The bruises on Ha An Nhien's wrists were still visible, but the physical pain paled in comparison to the hollowness in her soul. After each night he "visited," Lanh Thien Phong would vanish, leaving her with the cold room and a whirlwind of chaotic thoughts. He was like a ghost, appearing only to torment her before dissolving into thin air.
The following days, Ha An Nhien immersed herself in Lanh Thien Phong's library. The old book and the photograph of the kind-faced woman had planted a seed of curiosity in her heart. He kept it so carefully, as if it were a treasure, yet he never seemed to look at it. This only solidified her belief that a deep secret lay behind his cold exterior.
She began searching for old documents, articles related to Lanh Corp or his family. Despite her limited internet access, Ha An Nhien used her intelligence. She memorized tiny details Housekeeper Lee inadvertently mentioned, names fleeting across the TV screen when Lanh Thien Phong watched the news, or even books on industry history that he read. She compiled them, piecing together each fragment.
And then, she found it. An old newspaper article from fifteen years ago, with a bold headline: "Mysterious Fire at the Lanh Estate – Madame Lanh Dies Tragically."
Ha An Nhien's heart pounded. The small photograph accompanying the article was indeed the woman from his book, Lanh Thien Phong's mother. The article detailed the horrific fire that claimed Madame Lanh's life and a significant portion of their immense fortune. What was striking was that the fire's cause was officially concluded as an electrical short circuit, but rumors persisted that it was no mere accident.
Ha An Nhien's eyes scanned quickly downwards. A name stood out, making her entire body stiffen: Tran Gia Minh.
Tran Gia Minh. That was the name of the man who had driven her family into bankruptcy, pushed her father onto the path of gambling, and indirectly caused her mother's death. He was her father's loan shark, the one threatening An Khang!
An Nhien felt as if she'd been struck by lightning. Her world view shattered. So, Lanh Thien Phong and she shared a common enemy. But why hadn't he mentioned this? Why did he still treat her like a plaything, a tool, when she could be an ally? Or was she merely a pawn in his revenge scheme, one she knew nothing about?
That evening, Lanh Thien Phong returned earlier than usual. He strode into the living room, finding Ha An Nhien by the window, a book in her hand but her gaze distant. He tossed a black folder onto the table, producing a dry thud.
"Get ready," he said coldly. "There's a party tonight. You're coming with me."
Ha An Nhien turned, her eyes filled with suspicion. "What kind of party?"
"Tran Gia Minh's charity gala," he replied, and in that instant, his eyes glinted with a dark, seething hatred that Ha An Nhien had never witnessed. "And you, Ha An Nhien, will be my perfect facade."
Ha An Nhien froze. Attending a party hosted by their common enemy, alongside the man who had imprisoned her. This was a terrifying charade. But the opportunity to understand Lanh Thien Phong's revenge plot better, and perhaps find her own escape, had presented itself.
Lanh Thien Phong handed her a black evening gown, form-fitting with a deep cut at the back, along with a set of sparkling diamond jewelry. "Put it on," he commanded. "Don't embarrass me."
In the dressing room, Ha An Nhien looked at herself in the mirror. The black dress accentuated her alluring curves, but her eyes held a determined glint mixed with a hint of fear. She wasn't preparing for a party; she was preparing for a battle. She would have to face Tran Gia Minh, the man who had ruined her family, and at the same time, she had to keep herself safe under Lanh Thien Phong's shadow.
When Ha An Nhien emerged, Lanh Thien Phong was leaning against the door frame. His gaze swept over her body, from her elegantly coiffed hair to her slender legs hidden beneath the gown. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by his usual cold demeanor.
"Acceptable," he remarked, his tone still even, but Ha An Nhien sensed something different in his gaze.
He approached her, his cold hand seizing her waist. His breath brushed against her ear, dangerous and close. "Listen, Ha An Nhien. Tonight, you must play the role of my lover perfectly. Do not utter a single unnecessary word, do nothing outside of the script. One small mistake, and the price you pay won't be light."
He lifted her chin, forcing her to look into his deep eyes. "Remember, you are dancing on a knife's edge. Don't let it cut you."
Ha An Nhien said nothing, only nodded. She would act, she would observe, and she would find the truth.