As Damon led me onto the dance floor, I felt the weight of hundreds of eyes on us.
The whispers grew louder.
"Why is Damon Zichen dancing with Lisa Jing?"
"Wasn't she a joke before? How did this happen?"
"Look at Ava! She's furious!"
I smiled. Let them talk.
Damon's grip was firm but effortless as his hand settled on my waist. The music swelled, and we began to move.
His eyes, sharp and unreadable, watched me closely.
"You're full of surprises, Miss Jing," he murmured, voice low and smooth. "First, you warn me about a hacker. Now, you seem to be setting a trap of your own."
I tilted my head, feigning innocence. "Oh? Whatever do you mean?"
Damon chuckled—deep and amused. "Don't play coy. The whispers about Ava started the moment you spoke to Madam He."
So he caught that.
Of course, he did.
He was no fool.
But neither was I.
"Wouldn't you say the truth deserves to be heard?" I countered.
Damon smirked. "You don't strike me as someone interested in justice. You're after something more."
I met his gaze head-on. "You're right."
His grip tightened slightly, intrigued. "Then tell me, Lisa Jing—what do you want?"
I leaned in, letting my lips curl into a dangerous smile.
"A deal."
Damon's expression didn't change, but I felt the shift in his energy. The amusement dimmed—replaced by something sharper.
"What kind of deal?"
"The kind that benefits us both," I murmured, letting my fingers brush lightly against his shoulder. "I can help you. But in return… you'll help me."
Damon studied me for a moment, our movements never faltering as we glided across the dance floor.
"And why," he said slowly, "would I need your help?"
I chuckled softly. "Because, Mr. Zichen… I know things even your best men don't."
I saw the flicker of something dangerous in his eyes.
Interest.
Challenge.
And maybe—just maybe—temptation.
Damon's grip remained steady, but his gaze narrowed slightly.
"You claim to know things my best men don't," he murmured, his voice laced with intrigue. "That's a bold statement, Miss Jing."
I smiled, slow, deliberate. "Bold, yes. But untrue? No."
His steps didn't falter, but I could sense the shift in him—the sharp focus. The Dark Prince of X City didn't waste time with empty words.
"Then prove it."
I tilted my head, pretending to think. "Hmm… Let's see." My voice lowered, just enough that only he could hear. "The hacker you captured tonight? He wasn't just some freelancer looking for a paycheck. He was hired by the Xue Syndicate."
Damon's expression remained unreadable, but his grip tightened.
Bullseye.
"They're trying to expose the encrypted files that hide the identity of the man behind the most powerful underground force in the city," I continued, my smile never fading. "A man your enemies desperately want to unmask."
His jaw tensed.
I had him.
I leaned in slightly, whispering, "Shall I continue, Mr. Zichen?"
His thumb brushed against my waist—so slight, it almost felt like an unconscious gesture.
"You're playing a dangerous game," he murmured, his voice lower now, almost… amused.
I met his gaze, my lips curving into a smirk. "So are you."
For a moment, there was silence.
A heartbeat.
Then, finally, Damon's lips quirked into the faintest smirk. "Interesting."
But before he could say anything else—
"Lisa! There you are!"
I turned, my smirk instantly vanishing.
Ava.
Ava glided toward us, a glass of red wine in her delicate hands, her eyes shimmering with a mix of fake warmth and hidden fury.
I could tell she was struggling to keep her composure. Seeing me in Damon's arms must be driving her insane.
"Forgive me, Mr. Zichen," she said sweetly, bowing slightly. "I didn't mean to interrupt. But my sister has been… quite popular tonight. I just wanted to share a drink with her."
She handed me the glass.
A single glance told me everything I needed to know.
The drink was drugged.
This was the same setup from my past life.
Ava had done this before—except last time, I was foolish enough to trust her. After drinking it, I had lost control of my body. My vision had blurred, my limbs had gone weak…
And then I had been dragged away and humiliated in front of the entire city.
Not this time.
I smiled as I took the glass, my fingers brushing against the cool surface. Ava, you really don't learn, do you?
Damon was watching. I could feel his eyes on me, studying me.
I had two options:
Pretend to drink it and expose Ava immediately. Switch the glasses and let Ava drink her own poison.
I made my choice.
Still smiling, I turned slightly—and "accidentally" bumped into Ava.
The glass tilted—just enough.
Just enough for the wine to spill onto her dress.
Ava gasped.
"Oh no!" I said, my voice filled with fake concern. "I'm so sorry, Ava! Here, let me help."
In one smooth motion, I switched our glasses.
Ava was too flustered to notice.
I smiled sweetly, holding out the new glass. "Here. You wanted to share a drink, right?"
Ava hesitated.
She didn't want to drink it—of course she didn't. She knew it was drugged.
But she had no choice. If she refused now, it would be too suspicious.
So, with a stiff smile, she raised the glass to her lips—
And drank.
I watched, my smirk hidden behind the rim of my untouched glass.
Let the fun begin.