Nene sat at the long dining table, already regretting every life choice that led to this moment.
Her father sat at the head of the table, cold and unreadable.
Alexander sat beside her, completely composed, exuding effortless authority.
And across from her—smiling, oblivious, completely unaware of the tension in the room—
Was Meiling.
"Jiejie!" Meiling beamed, leaning forward slightly. "I'm so happy you came!"
Nene forced a small smile.
"Yeah," she muttered. "Me too."
(She was not happy.)
(Alexander's hand on her thigh was the only reason she hadn't walked out yet.)
Meiling didn't notice.
She was too busy stirring her soup, chatting happily.
"I heard you got married," she said excitedly. "That's amazing! I mean, it happened so fast, but—wow! How's married life?"
Nene glanced at Alexander.
He raised an eyebrow slightly, waiting.
Nene sighed, turning back to Meiling.
"It's fine," she said vaguely.
Meiling giggled. "You don't sound excited."
Nene smirked slightly.
"Would you be excited if you suddenly had a husband?"
Meiling tilted her head thoughtfully.
"Maybe," she admitted. "Depends on the husband."
Nene snorted.
Alexander chuckled beside her.
Meiling leaned forward, eyes shining.
"Oh! Does he spoil you?" she asked eagerly. "Like, do you get presents? Fancy clothes? Jewelry?"
Nene rolled her eyes.
"I get monitored, tracked, and told what to do," she muttered.
Alexander smirked.
"That's not entirely true," he murmured. "You get expensive things too, might want to check your closet."
Meiling gasped, clasping her hands together.
"See?! That's so romantic!"
Nene gave her a blank stare.
Alexander was openly amused now.
"You think that's romantic?" Nene muttered.
Meiling nodded enthusiastically.
"Of course!" she said. "It means he cares!"
Nene exhaled sharply, rubbing her temple.
She forgot how ridiculously sheltered Meiling was.
Meanwhile, Alexander?
He was clearly enjoying this way too much.
Meiling beamed as she stirred her soup, completely unaware of the tension surrounding the table.
Nene was trying to focus on eating, but she could feel the weight of Alexander's presence beside her, completely composed yet watchful.
Her father?
Silent. Observing.
Waiting.
Which meant Meiling was the only one talking.
"I went shopping today!" Meiling chirped happily. "There's a new designer pop-up downtown. You should come with me next time, jiejie!"
Nene forced a small smile.
Shopping? As if that was the biggest thing on her plate right now.
"Maybe," she muttered, taking a sip of her drink.
Meiling leaned forward eagerly.
"Oh! And the boy band I've been following is finally debuting!" she gushed. "They're going old-school—full album, no single drops. Isn't that exciting?"
Nene froze mid-sip.
Oh.
Oh, shit.
She knew exactly which group Meiling was talking about.
The one she just signed under her label.
The one being led by her sister's secret boyfriend.
The one their father didn't know about.
Nene set her glass down carefully, choosing her words.
"That's… bold," she said vaguely.
Meiling nodded enthusiastically.
"I know, right? No one does full albums anymore, but I think they'll do great. My boyfriend says it's all about artistic integrity—"
She immediately clamped a hand over her mouth.
Nene narrowed her eyes.
Too late.
Alexander's golden eyes flickered with mild amusement.
And their father?
His expression hadn't changed, but Nene knew he caught it.
Meiling laughed nervously, waving her hands.
"Ah, I mean—a friend! A friend of mine said that! Haha, definitely not my boyfriend!"
Nene rolled her eyes.
Meiling was many things.
But a good liar?
Not one of them.
Nene could already see the shift in Lin Zhen's expression—subtle, calculating.
Because now?
Now he had questions.
And that?
That was not good.
Meiling, completely oblivious, continued talking.
"Oh! And my friend is taking a gap year," she added cheerfully. "She says she just wants to explore life before committing to anything serious."
Nene huffed.
"Must be nice," she muttered. "Some of us don't get that luxury."
Meiling pouted playfully.
"Jiejie, you're married to one of the richest men in the world," she teased. "I think you'll be fine."
Nene rolled her eyes.
Alexander chuckled softly, casually reaching for his wine.
Lin Zhen set his utensils down, finally breaking his silence.
The air in the dining room shifted instantly.
Meiling, still happily chatting, paused mid-sentence, sensing the sudden change in mood.
Alexander, as always, remained perfectly calm.
But Nene?
Nene felt her instincts sharpen.
Because whatever their father was about to say… it wasn't good.
Lin Zhen leaned back in his chair, voice measured.
"There was another incident," he said smoothly. "A Fated Mate pair was targeted. The Alpha was killed. His mate was kidnapped—along with their sixteen-year-old Omega daughter."
Meiling gasped. "That's horrible!"
Nene's grip tightened around her fork.
She had heard rumors.
Fated Mates disappearing.
Alphas being assassinated.
But a kidnapping?
That was bigger than before.
Lin Zhen's cold gaze flickered toward Meiling.
"As a precaution," he said smoothly, "your sister will now be under strict supervision."
Meiling blinked, confused.
"Me? Why?"
Lin Zhen exhaled slowly, as if explaining something simple.
"Because you're my daughter," he said flatly. "And there are people who would use that against me."
Meiling pouted.
"But I don't even—"
Lin Zhen raised a hand, silencing her.
Then—turning his gaze to Nene—
"And you," he added, voice even, "need to be aware of this as well."
Nene stiffened slightly.
Lin Zhen's expression remained unreadable.
"The Russian pack has been sniffing around," he continued. "Their leader has been making inquiries. It's unclear what they want."
Nene felt a chill run down her spine.
Because that was not something to ignore.
The Russian pack wasn't just another rival group.
They were one of the most dangerous Alpha factions in the world.
Meiling fidgeted, clearly uneasy.
"But what does that have to do with us?" she asked hesitantly.
Lin Zhen exhaled sharply, uninterested in explaining further.
"It doesn't concern you," he said simply. "You're not the one they're interested in."
Nene's stomach twisted.
Because she already knew who he meant.
Her.
Alexander remained silent, sipping his wine like this conversation was nothing more than a business update.
Because of course he wasn't surprised.
Because he already knew.
Lin Zhen studied Alexander for a long moment.
Then—smooth, indifferent—
"I don't particularly care about your moves," he said, "but I know you're already playing for power. So I assume you're proceeding as planned."
Alexander finally set his glass down.
And then—calm, controlled, effortless—
"Of course."
"So… what can I do?" Meiling asked, her voice hesitant but hopeful.
Nene blinked, pulled from her thoughts.
Meiling fidgeted with her napkin.
"I mean, since I have to be under supervision now," she added, "can I at least visit jiejie's office?"
Nene raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
Meiling brightened instantly.
"Because you run a music company now!" she said excitedly. "I want to see it! Maybe I can help?"
Nene narrowed her eyes.
"Help how?"
Meiling tilted her head, thinking.
"Well," she said slowly, "I know a lot about idols! And fashion! And marketing! Maybe I can do something small?"
Nene sighed, rubbing her temple.
The last thing she needed was Meiling running around her office, making everything more chaotic than it already was.
But at the same time; her sister was already tangled in a problem she didn't even realize existed.
Her boyfriend was about to debut under Nene's company.
And her father?
Would lose his mind if he ever found out.
Maybe… keeping Meiling close was the smarter move.
Alexander, still watching the exchange in quiet amusement, finally spoke.
"As long as she follows security protocol," he said smoothly, "I don't see an issue."
Nene shot him a look.
Really?
You're fine with this?
But Alexander just gave her that knowing smirk.
Like he already knew how this would play out.
Meiling beamed, clapping her hands together.
"Yay! Jiejie, we can have lunch together at your office!"
Nene exhaled sharply she dreaded spending time with the little sister.
The atmosphere at the table had just barely settled when a sharp knock echoed through the dining hall doors.
Nene immediately tensed.
Her father's expression darkened slightly.
Alexander, as always, remained perfectly calm.
One of the household staff stepped forward, whispering something to Lin Zhen.
His jaw tightened.
Then flat, cold, displeased.
"Let them in."
Nene glanced at Alexander.
He was already watching the door, golden eyes unreadable.
The doors swung open.
And a man walked in.
Tall. Sharp-featured. Confident.
And the moment his icy blue eyes landed on Nene.
Her instincts immediately screamed.
Because whoever this was…
He was dangerous.
Lin Zhen sighed, rubbing his temple.
"Nikolai," he muttered. "I assume this is not a social visit."
Nene stiffened.
Wait.
Nikolai?
As in… the Russian pack?
Alexander didn't move.
Didn't react.
Didn't even blink.
But Nene could feel it.
The sharp, silent tension radiating from him.
Like he was already calculating his next move.
Nikolai, completely unbothered, smiled slightly.
"Not at all," he said smoothly. "I just wanted to meet your eldest daughter."
His gaze landed directly on Nene.
And for the first time all night she realized she was the reason he was here.
The room felt colder, sharper, heavier.
Nene could feel it the shift in the conversation, the weight of something looming just beneath the surface.
This wasn't just about her.
This was about power.
Control.
And her father was already calculating his next move.
Lin Zhen sighed, rubbing his temple.
"If this is about securing an alliance," he muttered, "then take Meiling instead."
Meiling choked on her drink.
"Wait, what?" she squeaked.
Nene stiffened.
She turned to her father, staring.
He wasn't even looking at Meiling.
Like this was just another transaction.
Like his own daughter's engagement was nothing more than a strategic inconvenience.
Nikolai, however, didn't react immediately.
He just studied Lin Zhen carefully.
Then smooth, flat.
"I want the one with dominant genes," he said. "Not the half."
Nene's stomach twisted.
The half.
Meiling.
Because Meiling's mother was a Beta.
Because her line wasn't as strong.
Because even though Lin Zhen raised her as his favored daughter but by pack politics.
She wasn't enough.
Meiling stared at their father, shock and hurt flashing across her face.
"Daddy?" she whispered.
Lin Zhen didn't look at her.
"It's complicated," he muttered.
But Nikolai?
He was already losing interest.
He leaned back slightly, eyes flickering toward Nene once again.
"Then it seems we have a problem," he said.
Alexander finally set his glass down, slow and deliberate.
"No," he murmured. "We don't."
The tension in the room was razor-sharp.
Meiling still looked stunned, her wide eyes flicking between their father and Nikolai.
Lin Zhen was calm, calculating already adjusting his plans.
Nikolai?
He was still watching Nene, as if measuring whether she was worth pushing for.
And Alexander?
Alexander had finally grown bored.
He set his glass down with a quiet clink, golden eyes sharp and unwavering as he turned to Nikolai.
"Here's my counteroffer," he said smoothly.
Nikolai tilted his head slightly, waiting.
Alexander's lips curled into the faintest smirk.
"Don't bother me."
The room went silent.
Lin Zhen's jaw tightened.
Nene blinked.
That was it?
That was the offer?
Nikolai chuckled softly, not offended, but definitely amused.
"You think that's enough?" he mused.
Alexander leaned back, entirely at ease.
"I think," he said, "you're smarter than you look."
A pause.
A flicker of something calculating in Nikolai's eyes.
Then just slightly his smirk faded.
Because he knew.
Because everyone in this room knew.
Alexander didn't make deals.
Alexander decided.
And anyone who tried to move against him had a very short shelf life.
Nikolai finally sighed, rubbing his jaw.
"Fine," he muttered. "For now."
He stood, giving Nene one last lingering glance.
Then to Alexander, low and amused.
"You're lucky you got to her first."
Alexander didn't even blink.
"I don't believe in luck," he murmured.
Nikolai chuckled, shaking his head.
Then he turned and walked out without another word.
The doors closed behind him.
And just like that the immediate threat was gone.
But Nene?
She wasn't stupid.
This wasn't over.