Chapter 3: Concealed Depths

Just as he was about to make his next move, a harsh, jarring phone ring echoed from the hall.

Tong Xiaoman quickly snapped out of her daze, inwardly pleased, but outwardly feigning regret as she sighed softly, “The phone’s ringing.”

He fixed his gaze on her, that slick sensation making him reluctant to let go, but he still released her, once again pointing his gun at her in a commanding tone: “Get up.”

She smiled sweetly and reached out, pointing to the towel hanging beside him. “Handsome, could you please grab the towel for me? I have nothing to cover myself with—it’d be embarrassing otherwise.”

“What, you dare to seduce me but won’t dare to stand naked in front of me?” The man’s low, rich voice carried a trace of mockery, yet with his other hand, he swiftly snatched the towel and swung it over her head.

“My skin’s just too thin,” she said in a soft, sugary tone. In that moment, Tong Xiaoman’s fingers grabbed the towel and suddenly pulled it down over his face. With a splash, she slipped away from beneath his gun like a mermaid gliding through water.

By the time he pulled the towel down, she had already leapt ashore and snatched the robe from the hanger, slipping it on.

With unmatched grace, she ran her fingers through her damp hair and shot him a sly smile.

The man looked at her, not rushing to attack. A flicker of admiration shone in his eyes. “You’d be wasting your talents if you didn’t become an actress.”

Tong Xiaoman giggled coquettishly, “I’m decent, you see. Otherwise, how would someone else get to be Best Actress?”

He jumped out of the tub, curling his lips into a smirk. “You’re very confident.”

“Of course, confidence is a virtue,” she said, covering her mouth with a light laugh, though the amusement didn’t quite reach her eyes.

He narrowed his eyes. “Not going to answer the phone?”

The ringing in the hall was relentless, like a death knell.

Tong Xiaoman answered leisurely, “No rush. You haven’t collapsed yet.”

His expression shifted sharply as he suddenly felt his body weaken. Such a thorny rose, hiding its sharp thorns so well.

He steadied himself silently, asking calmly, “Who are you?”

She smiled smugly, pressing her lips together. “Steady yourself. Don’t be scared by my name. I’m Tong Xiaoman, the heiress of the Tong family. I don’t change my name or identity.”

He cursed inwardly—she had slipped him the cartilage-softening poison, so how was he still standing? Let’s see how long he could hold out.

It was her. A flicker of amusement crossed his devilishly charming eyes.

“So, you’re from the Tong family. When did you poison me?”

How could he have forgotten what she was skilled at? He had underestimated her and fallen right into her trap.

“You’re wrong. I didn’t poison you. I just put a little cartilage-softening poison in the water. You soaked so long and still didn’t collapse; your resistance is truly strong.”

Indeed, desires can be a double-edged sword. He laughed bitterly and admitted defeat for the first time: “Tonight, I’m at a disadvantage. You, little wild one, have outsmarted me.”

“My name’s Xiaoman, not little wild one. You barged in suddenly—how can you blame me for tricking you?” Tong Xiaoman protested immediately.

“Let’s settle this score another day. We’ll meet again,” the man said. Suddenly, he drew a dagger and stabbed fiercely into his left forearm. With a wet sound, deep red blood splattered out, and the pain revived some strength in his weakening body.

Tong Xiaoman hadn’t expected him to go to such extremes and gasped in surprise.

“Until we meet again, little wild one.” The man’s seductive eyes gazed deeply into hers before he vanished toward the balcony.