The private helicopter hummed with quiet luxury as it sliced through the clouds as they left the mansion. Ivy sat across from Lu Cheng, tension thick between them. His sharp, unreadable gaze remained fixed on the documents in his hands, as if she didn't exist. But Ivy knew better. Every move he made was deliberate, his silence just another way of exerting control.
She crossed her legs and leaned back, pretending to focus on the book she held. The atmosphere was too heavy to be ignored. The way Lu Cheng's fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest betrayed his thoughts: something was brewing. And that something had to do with her.
Suddenly, Lu Cheng set the papers down, piercing her with an intense look. "We land in three hours," he said. "I need you prepared."
Ivy raised an eyebrow. "Prepared for what exactly again,sir?"
He leaned forward slightly, his dark eyes narrowing. "For anything."
A shiver ran down her spine, but she masked it with a confident smile. "Cryptic as usual," she muttered under her breath, flipping a page of her book.
Lu Cheng's gaze sharpened, and his voice dropped to a low murmur. "This isn't just another business trip, Ivy. Things can go sideways fast."
Before she could press for more details, the helicopter cabin door opened, and Lin Wei, one of Lu Cheng's male assistants, entered quietly. His expression was grim. "Cheng Rui called sir," he said. "We have a problem."
Lu Cheng's jaw clenched. "Feng?"
Lin Wei gave a curt nod. "Yes. He got there first."
Ivy glanced between the two men, feeling the weight of unspoken tension settle in. "Your brother?" she asked.
Lu Cheng didn't answer immediately. His silence said everything. Ivy knew by now that when it came to Lu Feng, things were never simple. There was always a twist, a game hidden beneath the surface.
"Change of plans," Lu Cheng finally said, standing. "We'll confront him directly."
Lin Wei hesitated. "Cheng, that might not be wise-"
"It's not a debate," Lu Cheng snapped, his usual composure slipping for just a moment. "He's crossed a line again."
Ivy swallowed the questions bubbling in her throat. She had learned quickly that the world Lu Cheng operated in thrived on secrets. Asking too many questions could push her into dangerous territory.
Lu Cheng turned to her, his expression softer but no less determined. "Stick close to me, Ivy. No matter what happens, don't wander off."
Ivy blinked. "Is this trip really that dangerous, or do you just not trust me?"
His lips twitched, almost forming a smile, but it was gone before she could confirm it. "Both."
The helicopter landed smoothly, but Ivy's nerves weren't as steady. As soon as they disembarked, Lu Cheng's demeanor shifted. He became sharper, colder, a predator walking into another predator's den.
The car waiting for them sped through the streets of the unfamiliar city, bringing them to a high-rise hotel that loomed like a monolith against the night sky. Ivy followed Lu Cheng into the lobby, where Cheng Rui and Zhao Jun were already waiting.
"Where's Feng?" Lu Cheng asked without preamble.
Cheng Rui gave a tight-lipped smile. "Penthouse suite. He's waiting for you."
Lu Cheng's eyes darkened. "Of course he is."
Ivy's heart raced as they entered the elevator. She knew enough about Lu Cheng to understand that whatever awaited them upstairs would not be simple or pleasant. And yet, some part of her was exhilarated by the danger. She was standing on the edge of something immense, and there was no turning back.
The elevator doors slid open with a quiet chime, revealing the opulent penthouse. And there, sitting casually on the sofa with a glass of whiskey in hand, was Lu Feng.
"Brother," Feng greeted smoothly, raising his glass in mock salute. "You took your time. I got here before you"
Lu Cheng's expression hardened, his entire presence radiating danger. Ivy had never seen him like this, cold, ruthless, and entirely in control.
"What game are you playing this time?" Lu Cheng asked, his voice a low growl.
Lu Feng grinned, all charm and malice. "Oh, come now, brother. Don't act like you didn't know I'd come. This is what we do, isn't it? Push each other until one of us finally breaks?"
Lu Cheng stepped forward, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "Stay out of my way, Feng. You don't want to test me."
Feng's eyes flicked to Ivy, his smile widening. "Interesting company you're keeping these days, Cheng. Does she know what kind of man you really are, since she decided to be following you around?"
Before Ivy could react, Lu Cheng closed the distance between them in a single stride, grabbing Feng by the collar. The two brothers locked eyes, the room thick with unspoken history and buried grudges.
"Enough," Lu Cheng hissed. "You've had your fun. Now get out of my way."
Lu Feng chuckled, entirely unfazed by the threat. "For now, brother," he murmured, patting Cheng's hand as if to calm him. "But you know as well as I do, this isn't over."
With a final, smug smile, Feng slipped out of Lu Cheng's grasp and sauntered toward the door. "See you soon, my dear Ivy," he said with a wink, leaving the room with an air of triumph.
The door clicked shut behind him, and the tension in the room slowly began to dissipate. But Ivy could feel it lingering, like the scent of smoke after a fire.
Lu Cheng exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "I told you this wasn't just a business trip."
Ivy crossed her arms, a small smirk tugging at her lips despite the danger. "I think I'm starting to enjoy the chaos."
Lu Cheng shot her a glance, somewhere between exasperation and amusement. "Careful, Ivy. You might find yourself in too deep."
Ivy shrugged. "Too late."
And with that, the dangerous game between the brothers continued, pulling Ivy deeper into their tangled web with every step.