"Mr. Zhang?" Mei Ren voice, tinged with a hint of nervousness, barely rose above a whisper.
In response, Zhang Wei flashed a sly, knowing smile — a smile that seemed to play at the edges of something more devious.
It was a smile that sent an inexplicable shiver down her spine, her heart pounding in a mix of apprehension and confusion.
Before she could react, he leaned in closer, his intentions clear in his piercing gaze, and in an unexpected move, he kissed her forcefully, pushing her off balance and onto the floor.
In the privacy of her suite, as Mei Ren witnessed the might of his dragon for the first time, her thoughts were a maelstrom of pragmatism and unease. 'There is no such thing as a free dinner in the world,' she reminded herself, the weight of her decisions heavy on her shoulders. 'Sacrifices must be made for the greater good.'
A few hours later, the hotel lobby bore witness to a scene that sparked whispered rumors and furtive glances.
