Selena handled it with grace, smiling, exchanging a few polite words, then motioned toward the man by her side. “I nearly forgot—this is my husband, Jaden Rift.”Jaden inclined his head with an easy smile. It wasn’t flashy or overdone, but it carried a quiet steadiness that drew a few curious looks.Christian’s expression, however, shifted in a way most people missed. His narrowed eyes gave him away. He had already recognized Jaden. His mind flashed back instantly—to the Pagani Zonda, to the humiliation he had swallowed the previous day. A storm of resentment brewed behind his refined smile.He stepped forward, his tone deliberately casual. “And where is Mr. Rift working these days?”The question was deceptively simple, but the weight behind it was sharp.Jaden didn’t answer. He didn’t even look bothered. His silence made it clear he wasn’t about to perform for Christian or anyone else in the room. Selena, sensing the tension, quickly filled the gap.“My husband was just discharged fr

Selena had always loved music since she was a child, especially classical music. While other girls chased after pop idols, she had spent hours listening to concert recordings, studying every note, every pause, every sweep of emotion hidden in the music. Back in her university days, she would often save up just to buy rare CDs of Quinn’s performances. To her, Quinn wasn’t just a pianist—she was an untouchable star, someone she had admired for years.So when Christian mentioned Quinn’s name, Selena’s heart skipped a beat. A chance to watch her idol perform live was something she had dreamed of for half her life. Her eyes lit up for a moment, but just as quickly, the glow dimmed.Because no matter how much she longed to hear Quinn play, she could not bear to keep Jaden sitting there, swallowing one insult after another. The humiliation Trent had spewed earlier still burned in her chest. If they stayed longer, she knew more barbs would be thrown Jaden’s way, and she refused to let her hus

Trent bent down with a deliberate, exaggerated motion and picked up the ashtray sitting on the table. Every eye in the room followed him, a mixture of curiosity and disgust rippling through the crowd. With a cruel grin, he emptied the cigarette butts and gray ashes into a glass of deep red wine. Then, as if to make it even more revolting, he spat into the mixture. The stench of stale smoke and bitter wine hit the noses of everyone around, causing a few people to wrinkle theirs instinctively.Holding the revolting concoction up for everyone to see, Trent’s eyes glinted with malice. “If you can get Quinn here,” he said, his voice dripping with mockery, “not only will I drink every single drop from this disgusting glass, I will leave here entirely and never bother you again. But, if you fail… then you—yes, you—will finish it yourself and get the hell out of here. Do you have the guts to take this challenge?”Jaden’s expression didn’t flicker. He leaned back slightly, calm, unbothered, an

Very soon, everyone in Peony Hall watched in stunned silence as the helicopter slowly descended from the sky, the whirring of its blades slicing through the soft hum of conversation and classical music inside. The massive machine touched down smoothly on the Empire Hotel's helipad, sending a gust of wind that fluttered gowns, hair, and napkins alike.Two impeccably dressed bodyguards emerged immediately, moving with precise, almost rehearsed efficiency. Between them, a tall, elegant woman stepped out of the helicopter, her presence radiating sophistication and quiet power. Every head in the hall turned instinctively.Those with sharp eyes recognized her instantly. A collective gasp spread like wildfire across the room. “Yes! It’s her! The piano maestro, Ms. Quinn! She’s really here!”Over a hundred pairs of eyes snapped toward Jaden Rift, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and awe. One phone call—and Jaden had managed the impossible. Ms. Quinn, the internationally renowned piani

Jaden’s gaze swept the room, calm and unyielding. “Get on it,” he ordered, his voice cutting through the stunned silence.The bodyguards wasted no time. They moved with precision, grabbing Trent and delivering several thunderous slaps that reverberated across the hall. The sound alone drew gasps from the surrounding guests. Trent struggled, squirming, but it was useless. The guards pinned him to the ground like a lifeless sack, forcing him into submission.All eyes followed every motion as they lifted the revolting glass to Trent’s lips. In front of the crowd, they forced the dark, foul-smelling concoction down his throat. The room went utterly silent, broken only by Trent’s muffled gagging and spluttering. People looked on with a mixture of horror, awe, and disbelief—no one could believe the spectacle unfolding before them.Finally, with a series of harsh tugs, they dragged him out into the street like a defeated animal, leaving a stunned trail of whispers in their wake. Trent had br