then laughed—again, that sharp sound she used to think was rare. Now she knew: it was his tell. When he didn't know what to do with a woman who wasn't playing his game.
"Still early to insult me," he said.
Liana stood and handed him a sleek manila envelope. "Here's the revised contract. You sign this one, or the wedding's off."
"Confident," Damon murmured, taking it from her. He slid into his chair like a king receiving tribute, eyes scanning the pages.
Her version was brutal. And brilliant.
Clause 4: All shared assets default to her upon divorce.
Clause 6: Any infidelity voids all confidentiality agreements.
Clause 9: If he attempts coercion, she walks—with 20% of Qin Corp's image rights.
"This isn't a prenup," he said, looking up. "It's a declaration of war."
"No," she said with a smile. "That will come after the wedding."
He chuckled, but there was an edge now. "Why do I feel like I'm walking into a trap?"
Liana leaned forward, hands on his desk. "Because you are."
They stared at each other, the air between them thick with something electric and cruel.
"You've changed," he said again, voice quieter now.
She didn't blink. "You haven't."
He signed.
Scene shift: Qin Corporation Boardroom – Later that Day
Damon walked into the boardroom flanked by his assistant, Elijah Lin, and Liana—who looked like sin in a black power suit, lips painted the color of blood and revenge.
Several board members blinked when they saw her. One—Mr. Gao, silver-haired, sharp-eyed—went still. Recognition bloomed.
Not because she was Damon's fiancée.
Because ten years from now, she would destroy half of them.
"Everyone," Damon said, voice cool, "you remember Liana Zhou. We're engaged again."
Liana smiled and extended her hand. "Only this time, I'll be staying longer."
Mr. Gao recovered first. "Welcome back, Ms. Zhou. We hope you'll find Qin Corp more… accommodating this time."
She shook his hand. "Oh, I intend to make sure of it."
Scene shift: Damon's Car – Evening
Damon sat in the backseat, silent, tapping a pen against his thigh. His assistant glanced at him through the rearview mirror.
"You don't trust her," Elijah said flatly.
"I don't trust anyone," Damon replied. Then added, almost to himself: "But I don't remember her being like this. Cold. Strategic."
"She's evolved."
Damon didn't answer. He just stared out the window, thinking.
What game was she playing? And why did it excite him?
Scene shift: Liana's Apartment – Midnight
Liana sat cross-legged on her floor, surrounded by documents, notes, and digital files. On her screen was the prenup, freshly scanned and saved to multiple cloud backups.
She tapped her keyboard and opened another folder: "Operation: Thorn Crown."
Inside: stock analysis reports, Qin Corp executive dirt, and a growing list of allies and enemies.
A knock came at the door.
She froze.
She wasn't expecting anyone.
She grabbed her stun gun—yes, she'd upgraded—and padded silently to the door.
Another knock. Then a voice:
> "You said yes to him. Now say yes to me."
She opened the door a crack.
It was a woman. Late 20s. Fierce eyes. Holding a USB drive like a peace offering—and a weapon.
"I have proof that Shen Ruoyi tried to have you killed."
Liana's blood ran cold. Her voice stayed calm. "Come in. We have a lot to talk about."
As the door shut, Liana placed the prenup copy into her fireproof safe.
She had the contract. Now she just needed the ammunition.
And she was very good at pulling the trigger.