---
At the Liang Mansion, the early morning sun shone golden over the tiled roof, cascading in layers over the pristine white walls of the estate.
A fleet of black luxury vehicles lined the driveway like disciplined soldiers.
Liang Yexuan walked with long, purposeful strides, dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit that hugged his tall, lean frame with deadly elegance.
His aura was sharper than ever, cold, distant—regal.
Behind him, Jin Shu briskly walked up, holding a sleek MacBook in one hand and a phone in the other.
"Sir, the executives are waiting. The boardroom has been prepped," Jin Shu reported.
Liang Yexuan didn't stop walking, just gave a slight nod.
Two bodyguards swiftly opened the door to a matte-black Rolls Royce.
Liang Yexuan got in without a word, settling into the leather seat as Jin Shu took the front passenger side.
As the convoy began moving, Jin Shu turned and handed over the laptop.
"These are the company's performance reports for the past three quarters. The newest acquisition data is on the last tab."
Liang Yexuan flipped open the laptop, his dark eyes scanning the data quickly.
His brows twitched slightly at one of the graphs. "Why was the Q1 real estate investment so underwhelming in comparison to projections?"
"That was due to the Southridge land dispute," Jin Shu replied, his voice steady. "It delayed the initial phase by two months."
Liang Yexuan said nothing, merely nodded before closing the laptop and resting it beside him.
His gaze moved to the tinted window, silently observing the city pass by.
---
When the car rolled to entrance of the Liang Conglomerate's headquarters—an architectural marvel of steel, glass, and intimidating luxury—the air around the place seemed to tense.
As the door opened, the bodyguards moved to form a protective arc.
Liang Yexuan stepped out, commanding every ounce of attention. Jin Shu followed, already clutching a notepad.
Just then, Su Meilin appeared near the entrance, a radiant smile stretched across her face.
She wore a figure-hugging black dress, her hair curled in soft waves cascading down her shoulders.
Her heels clicked confidently on the pavement as she walked up to them.
"Yexuan, you're back to work already? You should be resting," she said with a voice so sweet it could drip honey.
Liang Yexuan barely glanced at her. "I can work."
His voice was calm but dismissive.
He turned to Jin Shu without breaking stride. "What's the status of the Lingnan land parcel negotiations?"
Jin Shu immediately began updating him on the land issues as Su Meilin walked alongside them, trying to catch his gaze.
He's so perfect, she thought, eyes burning with longing. That face, that aura... this man will be mine. He must be mine.
Behind a bush nearby, a paparazzo crouched low with a high-quality zoom camera.
Click.
Click.
Click.
Several quick snaps later, he was already typing up the article on his phone:
National Prince Liang Yexuan, Heir of the Liang Conglomerate, Appears Publicly with Rumored Fiancée After Three-Month Disappearance. Are There Good News Following?
Within minutes, the story went viral.
---
"Breaking News!" the female anchor announced, her voice clear and loud.
"Liang Yexuan, the Reclusive Heir of the Liang Conglomerate, Makes Surprise Appearance with Rumored Fiancée, Su Meilin."
The image was crystal clear. Liang Yexuan, tall and commanding, stepping out of a car.
Next to him, a stunning woman in a black dress smiling at him.
But it wasn't the woman that caught her breath.
It was the man.
That face.
That body.
But most of all—
That mole beneath his lips.
Lin Yue's world spun.
No... Her mind reeled.
That's... Ah Yan.
Ah Yan?!
She staggered to her feet, legs trembling.
Her breathing became erratic.
"Lin Yue!" Mo Yuwei cried. "Lin Yue, what's wrong?!"
Before she could say anything more, Lin Yue collapsed.
"Call an ambulance!" a waiter yelled.
---
At the Liang Conglomerate, inside the top-floor CEO office, Jin Shu stood stiffly, sweat beads on his forehead.
His lips trembled slightly as he extended the iPad.
The screen showed the now-viral news article.
"Sir... it's my fault. I should have prevented this. It was my negligence. I should have secured the perimeter better. I didn't think they'd sneak past our guards. I—"
He was rambling. The silence in the room felt suffocating.
Liang Yexuan looked at the screen.
The image of himself and Su Meilin was plastered on every news outlet.
Tch.
His fingers drummed on the edge of the desk.
He said nothing.
Jin Shu blinked.
Was he...not angry?
He was always angry at such news.
How would he deal with Su Meilin?!
Bankrupt their family?
He couldn't imagine.
And the media...
The brave media that dared to post.
Had they eaten a leopard's gut?
Should he call them to retract it?
Should he put out a statement?
Seconds passed like hours.
Finally, Liang Yexuan spoke.
"Leave it."
Jin Shu's mouth parted slightly in shock. "Sir?"
"Leave it alone," Liang Yexuan repeated, his expression giving nothing away.
But why...? Jin Shu dared not ask.
---
At the hospital, the sharp smell of antiseptic filled the air. Machines beeped softly. The curtains gently swayed as a nurse walked past.
On the white bed, Lin Yue slowly opened her eyes. The bright lights above made her squint. Her head felt heavy, her chest tight.
She blinked a few times, and then everything came rushing back.
The TV.
The headline.
His face.
Ah Yan was... Liang Yexuan.
How... How could this be?
Her heart constricted painfully.
Her breath caught in her throat.
He was the richest, most feared man in the country.
And he had a fiancée.
Her vision blurred again, but not from dizziness—from sadness.
So... that's who you really were.
---