Victor Li's eyes narrowed as he watched Ling Wei leave Jiang Enterprises.
"You think you've won, Jiang Jian?" Victor Li sneered.
He dialed a number.
"Take Ling Wei. Make it look like a kidnapping."
Ling Wei's world turned upside down as she was dragged into a van.
Jiang Jian received the ransom call.
"Return Ling Wei unharmed, or face consequences," Jiang Jian growled.
Victor Li laughed.
"You'll do anything to save her, won't you?"
Jiang Jian's team tracked the van.
A tense standoff ensued.
Jiang Jian's eyes locked onto Ling Wei as he rescued her.
Relief washed over him.
But as he held her close, fear lingered.
"What if I lost you?" Jiang Jian whispered.
Ling Wei's eyes met his.
"You won't," she said softly.
Their lips inches apart, tension crackled.
Jiang Jian's fear turned to desperation.
He claimed her lips, his kiss urgent.
Ling Wei's heart soared.
She felt his fear, his desperation.
Their kiss deepened.
Jiang Jian's expression darkened as he received the call.
"Okay, I'll be there in 15 minutes," he said curtly.
He turned to Ling Wei, his eyes softening.
"Ah Zhong will take you to my place. Wait for me."
Ling Wei nodded obediently, concern etched on her face.
As Jiang Jian left, Ling Wei's thoughts swirled.
What could be so urgent?
Jiang Jian arrived at the coffee shop, his mother already seated.
"Thank you for coming, Jian," she said, her voice laced with guilt.
Jiang Jian's face turned gloomy.
"Mum, what is it?"
"I'm sorry for everything," she said, her eyes pleading.
"I don't want you to hate your brother, Victor Li."
Jiang Jian's face turned ashen.
"You knew?" he asked, incredulous.
His mother nodded.
"I sorted him out, Jian. I didn't know he'd go so far."
Jiang Jian's anger boiled over.
"You should have stopped him," he said, standing up.
"If there's nothing else, I'll leave."
He turned to leave, his mother's words unspoken.
"Jian, wait..." she trailed off.
But Jiang Jian was already gone.
Ling Wei waited anxiously at Jiang Jian's penthouse.
What had happened?
Why did Jiang Jian's expression darken?