Party hall scene

The private banquet hall still hummed with low conversation, but when Kai's bright voice rang out, all attention turned to him.

"漂亮姐姐 (Piàoliang jiějiě) and 王先生 (Wáng xiānshēng)," he announced in perfect Mandarin, a sweet pastry tucked under one arm. "Please, enjoy this!"

Eunwoo offered a half‑smile as he stepped forward. "小冠军 (Xiǎo guànjūn), you may call me 哥哥 (gēge) — brother."

Kai shook his head firmly, eyes dancing. "不,哥哥太普通 (Bù, gēge tài pǔtōng) — brother is too ordinary."

Eunwoo raised an eyebrow. "那么, 大哥 (nàme, dàgē) — big brother?"

Kai tapped his chin thoughtfully. "王先生 (Wáng xiānshēng), please."

Eunwoo laughed softly, folding his arms. "No, 王先生 is too formal."

Kai struck a triumphant pose. "好吧,一半一半,王哥哥 (hǎo ba, yībàn yībàn, Wáng gēge) — half King, half brother."

"That… actually sounds kind of perfect," Eunwoo admitted, offering Kai a nod.

At the edge of the little circle, Andrea watched their banter with a fond smile growing on her lips. She slipped between them, speaking lightly in English, "Guys—can we stop the fighting?"

Both Kai and Eunwoo turned to her in unison, grinning. Then Kai seized Andrea's hand. "漂亮姐姐 (Piàoliang jiějiě), let's get sweets." He tugged at her.

Eunwoo flashed a quick sign toward Andrea—Go ahead.

"King‑brother," Kai said eagerly, turning to Eunwoo, "可以现在走吗?(Kěyǐ xiànzài zǒu ma?) — Can we go now?"

"Let's go, Kai," Andrea laughed, swinging lightly onto his other side.

They threaded through the whispering guests—couples in gleaming silk and tailored suits—each pair pausing to murmur, "Is that the fiancé of the Young Master…?"

But Andrea and Eunwoo were only following Kai's lead, both of them smiling softly as Kai guided them back into the heart of the main ballroom.

At the grand entrance, the butler awaited with a low bow. "The private lounge is prepared, Young Master." He stepped aside.

Kai skipped forward, Andrea and Eunwoo close behind. The room was dim and intimate, plush seats arranged in a semicircle around a low table. Candles flickered, spilling amber light across velvet upholstery.

Kai dropped into the central chair, crossing his legs like a seasoned executive. "I'm ready for business."

Eunwoo settled opposite him, leather briefcase in hand, while Andrea chose the seat beside Eunwoo, careful to sit close but maintain formality. She offered Eunwoo a quick, questioning glance—Do you know what he's talking about?

Eunwoo shook his head slightly, voice low. "He's testing our resolve."

Kai tapped the tablet on the side table. "合同 (hétong) — the contract," he said, pulling it toward Andrea.

On the screen was a sleek, digital agreement: terms of partnership, shares of the empire, roles, and responsibilities. The margins were filled with Kai's annotations—"扩展 (kuòzhǎn) — expansion here," "教育基金 (jiàoyù jījīn) — education fund," even "家庭时间 (jiātíng shíjiān) — family time."

Andrea reached out, her fingers brushing the screen as she scrolled. Each clause had been drafted with precision, balancing profit and purpose. Her heart raced as she recognized the implications: they were not merely signing a deal; they were pledging loyalty to this boy's vision.

Eunwoo watched her from the corner of his eye. When she paused on the line about "family time," he offered her a subtle nod of encouragement.

Andrea tapped the digital signature box first, her voice even as she said, "I accept these terms."

Eunwoo followed, voice clear: "As do I."

A soft chime acknowledged their agreement. Kai leaned back, eyes bright with satisfaction.

"Then let us celebrate," Kai said, rising. "Beautiful sister, 王哥哥 (Wáng gēge), we have work to do."

Eunwoo rose and offered his arm to Andrea. She slipped her hand into his, the electricity between them undeniable now. Together, they followed Kai back into the golden glow of the main ballroom—partners in every sense, bound by paper, promise, and a flicker of something deeper.

And as they stepped once more into the throng of whispered rumors and curious gazes, Andrea realized that the real test had only just begun.

.______.💕.______.💕.______.💕.______.💕.______.

They emerged from the private alcove back into the glittering swirl of the ballroom, Kai's small hand still wrapped in Andrea's. The golden light bounced off crystal chandeliers, casting dancers' shadows against polished marble. Every couple stared at them as they passed—whispers fluttering like moths around a flame.

A trio of sharply dressed men near the refreshment table straightened when Kai and Andrea approached. One murmured to the others, his voice low but charged:"Look at that woman with the Young Master… simply fabulous."His companions nodded, eyes following Andrea's every step.

Andrea felt their gazes crawl across her back, linger too far on her dress's curve, and settled uncomfortably in the hollow of her throat. She squeezed Kai's hand, drawing courage from his presence.

At the dessert table, Kai hopped onto a low stool beside a platter of delicate cakes and pastries. He selected a tiny cream puff, its surface dusted with gold powder, and presented it to Andrea with a wide grin."姐姐 (Jiějiě), this is for you."

Before she could reply, a man in a midnight-blue suit drifted forward, his smile as smooth as silk. He bowed to Kai, then turned his polished gaze to Andrea."May I?" he asked, voice tinted with practiced charm as he reached to place a hand on her arm.

Andrea's pulse jumped. She stepped back, her tone polite but firm:"Thank you very much, but I'm fine."

The man's smile faltered. His ego pricked. He leaned closer, voice dropping to a whisper that no one else should hear."You deserve better than this," he murmured, eyes roaming her face. "Someone who truly admires you."

Andrea's fingers curled into a light fist. Heat flared behind her eyes."You don't even know who you're talking to," she said, voice low, warning.

The man's expression hardened as he pressed his advantage, stepping so close their evening gowns almost touched."Oh, but I think I know ambition when I see it," he countered, his hand brushing the side of her waist.

Andrea's poise shattered. She grabbed his wrist and twisted it with a practiced flick—soft enough not to break it, sharp enough to stop him cold. The man's eyes widened in surprise and pain.

"Don't ever touch me," she hissed.

Across the table, Eunwoo had witnessed the exchange. His breath caught. In a single, fluid motion, he stepped forward—every inch the poised, unstoppable force of a CEO accustomed to control.

"Is there a problem here?" he asked, voice smooth and deadly calm.

The man straightened, his swagger gone. He met Eunwoo's gaze, saw the ice behind those dark eyes, and recoiled."N-no, sir," he stammered, releasing Andrea's waist.

Eunwoo's expression didn't soften as he turned to the fading figure of the guest. "Good."

He then faced Andrea, concern flickering across his features. Without a word, he reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The brush of his fingertips against her skin was gentler than any apology could be.

Kai hopped down and rushed between them, his tiny voice urgent:"哥哥 (Gēge), sister—are you okay?"

Andrea touched Kai's arm, offering him a small, reassuring smile."I'm fine," she whispered, her voice steadier than she felt.

Eunwoo placed a protective arm around her shoulders, drawing her close in a single, encompassing motion. The ballroom seemed to blur around them, the murmurs fading beneath the steady rhythm of her racing heart.

"You handled that well," he murmured, just for her.

Andrea met his eyes, and for the first time that evening, they held none of the practiced distance of their charade."Thank you," she replied softly. "For everything."

Eunwoo's chin dipped slightly in acknowledgment. Then, as if remembering themselves, they stepped back, the carefully crafted masks of fiancée and fiancé snapping into place once more.

Kai tugged at Andrea's skirt."Come on, let's find more sweets before anyone else does," he declared, already striding toward another table.

Andrea and Eunwoo followed, side by side, the unspoken bond between them stronger than any whispered guest rumor. In the hall of glittering shadows and veiled intentions, they had each other—and sometimes, that was all the protection they needed.

.______.📚.______.📚.______..______..______..______.

Eunwoo's gaze snapped from the retreating interloper back to Andrea's face, his dark eyes fierce and unwavering. In one smooth step he closed the distance between them, the gold thread of his suit catching the chandelier's glow as he moved. With an almost imperceptible nod, he signaled to the surrounding guests that this was his territory—and that no one would dare cross the line again.

"Are you hurt?" he asked, his voice low and commanding, as he gently lifted Andrea's hand from the man's wrist. His fingers brushed hers—light, but laden with intent.

Andrea shook her head, voice soft though still strong. "I'm fine."

Eunwoo didn't smile, but his eyes softened for the briefest moment. Then, with a decisive flick of his wrist, he turned away, beckoning Andrea forward.

"Come," he said, the single word ringing with authority that left no room for argument.

Kai, watching from his cake-laden vantage point, flashed an eager grin and hopped off the stool. "Shall we get that promised sweet, sister?"

Andrea glanced at Eunwoo. His jaw was set, his posture regal—every inch the bold leader he was born to be. Yet the way he stood by her, unwavering and protective, sent a thrill through her chest.

She nodded. "Yes, let's."

Together, they followed Kai through the swirling crowd. Whispers rippled in their wake:

"Is that the fiancée of the Young Master?""He carries himself like royalty.""And that man beside her—Eunwoo King himself?"

None dared approach; the mere aura around them kept the curious at bay. At the far end of the hall, another dessert table gleamed under soft spotlights. Rows of macarons, eclairs, and tarts lay waiting.

Kai bounded ahead, picking a bright raspberry tart and handing it to Andrea. Eunwoo stood close behind her, his presence a silent shield. Andrea took a bite, the sweet tang exploding on her tongue, and found herself laughing—a clear, bright sound that turned every head.

Eunwoo's lips quirked at the corner. "You wear joy well," he said in a tone that was almost a caress.

Andrea met his gaze over her dessert. "Only when I'm safe."

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "I'll always keep you safe."

No one else in the glittering hall could hear the promise in that breath, but Andrea felt its weight. In that charged moment, with Kai's laughter echoing between them, she knew the boldness in Eunwoo's stance wasn't just for show—it was real, and it was hers.

Kai tugged on Andrea's dress. "Come on, you two. Dance?"

Eunwoo's eyes met Andrea's, an unspoken question passing between them. She smiled and nodded.

Arm in arm, they slipped onto the dance floor, where a soft waltz began. The world around them faded—only the three of them remained: the heir brought home, his chosen partners, and the promise of everything yet to come.

And as Eunwoo drew Andrea close, his bold silhouette against the golden glow, she realized that this mission, this masquerade of titles, had become something far more dangerous—and far more real—than either of them could have imagined.