Crystal chandeliers showered shimmering light as Gu Nianzhi glided into the banquet hall, her lavender gown swirling gently like twilight mist. Beside her, Mei Xiawen offered an arm, radiating quiet confidence. Across the lavish room, Feng Yixi lurked behind ornate greenery, her golden dress glittering with subtle menace, champagne flute trembling slightly in her manicured hand.
"Get it done," Feng Yipin hissed impatiently, nudging her sister.
Feng Yixi drained her champagne, eyes narrowing dangerously as she twisted the diamond ring on her finger, revealing a tiny, lethal needle. Her lips curled into a deceptively sweet smile as she floated gracefully toward Nianzhi.
"Darling! You finally made it—I was afraid you'd skip my party!" Her sugary voice masked venom as her hand landed lightly yet firmly on Nianzhi's bare shoulder—a fleeting, painful prick.
Nianzhi winced slightly but brushed it off quickly, offering a small, elegant gift box tied with a silk ribbon. "Happy birthday, Yixi."
"You shouldn't have bothered!" Yixi carelessly passed the box to a nearby waiter, gripping Nianzhi's arm tighter. "Come on, there's someone I must introduce you to. My cousin's been desperate to meet you."
She dragged Nianzhi onto the terrace where a group of young men loitered beneath twinkling fairy lights, their laughter obnoxious, eyes gleaming predatorily.
"Ah, law school's little prodigy," drawled the leader with neon-streaked hair, his gaze openly suggestive. "Brains and beauty, huh?"
Nianzhi's forced smile faltered. Her body suddenly flushed with unnatural heat, senses overwhelmed by their overly sweet cologne. Panic clawed up her throat as dizziness struck.
What's happening to me?
She bit sharply into her tongue, coppery blood jolting her senses clear enough to bolt from their grasp.
"Hey, get back here!" Neon-Hair growled, lunging after her as she fled into the gardens.
Yixi hurled her empty glass at him in fury. "Idiot! That's Blissfire—worth millions—and you let her escape?!"
Feng Yipin smirked coldly, eyes glittering with dark amusement as she watched Nianzhi vanish into the shadows. "Maybe this works better. Let her run—just make it messy."
Nianzhi stumbled desperately toward the only safe haven she knew—Huo Shaoheng's heavily fortified estate. Slamming shut the massive gates, she collapsed against them, gasping for breath. Heat burned her from the inside, every heartbeat agony.
Her trembling fingers managed to dial Dr. Chen Lie. "Help...please...quickly."
"Where are you?" Chen's voice turned sharp, decisive. Keys rattled in urgency.
Moments later, medical monitors flashed frantic red alerts. Chen's expression hardened as he scanned toxicology results. "Blissfire… Who did this to you?"
Writhing painfully, Nianzhi pressed the cool edge of a silver butter knife against her wrist, fighting to stay conscious. "Call…Huo."
Chen urgently punched in the encrypted number, eyes darting nervously toward the windows as heavy footsteps echoed ominously outside.