Empire of Desire: An Alpha’s Financial Reign - Chapter 47

Golden sunlight spilled into the spacious backyard as the Jiang family’s barbecue party reached its lively peak. Laughter echoed under the clear sky. By the grill, Jiang Nuan and Han Zaijing were busy with skewers and sauces, locked in a spirited debate over seasoning and portion sizes. The atmosphere was light and cheerful.

From the side, Jiang Wan watched them with a gentle smile, but a ripple of complex emotion stirred within her.

Jiang Nuan brushed sauce over the meat with meticulous care, her movements smooth and practiced. Beside her, Han Zaijing held a skewer of freshly grilled chicken wings, eyes focused, demeanor calm and efficient.

“You’re drowning it in sauce,” Han Zaijing quipped with a smirk.

Jiang Nuan shot back, unbothered. “You don’t understand. This is my secret recipe. Outsiders like you don’t get a say.”

Their bickering was playful, yet carried the heat of an old rivalry—like the flames dancing beneath the charcoal. Jiang Wan’s smile remained, but her thoughts drifted to a rainy day not long ago. That day, Jiang Nuan had asked Han Zaijing to carry her so her lambskin heels wouldn’t be ruined. She had clung to Zaijing’s back, and in the downpour, their silhouettes looked almost… intimate.

Jiang Wan remembered the glow on Jiang Nuan’s face when she returned home. Ever since then, whenever Han Zaijing’s name came up, Jiang Nuan’s attention would subtly sharpen. These small, telling details painted a picture Jiang Wan could no longer ignore—Jiang Nuan liked Han Zaijing.

“Sis, what are you staring off into?” Jiang Nuan’s voice snapped her out of her reverie. She looked up to see her younger sister offering her a skewer of lamb.

“Oh, nothing,” Jiang Wan replied with a warm smile, accepting the food. “You two carry on—I’ll go check on the other dishes.”

As the laughter and teasing at the grill resumed, Jiang Wan wandered to the edge of the lawn, found a quiet spot, and sat down. From there, she continued to observe them—every glance exchanged, every subtle smile.

She noticed the softness in Han Zaijing’s eyes when she looked at Jiang Nuan. And despite Jiang Nuan’s sharp tongue, her care for Zaijing was woven into her every gesture. The confirmation settled silently in Jiang Wan’s heart.

Emotions surged. Love is rarely simple—especially when it weaves through the threads of family.

Jiang Wan’s gaze grew distant. Beneath her composed expression was a tide of feelings she couldn’t easily name. Han Zaijing had captivated her from the moment they met.

In the world of business, Han Jae-kyung—Han Zaijing—was a dazzling presence. Among polished elites, she stood out with her confident aura and that unmistakable sharp jawline. When she smiled, there was a youthful charm in her starry eyes and elegant posture that made it hard to look away.

That evening, during a dinner event, Han Zaijing had revealed another side—no longer the crisp businesswoman, but a more mysterious figure. Her styled hair framed her striking features; the open collar of her shirt hinted at casual confidence, while her firmly pressed lips held an alluring secrecy. That night, Jiang Wan’s heart beat faster—like discovering a star you couldn’t help but follow.

She had known then: she might never confess her feelings. Still, she was willing to guard them quietly.

Time passed. Fate played its hand, and she became Han Zaijing’s wife. At first, she was content—grateful. But soon, her longing transformed into something deeper, possessive, protective. She was no different from any woman in love.

Yet, love with Han Zaijing came with its own complexities—Ni Jia, the ex-girlfriend; Jiang Shutong, the ever-loyal colleague at Shinhwa; and Jiang Nuan, her own sister. Jiang Wan was smart enough to see what might come. If one day Han Zaijing was no longer hers alone, the contenders were clear.

Night fell, casting an inky stillness over the house. Jiang Wan, weary from the weight of her thoughts, found herself restless. Her heart ached with uncertainty and jealousy she could no longer suppress.

She pushed open the bathroom door. The air instantly thickened with her 3S-grade cherry pheromones, potent and sweet, making Han Zaijing’s glands react painfully.

Jiang Wan stood there, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. One strap of her silk nightgown had slipped, revealing the soft curve of her shoulder. The low neckline offered a hazy glimpse of her cleavage. Her eyes were rimmed with red, her eyeliner faintly smudged, adding a lazy sensuality to her already intoxicating presence.

Han Zaijing’s self-control crumbled. The cool scent of alpine pine filled the room, meeting Jiang Wan’s scent in perfect resonance.

“Jiang Wan,” Zaijing growled, voice thick with restrained desire, “you provoked me.”

She stepped forward, pulling Jiang Wan into her arms. Their bodies pressed close, heat rising between them. Zaijing held her face tenderly, then kissed her—deeply, hungrily. Her hands slid over Jiang Wan’s curves, exploring, claiming.

Jiang Wan trembled, gripping Zaijing’s shirt tightly, as if bracing against a storm of passion.

Time blurred. Only breath, heat, and heartbeats remained.

By morning, soft sunlight crept through the curtains. Han Zaijing opened her eyes slowly and saw Jiang Wan’s sleeping face inches from her own—lips swollen, hair tousled, tear tracks dried on her cheeks.
“Wanwan…” she whispered, gently caressing her cheek.

Jiang Wan’s eyes fluttered open, filled with lingering warmth. She said nothing, only gazed at Han Zaijing with a tenderness that pierced straight to the heart.

Zaijing could feel the unease behind last night’s passion. She murmured, “Wanwan… I want to transfer all my shares to you. I’ll build a top-tier think tank to help you—how about that?”

Jiang Wan shook her head lightly, cutting her off. “Everyone thinks Alphas go wild with power. Do you think I’d be so insecure, so afraid I couldn’t control you? I don’t want to live like that.”

“Jiang Wan, I love you. Being controlled by you—it’s what I want. Can’t you see that?” Zaijing’s voice was resolute and sincere.

Tears welled in Jiang Wan’s eyes. She reached out, touching Zaijing’s cheek gently. She hadn’t expected her to understand so clearly—nor to answer with such earnestness.

“In that case,” she whispered, “if you don’t behave, you’ll have to face the consequences. Aren’t you afraid?”

They embraced again, tightly, as if trying to melt into each other—hearts beating in perfect rhythm, bound by both tenderness and fire.