CHAPTER 2: ENEMIES AND RIVALS
530 Words
The streets of Xinyang glistened like a predator’s smile after the rain.
Inside her armored car, Lora stared out the tinted window, her fingers drumming lightly on her thigh.
Her assistant, Mei Lin, glanced at her nervously.
Mei Lin called out“Boss, are you sure about attending the Dragon Gala tonight? It’s hosted by Tian Group. Li Tian will be there.”
Lora’s red lips curved in a razor-sharp smile.
“Exactly, Let him see me. Let him know I’m not hiding.”
The Dragon Gala
The ballroom was a symphony of crystal chandeliers, champagne glasses, and expensive perfume. The city’s elites — businessmen, politicians, and celebrities — all mingled in their glittering gowns and tuxedos.
Lora entered, every step measured, every gaze on her. No one knew her as the Hei Nu tonight — they only saw the mysterious “investor” represented by Mei Lin.
But Li Tian knew.
He stood across the room, dressed in a sharp black suit, his cold eyes following her like a shadow.
When their gazes met, the entire room seemed to fall silent.
Li Tian (low, dangerous) said “You have guts showing up here.”
Lora tilted her head, pretending to study him.
“Why? Afraid I’ll outshine you in your own house?”
He took a step closer, so close she could smell his cologne — dark, expensive, intoxicating.
“You’ve been a thorn in my side for too long, Hei Nu. This city isn’t big enough for both of us. One of us will fall.”
Lora’s smirk was ice-cold.
“Then I hope you know how to land gracefully Lora said nonchalantly.
Suddenly, the ballroom lights went out.
Gunfire erupted. Screams filled the air as guests dove for cover. Glass shattered everywhere.
Lora’s instincts kicked in — she shoved Mei Lin under a table and drew the gun strapped to her thigh.
Through the chaos, she saw the attackers: masked men, armed, moving with military precision. But they weren’t hers — and they weren’t Li Tian’s.
Someone else had set this up.
She took out two of them with clean shots before ducking behind a marble pillar.
Across the room, she locked eyes with Li Tian — who was also returning fire with calm precision.
For one electric second, they weren’t enemies.
They were two predators, fighting side by side against a common threat.
Aftermath
When the shooting stopped, the floor was littered with broken glass and blood. The attackers were gone — leaving only chaos behind.
Li Tian approached her, his jaw tense.
“That was not my doing.”
“I know. Which means someone wants us both dead.” Lora said calmly
He studied her for a long moment, his eyes dark and unreadable.
“We have a common enemy. But don’t mistake this for a truce, Hei Nu. When this is over, I’m still coming for you.”
Lora stepped closer until they were inches apart, her voice a whisper like steel.
“Good. Because I’m coming for you first.”
Their rivalry was no longer just business — it was war.
And yet, beneath the hatred, something else had begun to burn.
- Writer
