Chapter 21 – The Banquet Trap
The night of the grand banquet arrived.
The ballroom glittered with chandeliers and crystal glasses, a gathering of powerful underworld figures and influential business elites. It was not just a party — it was a battlefield dressed in silk and gold.
Qiao Xueran entered beside Han Zixuan, dressed in a pale gown that made her look fragile and untouchable. Every gaze turned, whispers following.
"Is that the fool girl?""Impossible… the boss brought her personally?""He's protecting her. Dangerous."
Han ignored them all, his hand firm on the small of her back. His presence alone silenced half the room.
From across the hall, Wurou and Lanyue watched like hunters.
Lanyue leaned close to her brother, whispering through clenched teeth.
"Tonight, she'll regret ever stepping foot here."
Wurou smirked, eyes glinting.
"The wine is prepared. Once she drinks it, she won't even know who she is — let alone defend herself."
He lifted his glass lazily, signaling a waiter. A single cup of crimson wine was exchanged, placed carefully among the untouched glasses on the banquet table.
Later in the evening, Lanyue approached with a dazzling smile, her every step dripping with false kindness.
"Cousin, you look so lovely tonight. Come, let's toast."
Xueran tilted her head, blinking innocently. She reached for the glass.
But before she could touch it, a shadow fell across the table.
Han Zixuan's hand shot out, taking the glass first. His eyes, sharp and cold, swept across the liquid inside.
Without a word, he tilted the glass and let the wine spill to the marble floor.
Gasps erupted around them.
Han's voice was low, dangerous enough to freeze the entire room.
"Do you take me for a fool?"
Lanyue's face paled, but she forced a laugh.
"B-brother Zixuan, it was just a toast, you misunderstand—"
His gaze cut to her like a blade, silencing her instantly.
Meanwhile, across the hall, Wurou cursed under his breath, grip tightening around his glass. Their perfect plan had cracked — and worse, Han's suspicion had begun to fall exactly where they didn't want it.
Qiao Xueran blinked up at Han, tugging lightly on his sleeve.
"Hug?"
The entire hall went silent.
Han froze. Then, in front of every single guest — enemies, allies, rivals — he pulled her into his arms.
The Devil King, embracing his "fool."
And in that instant, no one dared laugh. No one dared move. Because they finally understood:Whoever touched her… was signing their own death sentence.