The next day.
Fyren donned a sleek trench coat and sunglasses, with a graceful, seductive secretary trailing behind him. His trousers hung crisply, shoes polished to a shine; Chloe wore a form-fitting skirt, black lace, and alluring high heels that clicked down the villa steps.
Below, Copper King and Iron King flanked the entrance, six men in black suits posted near the car.
"Good morning, Fyren," they said in unison.
Zaring opened the car door. "Fyren, please."
Fyren smiled and slid in. Chloe followed, perching directly on his lap. He held the beauty, tracing her thigh, and said coolly, "Zaring."
"Yes, Fyren."
"Let's move."
Hakan stood in a bespoke designer suit, the luxurious wool jacket impeccably tailored. His expensive Italian loafers were spotless. Pulling Sabrina close, he purred: "Beautiful, today I conquer this city, and you..." He tapped her nose. "Will witness history at my side."
Sabrina smiled demurely. "Hakan, promise you won't forget me after today?"
"Ha ha ha!" Hakan boomed. "Let's roll!"
A dozen bodyguards, secretaries, and assistants chorused below: "Yes, Hakan!"
Otto, also in a suit, had beads of sweat trickling down his forehead. Sherry braced him. "Young Lord, are you sure you're okay?"
"Fine," Otto gritted, staring ahead.
"Don't push it. You look half-dead. Maybe we should skip this."
Otto shot her a glance. Though he knew her consciousness was sealed, her bluntness stung. Disgust welled up. "I won't die! Fyren and Hakan think they're the winners. But a true hunter lets prey wallow in happiness—sink in it, fail in it, get crushed in it..."
"You got crushed last night," Sherry said flatly.
"I took the Fugu Jianyuan Pill! I'm fine."
"You know it's just partial healing. No strenuous activity, no martial arts—you'll fall apart again."
Otto seized her neck. "Shut up, idiot! This is a business war—all brains, no brawn!"
"Understood, Young Lord. Just... take it easy. Your bones can't handle—"
In a car speeding along the outer ring, Silver King—newspaper in hand like a true tycoon—smirked. "Assistant, tomorrow's front page will announce Dongfang Group acquiring Qianfeng, Hakan as major shareholder. But no one will know he's a puppet. Our Young Lord pulls the strings."
"What about us, brother?"
"We are the strings." Silver King watched the cityscape blur by. "The most precious, secret, and useful strings in the game."
Fyren's car had barely driven a mile when a motorcade blocked the road ahead. Zaring recognized Xena's driver and slammed on the brakes, turning to report: "Fyren, it's Xena's convoy."
Fyren was dabbing lipstick on Chloe when he heard this, quickly withdrawing his hand from her blouse. "What's she up to?"
"No idea."
Chloe hastily adjusted her bra and hair, touching up her makeup.
Xena stepped out in a tailored business suit, a complete transformation. Zaring rushed to open her door. "Morning, Xena."
"Mn."
The moment she slid into the car, Xena plopped next to Fyren, smiling. "How do I look?"
Fyren thought:
[Little witch! Nearly got me killed last night! Since when does a girl pull off professional wear this well?]
[If she were my girlfriend, we'd go rounds in that outfit...]
[Petite frame, but that aura! The contrast is intoxicating.]
He kept his face neutral. "Careful not to stretch the fabric. Zaring, drive."
Xena smirked. "Playing hard to get, huh?" She wriggled into his lap, hugging him tightly.
Fyren tensed. "Why sit on me? Uncomfortable! Stop squirming—get off! Get off!"
"Nope. Oh? You reacting?"
"You're vice president of Houde Group. Show some composure."
"Please—no outsiders here. Xena, Cora, Chloe—we're all like little sisters to you."
She had that regal elegance—fit to be a queen, yet somehow underrated.
Zaring shot a sour glance at Fyren, who rubbed his chin, speechless.
Just then, Eliza rapped on the window. Zaring rolled it down, awkward. "Eliza."
"What, think I've fallen from grace so you won't open the door?"
"No, no—right away." Zaring fumbled out to open it.
Eliza peeked in and smiled. "Knew Zaring wouldn't dare. Fyren, cozy with all these ladies."
Fyren forced a smile. "Xena needed a ride. Hop in."
With more women in the car, tension thickened. Xena and Eliza had history.
Xena said, "Eliza, you look confident. Heard today's big for Qingfeng Group. Congrats on the launch."
"Thanks." Eliza replied coolly, "With Fyren's support, how can I lose? Besides, even if I do, I'll still be Miss Zhang. My personal worth exceeds Qianfeng's total assets—right, Fyren?"
Fyren nodded frantically. "Absolutely! Don't mention Qianfeng—even the Four Great Families combined can't match Eliza's value."
Xena shot a jealous glare, then smiled sweetly. "Fyren, you kept stealing my blanket last night. I nearly froze to death."
Eliza whipped her head toward Fyren, eyes narrowing as if to say: "Is that true?"
"Ah, hahaha!" Fyren chuckled dryly. "About last night... complicated. Xena here was too scared to sleep alone, so I kept watch all night. A gentleman staying chaste—good for my image, right?"
Eliza got it: he was saving Xena face while clarifying nothing happened. She wasn't some fishwife to claw at a mistress in the street. She knew how to fight with finesse.
Feigning shock, she cooed: "Fyren, how rude! A girl shares your bed, and you don't even mention it? What, is my Xu family sister not charming enough? Or are her legs too short? How can you be so cold? What will people say about Xena?"
Xena seethed, but forced a smile. "No big deal! Fyren, you still have my panties? You were so rough yesterday—you owe me compensation!"
Fyren broke into a cold sweat. "Ah... right, right. About that... cough... yeah... I'll make it up to you."
Xena shot Eliza a triumphant look. Eliza's eyes iced over, fury barely contained. She latched onto Fyren's arm, pressing against his chest. "I'm not mad, Fyren. Just next time, warn her before barging in on her bath! So scary!"
Xena grabbed his other arm. "Fyren, I'm staying over again tonight. What should I wear? I'll model for you."
"Stop! Enough!" Fyren yelled.
Zaring slammed on the brakes. Fyren shoved the women off him. "I'm getting out! I never start this crap, but I always get stuck in it!"
The girls clutched his arms, eyes pleading.
"Shut up! Anyone who keeps this up is out!"
Chloe silently gave a thumbs-up. Watching Fyren cow two corporate heiresses—so hot!
Fyren yanked out his phone, dialed a number. "Move in," he barked, hanging up. The trailing cars swerved onto side roads, diverting toward main thoroughfares.
Qingfeng Group Conference Room.
Todd, president of the Business Association, presided over the board meeting.
"Esteemed members, today's session is pivotal. Its outcome will reshape our city's pillar enterprise and influence the business landscape for years. I ask all non-essential personnel to leave. Remaining should be Qingfeng shareholders, the president, legal advisors, Business Association representatives, and notaries."
Xena refused to budge. No amount of persuasion worked.
Todd approached her. "Xena, would you mind waiting in the lounge? We'll update you as soon as we reach a decision. This is Qingfeng Group business, involving Qianfeng's commercial interests and secrets, so—"
"Just hear me out." Xena stood, facing Eliza. "Before you make any moves, let me offer a guarantee." Her secretary quickly handed over a contract, which she held up. "I propose to acquire 40% of Qingfeng Group's shares. You don't need to rush into any sales. My offer will be more than generous."
Todd forced a smile. "Xena, if you'll follow the concierge..."
Eliza's expression remained unreadable. Hakan's grew graver.
His secretary leaned in. "Hakan."
"Keep tabs on Xena," he whispered.
"Yes, sir."