Xiao Ting stood frozen as a sharp, authoritative knock sounded on her door.
"Stay away!" she yelled, her voice shaky yet defiant.
"Princess, open the door, or I'll barge in," came his stern reply, his tone carrying an edge she hadn't heard before.
Her blood boiled. "No! Get the fuck away from me!"
The door swung open, slow and deliberate, revealing him standing tall in one of China's most prestigious designer suits, Shanghai Tang.
The tailored fabric clung to his broad shoulders, and his gelled-back hair gave him an air of polished ruthlessness.
His expression was unreadable, serious in a way that sent a chill down her spine.
In his hands, he held two suits, their fine silk and craftsmanship speaking volumes about their exclusivity. Without a word, he tossed them onto her bed with precision.
"Get dressed for work," he commanded, his tone brooking no argument.
She crossed her arms, planting her feet like a stubborn child. "No! I'm not going anywhere. You can't force me!"
A flicker of amusement, then irritation, danced across his features. "You think so?" he asked, his voice dropping a note lower.
She lifted her chin, her voice laced with defiance. "I'm an heiress, a sports genius, and a wealthy businesswoman. You're nothing to me! So stop talking to me!"
He glanced at his watch, his patience wearing thin. His jaw clenched before he spoke, his words deliberate and cutting. "Get undressed, or I'll do it for you, Ting."
The way he drawled her name sent a shiver down her spine, though she quickly masked it with anger. "I dare you!" she spat, confidence radiating from her every word.
Before she could process what was happening, he was in front of her in two swift strides.
His hand reached for her, deftly undoing two buttons of her nightshirt with precision.
She screamed, clutching at the fabric as though her life depended on it. "You brute! Don't you dare!"
Her fists rained down on his chest as she tried to fend him off, but it only seemed to amuse him.
His strength was unwavering as he lifted her effortlessly, slinging her over his shoulder like a sack of flour.
"Put me down, you asshole! You bloody brute!" she screeched, pounding her fists against his back.
He ignored her protests, carrying her straight to the bathroom. The door slammed shut behind them, and before she could react, he set her down in the shower.
The sudden burst of cold water from the showerhead hit her like a slap, drenching her entirely. She shrieked, flailing under the icy stream. "AAAAAARGH!"
She threw water at him, splashing wildly in her desperation. He grabbed her wrists, holding them still with an iron grip.
His face was mere inches from hers, droplets of water streaming down his sharp features as his dark eyes bore into hers.
"Miss Xiao Ting," he said, his voice calm yet firm, "if you damage another suit, I will not be polite."
Her heart pounded as his gaze lingered on her, the tension in the air thick and suffocating. The warm intensity of his stare made her knees weak despite her fury.
"GET OUT, YOU ASSHOLE!" she screamed, her voice echoing in the tiled bathroom.
Summoning her last shred of defiance, she kneed him square in the groin.
He doubled over, staggering back with a groan. "Fucking... bitch!" he hissed, his voice strained with pain as he stumbled out of the bathroom.
Xiao Ting slammed the glass shower door shut and locked it, panting as the water continued to pour over her.
Her hands trembled as a mix of rage, embarrassment, and something else she refused to acknowledge coursed through her veins.