Empire of Desire: An Alpha’s Financial Reign - Chapter 24
In the dance studio of Huaxin University, Jiang Nuan packed her bag after finishing her practice session. As she was about to leave, she noticed a new friend request on her phone—Han Zaijing. Blushing slightly, she tapped to accept.
Before she could decide how to start a conversation, a message came through: it was a photo. She opened it and was stunned to see a medical report from Huaguo Central Hospital. The name on the report was Han Zaijing, and the test result showed the presence of an aphrodisiac.
Jiang Nuan froze, her mind blank. Sbe’s not seriously going to think I drugged her and then walked away after sleeping with her… is she?
Han Zaijing messaged: “I don’t remember what happened last night. Could you help me piece it together? Depending on your answer, I may need to file a police report.”
Jiang Nuan’s expression twisted involuntarily. A classmate nearby noticed and asked what was wrong, but Jiang Nuan brushed it off and quickly moved to a corner to compose herself. She typed:
“Can we meet somewhere to talk in person?”
Han Zaijing replied:
“Sure. How about the coffee shop across from campus?”
Jiang Nuan suggested nervously:
“Let’s meet at the café in the AFA Center. It’s quieter and has private rooms.”
Han Zaijing smiled faintly at the screen and replied:
“Alright.”
At the café, Jiang Nuan had changed into a designer dress. The hemline was short, so she sat sideways with a throw blanket draped over her legs, her bag placed beside her. Fidgeting with her fingers, she looked visibly uneasy.
Han Zaijing arrived shortly after, dressed in a slim black sweater and tailored pants, her hair neatly styled and sunglasses framing her face. Her laid-back, clean-cut look took Jiang Nuan by surprise. She didn’t seem like someone who had just gone through a traumatic incident. She greeted her, trying to stay calm:
“You’re here.”
She sat down, ordered two coffees, and then looked at her seriously.
“Good afternoon, Miss Jiang. When I woke up this morning, I was alone in a hotel room, completely undressed. I can’t remember anything past drinking at the bar last night. The memory gap was so complete that I suspected I had been drugged. Do you know what happened?”
Jiang Nuan was startled.
“Didn’t you… agree to it last night? You were very… enthusiastic.”
Realizing how callous that sounded, she quickly corrected herself:
“I mean… everything happened naturally.”
Han Zaijing kept a stern expression.
“So you’re saying it was my fault for not staying in control? That I just wanted a casual hookup? For the record, I have a girlfriend—she’s your brother-in-law’s sister. If not for being drugged, I wouldn’t have behaved like that.”
The mention of a girlfriend made Jiang Nuan feel a pang of guilt. Thinking back, she recalled the unnatural red tint in her eyes that night—clearly not normal.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” she said hastily.
“Looking back now, I realize I should’ve been more cautious.”
Han Zaijing leaned back with a bitter chuckle.
“I heard good things about that bar and just wanted to unwind. I never expected to become someone’s prey.”
Jiang Nuan, who was that someone, felt her heart drop. She opened her mouth to explain, but Han Zaijing continued:
“I don’t think it was you. You’re Jiang Wan’s sister, and I trust that someone from your family wouldn’t stoop to that.”
Grateful for her sister’s reputation, Jiang Nuan nodded earnestly.
Han Zaijing narrowed her eyes.
“Still, I need to know—how many people was I with last night?”
Jiang Nuan hesitated.
“It was just me. I suggested going to the hotel… and you didn’t resist. I didn’t realize at the time that your consent might’ve been… compromised.”
Han Zaijing pretended to let out a sigh of relief.
“Honestly, that’s better than I feared. If there’d been others, or if I’d been filmed and blackmailed… it could’ve ruined me. In a twisted way, you may have saved me from something worse.”
Jiang Nuan relaxed slightly, glad she wasn’t blaming her.
“How are you feeling now? Did you get a full check-up?”
Han Zaijing’s face darkened.
“That’s the worst part. The drug was something called Aphrodisiac Lock. It binds to pheromones and leaves lasting effects unless it’s ‘resolved’ through three consecutive… encounters with the same omega. If not, the alpha continues to crave the omega uncontrollably during their susceptible period.”
In reality, Han Zaijing had bought the drug herself from the black market and used it on herself to bait Jiang Nuan. The only way to make this plan work convincingly was to make it real.
Jiang Nuan, unaware of the truth, flushed deeply.
“So we have to… go to a hotel two more times?”
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect—she was afraid Han Zaijing would reject her because of her relationship, but this gave her a reason to stay close.
Han Zaijing, feigning embarrassment, replied:
“Miss Jiang, I know this sounds inappropriate, and from last night’s… casual nature, I assume you’re not looking for a relationship. So, if you’re willing, would you be okay with two more… temporary markings? I’ll agree to any conditions you set.”
Jiang Nuan replied softly:
“I haven’t thought of any conditions yet… but I accept. Since you were drugged, I’ll see it through. For my sister’s sake.”
Han Zaijing finally allowed a trace of a smile.
“Thank you, Jiang Nuan.”
She asked,
“When will the next time be?”
Han Zaijing answered,
“The drug activates again during the alpha’s next susceptible period. That should be in about a month.”
Jiang Nuan nodded in understanding.
Before parting, Han Zaijing asked her to keep the matter confidential—for her dignity, and to avoid tipping off the real perpetrator. Jiang Nuan agreed. In truth, she felt a little excited—knowing she’d have a legitimate reason to see her again.
And Han Zaijing? She was already one step closer to her plan.