The door to the room opened, the faint creak jolting Mei awake.
She had barely slept throughout the night.
Her eyes were heavy with exhaustion, so deprived of rest that even the slightest sound was enough to wake her.
The darkness had kept her restless until dawn, leaving her body weary and her mind clouded with unease.
She slowly opened her eyes and saw pale morning light seeping into the room through the open door.
She instinctively blinked twice before turning towards the entrance to see who had come in.
“So, you’re awake.”
An Zhao stood at the doorway, looking at her with nothing but disgust and resentment.
“So, what’s your verdict?” he asked, his voice calm, though the expectation in his eyes made it obvious he already knew what her answer would be.
He had deliberately used Old Madame Li to threaten her because he knew she loved the old woman more than anyone else.
He also knew Mei would never gamble with her safety.
Mei looked back at him with unconcealed contempt.
If there had not been undeniable proof, she would still refuse to believe this man was truly her father.
“I’ll go to the art appraisal,” Mei said quietly.
“And?” An Zhao asked, the corners of his lips lifting into a mocking smile.
“I’ll marry the First Young Master of the Fu family.”
Her voice remained calm, but the hatred in her eyes did not lessen.
A satisfied smile spread across An Zhao’s face.
He nodded slowly, looking at her as though she had finally become useful.
“That’s good. You’re finally acting like a proper daughter of the Zhao family.”
“I’ll have the servants prepare everything. The ball begins at dusk. Don’t be late.”
Without waiting for another word, he turned and left the room.
As soon as the door closed behind him, the composure Mei had forced herself to maintain disappeared.
It felt as though ten thousand ants were crawling beneath her skin, making every part of her body unbearably uncomfortable.
She wished the ground would split open and swallow her whole.
The only reason she had agreed was because of Old Madame Li.
The old woman needed her.
Her health…
her safety…
everything depended on Mei making this choice.
She mourned the life she was about to leave behind.
From the moment she stepped into that ballroom, nothing would ever be the same again.
Still, remaining in this house was no longer an option.
Whatever happened after tonight would happen.
Her own plans had already been set in motion.
The grand hall hosting the art appraisal was decorated with priceless paintings and exquisite works of art collected from different periods of history.
Magnificent canvases inspired by the Medieval and Mediterranean eras covered the marble walls, each displayed beneath carefully positioned lights.
A weathered knight stood frozen upon one enormous canvas, his sword raised beneath a stormy sky, while another painting portrayed a graceful queen standing beneath an endless Mediterranean horizon, the sea stretching endlessly behind her.
Marble sculptures, delicate porcelain and antique ornaments were displayed inside crystal cases, each piece carrying centuries of history.
Towering crystal chandeliers illuminated the hall with a warm golden glow.
A chamber orchestra performed soft classical melodies while elegantly dressed couples moved gracefully across the dance floor.
Wealthy businessmen, influential families, renowned collectors and ambitious socialites wandered from one masterpiece to another, glasses of expensive wine resting comfortably in their hands as quiet conversations filled the air. Find the original chapter at novelping.com.
The atmosphere was refined, peaceful and sophisticated.
“You look so beautiful,” Yao complimented Camille the moment she saw her.
Camille wore a custom made evening gown covered in countless tiny diamonds that sparkled beneath the chandeliers.
Every detail of the dress reflected wealth and status, making her look every bit the daughter of an influential family.
Holding a glass of red wine, she walked confidently through the hall, quietly enjoying the attention she attracted wherever she went.
“Yours doesn’t look so bad either,” Camille replied casually.
Yao frowned slightly.
Was Camille implying that her dress was only passable?
“Come on, Camille. Don’t be like that. Her dress is beautiful,” Muxi, one of Yao’s closest friends, said with an awkward laugh.
“Whatever.”
Camille smiled indifferently before walking away.
At that moment, several men dressed in perfectly tailored black suits entered the hall first.
Their expressions remained cold and unreadable as they walked in disciplined formation.
Hidden earpieces rested discreetly against their ears, while sharp eyes scanned every corner of the venue with professional precision before silently stepping aside.
The Fu family had arrived.
The conversations around the hall gradually disappeared.
Everyone instinctively turned towards the entrance.
The young ladies present could not take their eyes off the two men walking behind the elders.
Lucian and Leon were breathtakingly handsome.
Both wore impeccably tailored black suits that fitted them flawlessly.
Crisp white shirts, black silk ties and polished leather shoes completed their appearance, while expensive watches resting around their wrists quietly reflected their status.
Yet despite wearing almost identical clothes, they gave completely different impressions.
Leon possessed a gentle elegance.
His handsome features were warm and refined, carrying the approachable charm of someone who naturally made others feel comfortable.
Lucian, however, was the complete opposite.
His sharp features, cold eyes and indifferent expression gave him an overwhelming sense of authority.
While Leon resembled an angel, Lucian looked like a devastatingly handsome demon, someone no one dared approach unless invited.
Camera shutters echoed continuously throughout the hall.
Journalists hurried to capture every possible angle, already imagining tomorrow’s headlines.
“Who are they?”
“They look like knights from a fairy tale.”
Soft whispers spread across the room.
Camille found herself staring at Lucian, he was unbelievably handsome.
Summoning her courage, one young journalist slowly approached him with a microphone in her trembling hand.
“Young Master Fu, may I—”
Before she could finish speaking, Lucian lifted his eyes and looked at her.
His gaze was cold and emotionless.
The journalist instantly froze where she stood.
The words caught inside her throat before she quietly lowered her microphone and retreated without saying another word.
No one else dared approach him after that.
Moments later, the Matriarch of the Fu family entered.
Wei Lu wore an elegant wine red gown that gracefully accentuated her figure.
Though the years had passed, time had done little to diminish her beauty.
Every movement she made carried calm authority and effortless elegance, making her impossible to ignore.
She walked past the guests before stopping in front of Camille.
She looked at her calmly for a brief moment making camille’s heart almost leap into her throat.
The surrounding socialites immediately looked at her with admiration and jealousy.
Why had the Matriarch of the Fu family acknowledged Camille?
“Good evening, Madame Lu,” Camille greeted respectfully, her voice trembling slightly.
“Where are your parents?” Wei Lu asked calmly as she glanced around the hall.
“They’re seated over there,” Camille answered, pointing towards a table.
As she lowered her hand, her eyes unexpectedly met Lucian’s.
She quickly lowered her head, warmth spreading across her cheeks as memories of that night flashed through her mind.
Remembering the moment she had accidentally seen his body was enough to make her blush all over again.
Wei Lu continued walking towards Odessa and An Zhao.
The couple immediately stood up to welcome her.
An Zhao could not stop smiling.
Even after all these years, Wei Lu remained as beautiful as ever, and his vain nature could not help noticing it.
“Let the celebration begin,” Wei Lu said with a gentle smile.
She signalled the chamber orchestra, and the elegant melody resumed once more.
The guests gradually returned to their conversations and dancing, although whispers about the Fu family continued throughout the hall.
Not long after the celebration officially began, the grand doors opened once again.
A slender figure stepped inside.
She wore a crystal embroidered ball gown that shimmered beneath the chandeliers with every graceful step.
The flowing layers of the dress spread softly around her, while countless crystals reflected the golden lights like scattered stars.
Her long dark hair had been arranged into an elegant royal updo inspired by medieval princesses.
Delicate pearl ornaments and crystal hairpins rested among the neatly woven strands, while a few soft curls framed her face, making her look almost unreal.
The moment she entered, she became the centre of attention.
Every eye in the hall turned towards her,many silently wondered who the graceful young woman was.
Mei suddenly felt self conscious beneath the countless gazes fixed upon her, but she ignored them and searched the hall for An Zhao.
Every man present found himself captivated by her quiet elegance.
She looked less like an ordinary guest and more like a princess who had stepped straight out of a storybook.
The chamber orchestra gradually transitioned into a softer, dreamlike melody, making the atmosphere feel almost ethereal.
“She’s so beautiful.”
Whispers of admiration spread throughout the hall.
Camille’s expression stiffened.
She tried to remain composed, but the jealousy slowly broke through the calm mask she had carefully maintained.
Looking at Mei, she had to admit that the woman surpassed every socialite present.
If there were ever a beauty competition, Mei would undoubtedly win without effort.
The thought alone made Camille’s fingers tighten around her wine glass.
What angered her even more was seeing Lucian’s attention settle entirely on Mei.
From the moment Mei entered the hall, his gaze had not shifted elsewhere, his gaze rested on her for a brief moment before remaining there far longer than he intended.
“Who is she?”