The night stretched endlessly.
Chen Yuna sat on her balcony, the city lights below shimmering like stars fallen from the sky. The breeze gently teased her silk robe, but her mind was anything but calm. The words her father had said earlier still echoed like thunder in her ears.
> "He'll only save the company on one condition — you must marry him. In secret."
At first, she thought it was a joke. A cruel, desperate joke from a man who had no options left. But when she looked into her father's eyes, she saw no trace of humor. Just exhaustion, shame, and pleading.
She hated the position she was in — hated that she had been backed into this corner, not by choice, but by betrayal and sabotage.
Her mother had barely spoken during the conversation. She had just sat there, rubbing her rosary beads quietly, her silence speaking volumes. And when her father ended the meeting with the words "The clock is ticking, Yuna. We don't have time to wait," it was like the final nail in the coffin.
Now, with no cameras, no spotlight, no fans—just her and the night—Chen Yuna allowed herself to feel the pressure crushing her chest.
Her phone buzzed again.
Mei.
> "Miss Chen. Mr. Jiang said the documents will be ready in 48 hours. He's giving you time to decide, but… not much."
Yuna didn't reply.
She simply locked her phone, stood up, and walked back into her room. Her heels clicked lightly on the marble floors as she made her way toward the full-length mirror. She stared at her reflection — beautiful, strong, famous — and yet… cornered.
A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.
"Come in," she said softly.
Her mother entered, holding a tray with tea. The scent of jasmine filled the room.
"Couldn't sleep either?" Madam Chen asked gently.
Yuna nodded. "My mind's racing."
Her mother set the tray down and sat beside her on the velvet sofa.
"You don't have to answer him yet. But I won't lie to you, Yuna. Your father is right. The company is hanging by a thread. And this might be the only lifeline."
Yuna clenched her fists. "Why me? Why does he want me? Of all things?"
Madam Chen gave her a knowing look. "Why wouldn't he?"
Yuna scoffed, but her mother continued.
"You've always stood out, Yuna. Not just because of your face or fame. You're smart. Composed. You have something not every girl does — grace under fire. Maybe he respects that. Maybe he sees in you what we all see."
"But a secret marriage? Why?" Yuna muttered. "It's strange. He's strange."
Her mother was silent for a moment. "Strange men often hide the deepest wounds."
---
Meanwhile – Jiang Hangzhou's Penthouse
Mei stood near the floor-to-ceiling windows, holding her tablet. Jiang Hangzhou was pouring himself a glass of whiskey.
"She hasn't responded," Mei said after a moment.
"I didn't expect her to," Jiang replied calmly.
"She might reject it."
"She won't."
Mei hesitated. "You're sure?"
Jiang took a sip, then looked out over the city.
"She's too proud to walk away. And too loyal to let her family fall. She'll say yes. She just doesn't know it yet."
Mei didn't respond.
There was something cold and unreadable in his voice. But also—something else. A flicker of something deeper than strategy.
"Do you…" Mei started, then caught herself. "Never mind."
Jiang raised a brow. "Speak."
"Do you like her?"
There was a long silence.
"No," Jiang said eventually. "I chose her."
Then he turned and walked away.
---
The Next Morning – Chen Residence
Yuna awoke early, her eyes burning from a sleepless night. She entered the dining room where her father and mother were already seated.
"Good morning," Mr. Chen said, trying to sound normal.
Yuna sat down, poured herself some tea, then looked up.
"I'll do it," she said.
Both her parents froze.
"But on my terms," she added. "I want to see the contract. I want to know everything. And I want complete control of my career, no restrictions."
Mr. Chen smiled faintly. "Of course."
Madam Chen looked at her daughter, pride and pain flashing in her eyes.
Yuna took a deep breath. In that moment, she wasn't just an actress or a daughter—she was a woman preparing to walk into a life of shadows for the sake of her family.
The clock had started ticking the moment she left Jiang Hangzhou's office.
Now… time was up