Empire of Desire: An Alpha’s Financial Reign - Chapter 36

Dinner took place in the private room of an upscale restaurant, where every detail exuded refinement. The tastefully arranged tableware, the soft ambient lighting, and the array of exquisitely prepared dishes all reflected the prestigious status of the Ni family. It wasn’t just a meal—it was a demonstration of power and legacy.

Seated at the head of the long mahogany table was Father Ni, a man whose very presence commanded respect. His posture was straight, his gaze sharp and penetrating, and each word he spoke seemed to echo with the weight of unchallenged authority.

He scanned the room slowly, his eyes sweeping past the younger members of the family and their guests. Eventually, his gaze settled on Ni Kuang, his eldest son. A silence fell over the room, heavy and expectant.
“Ni Kuang,” Father Ni began, his voice calm but unwavering, “what plans have you and Jiang Wan made regarding your engagement?”

The question was direct, spoken with the gravity of someone accustomed to having his decisions honored without resistance. Ni Kuang inhaled deeply, steeling himself. He had anticipated this confrontation. There would be no sidestepping it.

“Father,” he said, his voice steady though his chest felt tight, “after much discussion, Jiang Wan and I have mutually agreed to call off the engagement. We’ve come to understand that a marriage without genuine affection cannot lead to true happiness.”

A dark shadow crossed Father Ni’s face. His brow furrowed, and a flicker of cold disapproval passed through his eyes. “Call off the engagement?” he repeated, the words deliberate and heavy. “Was this truly a joint decision, or your own impulse? Do you have any idea what this means for the alliance between our families?”

Before the atmosphere could grow any tenser, Jiang Wan, seated beside Ni Kuang, spoke softly but firmly. “Uncle Ni, this was indeed a mutual decision. We both believe that marriage should be rooted in love and understanding—not simply a transaction between powerful families.”

Father Ni turned to her, the sharpness in his eyes softening only slightly. A complicated emotion flickered across his face—one that was not easy to decipher. “Jiang Wan,” he said, “you must realize that alliances like these have shaped and protected our families for generations. Perhaps your generation takes love too lightly, without understanding the price that comes with disregarding tradition.”

Across the table sat Ni Jia, quiet and contemplative. She watched her brother and Jiang Wan, a swell of emotions tightening in her chest. She had always admired her brother’s steadiness and devotion. She knew how deeply he cared for Jiang Wan.

But love, as she was learning, was not something one could simply will into existence. No matter how much her brother tried, he could not change Jiang Wan’s heart. The dinner came to an end cloaked in an air of solemnity, the luxurious surroundings doing little to lift the heavy mood.

Later that night, in a quiet apartment far removed from the polished world of the Ni family, Han Zaijing sat on the couch, staring at a pheromone compatibility report Jiang Wan had sent her. Alongside it was a brief but telling message: she and Ni Kuang had officially ended their engagement. A storm of thoughts churned in Zaijing’s mind.

She knew Jiang Wan well enough to understand that the woman had acted swiftly, decisively—just as she always did when cornered. Her efforts to mask the irregularities in her pheromone readings had failed faster than expected. Despite her attempts to hide the truth, Jiang Wan had been discovered.

But Zaijing also understood the pressure Jiang Wan carried—the immense burden of being a daughter of the Jiang family. A family that demanded perfection and sacrifice.

Yet, Jiang Wan had loved her—loved her genuinely. And in that love was a tragic inevitability: Jiang Wan had to protect the family’s genetic legacy, their reputation, and ultimately, their future. Even if that meant they couldn’t be together.

Zaijing leaned back, the cool night air drifting in through an open window. Was Jiang Wan her fated partner, her destined match? Or just a beautiful chapter that would end in heartbreak?

Meanwhile, Ni Jia sat alone in her room, her heart conflicted. Her fate felt like a string being tugged by unseen hands, pulling her toward a future she hadn’t chosen. Her thoughts drifted to Zaijing—memories flashing through her mind like fragments of a dream. Laughter in the library. Long walks across campus. Silent glances filled with unspoken emotions.

At that very moment, Han Zaijing stood on the school’s deserted playground, her eyes drawn to the distant silhouette of the library. That building held traces of her past with Ni Jia—moments of happiness that now felt unreachable.

Zaijing had once hoped to solve her pheromone compatibility issues, to one day offer Ni Jia a future unmarred by genetic complications. But time had run out. The world had changed. And she could no longer wait.

She unlocked her phone, her fingers trembling slightly, and dialed Ni Jia’s number.

“Zaijing…” came the voice on the other end, quivering with anticipation.

Zaijing’s chest tightened. She swallowed hard, steadying her breath. “Ni Jia,” she said softly, “let’s… break up.”

A stunned silence followed. Then, a soft sob filtered through the line. “Why?”

Zaijing closed her eyes. “Because our paths are no longer aligned. I can’t allow myself to hold you back.”

On the other end, Ni Jia’s muffled sobs grew louder. Zaijing’s voice held, but every word left her wounded. She had made her decision, and it had broken both their hearts.

Ni Jia curled up on her bed, tears streaming down her cheeks. She clutched her phone, refusing to accept the finality of it. Her heart ached with longing and disbelief. She couldn’t understand why something that felt so real had to end like this. She redialed the number.

“Zaijing,” she whispered, “please… can we meet?”

Zaijing stood on the rooftop now, her eyes glistening. She knew this was a moment she couldn’t avoid. “Okay,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Under the pale moonlight, they met one final time. Their silhouettes looked fragile against the vast night sky. Ni Jia stepped closer, her voice breaking. “Can’t we really be together?”

Zaijing hesitated, then handed her the test results. She explained everything. The secrets. The failed compatibility. The broken promise of a future.

Ni Jia’s face paled, her tears flowing freely. “You were with other Omegas?” Her voice trembled with disbelief. “You hid everything from me. I trusted you. I loved you.”

Zaijing’s voice cracked. “I never meant to hurt you.”

With a trembling hand, Ni Jia slapped her. “You talked about a future with me. About happiness. Now you say you can’t give it to me? Why now? Why like this?”

Zaijing didn’t fight back. She only held her gently one last time. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I failed you.”

It was their final goodbye—and their deepest wound.

As they walked away from each other under the moonlit sky, only their shadows remained etched on the rooftop.

Later, alone again, Han Zaijing stared at her phone’s screensaver—a photo of her and Ni Jia, once full of laughter and hope. Now, her tears fell silently, mourning a love that could never be.