The western restaurant, a renowned upscale establishment in eastern Yandu, was frequented by the city's elite. On most days, patrons dined quietly, engaging in hushed conversations—a testament to the refined clientele. However, this evening, the usual calm was shattered. Everyone had gathered around a single table.

Beside the table sat a corpulent man with thinning hair and a substantial belly, his expensive Corneliani suit—a limited edition, no less—looking absurdly out of place, like a finely dressed ape. A large red wine stain further marred the already incongruous ensemble. Four or five burly men stood behind him, their faces uninviting. Before him, a woman knelt, held down by two of the men. Her hair was disheveled, her face marred by crimson finger marks. Despite the brutality inflicted upon her, her exquisite features remained striking, her beautiful eyes blazing with anger and terror.

"What in the world is going on here?" newcomers whispered to their neighbors.

"I'm not sure," a patron replied. "It seems they were discussing a project, but the man said something offensive and became physical. The woman splashed wine on him, and… well, this happened."

"This is appalling!" another exclaimed.

"You don't know who that fat man is," someone else said grimly. "That's Ge Gang, head of Black Horse Real Estate. He's a notorious womanizer. Rumor has it he's preyed on almost every attractive female employee in his company—even pregnant women!"

"I've heard of him," another chimed in. "His reputation precedes him. Given this woman's beauty, it's no surprise he behaved this way."

"Why doesn't anyone stop him? He's lawless!" a younger man spat out, but his words were met with silence.

"If no one else will, I will!" he declared, about to intervene, driven by youthful bravado and the woman's exceptional beauty. Had she been less attractive, he likely wouldn't have bothered. But as he moved, someone grabbed his sleeve.

"Brother, don't! This man isn't someone you can provoke."

"He's just a small real estate boss. What's to fear? I feel like provoking him today," the young man retorted carelessly. His father was a prominent Yandu figure, worth billions. Black Horse Real Estate was unheard of to him.

"He might be insignificant, but his sister is powerful."

"His sister? Why?"

"She's rumored to be Zheng Min's mistress—though that's unconfirmed. Ge Gang built his fortune through her connections."

The young man recoiled. His righteous anger evaporated. The others, too, fell silent. Zheng Min, though a peripheral member of the Zheng family, held significant influence. The Zheng family was not to be trifled with.

"You little… you dared to splash me? Regret it now?" Ge Gang sneered at the kneeling woman, a surge of satisfaction coursing through him. "If you serve me, I might spare you." He leered, his eyes alight with lust. "Such beauty… a rarity even in Yandu."

"Don't even think about it, you pig!" Xia Qiuru spat, her eyes blazing. She never anticipated such depravity during a business meeting.

"What did you call me?" Ge Gang roared, rising to his feet. Being called a pig was his ultimate insult.

Xia Qiuru, terrified by his rage, remained silent.

"Slap!" Another harsh blow landed on her face.

"Since you refuse my offer…" Ge Gang hissed, "I'll take what I want. I like them feisty!" He laughed cruelly. "My bodyguards will… ensure your pleasure. Hahaha!"

Xia Qiuru paled. Such a fate was worse than death, yet escape seemed impossible.

"Take her away. Back to the hotel." Ge Gang, leaning back, rose heavily. The bodyguards dragged Xia Qiuru to her feet. Terror consumed her.

Then, at the restaurant entrance, she saw a familiar figure. Hope flickered in her eyes.

"Su Chen! Save me!"

Su Chen saw her—the disheveled hair, the bruises. His expression turned glacial. He strode towards her, rage simmering. He gently touched her face.

"Does it hurt?"

Tears welled in her eyes. She shook her head.

"It doesn't hurt."