The music swelled as crystal glasses clinked, the banquet sliding into false merriment. Servants moved like shadows, offering trays of champagne and delicacies, while eyes lingered far too long on Ji Yunxi and Mo Liancheng.
"Who exactly is she?" whispered one socialite behind her fan."They say she's just a fake heiress…""Then why would Young Master Mo favor her?"
The whispers curled like smoke, designed to suffocate.
Ji Yunxi sipped her drink calmly, ignoring them, but she noticed Qin Yuxi's smile sharpen. Something was about to begin.
Sure enough, a commotion rippled through the crowd. A servant stumbled forward, nearly spilling wine, and at that precise moment, another guest—a young man from a wealthy family—lurched as if shoved. He fell toward Ji Yunxi, hands outstretched, aiming to grab her waist.
The hall gasped.
It was perfectly staged—if Ji Yunxi dodged, the man would fall dramatically, painting her as callous. If she didn't, he would cling to her, ruining her reputation in front of everyone.
Qin Yuxi planned this well.
Ji Yunxi's eyes flashed cold. In that split second, she sidestepped gracefully, her hand shooting out to catch the man's wrist before he could touch her. With a subtle twist, she redirected his momentum—he crashed onto the floor with a grunt, wine splattering his pristine suit.
The crowd erupted.
"She pushed him!""No, he fell—""She humiliated him in public!"
Qin Yuxi's laughter rang out like a silver bell. "Yunxi, how cruel. He was only trying to steady himself, and you—"
Her words cut off.
Because Mo Liancheng had moved.
He stepped in front of Ji Yunxi, his shadow enveloping her, and looked down at the fallen man with ice in his gaze.
"Steady himself?" His voice was soft, but every syllable chilled the hall. "Then why were his hands aimed at her waist?"
The man stammered, face pale. "I-I tripped—"
Mo Liancheng's eyes darkened. "You dare touch what's mine?"
A suffocating pressure swept the hall, silencing every whisper. The guests looked away, afraid to meet his gaze.
Qin Yuxi's face stiffened. Her carefully crafted play had not only failed—it had backfired, making Ji Yunxi seem untouchable.
But Ji Yunxi knew this was only the opening move. The real trap had yet to be revealed.
She glanced at Qin Yuxi, their gazes clashing across the glittering hall. Qin Yuxi's smile was brittle, but her eyes promised one thing—
This isn't over.