Bound by Destiny

Chapter 1 ◎Just giving it to me like this, without any regret?◎

"Bang—"

A sudden loud noise echoed through the dimly lit corridor. It sounded like something heavy had fallen, a dull and abrupt thud. Jiang Tingyu's slender body trembled involuntarily as she cautiously looked over. The lights in the hall were deliberately dimmed, casting a faint yellow glow that softly spread across the marble floor. The light was insufficient but not enough to obscure her vision, yet there was no movement in sight. Had she misheard?

Jiang Tingyu pressed her warm palm against her cheek, trying to calm herself, but all she felt was the soft non-woven fabric of the mask she wore due to her cold. Perhaps her cold had worsened, causing her to hallucinate. She sniffled and continued walking. She was already late. She had received a message urging her to hurry at the entrance of the hall; everyone in the private room was waiting to celebrate her twenty-second birthday.

What should have been a joyful and carefree birthday was marred by her illness the day before, leaving her listless and without energy. If not for not wanting to dampen everyone's spirits, she would have canceled the birthday party and stayed home to rest. Jiang Tingyu's steps were unsteady as she slowly walked to the corner, her eyes lifting slightly. Upon seeing the scene ahead, her pupils contracted sharply, and her eyes filled with fear.

In the dim light, she could vaguely make out the silhouettes of two men. They were fighting. More accurately, one man was completely overpowering the other. A shattered vase silently spilled water on the floor, and the stand that once held the vase now pressed down on a man's head. The sound echoed in her ears again.

"Overestimating yourself."

The voice was harsh, cold, and devoid of any warmth. The man who spoke was in absolute control, effortlessly subduing the struggling man. It was as easy as crushing an ant. He stood in the middle of the corridor, avoiding the crystal chandelier's light, creating a gray area where the front and back lights did not meet, providing the perfect spot for his crime. The man's face was obscured, only the silhouette of his hair visible in the backlight.

The corridor lights flickered suddenly, and in that moment of darkness, Jiang Tingyu closed her eyes in fear. Deprived of sight, her hearing became more acute, and she clearly heard the suppressed man's heavy breathing, as if silently pleading for help. Jiang Tingyu clutched her phone tightly, her rational mind telling her to call the police immediately, but her hands refused to obey.

Her eyes sensed the light, and her trembling eyelashes lifted slightly. In the dim light, Jiang Tingyu saw the man's eyes. Cold, ruthless, bloodthirsty eyes, staring at her like a hawk. Her heart tightened, and it felt as if all the blood in her body was flowing backward, her brain suddenly deprived of oxygen.

"I..."

She tried to say something to divert the man's attention but couldn't form a complete sentence. Her body went limp, her feet numb and unable to lift, and she leaned against the wall to keep from falling. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the man on the stand, no longer struggling, unsure if he was unconscious or dead. Jiang Tingyu was terrified. She was the only witness, and the man would not let her go. Perhaps her fate would be the same as the man lying there, disappearing helplessly.

The man released his grip on the subdued man, leisurely adjusting his shirt cuffs. The diamond-studded cufflinks glinted faintly. He was tall and well-built, his shirt's fabric outlining his firm, smooth muscles. He looked down at his palm with disdain, took out a handkerchief from somewhere, and meticulously wiped it before casually tossing it onto the lifeless man's face.

The man turned his gaze back to Jiang Tingyu, his dark eyes scrutinizing her. The girl wore a white mask, revealing only a pair of timid eyes. She was dressed meticulously, her hair curled into waves, cascading down her shoulders. She wore a light blue princess dress with a puffy skirt, and a necklace adorned her slender neck, as if she were going to an important event. Jiang Tingyu could barely stand, her shoulder leaning against the wall for support.