7. Vulnerable

Unbeknownst to Xu Fan, her graceful presence had caught the eye of someone else at the party. High above the main hall, in the exclusive VIP suite that overlooked the festivities, a small group of men gathered, each exuding an air of power and sophistication that set them apart from the rest.

These were not just the wealthy elites mingling below—they were the true power brokers, the kind of men whose influence extended far beyond the glitz and glamour of City A's social scene.

The suite was a haven of understated luxury, with plush leather seating and dim, ambient lighting.The men were dressed impeccably, their tailored suits speaking volumes about their status.

From this elevated vantage point, they watched the party with an almost detached interest, as if the crowd below was merely a chessboard and the guests were pawns in a much larger game.

At the center of the room stood a sleek, polished table. On it rested six glasses, each carefully placed in front of the men. Five of the glasses held a dark, amber-colored liquor, the kind that hinted at an aged, expensive whiskey.

The sixth glass, however, was different—it was filled with water, a simple choice that stood in stark contrast to the others. It belonged to the man who, at this moment, was leaning slightly forward, his eyes fixed on Xu Fan as she moved through the crowd below.

This man was different from the rest, not just in his choice of drink but in the aura he projected. There was a quiet intensity about him, a commanding presence that didn't need to announce itself.

He was the kind of person who could make decisions with a mere glance, the kind whose word could alter the fate of those around him. And right now, his attention was solely on Xu Fan.

One of the other men noticed his focus and leaned in slightly, his voice low. "Interesting choice tonight," he remarked, his tone casual but with an undertone of curiosity.

The man with the water glass didn't reply immediately. His eyes remained on Xu Fan, watching her every move with a keen, almost predatory interest. Finally, he spoke, his voice measured and deliberate.

"She's different."

The others exchanged glances, their interest piqued by his words. It was rare for this man to single someone out, and when he did, it usually meant something significant.

"Keep an eye on her," he said lazily to his phone, leaning back in his chair, his gaze never wavering. 

****

Below, Xu Fan continued to navigate the glittering sea of influential figures, unaware that her every move was being carefully observed and evaluated from above.

The party carried on, with laughter and clinking glasses filling the air. But in the quiet, shadowed corner of the VIP suite, something had shifted. The game was now in motion, and Xu Fan, without realizing it, had become a key player.

Xiao Fang's phone buzzed with an urgent message, and her expression shifted as she glanced at it. "I'm sorry, Xu Fan," she said, her voice tinged with concern, "I have an emergency with Zhang Xi. He's the new model the company gave me to manage. He's caught up in some mess that I need to handle personally."

Xu Fan smiled reassuringly, hiding her disappointment. "Don't worry about me, Sister Fang. I'll be fine on my own. I'll just call an Uber and head back to my apartment later."

From Xiao Fang's expression the situation seemed serious. 

Xiao Fang hesitated for a moment, but seeing the confidence in Xu Fan's eyes, she relented. "Alright, but please be careful. Call me if you need anything."

After bidding her manager farewell, Xu Fan wandered over to the bar, seeking a quiet spot to gather her thoughts. She ordered a glass of champagne and settled onto a sleek stool, the soft hum of conversation and clinking glasses serving as background noise to her racing mind.

As she sipped her drink, she couldn't help but think about the secret she was harboring—the one she had kept from everyone in the entertainment industry, including Xiao Fang. Her marriage to Qin Cheng, the heir of the prestigious Qin family, was something she had to keep under wraps.

It wasn't her choice to live in secrecy, but her mother-in-law's insistence that her career would bring shame to the family had forced her hand.

The Qin family was one of the oldest and wealthiest in City A, and any hint of scandal could tarnish their carefully cultivated image.

Xu Fan had thought she'd be fine staying at the party alone, but now, sitting in the bar's dim lighting, she felt a wave of boredom and restlessness wash over her. She glanced at her phone, debating whether to leave. "Maybe I should head home now," she mused to herself.

'Home', The word triggered a cascade of emotions. The Qin mansion, where she had lived for the past year, loomed large in her thoughts. It was a place of both comfort and confinement, filled with memories that were a mixture of bitter and sweet.

The mansion was luxurious, a symbol of the wealth and power of the Qin family, but it also represented the gilded cage she found herself in—a life dictated by her in-laws' expectations and societal pressures.

With a sigh, Xu Fan made up her mind. She would slip away quietly. The party had been exciting, but the allure had worn off. She stood up and made her way to the bathroom, intending to call an Uber and leave the hotel discreetly.

Time seemed to fly by, and before she knew it, Xu Fan was walking out of the hotel lobby. The cool night air greeted her as she stepped outside, scanning the row of cars parked along the curb.

She checked the license plate on her phone, then spotted the matching number. She veered toward the car, her thoughts drifting back to the events of the evening.

Just as she reached for the car door, a strong hand grabbed her arm from behind, spinning her around with a force that took her breath away. Startled, Xu Fan gasped, her heart pounding in her chest as fear surged through her.

"Who... who are you?" she stammered, trying to make out the shadowy figure looming over her in the dim light. Her mind raced, panic setting in as she realized she was alone, vulnerable, and far from the safety of the crowd inside the hotel.