But tonight, she appeared before him—a wretched, pitiable sight meant to stir his compassion—only to play hard to get the moment he relented! He was furious. “Stay where you are,” he commanded, his voice cold as ice. Wen Xi didn’t stop—or rather, she didn’t dare to. But just as she reached the edge of the courtyard, a powerful arm snaked around her slender waist, yanking her backward. Her back sla