The music swelled, the dance floor spun, and the ballroom gleamed brighter than ever. To the outside world, it looked like a celebration of Feng Yichen's birthday — a sweet family affair wrapped in wealth and luxury.
But behind the wine glasses and crystal chandeliers…
Everyone wore a mask.
Madam Lin stood at the center table, sipping her champagne, her eyes locked on the large screen above the stage. The remote was tucked inside her glittering clutch. One press, and the video would play.
Her carefully edited masterpiece.
Clips from the past.
Snippets of Xiao Xiao's wildest, most shameful moments — screaming at staff, destroying a hotel lobby, chasing after Feng Ju like a desperate fool.
A whole narrative, twisted and spliced together to humiliate her in front of the elites.
Beside her, Feng Qian smirked. "When they see it, she'll never be able to lift her head again."
"Let her dance now," Madam Lin said. "The phoenix will burn… right after midnight."
—
But Xiao Xiao had already noticed something was wrong.
The AV crew.
The way one man disappeared behind the stage with wires and a flash drive.
The slight tension in her father's shoulders as he watched her, not with pride—but with expectation, like he was bracing for something explosive.
Xiao Xiao turned to Li Yan, her hand resting on his chest.
"There's a trap," she murmured.
"I saw it," he said. "But I'm curious. Do you want me to stop it?"
She smiled slowly.
"No. Let them press play."
He raised a brow. "Are you sure?"
She stepped back, smoothing her red gown.
"I prepared a little video of my own."
—
The lights dimmed.
The ballroom quieted.
And Madam Lin, lips curled, pressed the button.
The screen flickered.
Laughter echoed from hidden speakers — the beginning of a humiliating video reel of "the old Xiao Xiao."
But then—
The screen glitched.
Cut to black.
Then a new video played.
One no one expected.
Footage of Madam Lin's private phone calls.
Of Feng Qian meeting with reporters, bribing them.
Of Feng Ju and Feng Qian in a dark parking lot… kissing.
And then whispering:
"Once Xiao Xiao is gone, the family will be ours."
The ballroom exploded into gasps.
Xiao Xiao stood still, her expression calm—cold, like a queen watching her enemies fall without lifting a finger.
Feng Ju's face went white.
Feng Qian dropped her glass.
And Madam Lin—furious, exposed—turned on her husband, who had just returned to the table.
But Grandfather Feng had already risen from his chair.
His voice thundered through the hall:
"Take them out. Now."
Security moved in.
And Xiao Xiao?
She turned toward Li Yan, took his hand again, and said softly:
"Let's go. This party's over."