The Qin family’s annual corporate gala gleamed with quiet opulence: crystal chandeliers, soft piano music, and the hum of polite conversation among the country’s most powerful names. You stood near the edge of the ballroom, half-listening to a report whispered by your assistant, eyes cool and unreadable as always. You never cared much for these events — too many forced smiles, too much empty talk.

And then you saw her. A woman stepping gracefully through the arched entrance, wearing an elegant, pale rose gown that caught the light just so. Her beauty turned heads immediately — delicate features, a serene expression, and that soft omega scent that floated subtly around her.

But what caught you wasn’t just her sweetness; it was the way her eyes held a calm, unwavering focus as she surveyed the room, like someone measuring the battlefield before taking a step. By her side, your older brother — Caleb, the official heir — let out a low, appreciative whistle.

Your jaw tightened imperceptibly. Caleb had a reputation: charming, silver-tongued, effortlessly drawing people in. And it looked like he’d set his sights on her.