Part 2: The Proposal

The soft murmur of the party faded as General Lu led Isabella to a secluded alcove in the grand ballroom, away from the prying eyes of the elite guests. He moved with an unhurried grace, as if he knew he had all the time in the world—and all the power.

Isabella's pulse quickened, but she kept her expression neutral, refusing to show any signs of weakness. She wasn't used to being in this position, cornered by someone who could outmaneuver her at every turn. She needed to regain control, to figure out what game he was playing.

General Lu finally stopped, turning to face her. He took a moment, letting the silence stretch between them, studying her with an intensity that made her skin prickle.

"Miss Zhang," he began, his voice as smooth as velvet, "I have a proposition for you."

Isabella raised an eyebrow, forcing herself to meet his gaze head-on. "And what might that be, General?"

He leaned slightly closer, and she caught a faint whiff of his cologne—something dark and expensive. "My little sister, Li Na, is engaged to a man named Vincent Cheng. Perhaps you've heard of him?"

The name was vaguely familiar. Vincent Cheng was a rising star in the corporate world, known for his charm and sharp mind. He was handsome, successful, and, from what she'd heard, utterly devoted to Li Na. It didn't take long for Isabella to connect the dots, and when she did, her eyes widened in disbelief.

"You want me to seduce him," she said flatly.

Lu didn't even blink. "I want you to test his loyalty."

Isabella's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly masked her surprise with a laugh. "You can't be serious. You could hire anyone for that. Why me?"

"Because," Lu said, his voice steady, "you're the best at what you do. You have a reputation for being… persuasive. I need someone who can make him believe it's real."

Isabella stiffened, the amusement draining from her face. "You want me to destroy your sister's engagement? Why? What do you gain from this?"

He tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "I need to know if he's truly worthy of her. If he's weak, better to find out now than later."

"This is insane," Isabella said, shaking her head. "I'm not doing it. Find someone else."

For the first time, a flicker of something cold and dangerous flashed in Lu's eyes. He stepped closer, invading her personal space. "I wasn't asking."

Isabella's breath caught in her throat as he continued, his voice low and deadly serious. "I could ruin you, Miss Zhang. I could ruin your family. Your father's business dealings are not as clean as they appear, and it would take very little to expose them. One call from me, and your family's empire would crumble."

The threat hung in the air, chilling her to the bone. She had heard the rumors about Lu's power, but to have it directed at her was another matter entirely. He wasn't bluffing—he didn't need to.

"You're playing a dangerous game," she whispered, her voice tight.

"And so are you," Lu replied without hesitation. "But the difference is, I always win."

Isabella clenched her fists at her sides, her mind racing. She had never been backed into a corner like this, and the sensation was suffocating. But as much as she wanted to refuse, she knew she couldn't risk her family's future. They were all she had, and she couldn't let them be destroyed because of her pride.

But she wouldn't do this for nothing.

"If I do this," she said slowly, forcing herself to stay calm, "there will be compensation. I'm not risking everything without a substantial reward."

Lu's lips curled into a slight smile, as if he had expected this. "Of course. Name your price."

Isabella hesitated for only a moment before speaking. "I want a partnership. A legitimate stake in one of your ventures, something that will ensure my future—and my family's."

Lu's smile widened, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Done. I'll have the contract drawn up immediately."

Isabella nodded, though every part of her screamed to walk away. She couldn't afford to think about the consequences now. She had to survive this, and the only way to do that was to play along.

"Fine," she said, her voice colder than ice. "I'll do it. But you better hold up your end of the deal."

"I always do," Lu replied smoothly, extending his hand.

She took it, the handshake sealing the devil's bargain. His grip was firm, unwavering, and she knew in that moment there was no turning back.

It didn't take long for Isabella to locate Vincent Cheng. He was standing near the large windows, engaged in conversation with a few other young executives. He was every bit as handsome as she remembered from the photos she'd seen—tall, with sharp features and an easy smile that seemed to charm everyone around him. But now that she had to seduce him, that charm only made her task more distasteful.

Isabella's heart pounded as she approached, slipping into her role with the ease of a seasoned actress. She allowed herself to be seen, catching Vincent's eye from across the room. When their gazes met, she smiled—a soft, inviting smile that left no room for misinterpretation.

He smiled back, slightly caught off guard by her attention. She saw the moment of recognition flash across his face. He knew who she was, or at least he thought he did.

"Mr. Cheng," she said as she approached, her voice warm and inviting. "I hope I'm not interrupting."

"Not at all, Miss Zhang," Vincent replied, his smile widening. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"The pleasure is mine," she said, tilting her head slightly. "I was hoping we could have a word, privately."

Vincent hesitated for a split second, glancing at his companions, but curiosity won out. He excused himself and followed Isabella as she led him away from the group, toward a quieter part of the mansion.

"So," he said once they were out of earshot, his tone light, "what can I do for you, Miss Zhang?"

Isabella stopped, turning to face him. She let a hint of vulnerability slip into her expression, something that would lower his defenses. "I've heard a lot about you, Vincent. You're quite the rising star."

He chuckled, his demeanor relaxed. "I do my best. But I'm surprised you're interested in me, of all people."

She took a step closer, lowering her voice to a near whisper. "I like to think I have an eye for potential."

Vincent's smile faltered slightly, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. "Is that so?"

Isabella reached out, lightly brushing her fingers against his arm. "Why don't we talk somewhere more private? I'm sure we can find a place to get better acquainted."

She saw the conflict in his eyes—his loyalty to Li Na battling with the temptation she was offering. It was a moment of weakness, and she seized it, stepping closer until they were almost touching.

"Just a conversation," she said, her voice soft and persuasive. "Nothing more."

Vincent swallowed hard, his resolve crumbling under the weight of her presence. He nodded, almost imperceptibly, and that was all she needed.

She took his hand, leading him down the hallway. The air was thick with tension, the only sound their footsteps echoing on the marble floor. Isabella kept her face forward, not letting him see the guilt that was starting to claw at her. This was a job, she reminded herself. A necessary evil.

They reached a door at the end of the corridor, a private study that had been left empty for the evening. Isabella opened it, leading Vincent inside. The room was dimly lit, with rich wood paneling and heavy curtains that blocked out the outside world.

She stepped inside, letting the door close behind them with a soft click. The finality of the sound sent a shiver down her spine, but she ignored it, focusing on the task at hand.

Vincent hesitated, his hand still resting on the doorknob. He was starting to realize this was more than just a casual conversation, but it was too late to back out now. Isabella turned to him, her eyes locking onto his.

And then, with a slow, deliberate motion, she pushed the door shut.

The slam echoed through the room, sealing them inside.