The skyscraper housing Hangzhou Corporations pierced the clouds like a blade forged by ambition and precision. On the top floor, where silence reigned like royalty, Jiang Hangzhou sat behind a sleek glass desk, his gaze fixed on the financial reports in front of him. His eyes were sharp, unreadable, like obsidian that had never seen light. Every movement was exact — no wasted breath, no wasted thought.
He didn't need noise to command power. His presence alone did the job.
At thirty-two, Jiang Hangzhou was already a titan. His company had spread its influence across industries — tech, media, real estate, even private defense. But it wasn't just his business acumen that made him feared and admired; it was his ruthlessness. He didn't play by the rules. He rewrote them. And when he smiled, it wasn't warmth — it was calculation.
Despite his wealth and status, his personal life remained an enigma. No tabloid had caught him in a scandal. No one knew if he dated. Rumors swirled — secret affairs, an engagement to a foreign heiress, even ties to underworld syndicates. But no one had proof. Jiang Hangzhou made sure of that.
Today, however, his attention wasn't on numbers. It was on a name.
Chen Yuna.
The moment her name appeared in a sponsorship report involving his media branch, he'd taken notice. Not because she was an actress — there were thousands of those. It was the sharp contrast between her public image and her background that caught him. A golden girl with an old-money surname… whose family business was bleeding slowly in silence.
And someone was clearly making it worse.
Jiang leaned back in his chair, temple resting lightly on his steepled fingers. Behind the calm exterior, his mind raced.
"Liu Rena," he murmured.
He remembered her too. Starlet. Ambitious. Talented — but not talented enough to shine brighter than someone born with elegance like Chen Yuna. Jealousy was a dangerous thing in the entertainment world. More dangerous when mixed with cunning and backdoor dealings.
His assistant, Mei, knocked once before entering. She was the only one who dared interrupt his silence.
"President Jiang, the reports from Zhang Corp just came in. Also, there's confirmation — Chen Group has lost two of its major sponsors in the past week. Quiet exits, no press leaks yet."
He didn't blink. "Send flowers to the Chen family mansion. Say it's from an anonymous admirer. Choose lilies."
Mei's brow lifted slightly, but she nodded and left without asking more.
It wasn't kindness. It was a chess move. He knew the Chens would panic. Their daughter was famous, yes, but fame didn't pay the bills. Their logistics business was drowning, and no one knew — not yet. But Jiang Hangzhou had eyes in places no one expected.
He stood and walked toward the window. Below, the city buzzed. He didn't live in it. He lived above it.
His phone vibrated.
Message from Mei: "The Chens sent a thank-you message. They seem... concerned."
Of course they were.
He smiled.
---
A week later, at a discreet industry gala hosted by the National Media Council, Jiang Hangzhou made his first move.
The hall was bathed in soft gold and royal blue, the scent of old wine and subtle ambition hanging in the air. Chen Yuna arrived late, as usual, trailed by her assistant. She wore a red silk gown that clung to her frame like fire, her expression cool and unbothered — but her eyes betrayed the storm she was hiding.
Jiang watched her enter.
Poised.
Cracking.
Interesting.
He approached her without ceremony.
"Miss Chen."
She turned slowly, her lashes lifting to meet his gaze. No nervousness. No fluster.
"President Jiang," she greeted smoothly. "What an honor."
"Likewise. Though I expected you wouldn't attend tonight."
Her smile didn't waver. "Why wouldn't I?"
"I heard rumors. Sponsors pulling out. Family difficulties. A rival with sharp teeth."
For the first time, her mask shifted slightly. A flicker of shock. Then it vanished.
"I don't listen to rumors. They're usually spread by people too weak to make news of their own."
He chuckled. "Sharp. I admire that."
A pause. Then, he leaned closer.
"But I do more than admire. I help. For a price."
Her heart skipped. She kept her tone calm.
"And what would your price be, President Jiang?"
His lips brushed the edge of his glass as he sipped, then whispered:
"Your hand. But only in secret."
Before she could respond, he was gone — walking back into the crowd like he hadn't just thrown her entire world off balance.
Chen Yuna stood rooted, fingers tightening slightly around her wine glass.
Jiang Hangzhou.
Silent. Calculated. Dangerous.
And now, part of her story.