Chapter 286

I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the ink-black night outside.

The cigarette between my fingers had burned down to the filter, the heat making me flinch.

My phone screen lit up with a message from Sebastian: "See you tomorrow."

Just three simple words, yet they made my heart skip a beat.

Tomorrow was the shareholders' meeting.

Sebastian would officially take over Valdemar Group.

And I would stand beside him as his fiancée.

This identity had come too fast, leaving me unprepared.

Three months ago, I was just an ordinary girl working at a coffee shop.

Now, I was about to face the scrutiny of the entire business world at Sebastian's side.

My phone vibrated again.

It was an itinerary from his assistant.

9 AM tomorrow, top-floor conference room at Valdemar Tower.

I stared at the words, my throat tightening.

Ding-dong—

The doorbell rang suddenly.

Startled, I dropped ash onto the carpet.

Through the peephole, I saw Sebastian standing outside.

He wore a black trench coat, the collar slightly open.

I took a deep breath and opened the door.

"It's so late—"

Before I could finish, he pulled me into his arms.

The cool night air clung to him, mingling with the faint scent of his cologne.

"Couldn't sleep," he murmured, his voice low.

I rested my head against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.

"Nervous?" he asked.

I nodded.

He chuckled and tilted my chin up.

"I'm here."

Those three words were more reassuring than any promise.

Outside, a bolt of lightning split the sky.

The storm was coming.

Dorian Wayne's carefree smile froze abruptly.

His brows furrowed slightly, eyes sharpening like blades.

Calvin Lee recounted the events calmly before asking, "Was my action too reckless?"

"Reckless?" Joy let out a mirthless laugh. "Had it been my decision, Rowan Shore would've lost his head too."

Calvin Lee shook his head wryly. "You're not worried about the Sixteen Cavalry staging an immediate mutiny?"

Joy's eyes gleamed. "Merely jesting. But eliminating Rowan Shore would bring more advantages than risks."

"As long as the Sixteen Cavalry doesn't rebel outright, Your Highness could severely weaken Prince Ning's military control—even without absorbing all fifteen thousand troops."

"High stakes, higher rewards."

"By executing Ye Wang as a warning, you've planted discord within their ironclad ranks."

Calvin Lee nodded approvingly. "Precisely. Prince Ning tested my resolve. Now he's lost both his pawn and his advantage."

"What's Your Highness's next move?" Joy pressed.

"Await Prince Ning's indignant confrontation," Calvin Lee replied impassively.

Joy pondered. "The Jin City ambush caught him off-guard. With Liao forces at our borders, he won't dare openly oppose you—but the probing won't stop."

"He needs to gauge your limits to maximize his gains."

His expression darkened. "The situation still favors him."

"Naturally." Calvin Lee's gaze turned glacial. "With limited leverage, we're at a disadvantage."

"But I'm not without means to overturn the board."

Just as Calvin Lee prepared to mention the approaching Jin army, a shrill cry pierced the air:

"Assassins!"

Every muscle in Calvin Lee's body tensed.

His first thought was that the deranged monk Jue'an had dared strike within Crescent Pass.

Xu Wei and Dorian Wayne reacted instantly, shielding Calvin Lee.

Yet no attackers materialized.

Several shadowy figures burst from Soren Joy's courtyard, fleeing in panic.

"Changshou's in danger!"

Calvin Lee barked orders: "Hunt down those assassins! Ping'an, come with me!"

Joy gripped his sovereign's sleeve desperately. "Your Highness, this could be a trap!"

"That's your blood brother!" Calvin Lee growled.

Joy's lips trembled. "All the more reason for me to go! Your safety—"

"Enough!"

Shoving Joy aside, Calvin Lee sprinted toward the courtyard with his guards.

Inside, they found Soren Joy cradling a blood-soaked Caihe, sitting motionless before the doorway—his face ashen with horror.