The grand ballroom shimmered with extravagance. Towering crystal chandeliers reflected golden light across the polished marble floor, creating a glow that rivaled the sunset beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. Guests dressed in bespoke suits and flowing evening gowns moved in graceful clusters, exchanging pleasantries, laughter, and veiled barbs that masked ulterior motives. The atmosphere was thick with ambition, alliances, and rivalries—an undercurrent that hummed beneath the symphony of violins playing in the corner.
Lian Mei adjusted the strap of her emerald green gown, glancing around the room with the ease of someone used to such affairs. Her beauty was sharp, deliberate. The gown hugged her figure elegantly but didn't scream for attention. She had no interest in competing with the other women in the room who wore jewels as if they were battle armor. Instead, she had a mission.
The event was a networking gala for the city's most powerful players—a fundraiser under the guise of generosity. It was the perfect opportunity to secure partnerships for her latest project, one that could elevate her family's company out of its precarious position. For too long, she'd been forced to play a game she despised, always fighting to prove herself in a world that constantly underestimated her.
A server passed by, offering champagne. Lian Mei declined with a polite nod, her sharp eyes scanning the room. Her father had insisted she attend tonight, though he was notably absent. Typical. The task fell on her shoulders yet again.
"Ah, Lian Mei. Always the picture of elegance."
She turned to find Mr. Chen, an older businessman with a reputation for being both shrewd and opportunistic. His smile was polite, but she didn't miss the gleam in his eyes that bordered on condescension.
"Mr. Chen," she replied smoothly, her voice carrying just enough warmth to feign respect. "It's been some time."
"Too long. I hear your family's company is making waves in the tech sector. Impressive for someone so young."
There it was—the veiled doubt, the patronizing tone. Lian Mei smiled, but her eyes remained cold. "Thank you. We believe innovation isn't limited by age. Or outdated methods."
The older man chuckled, clearly catching her pointed remark. Before he could respond, a shift in the crowd drew their attention.
Zhao Yan had arrived.
The room seemed to pause as he entered, his presence commanding without effort. Tall, broad-shouldered, and impeccably dressed in a black suit tailored to perfection, he moved through the crowd with the confidence of someone who belonged—not just in the room but at the center of it. His sharp features, framed by raven-black hair, were unreadable, but his dark eyes scanned the room with purpose.
Lian Mei's fingers tightened around the clutch in her hand. She'd heard of Zhao Yan, of course. Who hadn't? He was the prodigal son of the Zhao family, a man known for his ruthless efficiency and strategic mind. Rumor had it he could dismantle a rival's business before they even realized they were in his sights.
"Ah, the young master Zhao," Mr. Chen murmured, his tone almost reverent. "Such a formidable presence for someone so young. Don't you think, Miss Lian?"
She didn't reply immediately. Instead, her gaze followed Zhao Yan as he made his way through the room, shaking hands, exchanging nods, and exuding an air of control that set him apart. There was no arrogance in his demeanor—just quiet certainty.
"Formidable, perhaps," she said at last. "But everyone has their weaknesses."
Mr. Chen chuckled, though she wasn't joking.
Zhao Yan's gaze shifted, and for a moment, their eyes met.
It was fleeting, but enough to send a jolt through Lian Mei. His expression didn't change, but she had the distinct impression he'd seen straight through her—past the polished exterior she'd carefully constructed for nights like this. The corner of his mouth tilted ever so slightly, and then he looked away, leaving her with a lingering sense of irritation.
"Excuse me, Mr. Chen," she said abruptly. "I see someone I need to speak with."
She wasn't about to let Zhao Yan unnerve her.
Zhao Yan observed the room like a chessboard, each guest a potential piece to maneuver. He hadn't wanted to attend tonight—these events were tedious at best—but the Zhao family name came with obligations.
He moved through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries without breaking stride. Most of the guests were predictable, eager to curry favor or flaunt their successes. He played along, offering polite nods and neutral smiles, but his mind was already on the next move.
Then he saw her.
Lian Mei.
He recognized her immediately from the dossier his assistant had prepared. The eldest daughter of the Lian family, she was known for her sharp wit and unrelenting drive. She had a reputation for pushing boundaries in a world dominated by men—a quality Zhao Yan might have respected if it didn't make her such a potential threat.
He'd heard whispers about her latest project, one that could disrupt a market his family's company was heavily invested in. It was why he'd had his team dig deeper into her background. She was intelligent, certainly, but her stubbornness could be her downfall.
As their eyes met across the room, he saw the flicker of recognition in her gaze. Good. Let her wonder what he was thinking. Let her question why he was here.
But she didn't falter. Instead, she broke the gaze first, her chin lifting slightly as she turned away.
Interesting.
Lian Mei approached the refreshment table, her mind racing. Zhao Yan's arrival wasn't a coincidence. His family rarely made appearances without purpose, and she had a sinking feeling she was part of that purpose tonight.
"Well, if it isn't the Lian family's rising star," a voice drawled behind her.
She turned to find Zhao Yan standing there, a glass of whiskey in hand. Up close, his presence was even more disarming. His dark eyes held hers with a steadiness that bordered on unsettling, and his voice carried the kind of confidence that came from knowing you were always the smartest person in the room.
"Zhao Yan," she said, keeping her tone neutral. "I didn't realize this event was important enough to warrant your presence."
He smiled faintly, the kind that didn't reach his eyes. "Important is relative, Miss Lian. Though I suppose it depends on who you're asking."
"Then why don't you tell me? What brings you here tonight?"
He tilted his head slightly, studying her. "The same as you, I imagine. Opportunity."
She bristled at his audacity. "I wasn't aware the Zhaos needed to attend charity galas to find opportunities."
"Nor the Lians," he countered smoothly.
Touché.
Before she could respond, a server approached, offering them drinks. Zhao Yan took one without breaking eye contact, his movements deliberate.
"It seems we'll be seeing more of each other soon," he said, his voice dropping just enough to feel personal.
Her brow furrowed. "And why is that?"
He swirled the amber liquid in his glass, his gaze never leaving hers. "Let's just say our paths are destined to cross, whether we like it or not."
Lian Mei clenched her jaw, refusing to let him rattle her. "Then I hope you're prepared for the challenge."
He smiled again, this time with a hint of genuine amusement. "I always am."
And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, equal parts intrigued and infuriated.
By the time the night ended, Lian Mei had secured two potential partnerships and exchanged more meaningless pleasantries than she cared to count. But Zhao Yan's words lingered, playing on a loop in the back of her mind.
Destined to cross paths.
She didn't know what game he was playing, but one thing was certain—she wasn't going to let him win.
And as Zhao Yan stepped into his waiting car outside the venue, he allowed himself a small smile.
The game had only just begun.