Empire of Desire: An Alpha’s Financial Reign - Chapter 22

Dusk Bar, one of the most iconic nightlife destinations in China, was a place where neon dreams mingled with indulgence, attracting flocks of stylish youth each night. Known for its exclusive ambiance, immersive music, and impeccable service, it had become a haven for the restless and the glamorous.

Amid the sea of regulars and curious newcomers, Han Zaijing had slowly become a familiar presence—one who didn’t blend in but stood apart like a solitary flame in a smoky room.

She wasn’t there merely for amusement. Han Zaijing knew well that if she wanted to get close to Yan Yining, the mysterious and elegant woman whose world barely brushed against hers, she had to move strategically. She’d learned through careful observation that apart from managing her own art studio, Yan Yining preferred unwinding in places like this—surrounded by friends, champagne, and the haze of music.

So, like any tactician, Han Zaijing went where her target frequented, not as a hunter but as a silent observer waiting for the moment fate would take her side.

That evening, Han Zaijing arrived at Dusk Bar later than usual, after working late into the night. She wore a fitted black suit that accentuated her tall frame, and her white shirt was slightly unbuttoned at the collar, exposing just a sliver of her collarbone. Her attire was simple yet commanding, the quiet luxury of someone who didn’t need to announce her presence.

Her short hair, a little tousled, framed a face that was both weary and alluring. There was a cold brilliance in her earrings, which caught the dim light and flickered with mischief, a stark contrast to the shadows under her eyes.

She made her way to the bar and ordered the strongest drink on the menu without hesitation. As the liquor burned its way down her throat, she watched the singer on stage croon out a melancholy love ballad. The dance floor behind them pulsed with life, people moving to the beat like waves under moonlight. Han Zaijing’s gaze drifted to the crowd—laughing, shouting, entwining—as if observing another species.

She smirked, amused by her own detachment, yet in the depths of her smile, there was a trace of envy. So much warmth, so little fear. What a luxury it must be to live without calculation.

In the plush VIP booth near the dance floor, Jiang Nuan and her friends had already noticed her. Jiang Nuan—second-year dance major, popular socialite, and a striking figure of natural sensuality—sat draped across the velvet couch like royalty. Her swan-like neck, lithe form, and daring outfit drew eyes across the room.

Despite her flirtatious nature, Jiang Nuan had a reputation for self-respect. She never let anyone stay past sunrise.

When Jiang Zaijing walked in, Jiang Nuan’s gaze lingered. A faint recognition sparked—this was the same person she had noticed at a previous party. An enigma wrapped in indifference.

One of Jiang Nuan’s Omega friends nudged her. “Girl, we just struck gold tonight. That one at the bar? That’s a main character.”

A few Alphas in the group chuckled in jealousy. “Hey, we’ve been here all night. What’s she got that we don’t?”

“Restraint,” someone muttered. “Danger.”

Even so, seeing Jiang Nuan’s stillness, they assumed she wasn’t interested in Han Zaijing and relaxed into their own antics. They laughed louder, played harder, eager to win favor.

Meanwhile, Han Zaijing downed her second drink. The alcohol had begun to kick in, warming her veins, dulling the sharp edges of her mind. The music seemed louder now, closer. A bassline throbbed under her skin. Her body, usually so rigid and poised, wanted to move. Before she realized it, she had left her seat and wandered into the throng of dancers.

Someone bumped into her, then pulled her into motion. The girl was annoyed at first—until she looked up and saw Han Zaijing’s hesitant grin. Her stiff movements made her seem adorably out of place. She lifted her arms awkwardly, snapped her fingers off-beat, and shuffled from side to side in a rhythm that was equal parts jazz and chaos.

It made people around her smile. The girl placed her hand on her waist, closing the space between them.

Watching from the booth, Jiang Nuan set down her cocktail with a quiet clink. The scene unfolding on the dance floor tightened something in her chest. That hand on her waist? That gaze? No one touched what she hadn’t claimed.

With a practiced air, she rose from her seat, heels clicking on the floor with purpose. The crowd turned, parting like water. Her black lace dress shimmered with every step. She moved directly toward Han Zaijing and the girl who was now practically clinging to her.

Jiang Nuan didn’t speak. She simply reached for Han Zaijing’s hand, twining her fingers with her. It was a silent message: This one’s mine. The crowd sensed it and moved back without protest. The boldest declaration came when she brought her face close to her, lips brushing her as she passed her a mouthful of the cocktail she’d just sipped.

Their lips touched, then parted. Her forehead leaned against her. Eyes met.

Han Zaijing blinked at her, momentarily dazed. She was stunning. Magnetic. And utterly unexpected. A flame dressed in perfume and silk.

“You’re Han Zaijing, right?” Jiang Nuan whispered in her ear, voice low and teasing. “I saw you at that business competition.”

She chuckled, surprised but playing along. “And you are?”

“Jiang Nuan,” she replied smoothly. “Jiang Wan’s younger sister.”

Her brow raised. “Small world.”

Soon, she invited her to her booth. She joined, and though Yan Yining didn’t say much, she observed every move. Jiang Nuan, ever the hostess, introduced her ongoing art project with bright enthusiasm, and Han Zaijing responded with measured curiosity. All the while, she studied her—trying to read her strange mix of melancholy and precision.

As the night wore on, games were played. Han Zaijing lost most of them on purpose. She drank without hesitation, subtly increasing her intoxication. When the time felt right, she slipped away to the bathroom to apply an aphrodisiac, subtly intensifying the scent of her pheromones. If she was going to play the prey tonight, then it had to be convincing.

Later, as laughter and noise swelled around them, Jiang Nuan leaned close again and whispered, “Want to get out of here?”

She nodded, eyes glassy from alcohol—or perhaps from the intensity in hers.

She murmured a few words to Yan Yining, then took Han Zaijing by the hand and led her out into the cool night, leaving behind the electric haze of Dusk Bar and stepping into a different game altogether.

This time, the hunter had willingly walked into the trap.