The wave of memories ebbed away. Astra's eyes flew open, her chest heaving, cold sweat soaking the back of her shirt.
Her gaze flickered with fear and anguish. Jiang Ting stood before her, his sharp eyes probing, as if trying to uncover the secrets buried deep within her soul.
She took a shaky breath, her fingertips trembling, the visions still etched into her mind.
"So… I've already made this mistake in a past life. My companions… where are they now? Are they also trapped in this endless struggle for redemption?"
A shadow of sorrow and longing swept through her eyes. She remembered the people who had shared her gifts, the ones who stood by her side, who understood her. Despite the corruption and darkness that surrounded them, at least they'd had each other.
But now, she was alone. That flicker of thought, that whisper of longing, unknowingly sent out a call to the unseen world.
Jiang Ting's eyes narrowed as he noticed the sweat on her forehead. His smile faded, replaced by a chilling intensity. His voice dropped, firm and commanding.
"Don't forget, I paid off your debt. That means everything you own — your property, your assets — belongs to me now. I decide where you stay. And starting tonight, you will serve me."
As he finished, the doors behind her swung open. A pair of security guards stepped inside, their presence a silent warning.
Astra's heart clenched, her fists curling tightly at her sides. Her voice, though low, seethed with anger. "You're humiliating me."
Jiang Ting's expression didn't waver. His voice was cold, matter-of-fact. "This isn't humiliation. It's a lesson in what happens when you defy me."
She sucked in a deep breath, forcing down the fury burning in her chest. Her jaw tightened. "Fine."
The Night's Confrontation
Night had fallen. The penthouse suite on the top floor of Ying Group's headquarters was bathed in a warm, soft glow. A faint trace of sandalwood lingered in the air.
Astra stood in the middle of the room, her palms damp with sweat, though her face was a mask of icy composure.
The sound of running water from the bathroom slowed to a stop. Moments later, Jiang Ting emerged, a towel wrapped around his waist, beads of water trailing down his skin. His damp hair clung to his forehead, framing his sharp, unreadable gaze.
He stretched out a hand, his tone indifferent and commanding. "Towel."
She stepped forward, the towel in her trembling fingers. Her breath hitched.
Jiang Ting didn't take it. Instead, he arched an eyebrow, a hint of challenge in his eyes. "Dry me off."
Her breath caught in her throat. She lifted her chin and met his gaze, defiance blazing in her eyes.
She moved closer, lifting the towel with steady hands. The soft fabric brushed against his shoulders, gliding down his firm back. Each movement was controlled, yet every swipe of the towel carried the weight of her suppressed anger and silent rebellion.
He felt the chill in her fingertips. Something flickered in his eyes — something complicated and fleeting.
Suddenly, Jiang Ting's hand shot out, capturing her wrist. His palm was warm and firm, his grip unyielding.
"Your resistance… makes this all the more intriguing," he murmured, his voice low, tinged with a possessive edge.
His grip was a shackle she couldn't shake off. The space between them was almost nonexistent, the air thick with tension — an electric mix of defiance and something she couldn't name.
Astra's eyes flashed like honed steel. "You think this will break me, Jiang Ting?"
A slow, knowing smile curled at his lips. "I'm not here to break you. I just want you to understand — in this world, no one is truly free."
His eyes darkened, a fathomless abyss threatening to consume her stubborn resolve. Slowly, he released her wrist, his fingers trailing across her palm, leaving behind a lingering heat.