vecchio caminetto reignited the fire, and the man beside her, with an air of unscrupulous charm, was sipping tea. This was the third time she had met him in a week, and each encounter was like watching a slow-motion replay of her own humiliation.

Their engagement was just three days away, and she had to admit, the man wasn't exactly unattractive. Tall and well-built, with a pair of eyes that could charm the birds off the trees, he was the kind of man most women would dream of marry. The only problem was, he treated her like she was nothing more than a piece of furniture.

She took a deep breath and pretended to be interested in the teacups before her. "Lord Qin said he had something important to discuss with me." Her voice was as sweet as honey, but her heart was as cold as ice.

The man's eyes narrowed slightly, and he lowered the teacup. "You know perfectly well what I want you to do." His voice was low and dangerous, and it sent shivers down her spine.