A Night of Masks

Song Yu adjusted her dress, smoothing out the wrinkles as she stood beside Jiang Shu. The red carpet stretched out before them, a sea of flashing cameras and screaming fans. As her employer, Jiang Shu had instructed her to accompany her to the Met Gala, and Song Yu had agreed, aware that their contract marriage was just a business arrangement.

Jiang Shu's expression was icy, her eyes scanning the crowd with a mixture of disdain and boredom. She wore a sleek black tuxedo, her hair pulled back into a tight bun. Song Yu, on the other hand, wore a stunning silver gown, her hair styled in loose waves.

"Remember, Song Yu, you're here to assist me, not to enjoy yourself," Jiang Shu said, her voice cold and detached. "Stay by my side and don't embarrass me."

Song Yu nodded, feeling a pang of resentment. She knew her role, but sometimes she wished Jiang Shu would treat her with a little more warmth. As they entered the venue, Song Yu was struck by the opulence and grandeur. The room was filled with A-list celebrities, fashion designers, and wealthy socialites.

Song Yu stuck close to Jiang Shu, trying to blend into the background. But as the night wore on, she found herself growing more and more uncomfortable. She didn't belong here, and Jiang Shu's aloofness wasn't helping.

In an attempt to calm her nerves, Song Yu accepted a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. And then another. And another. The bubbly liquid went down smoothly, and soon she was feeling lightheaded.

Before she knew it, she was stumbling, her vision blurring. Jiang Shu caught her arm, her grip like ice.

"Song Yu, control yourself," she hissed, her eyes flashing with anger.

But Song Yu just laughed, feeling a sense of freedom wash over her. "I'm just having fun, Jiang Shu," she slurred. "You should try it sometime."

Jiang Shu's eyes narrowed, her face pale with anger. "This is not a joke, Song Yu," she said, her voice low and menacing. "You're embarrassing me."

But Song Yu just kept laughing, unaware of the scene she was causing. She stumbled again, and Jiang Shu caught her, her grip tightening.

"Let's get out of here," Jiang Shu said, her voice cold. "Now."

Jiang Shu dragged Song Yu out of the venue, her eyes blazing with anger. Song Yu stumbled, her heels catching on the red carpet.

"Jiang Shu, slow down," Song Yu slurred, trying to pull her arm free.

But Jiang Shu didn't let go. She kept walking, her pace fast and furious. They finally reached the car, and Jiang Shu shoved Song Yu inside.

As they drove away from the Met Gala, Song Yu collapsed against the seat, her eyes closing.

"Jiang Shu, I'm sorry," she mumbled. "I didn't mean to embarrass you."

But Jiang Shu didn't respond. She just kept driving, her eyes fixed on the road ahead.

Song Yu opened her eyes, looking at Jiang Shu's profile. She saw the tension in her jaw, the anger in her eyes.

"Jiang Shu, please forgive me," Song Yu said, her voice barely above a whisper.

But Jiang Shu still didn't respond. She just kept driving, her silence more terrifying than any words.

As they arrived at the mansion, Jiang Shu pulled Song Yu out of the car, her grip still tight.

"Go to bed, Song Yu," Jiang Shu said, her voice cold. "We'll talk about this in the morning."

And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving Song Yu stumbling towards the bedroom.

Here is the continuation of Chapter 20:

Song Yu stumbled into the bedroom, her head spinning. She collapsed onto the bed, her dress tangled around her legs.

As she lay there, she couldn't shake off the feeling of embarrassment. She had made a fool of herself in front of Jiang Shu, and now she was facing the consequences.

Song Yu closed her eyes, trying to calm her racing thoughts. But she couldn't shake off the memory of Jiang Shu's angry face, her cold words.

Just as she was starting to drift off to sleep, Song Yu heard the door open. She turned to see Jiang Shu standing in the doorway, her eyes still blazing with anger.

"We need to talk," Jiang Shu said, her voice firm.

Song Yu sat up, her heart racing. "I'm sorry, Jiang Shu. I didn't mean to embarrass you."

Jiang Shu walked into the room, her heels clicking on the floor. "You're not just my employee, Song Yu. You're my fake wife. And last night, you made me look like a fool."

Song Yu looked down, shame washing over her. "I know. I'm sorry."

Jiang Shu stopped in front of her, her eyes flashing with anger. "Sorry isn't enough, Song Yu. You need to make it right."

Song Yu looked up, unsure of what to say. But before she could speak, Jiang Shu turned and walked away.

"Pack your bags, Song Yu. We're going to Italy"

.....

Song Yu's eyes widened in shock. "Italy? But why?"

Jiang Shu turned back to her, her expression unyielding. "Because, Song Yu, you need to learn to behave yourself. And I need to make sure that our contract marriage doesn't fall apart."

Song Yu felt a surge of resentment. "So you're taking me to Italy to punish me?"

Jiang Shu raised an eyebrow. "Call it what you want, Song Yu. But we're leaving tomorrow."

And with that, she turned and walked out of the room, leaving Song Yu feeling frustrated and trapped.

The next day, Song Yu found herself on a plane to Italy, sitting next to Jiang Shu who was typing away on her laptop.

As the plane took off, Song Yu felt a sense of unease. She had no idea what lay ahead, but she knew that she was in for a tough time.

"Jiang Shu, can I ask you something?" Song Yu said, trying to break the silence.

Jiang Shu looked up from her laptop, her eyes narrowing. "What is it?"

"Why are we really going to Italy?" Song Yu asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jiang Shu's expression turned cold. "You'll find out soon enough, Song Yu."

And with that, she turned back to her laptop, leaving Song Yu with more questions than answers.

As the plane landed in Italy, Song Yu felt a sense of trepidation. She had no idea what Jiang Shu had planned for her.

As they exited the plane, Jiang Shu handed Song Yu a small box. "Open it," she said, her voice cold.

Song Yu hesitated, but Jiang Shu's expression brooked no argument. She opened the box, revealing a beautiful but ominous-looking necklace.

"Put it on," Jiang Shu said, her eyes glinting with malice.

Song Yu felt a shiver run down her spine as she put on the necklace. It felt heavy and suffocating, like a symbol of her captivity.

Jiang Shu smiled, her lips curling up in a cruel smile. "You'll wear this as a reminder of your place," she said. "You're mine now, Song Yu. And you'll do exactly as I say."

Song Yu felt a surge of fear and resentment, but Jiang Shu just turned and walked away, leaving her to follow.

As they arrived at a secluded mansion, Song Yu realized that she was trapped. Jiang Shu had her right where she wanted her, and Song Yu had no escape.

......

Jiang Shu led Song Yu to a lavish bedroom, adorned with silk curtains and a massive bed. But Song Yu's eyes were fixed on the iron bars covering the windows.

"You'll be staying here," Jiang Shu said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "And don't even think about trying to escape."

Song Yu felt a wave of desperation wash over her. She was trapped, with no way out.

Jiang Shu turned to leave, but then paused. "Oh, and Song Yu?"

"Yes?" Song Yu replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Don't bother trying to remove the necklace," Jiang Shu said, her eyes glinting with malice. "It's locked, and only I have the key."

And with that, she turned and walked out, leaving Song Yu alone in the prison-like room.

Song Yu collapsed onto the bed, feeling like she'd hit rock bottom. She was trapped, with no escape, and at the mercy of the cruel and ruthless Jiang Shu.

But as she lay there, she felt a spark of determination ignite within her. She would not give up. She would find a way to escape, no matter what it took.

.....