---
Mo Yuwei tucked the soft blanket around Lin Yue gently, her fingers pausing for a moment as she saw the girl's pale face under the hospital light.
She looked like a doll that had been left out in the rain, broken yet still beautiful.
Her expression was unreadable, but her eyes were filled with a quiet complexity.
"You rest now," she said softly. "I'll be back soon. Don't worry about anything."
Lin Yue gave a small smile, gratitude swimming in her tired eyes. "Thank you, Yuwei... You're really like a sister to me."
Mo Yuwei paused, her throat tightening slightly at those words.
She patted Lin Yue's hand lightly and nodded. "Sleep. I'll get you something to eat."
She stepped out of the room and closed the door behind her. The corridor outside was quiet, the only sound being the occasional footsteps of nurses
She sighed deeply as she walked toward the elevator, her heels clicking against the cold tiles.
As the elevator doors slid open, she stepped inside and leaned against the mirror-lined wall, taking out her phone.
She took out her phone and dialed a familiar number.
"Hello?" Chen Linfei's voice came through the line. "Where are you? Aren't you supposed to be at the audition now?"
"Something came up," she said, her voice low. "It's about Lin Yue."
There was a pause. "What happened to her?" he asked, concerned.
Mo Yuwei closed her eyes briefly. "She collapsed. Emotional stress. I'll come home and tell you everything tonight."
Another pause.
"You're hiding something from me," Chen Linfei said knowingly.
She laughed softly, a low hum that barely concealed the worry in her heart."Maybe. But I promise, I'll tell you everything tonight. Just... wait for me."
"Fine," he said, sighing. "Take care of yourself too."
"I will."
The elevator chimed and the doors opened to the hospital's lobby. Mo Yuwei stepped out, slipping her phone into her coat pocket.
As she crossed the gleaming lobby floor, her heels echoing softly, her thoughts swirled.
Lin Yue...
"Not yet," she whispered to herself. "It's not the right time. I'll take it slow... step by step."
She unlocked her sleek black car, slid into the driver's seat, and dialed a number. After a few rings, a pleasant female voice answered.
"Good evening, this is the Royal Grand, how may I assist you?"
"I'd like to place an order for room service. Delivery to First City General Hospital, VIP wing. I want a full dinner set, warm porridge, and some fruits. The best you have."
"Of course. It'll be delivered within thirty minutes."
"Good. Thank you."
She hung up and then called her assistant.
"CEO Mo! The audition—"
"Postpone it until tomorrow. I won't be attending today."
"Understood, CEO."
Mo Yuwei hung up and stared out of the window for a while.
---
At the grand Su family mansion, the atmosphere was anything but peaceful. In her luxurious bedroom, Su Meilin was a mess of emotions.
She was curled up on her bed, makeup smeared from crying, her chest heaving with quiet sobs. Her mother sat beside her, stroking her back gently.
"He humiliated me," she cried, voice breaking with emotion. "When I walked towards him, he stepped back! Then... then he told them to replace the carpet just because I walked on it... as if I was dirty... like some kind of... of... unwanted trash."
Her voice cracked with each word, the pain in her heart unbearable.
Her mother felt her heart clench at her daughter's words.
She stroked Su Meilin's hair gently.
Her heart clenched painfully at her daughter's distress.
"It's okay, daughter. Let it all out."
Then, her tone shifted to sternness. "But maybe you should stop trying to please him so much. You're a daughter of a first-tier family. You should act like one. You should carry yourself like one. Don't beg for love. Make them come to you."
Su Meilin wiped her tears. "I know… but I love him. I want to show him how much."
Madam Su sighed. Foolish girl…
"Love should be graceful, not desperate. Remember that."
Su Meilin nodded slowly, as if the words were sinking in.
She then wiped her tears with the back of her hand and sat up straighter. "You're right, Mama. From now on, I won't try to please him. If he doesn't see my worth, that's his loss."
Her mother smiled proudly. "Good girl. Love shouldn't strip you of your dignity," she added softly but firmly.
Su Meilin nodded.
After a moment, Madam Su stood. "You must be hungry. I'll go get you some food."
Su Meilin nodded again, wiping her eyes. As her mother left, she sat up and pulled out her phone and dialed her assistant.
"Have we found a top-tier celebrity for our brand ambassador yet?"
"Not yet, CEO. Still scanning through portfolios."
"Prepare the documents. I'll be in tomorrow morning. Also... arrange an audition for our brand campaign. Make it flashy. The media should know."
"Yes, CEO. Though... GlowVine Cosmetics is also planning an audition for their new ambassador."
Su Meilin's lips curled into a sly smirk. "Even better. Let's see who outshines who."
—
She ended the call and tossed the phone on the bed. It rang again moments later. She checked the screen.
Shen Zhao.
Her heart skipped slightly. She hesitated, then answered.
"Baby," the man's low, flirtatious voice came through.
She rolled her eyes. "Don't call me that. I have a fiancée, remember?"
He chuckled. "That didn't stop you before."
Her heartbeat quickened, but not from guilt.
From excitement. A seductive smile curled her lips.
"What's going on?"
"Some new friends just came in. I want you to meet them. You'll like them."
"Where are you?"
"Crystal Palace Club."
Her resolve wavered, but only for a moment.
She closed her eyes for a second. "This is the last time," she whispered to herself. "After tonight, no more games. I'll focus on my career. And Liang Yexuan. He's mine. He has my heart. He'll have all of me soon after marriage."
"I'll be there in an hour," she replied.
With that, she dashed into the bathroom, showered quickly, and emerged wearing a slinky red dress that hugged her curves. She paired it with black heels and dark red lipstick, the perfect image of seduction.
She sprayed a light mist of perfume and admired herself in the mirror.
As she left the room, she almost collided with her mother, who was coming in with a tray of food.
"Where are you going?"
"Out to meet some friends. I'll be back later," Meilin said nonchalantly, brushing past her mother.
Her mother stood there, stunned, watching the retreating figure of her daughter.
The red dress shimmered as Meilin walked down the hallway with purpose.
Madam Su sighed, looking at the tray. "Maybe we spoiled her too much. Sometimes she forgets she's a socialite. But… let her enjoy her youth."
---
Meanwhile, at the Liang Mansion, Liang Qianyu lounged in her oversized bed, scrolling through social media with disinterest.
Her silk robe shimmered in the dim lights of her room. Her screen lit up with an incoming call. A man's voice answered.
"Young Miss, she's taken the bait. Su Meilin's gone to the Crystal Palace Club."
Qianyu's lips curled into a satisfied smile. She laughed coldly, eyes gleaming."Good. Make sure to get everything."
"Yes, Young Miss."
She ended the call and tossed the phone on her bed.
"Su Meilin," she whispered. "Did you really think you could take the title of Young Madam Liang from me? Keep dreaming."
Her eyes burned with determination. "That title is mine. Always has been. Always will be."
Her eyes narrowed as she whispered, "Let the game begin, Su Meilin. Let's see who wins this war."
---