---
The phone screen glared back at her, displaying the horror she never imagined she'd ever have to face.
Su Meilin's breath caught in her throat as she stared at the video—the grainy image of her own naked body sprawled on a bed, a soft drunken moan escaping her lips as she clutched at William and Eric.
Her own voice echoed out through the phone's speaker; breathless, begging, like a sharp dagger, "Please... don't stop... more..." She sounded breathy, intoxicated, desperate.
Her face drained of color.
Her perfectly manicured fingers trembled so violently that the phone nearly slipped from her hand.
She felt as though the ground had vanished beneath her feet.
Her legs wobbled, the strength in them gone as shame washed over her like a tidal wave.
"No... no... this can't be real..." she whispered.
But it was. And the pictures? Dozens of them. Posed, candid, cruel.
Her mind spiraled, flashing through the worst-case scenarios. If her grandfather saw this... if her father even caught a glimpse... she would be ruined.
Dead, figuratively and maybe even literally.
And Liang Yexuan? The man she had chased for years? He would never look at her again. He already treated her like a stranger.
This... this would bury her last chance forever.
In a moment of desperation, she hurriedly deleted the photos and the video, but it was pointless.
The damage had already been done.
They had it.
And they could send it to anyone at any time.
Her chest heaved in fury and fear as she dialed William's number.
"What the hell was that?! Why did you record me? " she hissed as soon as the line connected.
William's deep chuckle sent a chill down her spine. "Relax, princess. It was just a little... souvenir. You're even hotter on tape, you know? "
"What the hell do you want?!" she demanded.
William's deep chuckle echoed on the other end. "Baby, that's not how you should talk to your lovers."
"You recorded me! You bastard! Do you know who I am?!"
"Oh, we know who you are," William replied coolly. "And that's exactly why we recorded you."
She could hear Eric laughing in the background.
"You messed with the wrong people. I swear, I will make you pay!" she screamed, her voice shaking.
William's voice darkened. "Even your grandfather wouldn't dare touch us. Even the president greets us with both hands. You? You're just a spoiled little doll. Now be a good girl and come to Black Mist Club within the hour. Wear red. Look hot. And remember to smile. Or else..."
The call disconnected.
Su Meilin stood frozen in the elevator as the doors opened into the lobby but she didn't move right away.
She had to summon every ounce of strength not to scream. Not to collapse.
Her grip tightened around the phone.
Her face was pale, blank, unreadable—but her insides screamed.
'How could this happen to me?' she thought bitterly. 'I always made sure to be in control. Always. How did I not check for cameras?! How could I have been so careless?!'
She walked stiffly to the car, her expression blank, her composure holding on by a single thread.
The driver opened the door as she entered.
"Home," she snapped, closing her eyes as she sank into the seat.
The silence in the car only made her thoughts louder.
I can't let this destroy me. I won't let it. I have too much to lose. The engagement, the company, the legacy...
Her eyes flashed open. 'I have to stop them.'
But how?
---
At home, the Su residence was as pristine and grand as always.
Roses bloomed in the front garden, trimmed to perfection.
She passed her mother in the garden but didn't stop.
"Meilin? What's wrong? " her mother called, concern in her voice.
"Nothing. Just work, " she muttered, brushing past her.
Su Meilin stomped through the hallway, up the staircase, and into her room, slamming the door shut.
A scream tore from her throat, loud enough to shake the chandeliers.
She hurled the throw pillows across the room.
The scent diffuser on her nightstand shattered as it hit the floor.
Her vanity mirror cracked as she swept all her makeup products and perfume bottles to the ground with one powerful sweep.
"How dare they... HOW DARE THEY! "
The door rattled with her mother's persistent knocking.
Knock. Knock.
"Meilin? Are you alright?" her mother's worried voice called.
"GO AWAY!" she screamed.
"Meilin, what's going on in there? Who made you upset? Open this door! "
"I'm fine! Just leave me alone! " she barked.
Finally, when the chaos calmed, Su Meilin stood in the middle of her room, panting like she'd run a marathon.
Her reflection stared back from the cracked mirror—a mess.
Hair wild, eyes red, makeup smudged. Her face, usually flawless, now twisted in pain.
The silence afterward was deafening.
Looking at the mess she'd made, her chest heaved. It wasn't enough.
She wanted to scream more.
Break more.
Destroy everything.
But she couldn't.
She stormed to the bathroom and turned on the cold shower.
She stood under the stream of water for what felt like forever, hoping the chill would numb the rage.
When she emerged, her skin was still tingling.
But her mind was calmer. Resigned.
I have no choice. I have to go.
She dressed quickly, throwing on a sleeveless red dress that clung to her skin and barely reached her thighs.
Over it, she slipped into a long black trench coat.
Her makeup was simple yet seductive, and her lips were painted red like blood.
Opening the door, she nearly bumped into her mother again.
"Where are you going looking like that?" her mother asked, eyes narrowing as she eyed her makeup.
"A business meeting," she lied without flinching.
Her mother looked at her skeptically. "You look like you're about to fight someone. "
"I said it's business. " She adjusted her coat, walking past her.
Her mother looked her up and down, then at the mess inside her room.
"What happened to you? Who upset you?"
"It's nothing I can't handle," Meilin muttered. "I told you already. Just business."
"Don't push yourself too hard. You're still the heiress of the Su family. Never forget your worth."
Meilin forced a tight smile. "I won't."
And with that, she turned and walked down the stairs, her heels echoing on the marble floors.
Her mother stood at the top, watching her daughter walk away.
---
At the entrance of Black Mist Club, two well-built bouncers stopped her.
"Invitation?" one of them asked.
She was just reaching for her phone when one of the bouncers tapped his earpiece, then gave a nod. "She's expected. "
They parted and let her in.
"You may enter, Miss Su."
The interior of the club was breathtaking.
Despite it being daytime, the lighting was low, moody, and expensive. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings. Velvet furniture sprawled across the main floor. Beautiful women laughed on plush sofas while powerful men drank and smoked cigars.
Celebrities. Tycoons. Politicians.
The kind of place where secrets were currency and shame was entertainment.
A waiter approached her. "Miss Su?"
She nodded once.
"This way, please."
They entered the private elevator, heading straight to the top floor.
The doors opened on the top floor to a lush, exclusive lounge. The lighting was dim, bathed in hues of wine and crimson.
The walls were lined with shelves of premium liquor, and the scent of aged wood and smoke filled the air. Plush black and red sofas formed circles.
The scent of sandalwood filled the air.
The waiter stopped at a door and knocked.
"Miss Su is here."
The door opened.
Eric stood there, dressed in a white t-shirt that clung to his body like a second skin.
His abs were visible beneath the fabric, the outline of muscles that looked carved. His lips curled into a knowing smirk.
Su Meilin's heart stuttered for a split second before fury replaced it.
The waiter left.
Before she could speak, Eric grabbed her arm and pulled her inside.
He pressed her against the door and captured her lips in a rough, forceful kiss.
She gasped, struggling. "Let me go! I told you I don't kiss on the lips!"
Eric didn't care.
His lips bruised hers before he finally pulled back, only when she began to suffocate.
Her hand flew up and slapped him hard across the face. "I TOLD YOU! I don't do lips! What the hell is wrong with you?! "
Eric only smirked, a mocking, devilish curve to his mouth. " We own every inch of you, princess. Does it matter anymore?"
She turned to find William strolling toward her, calm and dangerous.
He held out two glasses of alcohol. "Easy, sweetheart. We're just here to have a little fun. Relax."
She took the glass, her hands shaking, and downed it in one go.
As the liquid burned her throat, William and Eric exchanged glances.
Dark smiles spread across their faces.
And Su Meilin didn't notice.
---