The door to the penthouse slammed shut as Lu Feng disappeared into the night, leaving behind his usual trail of chaos. Ivy stood frozen, as she stared at the door Lu Feng slammed. She turned toward Lu Cheng, her heart hammering with confusion and unease.
Before she could say anything, the atmosphere shifted, a sharp, suffocating tension crept into the room like a storm gathering on the horizon. Lu Cheng's body tensed, his sharp gaze flicking toward the windows.
"Get down," he ordered, his voice low and urgent.
Before Ivy could process what was happening, the glass windows shattered with a deafening crash, and armed men in sleek black suits stormed in. Everything unfolded in the blink of an eye.
Lu Cheng was a blur of movement, shoving Ivy behind a couch as bullets tore through the room. The gunfire roared like thunder, sending shards of broken glass and furniture flying. Ivy cowered, her heart pounding as fear gripped her chest.
"Stay down!" Lu Cheng barked, crouching low.
She peeked over the edge of the couch just in time to see Lu Cheng draw a sleek handgun from his waistband. He moved like a predator, swift and precise, taking down two attackers with deadly accuracy. But more of them poured into the penthouse, their faces cold and merciless.
These weren't just petty thugs. They moved like soldiers, ruthless and efficient. Ivy knew instantly, these men weren't here for money. They were here to kill.
Lu Cheng ducked behind a pillar, firing back with relentless focus. His expression remained calm, but Ivy could see the strain in his jaw, the sweat beading on his brow.
Just as Ivy thought they might have a chance, one of the attackers managed to flank Lu Cheng, raising a gun aimed squarely at his chest.
"No!" Ivy screamed.
In the split second that followed, Lu Cheng spun, taking the shot, directly to his shoulder. The impact staggered him, but he didn't fall.
Ivy's scream choked in her throat as blood blossomed on his shirt, but Lu Cheng didn't falter. With a growl, he fired back, hitting the man square in the chest. The attacker crumpled, lifeless.
"Are you hit?!" Ivy scrambled toward him, panic tightening her throat.
"I'm fine," Lu Cheng gritted out, though blood was dripping from his shoulder. His face remained stone-cold, but Ivy could see the pain behind his eyes.
"You're *not* fine! We need to get out of here!" Ivy tried to tug at him, but Lu Cheng shook his head.
"Not yet. Stay behind me."
Despite the searing pain, Lu Cheng stood, positioning himself between Ivy and the remaining attackers. Every shot he fired was precise, each movement calculated to protect her at all costs.
It was like watching a scene out of an action movie, except it was terrifyingly real. Ivy could barely breathe as Lu Cheng took out the last of the intruders, his body still blocking her from harm.
When the final man hit the ground, silence fell over the wrecked penthouse, broken only by Ivy's ragged breathing.
Lu Cheng stumbled, the strength in his legs finally giving way. Ivy caught him before he could collapse entirely, her hands pressing against the wound in his shoulder.
"You idiot," she whispered, tears stinging her eyes. "You didn't have to get shot for me."
Lu Cheng's lips curled into a faint, exhausted smirk. "I did."
The weight of his words hit her harder than the chaos around them.
Before she could respond, the door burst open again, this time, it was Lin Wei, Zhao Jun, and Cheng Rui, Lu Cheng's loyal assistants, rushing in with weapons drawn.
"Boss!" Lin Wei shouted, scanning the room. "We're too late-"
"No," Lu Cheng rasped, still clinging to consciousness. "Get Ivy out of here. Now."
"But your wound-" Zhao Jun started.
"I said now!" Lu Cheng snapped, his voice still carrying the authority of a man who wouldn't be questioned.
Ivy looked at him in disbelief. "I'm not leaving you like this!"
"You have to," Lu Cheng whispered, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "They'll come back... stronger. I need you safe."
His words sent a chill through her, a mix of fear and something deeper, something she didn't want to name.
Before she could protest further, Lin Wei gently but firmly grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the door.
"I'll come back for you," Ivy whispered, her heart twisting painfully as Lu Cheng gave her one final, reassuring look.
And then she was gone, pulled out of the wrecked penthouse by the other assistants leaving behind theam who just saved her life.
The moment the door closed. Ivy knew one thing for sure
Things will never be the same again.