Lin Huaiyu’s gaze was dark and unreadable, like a storm brewing in the depths of an endless sea. His voice, low and smooth, carried a weight that pressed against the space between them.

“I remember a year ago when we stood before the registrar, you vowed that we would be honest with each other. Yet, you’ve kept such a monumental secret from me.”

Su Weichu lowered her long lashes, the faintest smile ghosting her lips, though it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Is that so? I don’t recall doing so,” she murmured, her tone as light as the wind. She inclined her head with the poise of a queen dismissing an unworthy subject. “President Lin, if you’ll excuse me, I have important matters to attend to.”

She turned to leave, but before she could take another step, a strong, searing grip closed around her wrist, pulling her back with an undeniable force.

The moment she tried to break free, his hold shifted—an arm wrapping around her waist, drawing her dangerously close. His essence—alluring and clean, crisp, with a lingering trace of something dark and intoxicating—enveloped her as he leaned in, their noses nearly touching.

“Are you that eager to escape from my presence?” His voice was a low murmur, each syllable brushing against her skin like embers threatening to catch fire.

Su Weichu’s spine stiffened. The heat of his proximity sent a ripple of unease throughout her physique, but she schooled her features into an icy mask, tilting her chin defiantly.

“I’m afraid I don’t understand what you’re suggesting, President Lin,” she uttered, each word a carefully placed dagger. “However, I suggest that you let go of me now.”

Lin Huaiyu’s brow creased. In all the time he had known Su Weichu, she had never once looked at him with such distance, such cutting finality. What is more, for the reasons he couldn’t yet name, unsettled him.

A sudden surge of anger rippled through Lin Huaiyu’s chest, an uncontrollable tide rising within him. His grip around Su Weichu’s waist tightened instinctively, his breath warm against her skin as he leaned in, his lips mere inches from claiming hers.

But in the next heartbeat—she was gone.

His arms, once filled with the warmth of her presence, were now empty.

Lin Huaiyu’s gaze snapped up, his expression darkening like a thundercloud rolling over the horizon. Across from him, Fu Wenbo stood with an arm draped possessively over Su Weichu’s shoulders, his smirk sharp as a knife.

“Look who we have here,” Fu Wenbo drawled, mockery dripping from every syllable. “Who would’ve thought the ever-dignified President Lin was capable of such ungentlemanly behavior? If I remember correctly, didn’t Chu Chu ask for a divorce three months ago?”

A deadly silence fell over the space between them.

Lin Huaiyu’s expression grew stormy, his displeasure bleeding into the air around him, thick and oppressive. His voice was ice-edged as he commanded, “Fu Wenbo, let her go.”

“And if I don’t?” Fu Wenbo’s grip on Su Weichu’s shoulder tightened just enough to make his point.

Her brows furrowed in undeniable irritation.

Watching the silent war unfold between the two men, she couldn’t shake the feeling that their animosity ran far deeper than just business. There was history between the two of them—one laced with a matter much more personal.

The tension stretched, thick and electric, neither man willing to concede ground. Surrounding them, murmurs stirred as more onlookers gathered, their curiosity piqued by the brewing confrontation.

Su Weichu exhaled sharply. This was getting ridiculous.

Without hesitation, she wrenched free from Fu Wenbo’s grasp, stepping forward with unwavering poise. Her gaze, steady and incomprehensible, met Lin Huaiyu’s unilluminated eyes.

“President Lin,” she said, her voice smooth yet cutting, “surely the reason you’re here tonight is to discuss the Oceanic Project, is it not?”

A flicker of something unreadable passed through his gaze.

Earlier than he could’ve responded, two familiar figures approached—Qiao Shan and Lin Chenxi, their expressions a mix of curiosity and something far more dangerous.

Su Weichu cast a fleeting glance at Lin Chenxi, her expression unruffled and unconcerned. “Initially, there was no room for negotiation when it came to this collaboration. Until now…I’ve changed my mind.” She allowed the words to settle, watching Lin Huaiyu’s sharp gaze flicker with intrigue. Thereupon, with a slow, deliberate smile, she added, “If you wish to work cooperatively with me, I’d say it’s simple—have Lin Chenxi apologize.”

Lin Chenxi’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You want me, to apologize to you? Su Weichu, have you lost your mind?”

Unfazed, Su Weichu merely chuckled, her amusement gliding through the air like a cold breeze. “That’s fine,” she said lightly. “I’ll give President Lin a day to think about it. Even so, do enjoy tonight’s auction. After all, the Heart of the Ocean is up for bidding, isn’t it? It would be quite the spectacle if the Lin family’s beloved treasure were to end up in someone else’s hands.”

Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked away, her silhouette sharp reflecting against the opulent glow of the chandeliers.

Lin Huaiyu stood frozen, his gaze locked onto her retreating figure. A flicker of indecipherable intent—deep and possessive—glimmered in his dark eyes.

— At The Auction

The grand hall buzzed with hushed anticipation, the air thick with wealth and competition. Su Weichu sat at the very front, her posture poised, unshaken by the high-stakes bidding war revolving around her. One after another, prized artifacts found their new owners, but she remained still, unmoved.

Until the Heart of the Ocean was unveiled.

The moment the dazzling sapphire was presented, refracting light like liquid starlight, she raised her paddle. “Ten million.”

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

At the back of the room was Lin Huaiyu, who had been watching in silence, and hesitated just a second before lifting his own paddle.

“Twelve million,” he pronounced, his voice deep and commanding.

Lin Chenxi tugged at his sleeve, her voice laced with irritation. “What is she playing at?” she hissed.

Su Weichu’s lips curled at the edges. She raised her paddle once more, her voice as smooth as silk. “Fifteen million.”

Gasps echoed throughout the hall.

“Twenty million.”

Lin Huaiyu’s voice was calm, almost free-wheeling as if the staggering sum meant nothing to him. The three words drifted through the auction hall like a quiet storm, sending a ripple of tension across the crowd.

Lin Chenxi’s grip tightened around his sleeve, her voice barely above a whisper. “Brother, can’t you see? She’s doing this on purpose…”

Her fingers trembled slightly, her unease growing with every bid.

Lin Huaiyu cast her a sidelong glance, a sharp, scrawled look that made her breath hitch. In that single moment, she knew better than to press further. Withdrawing her hand, she fell silent, swallowing the rest of her words.

The auction hall held its breath, waiting for their next move.