Chapter 1: Prologue

"You're already promised to marry a good friend's daughter."

Senior Mr. Li's voice was firm, leaving no room for argument as he addressed his son, Ethan Li.

Seated with an air of indifference, Ethan clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. His sharp eyes darkened as he met his father's gaze.

"Who is she?" he asked, his voice low and cold.

A smirk tugged at Senior Mr. Li's lips. "Oh, I'm certain you know her quite well." His tone was taunting, almost amused.

Ethan's brows knitted in confusion.

"Who?"

"The CEO of White Phoenix Empire—Lillie Bai."

***

"Young Master Li, I assume you've been briefed on the objectives of today's meeting?"

Lillie Bai's voice was calm and composed, yet utterly impassive. Her beauty was undeniable, but so was the frigid air of detachment surrounding her.

Ethan swirled the wine in his glass before taking a slow sip, the corners of his lips tilting into a lazy smirk.

"As a matter of fact, Young Madam Li, yes, I've been informed of this 'wonderful' news." His tone dripped with sarcasm.

Lillie blinked, unimpressed and unaffected.

"You forget your manners, Young Master Li. Address me with formality," she said coolly, crossing her arms. "I insist."

Ethan arched a brow. "Oh? And calling you Young Madam Li isn't formal enough for you?"

"In all honesty, it's unfitting." Her voice was polite, but the edge in her words was impossible to miss. Anyone with a working brain would realize she wasn't amused by his shamelessness.

That, or Ethan Li was deliberately playing dumb.

"Well," he mused, leaning forward and propping his elbows on the table, his fingers interlaced beneath his chin. "You'd better get used to it, Young Madam Li, because that's what everyone will be calling you for the rest of your life."

A devilish, triumphant smile curved his lips as if he'd just won a prize.

Lillie Bai met his gaze with quiet disdain, her expression unshaken. The corner of her lips twitched ever so slightly.

"Shameless."