Empire Hotel.
Tonight, the Sullivan family, one of Beijing's four major families, was hosting a banquet at the hotel.
Early autumn brought a sweet scent of osmanthus wafting through the courtyard.
Underneath a large tree in a secluded corner of the courtyard, two figures clung tightly to each other. After a while, the man let out a heavy breath, satisfaction written all over his face.
“Abel…” The woman’s voice was soft and flirtatious, her fair hands wrapped around his neck as her body pressed even closer.
“Alright. Once tonight’s plan succeeds, I’ll make sure to fully satisfy you.” Abel Sullivan looked at Emily Newman’s flushed, charming face, the heat still simmering inside him. But with so many people around the hotel, getting caught would be a disaster.
“Fine.” Emily looked a little annoyed but still nodded.
“By the way, how’s everything going?” Abel straightened his clothes and asked.
“Abel, I've already set everything up. Those women are all notorious around the city—total messes. Once we get pictures of Ethan messing around with them, his reputation will be completely destroyed. Then I’ll finally have a legitimate reason to break off the engagement with him.”The mention of breaking off the engagement lit up Emily Newman’s eyes with unmistakable excitement.
Sure, Ethan Sullivan had a good-looking face, but he was as delicate as a woman, completely lacking any charm.
They’d been engaged for two years now. She’d made so many moves herself, but Ethan never showed an ounce of reaction. Emily even started to suspect he had some kind of issue in... that area.
But, from beginning to end, her true feelings were only for Abel Sullivan. She’d never marry someone as boring and weak as Ethan.
“As long as Ethan’s reputation is ruined, the Sky Group will be mine. Emily, don’t worry, I promise to marry you.”
Abel cupped her face with both hands, staring at her intensely.
“Abel...”
Emily’s cheeks flushed bright red. Her voice softened as she stood on her toes to kiss him...
*
Ethan stepped out of the main hall and headed toward the restroom. He felt dazed, his thoughts blurry.
His strikingly handsome face, one any woman would envy, was now tinged with an unusual blush.
Maybe it was the alcohol catching up, but he was dizzy, burning up, and his legs felt unsteady under him. "Go, grab him." Emily Newman spotted Ethan Sullivan coming out and followed with her entourage. Seeing the drug start to take effect, a smug smile crept onto her lips as she motioned for the two bodyguards behind her to move. They stepped forward and seized Ethan's arms in an instant.
"Who... who are you?" Ethan asked, his voice groggy. His eyes were unfocused, unable to clearly see who had grabbed him. He struggled slightly, trying to resist, but his body was completely drained of strength.
His consciousness began to fade...
"Throw him on the bed. Call those women in and get everything sorted. And make sure the photos are taken afterward. Got it?" Emily instructed coldly, her gaze fixed on Ethan as the bodyguards dumped him onto the bed.
"Yes, Miss Newman."
A sneer pulled at Emily's lips. She stepped closer, lightly slapped Ethan's face, and let out a derisive chuckle. "A soft, useless pretty boy like you? Still thinking you’re fit to marry me? Don’t kid yourself. Only Abel deserves me. You’ve hogged the position of CEO of Sky Group for two years; it’s about time you stepped aside for him."
The whole engagement at the start—what a joke. Unless Ethan broke off the arrangement himself, or, better yet, died, she was stuck marrying this pathetic man.
But she was Emily Newman, the Newmans' proud daughter, and she wasn’t about to let this happen. No way.