Sparks Fly, Control Lost

Qiao Xi hesitated briefly before turning away, her back to Huo Xingzhou.

Her trembling fingers reached for her jacket, slowly peeling it off along with her inner shirt, leaving only a strapless top.

Her smooth, fair back was marred with angry red welts and bruises, a stark contrast to her delicate skin.

Huo Xingzhou's hand extended, his fingers gently gathering her long hair and draping it over her shoulder, exposing the full extent of the wounds. He scooped out a generous amount of ointment and began to apply it, his movements slow and deliberate.

His fingertip hooked under her strap, lifting it slightly to spread the salve over the injured skin with precise care.

Qiao Xi flinched involuntarily, the coolness of the ointment a welcome relief against the sting of her wounds.

"For the first time," Huo Xingzhou said, his voice deep and unreadable, "a woman has taken a beating for me."

His dark eyes were filled with something unspoken, a shadowy intensity that lingered. He reached around, his arms wrapping tightly around her waist, pulling her down to sit on his lap.

She turned her head, trying to catch a glimpse of his expression, but before she could see, a cold kiss brushed against her bare shoulder.

"Huo…" she whispered, her voice trembling as she clutched her chest with both hands, her entire body taut with tension.

He tightened his embrace impulsively, closing his eyes as a rare sense of calm washed over him.

"Qiao Xi," he murmured near her ear, his warm breath grazing her neck, "let's bring your grandmother back to the countryside tomorrow."

"Alright," she replied softly. "She's been wanting to return. She mentions it every time she calls."

"I've already arranged everything with the hospital," he added, his voice gentle but tired, as though this brief moment of peace was the only reprieve he'd had in days.

As he held her, the weight of exhaustion seemed to lull him closer to sleep. Qiao Xi didn't dare move, allowing him to rest against her.

Later that night, the internet exploded with breaking news.

"Huo Xingzhou, Second Branch of the Huo Family, Severed Ties! Officially Disowned!"

The exposé was thorough, complete with photographs of Huo Xingzhou leaving the Huo Family estate, battered and bruised. A copy of the severance document had also been leaked, its black-and-white clarity leaving no room for doubt.

In an instant, the man who was once a shining example of the Huo Family's legacy was cast into the shadows as an outcast.

Across the city's elite circles, the news spread like wildfire. Those who had lived under the weight of Huo Xingzhou's towering presence were celebrating, raising their glasses in mockery.

"He's finished," they jeered. "A cripple with no name in the family registry—just a discarded pawn."

In a dimly lit nightclub, the music pounded like a heartbeat, the air thick with alcohol and perfume.

In a corner booth, glasses clinked amidst raucous laughter.

"To our future head of the Huo Family!" someone toasted.

Huo Beiting, the eldest son of the family's main branch, was the center of attention. With an arm slung around Su Weiwei's shoulders, he downed another drink, his laughter wild and unrestrained.

"Tonight's on me!" he declared, his confidence radiating.

"You're too generous, Beiting!" a sycophant chimed in. "Now that Huo Xingzhou is out of the picture, the family is yours. That cripple doesn't stand a chance against you!"

"Exactly! All those years he lorded over us—serves him right to fall this far."

As the group drank and cheered, Su Weiwei basked in the glory of being by Beiting's side. Her face flushed from the alcohol, her mind dizzy with dreams of a glamorous future as the Huo Family's young mistress.

"You're so lucky, Weiwei," her friend Fang Annie cooed, raising her glass. "To marry someone like Beiting—it's every woman's dream!"

Weiwei giggled, tipsy and smug. "Don't worry, Annie. I'll find you a good match too!"

Annie's red lips curved into a sly smile as she poured more wine. "Then I'll thank you in advance. Let's toast again!"

As the glasses emptied, an unspoken tension grew between Annie and Huo Beiting. Their gazes met, and a spark flickered in the shadows.

Annie's leg, encased in black stockings, brushed against Beiting's under the table.

Beiting's hand slid beneath the table, tracing her leg with a daring touch, their silent exchange electric.

Weiwei, oblivious, continued to chat with Annie, dreaming aloud of her wedding and the life ahead.

"Annie, you'll be my bridesmaid, won't you? You're my best friend!" Weiwei said with drunken sincerity.

"Of course," Annie replied smoothly, even as her breath hitched when Beiting's hand ventured higher.

"What's wrong, Annie?" Weiwei slurred, her gaze hazy.

"Just a mosquito," Annie lied with a coquettish smile, shooting a warning glance at Beiting.

The tension was palpable, the line between danger and desire blurring as the night wore on.

Huo Beiting grew impatient. He poured more wine and coaxed Weiwei into drinking until she was utterly incapacitated.

"Weiwei, you're drunk. Let's get you to a hotel to rest," Annie said, helping the barely conscious Weiwei to her feet.

Beiting handed a black card to one of his lackeys. "Take this and enjoy yourselves. The night's on me."

"Thank you, Beiting! You're the best!"

"Take care!"

Huo Beiting followed Annie and Weiwei out of the club, heading to a five-star hotel next door. They checked into the top-floor suite, where Annie unceremoniously deposited Weiwei onto the couch.

Moments later, a knock echoed at the door.

Annie opened it reluctantly, greeted by Beiting's devilishly handsome face. She scoffed but didn't resist as he grabbed her waist and pulled her close.

"You little vixen," he murmured, his breath warm against her cheek. "You're going to drive me insane."

"Keep your distance, Beiting," Annie whispered, her voice tinged with feigned indignation. "You're engaged to Weiwei, remember?"

His lips curled into a mocking smile. "Weiwei? She's just a convenient pawn. You're the one I want."

Annie's eyes flickered with satisfaction, though she turned her face away, playing coy. "Then prove it."

He pressed kisses down her neck, whispering sweet nothings that made her knees weak. "Let's not wake Weiwei," he murmured, guiding her toward the adjoining room.

"No," Annie objected playfully, her tone dripping with mischief. "I want to stay here, in front of her."

Her bold declaration stunned him for a moment, but the glint in her eyes reignited his desire.

"You're mad," he said, his voice hoarse with hunger.

"And you love it," she teased, her red dress slipping from her shoulders.

The room's dim light highlighted her flawless silhouette, and Beiting couldn't resist any longer.

"What if she wakes up?" he asked, his voice trembling with both caution and excitement.

Annie traced a finger down his chest, her lips curling into a seductive smile. "Don't you think that would make it even more thrilling?"