A Game of Power

The engagement ceremony continued smoothly on the surface. But beneath the polished etiquette and polite smiles, tension wove itself through the grand hall like an invisible thread.

Lin Anyi knew she was being watched.

Every movement, every glance, every word spoken was being analyzed by the Mo family and the influential guests who had gathered to witness the spectacle.

She wasn't supposed to be here.

Lin Meixiu was supposed to be the one sitting beside Mo Chen, accepting well wishes and pretending to be in love. Instead, it was her the "extra" daughter, the one no one had ever paid attention to.

And she was determined to make sure they never ignored her again.

---

A Dance of Masks

"Miss Lin," Lady Mo continued, her eyes sharp with curiosity, "I must admit, your choice of attire is rather… bold."

Lin Anyi met her gaze with a small, knowing smile. "I thought red suited the occasion. After all, isn't this a day of celebration?"

There was a beat of silence before Lady Mo chuckled. "Indeed. Though I wonder, do you always defy expectations so easily?"

Lin Anyi tilted her head slightly, feigning innocence. "Oh? But isn't marriage all about adjusting to new expectations?"

A few guests nearby stifled quiet gasps at her audacity, but Mo Chen he laughed.

Not the polite, restrained laughter of a socialite, but a deep, amused chuckle that made the room momentarily still.

"She's right," he said smoothly, looking at his aunt. "One must adapt to survive."

Lady Mo's expression barely wavered, but Lin Anyi didn't miss the way her fingers twitched against her wine glass.

Mo Chen had just sided with her.

It wasn't a declaration of loyalty, of course. He was simply playing the game, as she was. But still, it shifted the power slightly in her favor.

And the Mo family hated when the game didn't go according to their rules.

---

A Warning from the Mo Family

The engagement ceremony eventually moved into the banquet hall, where guests feasted and exchanged pleasantries. Lin Anyi had barely taken a sip of her wine before she felt a presence beside her.

She turned and found herself face-to-face with Mo Jian.

He smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "Miss Lin, may we speak privately?"

Lin Anyi placed her glass down, keeping her expression neutral. "Of course."

They stepped onto the balcony, away from the crowd. The night air was cool, but the tension between them burned hot.

"You're playing a dangerous game," Mo Jian said quietly, his voice laced with warning. "Do you think you can win against us?"

Lin Anyi met his gaze evenly. "I wasn't aware this was a competition. Shouldn't we be celebrating the union of two families?"

Mo Jian's eyes darkened. "Don't test me, girl. You were not the chosen bride. You were a last-minute replacement."

"I'm well aware," she replied smoothly. "But that doesn't change the fact that I am the one sitting beside Mo Chen now."

His jaw clenched. "You may be engaged, but that doesn't mean you'll be accepted into this family."

Lin Anyi smiled, tilting her head slightly. "Then it's a good thing I'm not here to be accepted."

For the first time, Mo Jian's expression wavered.

"You're not afraid of me," he murmured, more to himself than to her.

Lin Anyi stepped closer, lowering her voice. "I've spent my whole life being overlooked, underestimated