A gigantic branched white crystal chandelier hung from a profound ceiling, its radiant light reflecting off the dark red wooden walls.
Ancient murals glowed with a mysterious and archaic luminescence, lending the study a deep and atmospheric aura.
On the red velvet sofa sat a slender black silhouette, an attractive three-dimensional profile fluctuating between light and shadow, inscrutable and enigmatic.
“Master, I’ve thoroughly investigated.
She is indeed Mandara; the disappearance of Dragon Ring is largely related to her.
Currently, I’ve discovered her real name; she is Xia Yanxin, nineteen years old, a journalist for Midian Media.
Before we captured her, she even had contact with military personnel…” Monica eyed the small figure on the floor with a complex expression.
This little woman truly had the guts of a burglar, even daring to steal the Dragon Ring…
Long Yutian’s diagonal figure gradually sat up straight, his dark eyes narrowed slightly as he turned and picked up a crystal glass from the table, pouring the ice-cold liquid onto Xia Yanxin’s face.
“Ugh…”
Xia Yanxin shivered from the cold, jolting awake from her daze…
Pain, her whole body was sore and swollen, her joints numb.
She struggled to stand but found her hands bound by ropes.
Wait, what exactly was happening?
She looked up at the unfamiliar surroundings: a meticulously decorated study with a mahogany European-style desk, murals from the Western Renaissance, and a long-legged bronze table lamp…
A tall figure blocked all light, looking down at her from above.
Although she couldn’t see his brows and eyes, she could still feel the sharpness of his gaze.
Wait, was this a dream?
She clearly had been shopping in the supermarket, preparing to meet Brother Sihao’s parents the next day.
Her head ached!
“Swoosh…”
Another glass of ice water was poured over her, ice cubes mixed with the amber-colored liquor drenched her, causing her to shiver violently and retreat. This chapter was copied from novelping(.)com without permission.
“You, you, why did you kidnap me?
You scoundrel, I’m telling you, I’m not an escort, I won’t play these disgusting games with you!”
Having left the Haitian Cruise, her confidence had somewhat returned.
A well-polished leather shoe stepped forward, pressing on her slightly wet skirt.
He slowly squatted down, his large hand gripping her chin, lifting it abruptly.
“Give me one reason not to kill you!”
His face, although refined and three-dimensional, lacked the previously seductive charm.
In its stead was a chilling coldness, like the breath of death emanating from hell.
His icy tone held a chill that seeped into her very bones.
This man, he harbored the intent to kill.
“Mr.
Long, I have no idea what you are talking about.
Are you sick in the head?
You’ve kidnapped me without any rhyme or reason, I’m going to call the police…”
Long Yutian tightened his grip, and a cracking sound came from her jaw as Xia Yanxin screamed in pain.
“Ah!
Let go, you bastard!”
“Tell me, where is the Dragon Ring?”
Xia Yanxin was on the verge of tears from the pain, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, I don’t know anything about a Dragon Ring, let me go!”
“First, you dare to drug my drink.
Second, you disclose my photo from the Heaven-Earth Gala to the public without my permission.
Third, you steal my Dragon Ring.
Any one of these offenses could leave you dead without a complete corpse. This story is hosted at g.com.
Young woman, if you have any sense, you’ll tell the truth right now.
It’s better for everyone, or you will bear the consequences.”
Long Yutian’s voice was full of a thinly veiled, furious chill, his dark eyes tinged with a faint bloodthirstiness, incredibly intimidating.
Xia Yanxin was completely baffled; her chin felt like it was about to be crushed, and her tears fell as she was in pain, “You’re squeezing me to death, how can I talk?”
Long Yutian slowly let go and stood up…
“Untie me.
It’s really uncomfortable being bound like this, I don’t know what to say!”
Long Yutian gave Monica a look, and she silently moved forward to undo the ropes around Xia Yanxin’s wrists.
Freed from her restraints, she quickly climbed onto the sofa, sitting up and grasping her reddened wrists, wincing.
“Speak up!!” He urged impatiently.
“Alright, I’ll talk, what’s with the hostility!
You kidnap me and yet act so self-righteous.
Have you no concept of the law…”
“Cut the crap and talk!” Long Yutian slammed his palm down on the desk, causing the crystal ashtray on the table to rattle.
Monica immediately reached out to steady it.
Xia Yanxin trembled, no longer daring to ramble, “So, if I tell you, will you let me go?”
“Hmm!”
“Good, then you better keep your word!”
“Of course, I, Long Yutian, always keep my word!”
“Right, first of all, about drugging your drink, that’s absolutely a misunderstanding!
I just poured a glass of wine, then you drank it and fell asleep, it’s not my fault, it’s possible you just can’t hold your liquor.
About the Dragon Ring you mentioned, I swear I have no clue what that is.
And regarding the photo, it wasn’t me who published it, it was our company’s CEO, go bother him about it.
I’m just a little worker; I can’t take the blame for something so serious.
There, I’m done talking, I can leave now, right?”
Having finished speaking, Xia Yanxin nonchalantly got up, heading towards the exit…