Presumptuous.
I watched Zhang Min's face twitch, and I couldn't help but smirk inwardly. The poor man looked like he had an unbearable itch somewhere he couldn't reach—swallowing his frustration like a good little subordinate. Pathetic, really.
"You recognized me?" I asked, voice light, breezy. Of course, it was rhetorical. She had. I could see it in the way her eyes flickered, a mixture of disbelief and shock.
Clara Bennett eased slightly, and I allowed myself a faint satisfaction. Not sent by Zhao Liwei, then. My so-called bumpkin façade wouldn't have threatened her. But she had no idea just how wrong she was.
"What… what are you doing here?" she asked, frowning, her voice tight.
I let her take in my presence. Branded suit, calm and precise movements, a subordinate in tow, a half-dozen men standing behind me like loyal shadows. I exuded the aura of a tycoon—incisive, controlled, magnetic. A man who could move the world with a word.
And yet… she didn't seem intimidated. Not even a hint. Instead, I could see the confusion swimming behind her brown eyes. So she's realized I'm not really a bumpkin. Good. Let that simmer a little longer.
I didn't bother asking for permission. I stepped into her apartment, my gait calm, measured—regal, almost kingly. Her place, her rules? Irrelevant. I chose her favorite couch and seated myself as if it belonged to me, crossing one leg over the other, arms loose, posture effortless.
"What do you think you're doing?" she snapped, crossing her arms. A fire in her tone that made me smile.
"Taking a seat and making myself comfortable," I said simply.
Her face scrunched in disbelief, like she hadn't heard anything remotely sensible in the last five minutes.
"Um… yes, I can see that much for myself. But… why?"
"Because talking while standing is uncomfortable," I replied, lifting an eyebrow. Why was she asking such basic questions?
Her expression—caught somewhere between exasperation and awe—made her look unintentionally cute. I allowed the corner of my lips to curl. My soon-to-be wife, gorgeous even in shock.
"Ms. Bennett, please… take a seat," I gestured, voice soft but commanding.
Her jaw almost hit the floor. Was she real? Who acted like this?
"Who do you think you are, barging into someone's home and telling them to sit?" she demanded. Her outrage was delicious.
Zhang Xin stepped forward, like a soldier forced to deliver bad news. "Ms. Bennett, allow me to introduce Mr. Li, the young master of the Li family and heir to the Li Corporation," she said formally, stiff as a board.
I let Clara blink, her confusion obvious, her mind racing. She didn't laugh. She didn't think I was joking. Perfect.
When she whipped out her phone to Google me… well, the expression on her face as the photo appeared was everything I had wanted. Shock, disbelief, fear. I could practically see her internal gears grinding.
"You're… you're Li Luxian?" she stammered, voice trembling.
"You didn't give me a chance to tell you that night," I said, tone calm, piercing.
"But… you could have shouted it out when I grabbed you!" she sputtered, taking a step back. I caught the movement, my eyes narrowing playfully.
Trying to run? I caught her subtle slip toward the door. "Ms. Bennett… trying to escape?" I asked lightly. "Useless. Even if by some miracle you make it out, it won't last long. I will find you."
Two of my men slammed the door shut. Her hope of escape evaporated.
She stared at me, pale, cornered. Good. That fear was mine now.
"Why didn't you say who you were?" she asked, desperation creeping in.
"You didn't give me a chance. After you grabbed me, kissed me, and threw petty cash at me while calling me a bumpkin…" I let the words linger, letting the memory sting. She flinched visibly. Oh, she remembered. Perfect.
"Why do you look like you're about to cry?" I asked, softer now, amused despite myself. Am I scaring her too much? Perhaps. But a little fear makes compliance sweeter.
"I… I don't know," she muttered, glancing at the intimidating bodyguards.
I raised a hand, dismissing them. "These men? Funny once you get to know them. But if they make you uncomfortable, they can wait outside."
Finally, she walked to the couch, courage faltering with every step. I placed a few files on the table, casually, watching the way her eyes widened, almost toppling her from the couch.
This was exactly where I wanted her—aware of my power, aware of her own vulnerability, but still… resisting. The best part was watching her try not to break under the weight of it all.
Yes, this will be fun.