Xia stared up at him, the weight of his words settling over her like a warm blanket on a cold night. 'Worth ruining your reputation for?' she echoed softly, the statement resonating with a dangerous allure. How could she, a lowly assistant, possibly warrant such a sacrifice from a man like Lu Zhenting? A man who commanded empires with a flick of his wrist, a man betrothed to one of the city's most influential families. It was absurd, reckless, and utterly intoxicating.
The gala swirled around them, a cacophony of flashing lights and shallow chatter, yet all Xia could hear was the echo of his confession. He had painted her as someone precious, someone worth fighting for, under the flashing spotlight of the press. 'It's not just my reputation, Xia,' he had added, a sense of darkness coming from his eyes, 'It’s the Lu's family name.'
Suddenly, the blaring of her cell phone cut through the night, the ringtone obnoxiously loud against the backdrop of classical music. Xia glanced at the screen, her heart sinking as she saw the hospital's number. Her mother. Something was terribly wrong. 'I have to go,' she blurted out, pulling away from Zhenting's protective embrace. 'It’s my mother.'
Zhenting's expression shifted, the warmth replaced by a sharp, almost predatory focus. 'What's wrong? Tell me.' Xia hesitated, her mind racing. She knew better than to involve him in her family's drama. The Lin family was like a viper’s nest, dangerous and venomous, and she couldn't risk him getting stung. 'It's nothing,' she lied, forcing a smile. 'Just a routine check-up.'
He didn't believe her, she could see it in his eyes, dark and intense as a storm-ridden sea. 'I'll take you,' he stated flatly, his voice brooking no argument. 'Assistant Qin, car.' Before she could protest, he was already ushering her through the throng of startled guests, his hand firm on the small of her back. The scent of sandalwood and rain intensified around her, a bittersweet reminder of the forbidden connection that bound them.
The hospital corridor was sterile and cold, a stark contrast to the opulence of the gala. As they approached her mother’s wing, Xia noticed an unusual flurry of activity. Nurses rushed past with grim faces, their hushed whispers painting a dire picture. Her breath hitched in her throat. 'What's going on?' she demanded, grabbing a passing nurse by the arm.
The nurse's eyes widened in recognition, her voice barely above a whisper. 'Ms. Lin… there's been… complications. You need to go to her immediately.' Complications? The word echoed in Xia's mind, each syllable a death knell. She bolted toward her mother’s room, Zhenting close behind. The room was chaos. Doctors huddled around her mother’s bed, their faces etched with concern. Machines beeped erratically, their rhythmic pulse a frantic countdown.