Ruilin didn't move from the doorway. If anything, she leaned in further, blocking the view of the hallway with her crimson silk-clad frame. Her perfume — something sharp and expensive — slithered into the room, making my stomach turn.
"Well," she said, her gaze sweeping deliberately from my bare face to the oversized coat draped over my shoulders, "Mother will be… fascinated to hear about this little rendezvous."
I bristled. "It's not what you think—"
"Oh, Lily," she interrupted with a laugh that didn't reach her eyes, "when has it ever mattered what the truth is? It's about what people believe. And they'd believe anything about you."
Before I could bite back, a calm voice slid into the space like silk over steel.
"Are all Liang family reunions this warm?"
We both turned. Jinhai stood in the doorway to the master bedroom, sleeves rolled, mask still in place. His hair was slightly mussed — and somehow that made him look even more dangerous.
Ruilin's smile shifted instantly, morphing into something sweet and deferential. "Mr. Su, is it? I didn't realize my sister had such… interesting company."
"Neither did I," he said mildly, though his gaze flicked to me for a beat longer than necessary. Then, as if the tension in the room amused him, he stepped closer. "But it seems we've all been surprised tonight."
Ruilin tilted her head, lashes lowering. "Surprises can be… delightful. Or they can be disastrous."
"True," he agreed, voice dipping. "And whether they're delightful or disastrous often depends on how they're handled."
Her smile tightened. "And what do you suggest, Mr. Su?"
He regarded her for a moment — the kind of long, deliberate silence that forces the other person to listen harder. "I suggest," he said finally, "that we keep this evening uncomplicated. Lily's had a rough night. I invited her to change here before the gala. That's all."
Ruilin arched a brow. "That's all?" Her gaze slid to me, wicked and knowing. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks a lot like—"
"—a gentleman keeping a promise," Jinhai cut in smoothly. "Not exactly the scandal you're hoping for."
Her eyes narrowed, just a fraction, before she schooled her face back into politeness. "And if I wanted to… clarify this with our dear mother?"
Jinhai's mouth curved — not quite a smile, but enough to hint at danger. "Then I suppose I'd have to tell her I extended hospitality to a woman in distress. And I'd be sure to mention how grateful you were for my consideration toward your sister."
It was a verbal trap, wrapped in courtesy. If she protested, she'd look petty. If she agreed, she'd have to act as though she approved of me being here.
For the briefest moment, Ruilin faltered. But then she stepped past it, her tone syrupy sweet. "Of course. I'd hate to make things… complicated for you, Mr. Su."
"I appreciate that," he said warmly, though his eyes didn't soften.
Her gaze lingered on him, openly appraising now, before flicking back to me with the faintest smirk. "Enjoy your evening, Lily. I'm sure we'll… talk soon."
She made no move to leave until Jinhai gestured toward the hallway with a subtle sweep of his hand — polite, but unmistakably final. Only then did she turn, silk gown swaying as she sauntered away.
I shut the door the second she was far enough, my fingers gripping the handle tighter than I meant to.
"She's…" I started.
"Dangerous," Jinhai finished, his gaze still fixed on the door. Then he looked at me, a faint glint of amusement breaking the seriousness. "Though, I admit — she's not easily rattled. Almost admirable."
"Don't admire her," I muttered.
His lips twitched. "Then I'll stick to admiring you, Miss Lily." he smirked.
The doorbell chimed again, sharp and insistent.
This time, Jinhai was the one to answer it. He accepted the neatly packaged box from the hotel staff with a practised smile, murmured a thanks, and closed the door with a quiet click.
"This is for you." He handed the box to Lily, his tone calm but his eyes studying her face. "The bathroom's just across the hall. You can change there."
Lily nodded silently, still shaken from her earlier clash with Ruilin. The echo of her stepsister's voice—sweet, poisonous—still rang in her ears. That confrontation had only been the opening act. She knew Ruilin well enough to understand: this was far from over.
Inside the bathroom, Lily leaned against the sink and let out a long, weary breath. She was tired—tired of the whispers, the accusations, the constant need to defend herself against a family who never truly saw her. Why did she always have to explain? And why… did no one ever believe her?
Her reflection stared back at her: pale cheeks, eyes still rimmed red from stress, but there was a spark there too—one she refused to let Ruilin snuff out.
Lifting the lid of the box, Lily's fingers brushed over the softest peach silk she had ever seen. The dress shimmered faintly in the light, delicate yet elegant, the shade making her skin glow like morning sunlight.
There was no time to dwell. The longer she stayed here, the more time Ruilin had to twist the truth into something dangerous. Lily dressed quickly, smoothing the fabric over her waist before stepping back into the suite.
Jinhai was waiting.
He was no longer in the casual clothes from before. The black, tailored tshirt that brought out his beautiful grey eyes. His gaze found her instantly, and this time, it lingered.
Something in his eyes shifted—something warm, something unreadable.
"You look delightful Ms. Lily." he said finally, his voice low.
She felt heat creep to her cheeks. "And you, Jinhai, are far too kind. I'll remember this… always."
A half-smile tugged at his lips before he winked—effortless, disarming. "Come on. We shouldn't keep anyone waiting."
He opened the door, and they stepped into the hallway.
That's when they saw her.
Shin Ling. China's reigning queen of the silver screen. The woman's heels clicked like gunshots against the polished floor as she stormed away from the elevator, her face twisted in fury. Her designer coat flared dramatically with every step, and for one wild moment, Lily swore she saw tears glinting in her eyes.
Jinhai's hand brushed Lily's arm—just enough to stop her from stepping forward.
Their eyes met.
Neither spoke.
Because walking in the opposite direction, emerging from a side corridor, was someone Lily didnt know but Jinhai knew far too well - someone who had no reason to be here.
Jinhai's brother. Lily's fiance.