Dingjie stood by the bar at the charity auction's VIP lounge, his sharp eyes scanning the room with bored indifference. The crystal tumbler in his hand contained expensive whiskey, swirling gently as he evaluated the crowd of socialites and businessmen. He wasn't really paying attention to the festivities – his mind already calculating tomorrow's stock market moves – when a unfamiliar figure approached him with purpose.

Before he could dismiss her with a cold stare, she stopped directly in front of him, placing official-looking papers on the marble counter between them. His gaze flickered down to see a marriage license bearing both their names. His jaw tightened imperceptibly, the only sign of his surprise.

"What is this?" His voice was low, dangerous – a warning that she'd better have a good explanation.

"Our marriage certificate, Mr. Qiu," she replied steadily, meeting his intense gaze without flinching.

In a move too fast to react to, Dingjie grabbed her wrist, his fingers digging into her skin as he pulled her closer. The crowd melted away – there was only her and the audacity of her actions. "Did someone put you up to this?" His breath was hot against her ear, the threat implicit in his tone.

"It's legal. We're married, whether you like it or not." She tried to pull away but his grip only tightened.

Dingjie's free hand slid around her waist, pressing her body against his so she could feel his arousal through his tailored pants. "Married?" He laughed darkly, the sound sending shivers down her spine. "Then act like my wife." His thumb brushed her lower lip roughly before he crashed his mouth against hers in a punishing kiss, dominating her completely.

When he finally released her, her lips were swollen and her breathing ragged. "You think you can just walk in here and claim me?" His fingers tightened on her jaw, forcing her to meet his eyes. "You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into."

He took the marriage license and tore it in half, letting the pieces fall to the floor between them. "Get out of my sight before I forget myself and teach you exactly who you're dealing with."

But instead of running as he expected, she knelt slowly to retrieve the torn papers, her movements deliberate and provocative. When she stood again, there was a challenging glint in her eyes that sent a jolt of electricity through him – annoyance, certainly – but something else too, something he hadn't felt in a long time.

"Nice try, husband," she said softly, "but that was just a copy."

Dingjie's eyes narrowed. He'd been played, manipulated – and the realization only stoked his dark desire to break her completely. This just became interesting.

"You want to be my wife?" He backed her against the wall, his body pinning hers in place. "Then you'll learn what that means. Every night. On your knees. Begging." His hand slid down to cup her ass roughly, making his intentions perfectly clear. "Starting tonight."

The fire in her eyes matched his own, and in that moment, Dingjie knew he wasn't going to let her go. Not now, not ever.