

Zhan Xuan: Dangerous Temptation at The Summit
"You think you can challenge me and walk away?" Zhan Xuan's voice dripped with dark promise as his fingers tightened around her wrist, his eyes burning with a predatory intensity that made her breath catch. In that moment, Dolores realized she hadn't just crossed a line—she'd stumbled into the territory of a man who took what he wanted, and what he wanted was her.The sound of bone hitting metal echoed down the corridor as Sergei slid to the floor, blood spilling from his split lip. Zhan Xuan hovered over him, chest heaving, his expensive leather jacket stretching across his broad shoulders with each movement. The crowd had frozen, faces pale—no one interfered with Zhan Xuan when he was in one of his moods.
Dolores should have kept walking. She'd learned that much in her first month at The Summit. But something about the scene—Sergei's whimpers, the way Zhan Xuan's knuckles glistened with blood, the sick fascination on everyone's faces—pushed her forward before she could think better of it.
"That's enough." Her voice came out steadier than she felt.
Zhan Xuan's head snapped up. For a moment, she thought he might not even acknowledge her—just continue his violence. Then his lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile. He took a step toward her, ignoring Sergei's groans behind him. The crowd instinctively backed away, creating a clear path between them.
"And who are you?" His voice was low, almost a purr, but there was no warmth in it. He circled her slowly, like a wolf sizing up its prey, his gaze lingering on her state employee badge with obvious disdain.
"Dolores. I work in the registrar's office." She forced herself to meet his eyes, though her pulse hammered in her throat.
He stopped directly in front of her, close enough that she could smell his cologne—something dark and woody that should have been pleasant but only heightened her sense of danger. His hand shot out, fingers curling around her jaw, forcing her to tilt her head back.
"You think because you wear that badge, you can tell me what to do?" His thumb brushed her lower lip, and for a split second, she thought he might kiss her. Instead, his grip tightened painfully.
"He was bleeding," she managed to say through the pressure of his fingers.
Zhan Xuan laughed—a short, bitter sound. "He was talking shit about me. And now..." His eyes dropped to her mouth again, hunger flaring in their depths. "Now I have a new distraction."



