---
The second Lin Yue agreed to host everyone, Du Liyao and Ma Zhen immediately pulled her aside, their faces filled with worry.
"Are you crazy?" Du Liyao hissed, glancing over her shoulder to make sure the other colleagues weren't listening. "Why did you say yes? Are you really going to host the entire department?"
Ma Zhen looked equally anxious. "Liyao's right. Yueyue, do you even have the space for it? I mean, we're talking about over twenty people."
Du Liyao sighed and bit her lip. "If you really want to do it, you can use my apartment. It's not big, but it'll do."
Ma Zhen rolled his eyes. "That's dumb. Everyone knows where we live. If Lin Yue suddenly hosts them at your place, they'll know something's off and talk. You want to embarrass her more?"
Du Liyao froze, then nodded reluctantly.
Ma Zhen thought for a second. "How about I call my cousin? He's always traveling. Maybe we can borrow his penthouse just for one afternoon. I'll even bribe him with that game console he likes."
Lin Yue was genuinely touched. Warmth surged in her heart as she smiled. "Thank you, Zhen, but it's okay. I've got it."
Deep down, she knew she didn't need to borrow anyone's home.
After all, she lived in Yunhe Garden.
The elite residential complex wasn't just exclusive—it was nearly mythical in its reputation.
Some politicians, celebrities, even some foreign dignitaries lived there.
The price alone could feed a family for years.
Not just anyone could afford a place there.
Not her colleagues.
And definitely not someone like Song Ziyan.
---
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room pulsing with neon lights and echoing bass, two men lounged on a leather sofa.
The smell of expensive cigars mingled with perfume and liquor as music blasted in the background.
Eric leaned back with his arms spread along the backrest, a twisted smile tugging at his lips as he watched people laughing and dancing below from the VIP balcony.
The lights above cast shadows that danced over his sharp jawline and dark skin, making him look like a devil basking in chaos.
William sipped from his glass and turned to him. "You sent it?"
Eric smirked. "Of course. Her reaction must be priceless right now."
William chuckled lowly. "She's stupider than I thought. Just like her grandfather."
Eric's face darkened. "My brother... Our brothers... won't die in vain. I'll make sure of that."
The two raised their glasses and toasted.
"To vengeance."
"To blood," Eric echoed.
---
At the restaurant, Su Meilin sat stiffly, barely touching her food.
Her appetite had disappeared the moment she saw the message.
She could feel Liang Qianyu's eyes on her, trying to strike a conversation with her brother, but Liang Yexuan remained as cold and indifferent as ever.
He simply listened, occasionally nodding, never really engaging.
Su Meilin remained silent, her mind elsewhere.
That message… that horrifying message. The clips. The message.
She had no choice. She had to go.
Laetania had promised to deal with William and Eric.
But...
But apparently, they weren't dealt with at all.
And now… now they were threatening her like madmen.
She would go first. Then she'd call Laetania.
After all, if she didn't go, those lunatics might really do something reckless.
—
After the meal, the three stepped out of the restaurant.
Bodyguards flanked them in perfect formation.
The restaurant staff and the manager stood lined up outside.
"Welcome again, CEO. Welcome again, Young Miss. Welcome again, Miss Su."
The trio walked to the Rolls Royce, the doors opened swiftly by the guards. Su Meilin slid into the front passenger seat.
Liang Yexuan and Qianyu took the back.
The driver stepped in and turned the ignition.
"Where to, sir?"
"Back to the company," Liang Yexuan said flatly, his eyes on the passing city.
Liang Qianyu pouted. "We never go anywhere fun..."
However, she said nothing more.
Su Meilin said nothing. Her heart was beating fast.
She needed to go.
'Should I call Laetania?' she thought nervously. 'Didn't she promise she'd deal with William and Eric? Why haven't they disappeared yet?'
She stared out the window.
Maybe I should go first. Then I'll call her. I can't risk those clips getting out...
—
Soon, the car pulled into the underground parking of the Liang Conglomerate.
Liang Yexuan stepped out first, a guard trailing behind him as the others took their positions.
Liang Qianyu leaned forward to Su Meilin.
"Where are you heading next?" she asked.
Su Meilin forced a smile. "I have something to do."
Liang Qianyu looked like she wanted to ask more but then shrugged. "Want me to ask the driver to take you?"
"No need," Su Meilin said quickly, pushing open the door.
She stepped out into the cool air and stood by the sidewalk, watching Liang Yexuan stride away without a second glance in her direction.
She then took out her phone and called her driver to bring her car.
—
As she waited, she decided to call Laetania.
Laetania… pick up. Please.
But the call wouldn't go through. The line was busy.
Her unease grew.
—
Her driver arrived quickly in a sleek black Mercedes.
The moment he stepped out, he greeted her with a bow.
"Young Miss."
He handed her the keys respectfully.
As Meilin took the keys and entered the car, the driver got into the backup car, speaking to his companion beside him.
"Young Miss seems angry again."
"She's always angry," the other man replied.
The two chuckled softly as they watched her car glide away.
—
Inside the car, Su Meilin's grip on the steering wheel was tight. Her phone buzzed again.
Caller ID: Laetania.
Relief washed over her.
She swerved slightly and quickly pulled over. She snatched the phone up.
"Laetania! Thank God. I was just—"
"Do you want to die, Su Meilin? Are you trying to mess with me on purpose?"
Su Meilin blinked, stunned. "W-what? What are you talking about?"
Laetania's laugh was harsh. "Don't play dumb with me. You told me to handle Eric and William. But you didn't mention their background."
"Background?" Su Meilin echoed, confused.
"You really are playing stupid now," Laetania snapped. "They're from the Obsidian Fangs."
Su Meilin froze.
"The... what?"
"Obsidian Fangs," Laetania said slowly, her tone thick with rage. "The most feared underground organization in the world. Ruthless. Vicious. Connected to the black markets of every major continent. They don't just have money and power. They have control. Entire governments avoid pissing them off. Presidents pretend not to see them. And you want me to go after two of their people without warning me?!"
Su Meilin felt the blood drain from her face. Her fingers loosened on the phone, her body turning cold.
Obsidian Fangs?
How… how could she have gotten involved with them?
The air in the car suddenly felt too thin. Her vision blurred for a second.
What had she done?
---