The glittering lights of the Grand Star Hotel ballroom no longer sparkled with elegance. The air was thick with tension, whispers, and the scent of scandal. Phones were still raised, recording the downfall of the golden couple of the night.
Lin Chen didn't flinch as the security guards escorted Li Wei away in handcuffs. The look of betrayal and disbelief on Su Ning's face was priceless—a picture he'd treasure in his memory forever.
But he wasn't done yet.
No, this was only the first act.
A waiter passed by with a tray of champagne. Lin Chen grabbed a flute, raised it casually, and tapped the side with his ring. The high-pitched chime drew attention like a conductor calling an orchestra to order.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, voice calm but resonating with quiet authority. "Let's not forget to toast. To love… to betrayal… and to truth, which always finds a way to reveal itself."
He sipped. Slowly. Deliberately.
The crowd murmured, unsure whether to applaud, hide, or pretend they weren't fascinated.
Su Ning was trembling now. The confident, social-climbing woman had cracked.
"You bastard…" she hissed, stepping toward him. "You planned all this. You're insane!"
Lin Chen tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Insane? Perhaps. But at least I'm not engaged to a man who embezzled money and framed his own friend."
"You have no idea who you're messing with," she snapped.
"Oh, but I do. And so does everyone else now."
He turned to the emcee and smiled politely. "Let's not keep the guests bored. How about a musical interlude?"
The emcee, still stunned, nodded mechanically. "Uh—yes, of course."
The string quartet in the corner began playing softly, trying to return the mood to something resembling control.
Lin Chen made his way through the ballroom, drink in hand, weaving through the crowd like a king surveying his conquered territory.
Everywhere he went, people moved aside. Some offered him drinks. Others reached out to shake hands. A few whispered praises—"bold," "brilliant," "ruthless."
The very people who wouldn't have given him a second glance days ago were now scrambling to be on his side.
He spotted a few key figures:
Zheng Yi, a middle-aged venture capitalist known for his aggressive mergers.
Madam Fang, a socialite and fundraiser with political connections.
Zhao Qi, the very executive who had hired him after the previous meeting.
He greeted them all with effortless charm, using his upgraded Silver Tongue LV.2 skill to full effect.
🎯 Micro Task Completed: Navigate High-Level Social Event Without System Support💰 +150 Gold💡 Social Aptitude Stat Increased by +1
By the time dessert was served, Su Ning had already left the ballroom—face tear-streaked, makeup ruined, screaming at her assistant to cancel everything.
Word would spread. The engagement was over. So was her public image.
Lin Chen didn't need to destroy her.
She was already doing that herself.
As he stepped out onto the balcony for fresh air, the system interface pinged again.
🎯 Mission Chain [Past Redemption]: Stage I Complete💰 +300 Gold Received🎁 New Item Unlocked: Shadow Black Card (Temporary)🧭 New Scenario Unlocked: "Velvet Circle Private Gala"
He smirked, pocketing his phone.
A waiter approached him with a gold-rimmed envelope.
"Mr. Lin, this just arrived for you. A personal invitation to the Velvet Circle."
"Perfect timing," Lin Chen whispered.
The hunt was just beginning.