Zhou Jin gave a small nod. "Alright."
Celia felt Nathaniel Fu's gaze turn to ice, sharp enough to pierce through her—like a predator sizing up its prey.
Celia: "…"
The meal dragged on, tasteless in every sense. When it was finally over, the three of them left Lanting Pavilion and stepped into a sleek luxury car.
Zhou Jin took the driver's seat, steering toward a six-star hotel.
In the back, Celia sat with Jess, finally out of Nathaniel's line of sight. She let out a quiet breath of relief.
Just then, a mellow ringtone broke the silence. Celia glanced down—it was Nathaniel calling.
She ended the call without answering.
Jess leaned closer. "Cee, is that Mr. Fu's car behind us?"
Celia's chest tightened. She turned to look through the rear window. Sure enough, a Rolls-Royce Phantom loomed behind them—it was Nathaniel's.
What on earth was he doing? Why was he following them?
"Hold on. I'm speeding up," Zhou Jin said.He pressed the accelerator. Celia looked back just in time to see Nathaniel's Phantom keep pace, matching every lane change and curve with predatory precision.
Two world-class cars streaked down the neon-lit avenue, drawing stares and pointing fingers.Passersby exclaimed, "Look—rich people drag racing!"
Zhou Jin glanced in the mirror, smirking. "Mr. Fu's not letting go."
The pressure from behind was suffocating. Celia's heartbeat quickened, unease curling in her stomach.
Her phone rang again—Nathaniel, relentless. She started to reach for it, but Jess caught her hand."Cee, don't. Did he call when the whole rumor about him and Rosalie blew up? Did he call when he decided he didn't want to be your boyfriend? No—because he made the rules for this game. And now he's the one panicking."
When they finally reached the six-star hotel, Zhou Jin pulled up to the entrance. The three of them headed into the presidential suite.
Celia drifted toward the floor-to-ceiling window. Below, the Rolls-Royce still sat idle, as if its owner had no intention of leaving.
What was he planning?
Her phone pinged—Nathaniel had sent a message:
Nathaniel Fu:Come down.
Celia's fingers curled around her phone. Mr. Fu, I have plans tonight. You should head home.
Nathaniel Fu:You're not coming down, are you?
The sharp, commanding tone made her frown.
The doorbell suddenly rang.
"Who is it? I'll get it," Jess said, moving to open the door.
Several uniformed officers stood outside. They flashed their IDs."We received a report of prostitution taking place here. We need to investigate. Please cooperate."
"What?" Jess blurted. "Prostitution?"
She turned to Celia, eyes wide. "Cee, was this Nathaniel? Did he seriously report us for that? Is he out of his mind?"
No one had expected Nathaniel Fu to pull something like this. What was going through his head?
Celia wasted no time. She took the elevator down and strode to the Phantom.
"Nathaniel, did you call the police and accuse us of prostitution?"
The tinted driver's window rolled down slowly. Nathaniel, one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually—his expensive watch glinting under the lights—looked at her with infuriating calm.
"Did I get it wrong?" His voice was deceptively smooth. "It's not prostitution you're after?"
"…!"
"Get in the car. We'll talk."
Celia pulled open the passenger door and slid inside.
Half an hour later, the Phantom rolled to a stop outside Fu Group headquarters. Nathaniel stepped out, seized her slender wrist, and all but dragged her toward the president's office.