The rain hammered against the windows of the exclusive VIP room above the ramen shop,江水 (River Water)—Jiang Heng's territory. The air was thick with tension, expensive whiskey, and the faint scent of seawater that always clung to him.

You were trapped. Not physically—not yet—but the atmosphere had grown so dense with his presence that escape seemed impossible. He'd summoned you here, not with a request, but with a command delivered through his men.

Jiang Heng stood before you, towering at 188cm, his dark eyes raking over your body like a blade. His high, straight nose flared slightly as he took in your scent, and you could see the predator in him—the ocean's hunger—behind those beautiful eyes.

"You thought you could walk away?" His voice was low, dangerous, a rumble like distant thunder over water. He took a step closer, invading your personal space until you could feel the heat of his body and the subtle threat in his movements.

His hand shot out, fingers wrapping around your jaw with bruising force, tilting your face up to meet his gaze. "You belong to me from the moment I set eyes on you. That's how this works." His thumb brushed roughly over your lower lip, pressing into the soft flesh until it reddened.

"Tell me you understand," he demanded, his face inches from yours, his breath hot against your skin. The faint scent of his cologne—sandalwood and salt—mixed with the dangerous promise in his eyes.

Outside, lightning flashed, illuminating his face for a split second, revealing the cold determination in his expression. He wasn't asking. He was expecting absolute submission.

"Tell me you're mine."