The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding.
She stepped out and pulled open the meeting room door without hesitation. Nan Siya sat inside, her swollen eyes brimming with resentment and conflict.
Sang Ning walked in and took a seat on the sofa across from her, her voice cool. "What do you want?"
Nan Siya’s face was pale, her teeth clenched as she struggled to speak.
Sang Ning’s tone remained indifferent. "My time is valuable. If you’re just here to waste it, I’ll leave now."
She pressed a hand against the armrest, about to stand, when Nan Siya finally spat out through gritted teeth, "The Chen Family knows about my background."
Sang Ning blinked. "What background?"
Nan Siya seethed. "Stop pretending! You know exactly what I mean!"
"Oh," Sang Ning replied flatly. "I almost forgot—you’re my fake sister."
Nan Siya’s chest heaved with fury. "You—!"
"So?" Sang Ning’s voice was icy. "What do you want from me?"
Nan Siya bit down hard. "The Chen Family is demanding answers from the Nan Family. Mom wants you to talk to them."
Sang Ning’s lips curled into a mocking smile. "Nan Siya, where do you get the nerve to order me around?"
Nan Siya stiffened.
Sang Ning’s smile vanished, her gaze turning frosty. "What if I refuse?"
Nan Siya’s expression tightened. "The Chen and Nan Families are connected by marriage—and business—"
"The contracts are already signed. If the Chen Family isn’t happy, we can simply end the partnership after this. The Nan Family doesn’t lack for business partners these days," Sang Ning said dismissively.
Nan Siya’s face paled further. The Nan Family could afford to cut ties, but what about her?
Would she even have a place in the Chen Family anymore?
If they cast her out, she’d be nothing but a stray dog with nowhere to go.
"But I’m already married into the Chen Family—"
Sang Ning stared at her impassively. "And what does that have to do with me?"
A chill ran through Nan Siya’s body, her hands and feet turning cold. Sang Ning’s blatant indifference was a death sentence—she was leaving her to fend for herself.
Without Sang Ning’s intervention, she’d be stripped of all dignity in the Chen Family.
"Nan Sang Ning, how can you be so heartless?" Nan Siya’s eyes burned red.
Sang Ning’s voice was calm. "Given our relationship, you don’t deserve my kindness. Isn’t your precious Brother Zheng even crueler?"
Nan Siya’s nails dug into her palms.
Sang Ning leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs as she regarded her with cold detachment. "Nan Siya, the mess you’re in has nothing to do with me. You brought this on yourself."
Nan Siya flinched as if struck, then shrieked, "What are you so smug about? Do you think you’re any better? Grandfather only lets you run the company for now—sooner or later, he’ll marry you off and kick you out of Nan Enterprises!"
Sang Ning remained unfazed. "And yet, here we are. Right now, I hold the power. Without my approval, your life in the Chen Family will be hell."
Nan Siya’s breath hitched, her fingers trembling.
"You—!"
Sang Ning checked the time, her patience wearing thin. "I might be willing to help you."
Nan Siya’s eyes flickered with hope.
"But I have conditions."
Nan Siya tensed. "What conditions?"
Sang Ning met her gaze, her voice steady. "Do you know why the Chen Family looks down on you? Because deep down, they despise the Nan Family. Your beloved Brother Zheng is no exception."
Nan Siya’s face hardened.
Sang Ning’s lips curved slightly, her glass-like eyes gleaming with an unreadable light. "Nan Siya, I’ll give you a chance—to become the respected, dignified young madam of the Chen Family."
---
By the time Sang Ning left the office, it was already seven.
She strode briskly to the Bentley parked by the curb and pulled open the door.
"You’re late," He Siyu murmured, reclining in his seat with his eyes closed. He cracked them open at her arrival, tilting his head to look at her.
"Nan Siya showed up unexpectedly."
His brow furrowed. "Why bother with her mess?"
Sang Ning’s eyes sparkled with mischief. "I never do anything for free. I don’t take losing deals."
He studied her fox-like grin, his lips quirking. "An entire hour wasted—must be a big payoff."
"Of course." She lifted her chin slightly, confidence already gleaming in her gaze.
Then she paused, turning to him. "How long have you been waiting?"
"An hour."
"..."
Guilt tinged her voice. "Sorry. I’ll give you a heads-up next time."
He Siyu’s tone was dry. "Nan Sang Ning, is an apology all it takes to make it up to me?"
"Oh." She nodded.
His expression darkened. "Oh? You’re just—"
She leaned in and kissed him.
He stiffened for a second, his throat working as he absorbed the sudden contact.
When she pulled back, he snapped out of his daze, chasing her lips with his own. His hand cradled the back of her neck as he deepened the kiss, his mouth hot and demanding.
Sang Ning’s breath grew ragged, her cheeks flushing as her fingers twisted into his shirt.
Finally, she turned her face away, exasperated. "Let’s go home."
He never knew when to stop—and they were still right outside the company!
The word home seemed to resonate in his ears. His dark eyes flickered before he pressed one last light kiss to her lips, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"Mm."
He released her and drove them back to Palm Bay.
"I called Nanny Zhang over. She’ll help manage the house from now on. She’s not from the He Family—she used to work at Xizi Bay."
Sang Ning nodded. "That’s fine."
Having no housekeeper was inconvenient, and she couldn’t exactly expect He Siyu—a young master through and through—to do chores.
Once they parked in the garage, He Siyu took her hand and led her upstairs.
Nanny Zhang was already bustling around when they stepped inside.
"Sir, Miss, you’re back?" she greeted politely.
Sang Ning smiled. "Nanny Zhang."
"I’ve prepped dinner—shall I start cooking now?"
"Please." Sang Ning was hungry.
He Siyu’s phone rang just then, his brow creasing as he answered. "Fine. Five minutes."
Hanging up, he sighed. "An impromptu international meeting. I’ll eat after."
"Okay."
He headed to the study with his laptop while Sang Ning changed into comfortable loungewear.
When she stepped back out, Nanny Zhang was setting down a plate of cake. "The young master mentioned you like desserts, so I made strawberry cake. Would you like some to tide you over?"
Sang Ning smiled. "Thank you."
She took a seat at the table, savoring a sweet, fluffy bite.
Her gaze drifted to an open cardboard box on the floor. "What’s this?"
"Oh, that’s the young master’s luggage. I was organizing it earlier—there’s still one box left. I’ll finish after dinner."
Sang Ning took another big forkful of cake and stood. "I’ll handle it."
She had nothing else to do, anyway.
The cardboard box was filled with miscellaneous items—an entire case of cufflinks, another full of ties, and yet another containing watches.
Sang Ning had just lifted these long boxes, ready to carry them to the walk-in closet, when her gaze caught on something tucked away in the corner.
A small, deep-blue velvet box.
Her eyes lingered for a moment before she reached for it and opened it. Inside lay that familiar, dazzling diamond ring.
