Lu Hanting’s pupils constricted. He swiftly retrieved the first-aid kit and began cleaning her wound with an alcohol-soaked cotton swab. “Remember this,” he said, his voice low. “This is what happens when you make me repeat myself for a third time.” Xia Xiwan looked up at his hard-set jaw. “So when you talk about consequences, Mr. Lu, you mean domestic abuse?” As he applied a bandage, a cold smile touched his thin lips. “Knowing I’m capable of that, and you still dared to come in here. You’ve got some nerve, haven’t you?” Xia Xiwan tilted her head back, her stunning, almond-shaped eyes meeting his. “Others may fear you, Mr. Lu, but I’m not one of them.” Lu Hanting’s long fingers paused mid-air. He gazed at her face, the small bandage only making her look more delicate and vulnerable. “Go,” he said softly. “I need to be alone.” With that, Lu Hanting helped Xia Xiwan to her feet. But she moved faster. Her slender, pale hands shot out, wrapping tightly around his lean waist. The moment her arms wrapped around him, Lu Hanting’s tall, powerful frame went rigid. Her body was impossibly soft, melting against his as if she had no bones. She pressed her face into his solid chest, clinging to him like a gentle kitten seeking warmth. He caught her scent again, that pleasant fragrance that seemed to gently pull at his nerves, an alluring invitation. Then, a soft whisper from his embrace. “Mr. Lu, you don’t have to be alone. You can be with someone. Let me stay with you.” The taut, angry veins across his body slowly began to recede. Even the terrifying hostility in his eyes started to fade. He raised his hands and pulled her closer. He buried his face in her soft hair, inhaling deeply. Her scent… it felt so familiar. Perhaps it was the strawberry jam she’d just eaten, but a sweet, fruity fragrance lingered on her as well. Xia Xiwan held him quietly for a moment, then her hands slid up from his waist, moving over the firm expanse of his back until her fingers rested on his sharp shoulder blades. “If you’re still in pain, you can try taking a bite.” A proper emotional outlet was essential. “Bite you? Aren’t you afraid of the pain?” “In your dreams. I meant…” Rising onto her toes, Xia Xiwan sank her teeth into his broad shoulder. The bite was swift and vicious, catching him completely off guard. Blood bloomed instantly through his white shirt. She had drawn blood. It felt as if she had nearly torn a piece of flesh from him. The sudden, sharp pain made every muscle in Lu Hanting’s body clench. He stumbled back a few steps, still holding her, until the back of Xia Xiwan’s legs hit the edge of the sofa. The next second, they both tumbled into its soft cushions. “Is this your revenge, Mrs. Lu?” Lu Hanting rasped, pinning her beneath him. The searing pain was a catharsis, clearing the haze from his narrowed eyes and restoring a sliver of clarity. Xia Xiwan arched a delicate eyebrow. “You pushed me earlier. Now I’ve bitten you. I’d say we’re even.” She tried to get up, but Lu Hanting’s hand clamped down on her delicate shoulder, pressing her back into the sofa. The position they were in was undeniably intimate. Xia Xiwan’s gaze locked with his. Two crimson flames flickered in the depths of his eyes as he stared down at her, like a predator eyeing its delicious prey. “What are you doing, Mr. Lu?” “You smell incredible,” he murmured. “You never did tell me what perfume you wear.” A playful smile touched Xia Xiwan’s lips. “Mr. Lu, I already told you I don’t wear any. Your insistence makes me wonder if you’re trying to hit on me. Is that it… are you trying to pick me up?” Lu Hanting had always known her eyes were beautiful, especially now, when they sparked with defiance. They were so full of life. He lowered his gaze, his lips brushing gently against the bandage on her forehead. A soft kiss. “Does it hurt? I’m sorry about before. Truly sorry…” For such a powerful, domineering man to apologize in that low, husky whisper sent a shiver straight down her spine. The man was an absolute devil. “We’re even, so it’s fine. Now, Mr. Lu, please let me go.” Xia Xiwan placed a hand on his chest, trying to push him away. But Lu Hanting didn’t budge. Instead, he cupped her face in his hands. His long fingers threaded through her dark hair as his lips began a slow descent from her forehead… Xia Xiwan’s fan-like lashes trembled. She didn't dare move. What… what was he doing? As he drew nearer, their breaths tangled in the air between them. Just as his lips were about to meet hers, a long, slender silver needle flashed in her hand, piercing an acupoint with swift, clean precision. Lu Hanting’s eyes closed, and he slumped onto the sofa beside her. Staring up at the brilliant crystal chandelier, Xia Xiwan squeezed her eyes shut. Even a fool would know what he had been about to do… to kiss her. She had asked if he was trying to pick her up. He hadn’t answered, but his actions seemed to be proof enough. Her eyes snapped open. No! Whatever his intentions, their relationship was nothing more than a contractual agreement. She had too much to do to let herself get captivated by him. Xia Xiwan tried to sit up, but a strong arm snaked out, wrapping around her shoulders and pulling her back down. She glanced over. Lu Hanting was still unconscious. He was asleep, yet even in his dreams, he wouldn’t let her leave. She tried to struggle free, but his grip was ironclad. Fearing she would wake him and all her effort would be for naught, she settled back down beside him. The study sofa wasn't large, and it was a tight fit for two people. Xia Xiwan had to turn on her side to take up less space. After a few moments, the melodic ring of a phone broke the silence. It was hers. Xia Xiwan quickly fumbled for her phone. She hadn't intended to answer, but the caller ID showed Xia Zhenguo. Her father. Lying in Lu Hanting’s arms, Xia Xiwan pressed the answer button, keeping her voice to a whisper. “Hello, Dad.” Xia Zhenguo’s scolding voice immediately came through the line. “Xiwan, what on earth happened today? Mr. Wang had already agreed to invest in Xia Medical, but I heard you offended him. Now he’s saying he’ll only invest if you go and apologize to him personally. Otherwise, the deal is off.” “Dad, didn’t Li Yulan tell you what happened today?” Xia Xiwan countered. “What if I told you this investment was bought with your own daughter? Would you still want it?” From the Xia residence, Li Yulan, hearing Xia Xiwan’s words, quickly interjected. “Zhenguo, it’s true. I was the one who sent Xiwan to Mr. Wang’s bed. But Xia Medical is facing a critical cash-flow problem and we desperately need this investment. As a daughter of the Xia family, it’s her duty to contribute.” Xia Xiwan let out a cold laugh. “Auntie, you have two daughters. Besides Xia Xiaodie, you also have your eldest, Xia Yanyan. We’re all daughters of the Xia family. Why don’t you ask them to contribute?” At the mention of Xia Yanyan, Li Yulan’s voice swelled with pride and satisfaction. The Xia family was a respected line of scholars and doctors, and Xia Yanyan had shown a prodigious talent for medicine since she was a child, making her Xia Zhenguo’s favorite. Xia Yanyan had also inherited her mother’s beauty. Delicate and sweet, she was hailed as the number one socialite in Haicheng. A beauty and a genius—everyone who met Li Yulan praised her for raising such a fine daughter. This was the main reason Li Yulan had maintained her favored position in the Xia family for so many years. When they were little, Xia Xiwan and Xia Yanyan had been the best of friends. Back then, the brilliant Xia Xiwan had outshone Xia Yanyan in every way. But after nearly a decade of being banished to the countryside, Xia Xiwan was surely a lost cause. How could she possibly compete with her daughter now? “Zhenguo, do you hear what Xiwan is saying? How can she insult our Yanyan like that?” As expected, Xia Zhenguo’s tone grew displeased. “Xiwan,” he said sternly, “1949 Bar. You will be there tomorrow evening to meet Mr. Wang.”