CHAPTER - 2

{Inside the Elevator}

My broken phone buzzed again.

Unknown number.

For a second, I just stared at it, my pulse pounding in my ears.

Then I answered.

"…Lin speaking."

A pause.

Then—

A voice I knew too well.

Smooth. Mocking.

"Did you like my birthday gift… husband?"

My breath hitched.

Cheng Mo.

"You sold my company."

The words came out low. Controlled.

A soft chuckle echoed through the line.

Of course I did," he said lazily. "Didn't you like it? I put a lot of thought into it."

Laughter followed.

Sharp. Deliberate.

My grip tightened around the phone, fingers trembling.

The elevator walls suddenly felt too close.

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

My voice cracked—but I didn't care.

Each word he spoke felt like something tearing through my chest.

"You sound surprised," Cheng said lightly. "Don't tell me you actually believed your dear brother did it."

Silence.

Cold. Heavy.

My jaw clenched.

"What did you do to him?"

The question came out dangerous.

"If you touched him—"

"Relax," he cut in, amused. "I didn't force him. He signed everything himself."

For a moment—

Nothing.

My mind went completely blank.

Then the rage came back.

Worse.

"You think this is funny?"

A pause.

Then—

"Very."

The line went dead.

The elevator chimed.

Doors slid open.

People moved past me, unaware. Unbothered.

Like my world hadn't just collapsed.

I stepped out slowly, my reflection flashing across the polished walls.

Blood on my hand.

Eyes dark.

Unrecognizable.

I had been going to my brother.

Not anymore.

My steps changed direction.

Cold. Steady.

Toward him.

Toward Cheng Mo.

Because now—

This wasn't about answers.

This was about ending it.

The city blurred past.

My grip on the steering wheel tightened, knuckles white as the engine roared beneath me.

I didn't slow down.

Didn't think.

Didn't care.

There was only one thought burning through me—

Him.

I stopped in front of the high-rise, barely registering the doorman's reaction as I walked past. Blood still stained my hand. My shirt was a mess.

I didn't stop.

Didn't speak.

The elevator opened.

And there he was.

Cheng Mo.

Sitting like nothing had happened.

Legs crossed. Wine in hand. Calm.

Waiting.

His eyes lifted the moment I entered.

Then—he smiled.

"You look… passionate."

The door slammed shut behind me.

"Cheng."

My voice was low. Controlled. Barely.

"You sold my company."

A pause.

Then—

"Yes."

No hesitation.

No guilt.

Just that same smirk.

Something inside me snapped.

I crossed the distance in seconds, grabbing his collar and yanking him forward. The wine glass slipped from his hand, shattering against the floor.

"You don't even deny it?!"

His fingers closed around my wrist.

Not stopping me.

Just… holding.

His face was inches from mine now. Close enough to feel his breath.

"I never denied anything."

Calm.

Too calm.

The scent of him—leather, something dark—wrapped around me, suffocating.

My grip tightened.

"You had no right," I snarled, shaking him. "After everything I've done for you—"

"And what exactly have you done for me?"

The words cut in smoothly.

Soft.

Dangerous.

His gaze didn't waver.

If anything—

It deepened.

"You built your empire," he continued quietly. "But tell me… was I ever part of it?"

Silence.

Heavy.

Charged.

His hand slid slightly up my wrist—not pushing away.

Holding tighter.

"Or was I just something you kept… when it was convenient?"

My breath hitched.

For a second—

Just a second—

Something shifted.

Then I shoved him back.

Hard.

Because that—

That was not the game he was allowed to play.

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