Ivy stared at her reflection in the mirror, her heart pounding in her chest as she prepared for the evening ahead. The events of the last few days had left her reeling, and tonight felt like the tipping point. She wasn't just walking into another business meeting, she was stepping into a world she barely understood, one that teetered on the edge of chaos.
Lu Cheng had been clear: she was to accompany him to a private gathering of influential figures, but the more he'd spoken, the more cryptic he became. Ivy could feel it in her gut, this wasn't just about business. There was something lurking beneath the surface, something dangerous that she was now a part of.
She adjusted the collar of her jacket and let out a slow breath. "Get it together, Ivy. You're not going to let him see you scared."
A knock at the door startled her. She turned to see her grandmother peeking in, her face filled with concern. "Ivy, dear, are you sure you're alright? You've been so tense these since you came back from your business trip."
Ivy forced a smile, hiding the storm of emotions brewing inside. "I'm fine, grandma. Just a lot on my plate at work, that's all."
Her grandmother stepped inside, her gentle hands resting on Ivy's shoulders. "You're a strong girl, Ivy. You've always been. But don't forget, it's okay to ask for help when you need it. We're here for you."
"I know, grandma," Ivy replied, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I'll be okay."
Her grandmother gave her a soft kiss on the forehead before leaving the room, the warmth of her love lingering for a moment before the weight of reality crashed down again. Ivy stood there, frozen, the mirror reflecting the doubt in her eyes.
Was she really ready for this?
The truth was, she wasn't. But she didn't have a choice.
As she grabbed her bag and headed downstairs, she could hear the lively chatter of her grandparents and Pearl in the living room. Pearl was, as always, putting on a dramatic performance, retelling a story from one of her movie shoots, and Ivy's grandparents were laughing along.
Ivy paused at the bottom of the stairs, watching them for a moment. It all seemed so… normal. And here she was, about to dive headfirst into something far from it.
"Are you leaving already?" Pearl called out when she spotted Ivy. "Come on, Ivy! Take a break! You need to de-stress."
Ivy gave a small laugh, trying to match Pearl's energy. "I wish, but duty calls."
Pearl waved her hand dismissively. "Pfft, work schmirk. You're always so serious. Come back early, okay? We're planning a movie night."
"Don't worry, I'll try," Ivy promised, though she wasn't sure if she'd make it back in one piece, let alone in time for a movie.
She stepped out into the night air, the cool breeze brushing against her face. The city lights glittered in the distance, but even their beauty couldn't calm the unease that gripped her. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, a text from Lin Wei, Lu Cheng's most senior assistant.
"The car is outside. We're waiting for you."
Ivy's stomach twisted into knots. She was walking into the lion's den, but she knew she couldn't back out now. She climbed into the sleek black car that was parked outside, greeted by the stone-faced assistants, Lin Wei, Zhao Jun, and Cheng Rui, who had become her colleagues and, in some ways, her protectors.
Lin Wei sat in the passenger seat, turning slightly to acknowledge her. "Miss Ivy, are you ready?"
Ivy gave a small nod, her voice betraying her nerves. "As ready as I'll ever be."
The ride was silent, tense. Ivy felt the weight of the situation pressing down on her as the car sped through the city streets. Lin Wei occasionally exchanged brief words with the driver, but there was no small talk, no casual conversation to ease the anxiety that filled the air.
The car finally pulled up in front of an imposing building, one that looked far too grand for a simple business meeting. Ivy stepped out, her legs feeling shaky as she followed the others inside. The moment they entered the grand lobby, she could sense the shift in atmosphere, this was no ordinary meeting place. It was a battlefield of power, hidden behind polite smiles and tailored suits.
As they made their way to a private elevator, Lin Wei's eyes remained fixed ahead, his expression unreadable. "Remember, Miss Ivy," he said quietly, "stay close to Mr. Lu Cheng at all times. Tonight is crucial."
Ivy nodded, her heart racing as they stepped into the elevator. The doors closed with a quiet *ding*, and the ascent began. Each floor they passed felt like a step closer to the unknown, and Ivy could feel the tension growing within her.
When the doors finally opened, Ivy was met with an extravagant room filled with people, high-profile executives, powerful figures she had only ever seen in the news. And standing at the center of it all, with his mask securely in place, was Lu Cheng.
He turned toward her as she entered, his eyes locking onto hers with a knowing intensity. "You made it," he said, his voice low and controlled.
Ivy swallowed hard. "Of course,sir."
Before she could say anything more, Lu Cheng motioned for her to follow him. He led her to a secluded corner of the room, away from prying eyes and curious glances. "Listen carefully," he said, his voice a whisper. "Tonight, there will be people here watching us, testing us. You need to act as if everything is normal. Can you do that?"
Ivy's heart pounded in her chest. "I-I think so."
"There is no room for hesitation," Lu Cheng said sharply, his hand gripping her arm ever so slightly. "Stay by my side. Do not engage with anyone unless I tell you to. Understand?"
Ivy nodded, feeling the pressure of his words sinking in. This wasn't just another business trip, this was something far more dangerous. And she was now in the middle of it.
As the night wore on, Ivy did her best to keep up appearances, smiling when necessary, staying silent when the situation demanded it. But the weight of the room, the power, the secrets, the underlying tension, was suffocating. And Lu Cheng… his calm, calculating demeanor only heightened the sense of danger.
By the end of the night, Ivy's nerves were frayed. The weight of the secrets she carried, the world she had been dragged into, felt like a noose tightening around her neck.
And as they left the building, stepping back into the cold night air, Ivy knew one thing for certain: there was no going back. She was in this now, deeper than she could have ever imagined.
And the storm was only beginning.