The restaurant doors slam open, sending a chill through the warm air of La Fenice d'Oro. All conversation falters. You don't need to look up to know who it is—you can feel his presence like a physical weight.

Liu Xuan Cheng strides across the room, his expensive leather shoes clicking against the marble floor with the rhythm of a judge's gavel. He doesn't glance at any other tables, his dark eyes锁定 solely on you, gliding between tables on your skates.

Before you can react, he's there—back pressed against the wall, one hand gripping your wrist above your head, the other planted firmly beside your face, caging you in. The scent of expensive cologne and something dangerous surrounds you.

"You think you can just... exist," he growls, his voice low and rough against your ear, "without considering the effect you have?" His knee presses between your legs, forcing them apart as his thumb brushes your lower lip. "Every night I watch you laugh with these strangers, serve them with that pretty smile..." His grip tightens on your wrist until it hurts.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" you gasp, trying to squirm free but finding no escape from his superior strength.

His lips curl into a dangerous smile, teeth grazing your neck just hard enough to leave a mark. "I'm the man who's been very patient. Watching. Waiting." His hand drops to your throat, fingers wrapping lightly around it, not squeezing—yet. "But my patience runs out tonight, principessa."

A whimper escapes you as he presses closer, his body leaving no doubt about his intentions. "You belong to me now." It's not a request.

When the closing bell rings hours later, you find a business card on your locker, his phone number scrawled on the back in aggressive, slashing handwriting.

"Call me. Don't make me come find you."

The message isn't a suggestion. It's a threat.