Chapter 5: I Declare You Guilty

To Su Jin's utter disbelief, Luo Xian began unbuttoning his suit jacket with a calm precision that belied the storm brewing in his eyes. One by one, the buttons of his crisp white shirt followed, his movements deliberate, smooth, and strangely hypnotic. He looked every bit the composed gentleman, yet his gaze, locked onto her, told an entirely different story—a devilishly seductive predator cornering his prey.

Su Jin's breath hitched, her mind scrambling for comprehension. What was he doing? Why was he doing this? Her wide eyes tracked the slow reveal of his perfectly sculpted chest, and her voice trembled as she stammered, "Y-you, what are you doing?"

Luo Xian's lips quirked into a wicked smirk. "What am I doing? Isn't it obvious?" His deep voice sent shivers down her spine. "I'm holding you accountable for your mistakes. And as of now, I declare you guilty."

"Guilty of what?" Su Jin snapped, her voice tinged with indignation and panic.

He leaned closer, trapping her against the leather couch with his powerful arms on either side of her. His voice dropped to a dangerously soft whisper. "Guilty of defying me. I explicitly told you not to do what I dislike, yet you went ahead and disobeyed. That's one count. Then, you decided to take on responsibility for someone else's mistake. That's two counts. Add them together, and I believe you owe me three punishments."

Her heart raced, thundering against her ribs. "What punishments?" she demanded, though her voice betrayed her fear.

The predatory glint in his eyes deepened. "Patience, Su Jin. You'll find out."

Before she could react, Luo Xian's lips crashed onto hers, cutting off her gasp of protest. The kiss was unrelenting, an assertion of dominance that left her breathless. Her attempts to push him away were futile; his strength was unyielding, his control absolute.

The room blurred around her as she was swept up in his overpowering presence. Her thoughts scattered, replaced by an overwhelming mix of emotions she couldn't name.

Scene Transition

Su Jin's lashes fluttered as she slowly regained consciousness, her body aching in unfamiliar ways. Her surroundings came into focus, and she realized she was lying on a plush leather couch, her head… resting on Luo Xian's lap.

Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson as she noticed him casually flipping through documents, his expression calm and composed, as though nothing had happened.

"You're awake," he said without looking at her, his tone neutral yet commanding.

She bolted upright, her movements stiff and awkward. Memories of his so-called "punishments" flooded her mind, and indignation bubbled within her. "You went too far!" she accused, glaring at him.

Luo Xian finally turned his gaze to her, his eyes dark and unreadable. "Too far?" he echoed, his lips curving into a faint smile. "If you think it was too far, that means my punishment was effective."

Her jaw dropped, words failing her. Was this man incapable of shame?

Her fury only seemed to amuse him further. He reached for his phone, dialing effortlessly. "Annie," he said coolly, "bring food to the office. She hasn't eaten yet."

"Yes, sir," came the swift reply from the other end of the line.

Su Jin couldn't believe the audacity of this man. As she chewed on a slice of bread and sipped warm oatmeal, she couldn't help but grumble under her breath, "As if it's not your fault I'm starving."

He chuckled, a low, rich sound that sent an inexplicable chill down her spine. "Eat up. We're going out afterward."

Her hand froze mid-bite. "Going out? Where to?"

His gaze locked onto hers, and the weight of his words struck her like a thunderclap. "To your house. To retrieve your household registration and ID card."

Her fork clattered onto her plate. "Why would you need those?"

His expression didn't waver. "We'll need them when we go to the Civil Affairs Bureau."

Her mind reeled. "What for?" she asked, though a sinking feeling in her chest told her she already knew the answer.

Luo Xian's voice was calm yet resolute. "To get married."

She blinked, sure she must have misheard. "Married?"

His lips twitched in what might have been amusement. "Yes, Su Jin. Married. That way, any child you have won't be a bastard, and there will be no room for arguments."

Her jaw dropped, and for once, she was utterly speechless. This man—this domineering, infuriating man—had just turned her world upside down.

"You…" she began, her voice faltering. "You can't be serious."

Luo Xian stood, his towering presence casting a shadow over her. "Oh, I'm very serious."

Before she could protest further, he glanced at his watch and said, "Finish your meal. We have a schedule to keep."

The rest of the morning passed in a blur for Su Jin. Despite her protests, Luo Xian's iron will left no room for negotiation. She found herself bundled into his car, her mind spinning with disbelief.

As the car sped toward her apartment, she couldn't help but wonder: Who exactly was Luo Xian? A tyrant? A lunatic? Or something else entirely? Whatever the answer, one thing was clear—her life would never be the same.