Baiyu Palace, luxurious banquet hall on the thirteenth floor.
As a top-tier enterprise in Shencheng, Nanchang Group’s annual eting was sure to be a grand affair. Half of the most prestigious business moguls had arrived, and a famous singer had been invited to perform. When Ning Guiwan arrived, the place was already bustling with activity.
However, her arrival still drew considerable attention. That red dress was particularly eye-catching. Under the crystal chandelier, her skin appeared to glow, and her every move exuded charm. The surrounding gazes couldn’t help but fall upon her, especially those of the gentlen.
"HMPH, dressed so flamboyantly, who is she trying to seduce?" In the brief silence, an inappropriate comnt echoed from a corner.
Ning Guiwan acted as if she hadn’t heard. Her brow didn’t even furrow. With a smile, she exchanged pleasantries, the epito of grace and composure.
"Look at how smug she acts!" In the corner, the previous speaker grumbled discontentedly, "Sister Rongyue, I’m so angry for you! She not only stole your brother-in-law but also allows people to bully you in the company. She’s such a wicked woman!"
The speaker was Qiao Youning, a friend Ning Rongyue had made in the past two years. She was the youngest heiress of Qiao Group and Qiao Yishen’s younger sister. Also a pampered young lady, she possessed the typical arrogance of one from a prominent family. She used to despise illegitimate daughters the most, yet she was surprisingly close to Ning Rongyue.
Under Ning Rongyue’s subtle influence, in Qiao Youning’s mind, Ning Guiwan was a malicious vixen, always ready to ensnare n.
At this mont, Ning Guiwan was shaking hands with Lu Ziqi, the second son of Lu Group. Tianchi Group had business dealings with Lu Group.
"Mr. Lu, it’s been a few days. You seem even more spirited than before."
Ning Guiwan said, her eyes bright and captivating as she made polite conversation.
Lu Ziqi was dressed in a matte silver suit, its buttons fastened, with a matching vest underneath, a white shirt, a blue striped tie, and a black pocket square. At twenty-seven or twenty-eight, he exuded a gentlemanly air. With his tall figure and striking features, standing beside Ning Guiwan, they indeed looked like a golden couple.
Lu Ziqi smiled upon hearing her words. "President Ning, you’ve also beco increasingly eloquent."
"This is too much!" Qiao Youning’s pretty face contorted when she saw this, and she shot up from her seat. "How dare she try to seduce Second Brother Lu!"
"Don’t be impulsive." Ning Rongyue grabbed her hand, trying to calm her. "Lu Group and Tianchi have a partnership. They often dine together and know each other well, so it’s normal for them to chat when they et. Don’t make such a fuss."
Hearing this, Qiao Youning’s eyes widened. "What? They often have als together?"
Second Brother Lu often dines with such a siren?
Qiao Youning’s expression grew increasingly grim.
"They’re just discussing business; don’t overthink it..." The more Ning Rongyue consoled her, the more indignant Qiao Youning beca.
She had asked Second Brother Lu out for a al, but he always made excuses. Yet he frequently dined with a shaless woman like Ning Guiwan! It was outrageous!
Besides, many won in the business world, especially successful ones, relied on their looks to get ahead. Who knew if Second Brother Lu and this woman were... involved?
When Ning Guiwan ca out of the restroom, she saw an unfamiliar young woman standing at the entrance, staring at her angrily.
Ning Guiwan had noticed this girl with Ning Rongyue earlier. However, since she didn’t recognize her, she paid it no mind and walked over to the sink. She turned on the tap and elegantly washed her hands. Afterward, she took two paper towels and nonchalantly dried each finger ticulously.
Such occasions were the most tiring—wearing a mask, speaking insincere words. Utterly dull.
After tossing the paper towels into the trash can, Ning Guiwan prepared to return. But as she lifted her gaze, she realized the unfamiliar girl had moved beside her and was staring intently at her reflection in the mirror.
Ning Guiwan t her gaze calmly, a faint, lazy smile playing on her lips. "Do we know each other?"
"You’re not allowed to seduce Second Brother Lu!" The girl appeared to be in her early twenties, around Ning Guiwan’s age, perhaps a little younger.
Ning Guiwan turned, resting her right hand on the edge of the vanity. "Second Brother Lu?"
As she spoke, she ntally sifted through nas that matched the address. After a mont, a look of realization dawned on her. "Are you talking about Lu Ziqi?"
The girl’s expression grew even fiercer.
Ning Guiwan found it amusing and said softly, "I rely exchanged a few polite words with him, and in your eyes, that’s seduction?" She glanced sideways at her reflection. "Do I look that frivolous?"
"Don’t think I don’t know! You stole your own sister’s man and caused her to miscarry twice! And even before you were an adult, you were already... with n..." The girl seed too ashad to utter the final words, glaring at her. "I’ve read the reports! Won like you have no sha!"
The smile remained on Ning Guiwan’s lips, but her eyes turned cold.
She slowly leaned in, her captivating eyes narrowing, her voice laced with a hint of malice. "Then you’d better watch Lu Ziqi closely. Be careful, or he might just end up in my bed one day."
"You!" The girl’s face flushed crimson, and she was too furious to speak.
Having said her piece, Ning Guiwan slowly straightened up. Without another glance at the girl who had appeared so suddenly, she walked away elegantly in her high heels.
"Baby!" She hadn’t gone far from the restroom when a young man suddenly blocked her path.
He wore a gray down jacket, denim jeans, and clunky leather shoes that looked sowhat worn and shabby. However, his face was decent, though it was flushed as if he were drunk.
Ning Guiwan frowned. "You’ve mistaken for soone else. I don’t know you."
"Baby..." The man imdiately knelt, grabbing the hem of Ning Guiwan’s skirt, crying and pleading, "I know I’m poor and not worthy of you, but I truly love you! Please don’t leave , okay?"
Ning Guiwan snatched her skirt away. The man was heavily intoxicated and lacked strength, so her tug sent him sprawling clumsily to the ground. He was just a drunk who had mistaken her for soone else.
Ning Guiwan had no intention of getting entangled with him and turned to leave.
"Baby... don’t leave ! I beg you, don’t leave ! I know I’m poor, but I’ll work hard..." the man cried, his voice pitiful and heart-wrenching.
Qiao Youning stood at the restroom entrance, rage practically seething in her eyes.
Vile woman! Truly a vile woman who enjoys toying with n’s feelings!
She couldn’t let her harm Second Brother Lu! She absolutely couldn’t!
Ning Guiwan returned to the main hall and almost imdiately spotted Quan Yu surrounded by people.
The man seed to have just arrived and was heading toward the main table when soone intercepted him, shaking his hand with a broad smile. Everyone around faced him, creating a scene reminiscent of stars orbiting the moon.
Seemingly sensing Ning Guiwan’s gaze, Quan Yu turned his head and looked over. Under the lights, his features were sharply defined, his figure tall and striking. He wore an open black suit jacket over a black waistcoat and a white shirt, paired with black leather shoes. A gem inlaid in his tie pin refracted a faint blue light.
Co to think of it, Ning Guiwan hadn’t seen him for several days. The end of the year was packed with social engagents, keeping them both busy.
Quan Yu quickly averted his gaze, casually resuming his conversation with those around him as if his backward glance had been rely an unintentional peek.
"I never expected CEO Niu to successfully invite Mr. Quan. I really underestimated him."
"Nanchang Group’s total output value nearly doubled this year compared to last. They’re riding a wave of success and certainly have the capital to invite Mr. Quan. Perhaps they’ll even have a chance to collaborate with Ruiyin in the future—fortune is truly smiling on them..."
Ning Guiwan listened to the chorus of complints for Quan Yu around her, and a strange emotion stirred within her.
The atmosphere of the annual eting reached its zenith with Quan Yu’s arrival. CEO Niu, his face creased with a wide smile, led Quan Yu toward the main table. Just as the host and guests were reveling, a loud BANG echoed from the entrance.
Everyone jumped, startled.
Before they could react—
"AH—!" A woman’s terrified scream nearly pierced their eardrums.
An inexplicable jolt shot through Quan Yu’s heart. He looked toward the sound and caught sight of Ning Guiwan, her face covered in blood, as she collapsed limply to the ground.
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