TPLTMOE – Chapter 58

Over the past two days, Ling Ran's heat had eased considerably thanks to the clothes saturated with the enigma's pheromones. Last night, he no longer felt any discomfort, which gave him the courage to venture in alone today.

He had taken plenty of precautions—dousing himself in scent blockers, applying two scent patches—but he couldn't wear a suppressant. That would have raised too many suspicions.

Taking a deep breath, Ling Ran confirmed he was in good condition. His plan was simple: enter the private room, assess the situation, capture useful footage, and slip away at the first opportunity.

After changing into the dress, he spotted a brand-new pair of black lace stockings on the chair. Fumbling awkwardly, he finally managed to put them on before stepping out of the changing booth—only to be met with impatient knocking at the door.

Considering Ling Ran was new and hadn't undergone any training, the manager was surprisingly accommodating.

"Just follow these ladies," the manager instructed. "You'll be serving in the side room. No heavy lifting—just chat, pour drinks, and learn from them. It's not hard."

Ling Ran nodded obediently, then feigned concern. "But I don't know anything yet...

The manager eyed the young Omega's delicate yet alluring face. "Doesn't matter. They'll like you just the way you are."

With no choice, Ling Ran hurried after the other Omegas, careful not to let the dress ride up any further. The cheap lace stockings chafed against his soft thighs, irritating his skin.

He had transferred the grape-shaped pin camera to this dress, using his wavy curls to cover his exposed back and chest—perfect concealment.

As he reached the dressing room door, the yellow-haired man's gaze locked onto his shorter hemline, eyes glazed with lust. Forgetting his subordinate's earlier warning, the man reached out to grope Ling Ran's waist.

Ling Ran sensed the advance and darted forward, his lithe figure slipping through the narrow door like a fish through water.

Still, the man's fingers brushed the fabric at his lower back. Frowning, Ling Ran shot him a glare, disgusted by the lingering trace of the Alpha's pheromones.

Soon, he followed the group down a secluded hallway.

The private rooms here were designed for discretion—soundproofing foam lined the walls, and each heavy door was tightly shut, muffling any noise inside.

The corridor was eerily silent, save for the click of high heels against the floor.

Ling Ran swayed slightly, angling his body to ensure the hidden camera captured everything clearly.

The other Omegas wore cold, detached expressions, ignoring him as they marched forward.

Then—a loud thud erupted from behind one of the doors, startling everyone in the hallway.

Ling Ran nearly stumbled, his gaze darting toward the source. But the others quickly regained their composure, acting as if nothing had happened.

Curious, he tried peering through the door's darkened glass, only to be shoved forward by the manager.

"None of your business," the manager snapped. "Don't look. Keep moving."

Ling Ran tugged at him skirt and asked softly, "Excuse me, may I use the restroom first?"

The head waiter looked impatient. "Is it urgent?"

Ling Ran nodded immediately.

Seeing his well-behaved appearance, the head waiter assumed he wouldn't cause any trouble.

"Turn left ahead and go straight. Be quick and come right back. Report directly to side room 105 afterward."

"Understood," Ling Ran said gratefully.

Upon reaching the corner ahead, Ling Ran slipped away from the group and walked alone toward the restroom.

Once the head waiter had led the others into the private room with a smile, Ling Ran suddenly stopped. After ensuring no one was around, he quietly turned back and approached the door where the loud noise had come from earlier.

Silence had returned inside. The door had a special black glass panel that prevented outsiders from seeing in.

But if he pressed a camera against the glass, he might be able to capture something.

Carefully, Ling Ran removed a small pin from his chest. Holding it up with one hand, he slowly moved it toward the edge of the glass while crouching down to avoid being seen by anyone inside.

As he neared the door, he realized she could faintly hear the voices inside.

"Be careful—don't kill it."

"I didn't use that much force. Besides, even an omega shouldn't be this fragile."

"The boss said this batch needs to be trained quickly. They're meant for big use later. Who knew we'd run into such a stubborn one?"

"Enough talk. A new batch is coming soon. This one's glands and reproductive cavity are almost ruined. If it's no good, just dump it at the research institute. They can still extract pheromones."

"Fine. No point wasting it."

As the two inside spoke, they dragged the limp, broken omega across the floor.

Ling Ran swiftly secured the camera. Just as the door began to open, he straightened up and walked calmly in the opposite direction.

The people from the private room seemed to have stepped out, yet the hallway remained eerily silent.

Ling Ran didn't look back. He could feel a pair of hostile eyes boring into his back, searching for any sign of weakness.

He forced herself to steady his breathing, trying not to appear panicked, but his heart pounded violently, and his palms grew damp with sweat.

"Stop!" The voice behind him barked. "Who are you?!"

Ling Ran stiffened for a moment before turning with a soft smile. "Are you talking to me?"

The two alpha bodyguards, tall and imposing, eyed him suspiciously and strode forward.

"Are you new here? Why are you in this area? Lost?"

One of them glared at the pale skin barely visible beneath Ling Ran's hair and snapped, "What's that on your clothes? Take it off and let me see."

It was a tiny grape-shaped pin.

"It's nothing," Ling Ran said, already turning to leave. "President Dong called for me. I need to hurry over now."

"President Dong?"

The two alphas exchanged glances, their expressions shifting instantly.

Ling Ran realized his mistake—he'd seen this excuse work on TV, but invoking Dong Hui's name might have been the wrong move. Reacting quickly, he spun around and bolted.

The alphas immediately gave chase.

The VIP rooms nearby still had distinguished guests, so the two men didn't dare make a scene, merely chasing Ling Ran relentlessly. Several times they nearly grabbed his hair, only for him to narrowly evade at the last moment.

The high heels were truly difficult to run in. Ling Ran stumbled as he fled, his heart lodged firmly in his throat. Darting left and right through the corridors, he somehow managed to put some distance between himself and the two alphas.

Panicked and disoriented, he pushed through several doors before turning a corner and finding himself in an even more secluded hallway.

Seizing the moment before his pursuers caught up, Ling Ran quickly slipped into a room.

The room was simply furnished, with a dim desk lamp casting shadows across a dark hardwood office table, giving the space an empty, quiet atmosphere tinged with oppressive stillness.

Ling Ran quickly scanned his surroundings—this appeared to be some executive's office in the club. An open document lay on the desk.

Wiping the fine sweat from his brow, he hurried over and skimmed the contents.

It was actually a stock transfer agreement for Pearl of the Palm.

Ling Ran's eyes widened in shock. Pearl of the Palm had been Dong Hui's starting point for building his fortune—the foundation of his initial capital accumulation. Yet now he was willing to part with his last remaining shares?

There could only be one explanation: he was preparing to abandon Pearl of the Palm.

Ling Ran never expected to stumble upon such an astonishing secret by accident. He was about to examine it more closely when faint noises suddenly came from outside the door.

Ling Ran's breath hitched. His eyes darted around the office before landing on a black wardrobe in the corner.

He swiftly hid inside, where only a few suits in dust-proof bags occupied the cramped space. The faint scent of ancient wood permeated the air.

Ling Ran found it unpleasant.

Covering his nose and making himself as small as possible, he silently closed the wardrobe door.

While this provided temporary shelter, it was far from safe.

His chest still pounded violently from the frantic chase. Clamping a hand over his mouth, he inhaled the damp warmth from his palm.

Every nerve in his body was taut as he strained to hear movements outside. The intense fear and tension made his cheeks flush pink from lack of oxygen, his eyes growing slightly feverish.

Without the inhibitor's protection, he unwillingly absorbed traces of the unfamiliar alpha's ancient wood pheromones.

His recently calmed glands began swelling again.

Feeling the changes in his body, Ling Ran stared blankly, fingers pressing so hard into his cheeks they left deep indentations.

The outside world had fallen deathly silent. He dared not leave the wardrobe's confines.

In the pitch-black night lurked unknown predators, while he was but a helpless lamb who'd stumbled into the dragon's den.

Capture would mean being torn apart.

His phone, carefully concealed against his chest beneath a thin strip of fabric in his empty undergarments, suddenly emitted a faint glow.

Holding his breath, Ling Ran pulled out the device. The caller ID read: Mr. Jiang.

His nose stung—this was no time to answer calls.

Yet the phone seemed aware of his desperate predicament, insistently ringing until answered.

When one call went unanswered, another followed immediately.

Ling Ran flexed his fingers slightly and swiped to answer.

The familiar deep voice immediately came through the receiver: "Ling Ran."

Ling Ran was momentarily dazed. It felt like an eternity since he'd last heard Mr. Jiang's voice. Had he been so busy recently that he couldn't visit or even make a phone call?

Was he accompanying his blind date and had no time for Ling Ran anymore?

Before Ling Ran could respond, Jiang Zhiyu cut straight to the point: "Where are you?"

Ling Ran tightened his grip on the phone, whispering very softly, "I'm... at Palm Jewel..."

He expected Mr. Jiang to scold him angrily—after all, he'd been explicitly forbidden from pursuing this story angle. Not only had he disobeyed, but now he was trapped here.

"Be specific," Jiang Zhiyu's voice came through slightly hoarse, carrying intense restraint. There seemed to be wind noise on his end, and his breathing was uneven. "Which private room?"

Ling Ran's heart suddenly constricted.

Was Mr. Jiang coming here too?

The world outside the wardrobe was a blurry darkness. Ling Ran's voice trembled slightly with uncontrollable fear and grievance, emotions he could no longer suppress. "I... I don't know..."

Jiang Zhiyu took two deep breaths before saying firmly, "Alright, then stay put where you are. Protect yourself first."

"Understood..."

Jiang Zhiyu's tone was calm yet forceful: "Wait for me."

The call ended abruptly—prolonged conversation wasn't safe.

Darkness enveloped Ling Ran again as he lowered his head, hugging his knees tightly.

Mr. Jiang told him to wait... did that mean he was coming to rescue him?

What was happening outside? Had those people discovered his hiding spot? Did they know his true identity?

Ling Ran felt dizzy. He desperately needed fresh air—the pheromones in this confined space were becoming overwhelming. He feared another heat might be triggered soon.

With trembling hands, he gently pushed the wardrobe door open a crack, attempting to peek outside.

But an external force suddenly yanked the door wide open, leaving Ling Ran completely exposed.

His moist eyes widened in innocent shock, their corners flushed red. Two vivid crimson patches bloomed across his pale cheeks. His slender limbs—delicate and fair—were curled protectively around himself. The black stockings left slight indentations on the tender flesh of his thighs.

Dong Hui seemed surprised to find such an Omega hidden inside. The figure was androgynous—feminine features with a subtle Adam's apple.

His subordinate raised a gun toward Ling Ran, but Dong Hui stopped him.

"Boss, who knows how much he's seen? Should we really let him go?"

Dong Hui smiled at the trembling Omega in the wardrobe. "Keep him. Take him to the main lounge."

Two bodyguards dragged Ling Ran out forcefully, escorting him down the corridor toward the primary VIP area.

While Ling Ran's face displayed perfect terror, his mind was calculating coldly: The main lounge guests were personally entertained by Dong Hui—far more important than the side rooms. If he could infiltrate there, he might obtain even more valuable information.

Ling Ran was half-pushed, half-led by the two bodyguards. As they passed through a doorway, he accidentally bumped shoulders with a figure coming the opposite way.

With a soft gasp of pain, Ling Ran had his arm roughly twisted by one of the bodyguards, who snapped, "Don't even think about trying anything. You're not getting away tonight. Better behave and save yourself the trouble."

Ling Ran kept his head down without a word as he was forced forward.

Jiang Shengyi had only been dragged here tonight for some social obligations. After a few drinks, his mind was slightly hazy.

Standing by the door, he turned his head blankly, staring at that slender, graceful figure. It was clearly a curvaceous female Omega, yet he could have sworn he heard Ling Ran's voice.

Jiang Shengyi shook his head, convinced he must have misheard.

Pearl Pavilion wasn't as clean and pristine as it appeared on the surface—it was filthy inside. Ling Ran was a pure, untainted Omega. There was no way he'd be here.

Back in the private room, Jiang Shengyi resumed drinking and chatting with his business associates, but the image of that female Omega lingered in his mind.

Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, he shot to his feet, slamming his glass down. His eyes burned crimson with fury.

If you took away the wavy long hair, swapped out the short skirt...

Jiang Shengyi felt as if lightning had struck him. In a panic, he abandoned the entire room and bolted out the door.

Ling Ran had no idea where he was being taken. The winding corridors were like a tangled maze, disorienting him until he was finally shoved through a heavy black metal door.

Inside, the floor was covered with plush carpet. A massive crystal coffee table was littered with liquor bottles and poker chips. On the surrounding sofas and cushioned seats, people lounged carelessly, with a few Omegas in tight outfits attending to them.

The room reeked of a nauseating mix of debauchery and chaos. Ling Ran frowned, holding his breath.

Dong Hui followed him in, greeting everyone in the room with a smile.

Some of these faces Ling Ran had only heard of or seen in the news—he never imagined he'd encounter them all in this tiny private room tonight.

Seated in the prime spot on the sofa was a political heavyweight. Ling Ran only remembered his surname was Qian, overseeing customs, approvals, and commerce. Though nearing retirement and already in a semi-retired position, he still wielded immense influence across the southern cities.

Everyone in the room fawned over him. Dong Hui glanced at Ling Ran, then picked up a glass of wine and approached. "Minister Qian, you've been working hard lately. I happen to have someone new here, quite skilled in soothing massage techniques. Would you like to try?"

Qian lifted his wrinkled eyelids, lethargically looking over before his murky eyes suddenly gleamed with interest. He kicked the Omega beside him, ordering them to make space.

"Director Dong, you're too thoughtful."

Ling Ran was puzzled—since when did he know how to give massages?

A sudden shove from behind sent him stumbling forward. He lost his balance and fell onto the carpet beside the coffee table, two pairs of predatory eyes boring down on him from above.

Dong Hui merely smiled. "Some matters still require Minister Qian's generous assistance."

Elder Qian seemed extremely pleased with the omega before him, his fingers exuding a complex, unpleasant odor as they reached toward Ling Ran.

"I've inquired about the election for you," Elder Qian said. "As long as there are no last-minute mishaps, the vice-chairman position is as good as yours."

Ling Ran shrank back slightly. Listening to their conversation, he already understood the situation.

Dong Hui was trying to climb his way to the vice-chairman position of the chamber of commerce by clinging to Elder Qian's influence. Who knew how many benefits he had secretly funneled through his favored connections? Once the deal was done, he would immediately divest his shares, passing this hot potato to someone else while keeping his own hands clean.

Elder Qian failed to touch the omega, and his expression darkened instantly.

Ling Ran kept his head low, tugging firmly at the hem of his skirt to avoid exposure, bracing his hands to rise from the carpet.

But then, a hand shoved him from behind. Dong Hui's assistant stepped forward, pressing down hard on the omega's head, forcing his face toward the foul-smelling legs nearby.

Ling Ran's knees scraped against the rough carpet a few times, the thin black stockings tearing, threads unraveling and edges fraying as they split apart, revealing delicate, smooth skin beneath.

His head ached from the pressure, his body already weak. Unable to break free, his vision blurred with dizziness, tears welling up in his eyes.

Seeing that he still dared to resist, the assistant tightened his grip, nearly yanking at the soft roots beneath the omega's wig, ready to drag him straight into Elder Qian's lap.

The people in the private room were unfazed by the scene. Elder Qian seemed rather pleased. "Still got some fight in him? Even better—untrained, pure."

A wave of disgust surged through Ling Ran. It seemed this wasn't the first time these men had engaged in such transactions. His fingers groped for a wine bottle on the coffee table—if this assistant didn't let go, he wouldn't be able to stop himself from smashing it against the old man's head.

Ling Ran's fingers trembled violently, his breath caught in his throat.

Suddenly, a violent crash resounded from the door behind them.

Everyone inside froze, falling silent as all eyes turned toward the entrance.

The double metal doors were pushed open from the outside by several black-suited bodyguards, and a tall, imposing figure strode in.

Clad entirely in black, his presence was oppressive, his strikingly handsome features shadowed by a chilling aura that instantly sent a cold shiver down everyone's spine.

For a moment, the room seemed paralyzed before they slowly rose to their feet, staring in shock at the newcomer.

"J-Jiang... President Jiang?!"

Jiang Zhiyu's hair was slightly disheveled, as if he had merely run his fingers through it carelessly, revealing sharp, aggressive brows and eyes that held no warmth. His gaze swept across the room with the commanding presence unique to an enigma.

Then, he saw the omega being forced to kneel on the ground.

In an instant, an overwhelming pressure descended like a tidal wave. The assistant couldn't withstand it, his head bowing low as he realized the source of the earlier crash.

A yellow-haired man lay limp behind the door like a boneless heap, blood pooling around his battered head—he had been used as a door opener.

Ling Ran felt the weight on his head suddenly lighten. He turned to look, his damp lashes fluttering slightly, the wine bottle slipping from his fingers onto the carpet.

Jiang Zhiyu arrived with an aggressive and hostile demeanor, nearly beating one of Dong Hui's men to death at first sight.

Dong Hui stood up, yet offered a friendly smile and extended his hand in greeting. "Pleasure to meet you, President Jiang."

Jiang Zhiyu's eyes burned red as he fixed his gaze on the figure on the floor, ignoring Dong Hui's gesture of goodwill, and strode over to the coffee table instead.

With a casual motion, he grabbed a thick hexagonal glass liquor bottle from the table. His expression remained impassive as he swung it forcefully at the assistant's head.

The bottle struck the skull with a dull thud.

After the first blow, the assistant still retained enough awareness to clutch his bleeding head, grimacing as he fumbled for the gun at his waist. The dark muzzle was instantly leveled at the towering enigma.

Even when beating a dog, one must consider its master. Jiang Zhiyu's blatant aggression, his domineering display in front of everyone, was nothing short of a direct slap to Dong Hui's face.

The assistant spat out a curse: "I'll fucking—”

Before he could finish, Jiang Zhiyu clamped a hand over the gun's muzzle, twisted it free with a swift motion, and struck out sideways with brutal speed.

Though the assistant had clawed his way up from the bottom, he stood no chance—the gun's weight smashed into his temple, and with a howl of pain, he crumpled to the ground, limp and defeated.

Jiang Zhiyu's eyes were merciless. He had struck to kill.

Before the blood could seep toward Ling Ran, an arm suddenly wrapped around his waist—unyielding, unrelenting—and hauled him up from the floor, pulling him flush against a broad chest.

His soft body was effortlessly flipped, fitting perfectly into the enigma's embrace, pressed so tightly there wasn't a sliver of space between them.

Ling Ran's chest was flush against the scorching heat of the enigma's body. His eyes were red-rimmed, glistening with unshed tears of distress, his cheeks flushed pink. The long, alluring waves of his hair cascaded down to the small of his back, trembling faintly with each unsteady breath.

Even cradled in the familiar, secure hold, Ling Ran was still shaken. He tilted his face up, his beautiful eyes misty with lingering fear.

Jiang Zhiyu looked down at him, taking in this unfamiliar attire—his fair, delicate skin stark against the black dress, almost luminous.

But something was off. Ling Ran carried the faint scent of another alpha. Even if it was accidental, the stench was unbearably acrid.

No enigma could tolerate their Omega reeking of another. Jiang Zhiyu's gaze darkened, his sharp canines aching with restrained fury.

Best to strip off that flimsy, seductive little dress, tear apart those cheap black lace stockings biting into his soft thighs, sink teeth into that trembling, plush flesh—

Clearly, he had been too lenient lately.

Even if Ling Ran cried rivers, there would be no mercy this time.

Ling Ran felt the enigma's scorching gaze, as if Jiang Zhiyu might disregard all onlookers and drag him into the flames right then and there.

He had never seen Jiang-zhe like this—dark, oppressive, a seething heat threatening to consume him whole.

For the first time, Ling Ran wondered if being in the enigma's arms might be even more dangerous. He instinctively shrank back, but the slight movement only provoked Jiang Zhiyu further—the arm around his waist tightened, as if intent on snapping his slender frame in half.

Ling Ran let out a soft, pained whimper, fingers clutching at Jiang Zhiyu's shirt—only to freeze in shock at the hard, swollen muscle beneath.

Jiang Zhiyu watched him coolly, then reached out, brushing away the teardrop clinging to his lashes.

Dozens of eyes in the private room were fixed on the commotion, yet no one dared make a sound.

Outside the door stood a dense crowd of towering bodyguards. Zhao Qin guarded the entrance. With such an overwhelming display, were they here to cause trouble or to snatch someone away?

Old Qian wiped the blood splattered on his leg, his sagging eyelids straining to lift as he glared at Jiang Zhiyu with an ugly expression. "What's the meaning of this, President Jiang? You declined the invitation, barged in with your men, and even injured President Dong's people. Isn't this a bit too disrespectful?"

Yet Dong Hui, the host, remained silent, his expression unreadable, his gaze fixed on the young omega.

Jiang Zhiyu shifted slightly, shielding the person in his arms completely. The arm wrapped around that snow-white waist was taut with bulging veins, yet his tone remained controlled, calm, and indifferent.

"President Dong laid hands on my person first. I'm here to demand an explanation."

Dong Hui looked surprised. "This omega belongs to you, President Jiang? That can't be. I've never seen any partner by your side. I thought you were above such frivolous affairs. If he truly is yours, why would he end up here?"

Ling Ran felt a pang of guilt and shrank further into Jiang Zhiyu's embrace.

He had caused trouble and was now hiding like a coward. But since Jiang Zhiyu had come for him, he wouldn't be abandoned here—his mess would be cleaned up.

Even if he still harbored reservations about the enigma, his body had already reacted honestly.

He trusted Jiang Zhiyu. He relied on him.

Jiang Zhiyu held him effortlessly with one arm, lifting most of his weight without so much as a flicker in his expression.

"He's disobedient," Jiang Zhiyu said. "We had a little disagreement."

Dong Hui eyed Ling Ran. "Is that true?"

Ling Ran's cheeks flushed crimson as he nodded against Jiang Zhiyu's chest.

It was a blatantly flimsy excuse, yet Dong Hui chuckled. "If that's the case, I have nothing more to say. My subordinates were careless, mistaking President Jiang's person for a new employee. Mistakes deserve punishment. But Old Qian seems to share your taste, President Jiang. It's rare for him to take a liking to someone—this complicates things."

With a few words, he redirected the conflict squarely between Jiang Zhiyu and Old Qian.

Jiang Zhiyu spoke coolly. "Old Qian, I've reconsidered our prior agreement."

Old Qian stiffened. "What more do you want? The approval process for West Harbor's dock was expedited—haven't I shown the Jiang family enough favor?"

Jiang Zhiyu replied, "Not that one."

Old Qian frowned. "Then which?"

Jiang Zhiyu smiled. "I've decided to run for Chamber of Commerce chairman—with full commitment."

The moment those words left his mouth, the expressions in the room shifted dramatically. Even Dong Hui, who always wore a mask of composure, turned cold.

Old Qian stared in disbelief. "You're serious? You've made up your mind?"

Jiang Zhiyu had long been on the list of candidates for the chairman position, but he had repeatedly declined Old Qian's overtures, openly stating his disinterest.

But now that old Qian and Dong Hui had dared to reach for what was his, he wouldn't let either of them walk away unscathed.

Dong Hui was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Jiang Zhiyu to appear as an old acquaintance of Elder Qian. While he had struggled tremendously just to campaign for a vice-chairman position, the chairman's seat seemed like something Jiang Zhiyu could effortlessly claim—as if the position could belong to no one else but him if he desired it.

Elder Qian's expression softened slightly. "I've recommended you to the selection committee many times, but you wouldn't even give me face. Now that you've had a change of heart, things will be much simpler. Come see me at Haizhu Tower tomorrow—I'll have my secretary arrange a time. I'll gather the heads of several relevant departments as well. There's still great potential in the new economic organizations sector."

Jiang Zhiyu replied, "Very well. I'll pay you a visit soon."

Elder Qian, believing he was genuinely willing to cooperate, waved dismissively with satisfaction. "Alright, go ahead if you have matters to attend to."

Anyone with eyes could see how much Jiang Zhiyu valued the Omega in his arms. Keeping him here any longer would be pointless.

Without the slightest hesitation, Jiang Zhiyu wrapped an arm around the man and strode toward the exit.

The club's security had arrived by then, forming a sea of black alongside Zhao Qin's men in the corridor.

The two groups stood poised for conflict, neither willing to back down.

Dong Hui was certain that since this was his territory, Jiang Zhiyu wouldn't dare act recklessly.

But Elder Qian's voice drifted over from behind, eerily calm: "Once you step through that door, whatever happens next is beyond my control."

Jiang Zhiyu cast a sidelong glance at Dong Hui and let out a cold laugh.

Even if he had to tear the entire Palm Pearl Club apart today, he would walk out unscathed with Ling Ran in his arms.

His steps were steady as he carried the Omega out of the private room.

Zhao Qin led a few men to escort them toward a side exit, while behind them, the two factions erupted into a chaotic brawl in the corridor.

Ling Ran's ears were covered by a hand, his cheek pressed against the Enigma's chest, hearing nothing but the thunderous heartbeat reverberating within.

His legs trembled weakly beneath him, his high heels clicking against the floor as if stepping on cotton.

By the time they fully exited through the side door, his body had gone limp as melted wax—had Jiang Zhiyu not been supporting him, he would have collapsed long ago.

A Rolls-Royce was already waiting on the street. Zhao Qin opened the rear door, and Jiang Zhiyu lifted the Omega into his arms before settling inside.

The car started moving immediately. Ling Ran winced slightly at the grip on his waist, wanting to shift off the Enigma's lap, but all he heard in the dim, silent interior was a faint, secretive hum.

The partition between the front and rear seats slowly rose.

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