The top floor offered absolute privacy.
With its private elevator, exclusive passageways, and strict guest screening, it had become a secret place completely undisturbed by the outside world.
It was also the perfect breeding ground for things that could never be brought into the light.
Yu Yan swept his gaze around the room.
The people here were different from the pawns downstairs who had to appear in public.
Those qualified to take a seat on the top floor were all discreet players controlling the game from behind the scenes.
Shen Jizhou was one of them.
The moment Shen Jizhou saw Yu Yan, he immediately became enthusiastic. Turning toward the others, he spoke with pointed meaning:
“Our superstar has arrived.”
“Unfortunately, a new employee working under me handled things carelessly and forgot to send an invitation to our brand ambassador. I personally invited you upstairs to offer my apology.”
Yu Yan narrowed his eyes.
At last, he understood why Gu Xichao would rather trust Shen Jizhou than trust him.
Both men were foxes.
Naturally, creatures of the same kind were drawn to one another.
“Then I’ll have to defend that new employee.”
Yu Yan smiled, deliberately taking a step back to gain the upper hand.
“He didn’t forget to send me an invitation. I’m simply no longer the brand ambassador for Aoya Jewelry. This Pearl Gala originally had nothing to do with me.”
“What are you talking about? Everyone knows President Yu only became an actor because it interested you. In every other field, we’re still the ones who have to rely on you.”
A potbellied man immediately chimed in.
“Uncle, I put myself in the public eye and work hard at acting. It’s not merely a hobby.”
Yu Yan spoke with a serious expression.
“Then what are you doing it for?”
“For… someone very important.”
Yu Yan paused before launching into an emotional speech.
“That person wants me to reach the very top even more than I do. He wants everyone to know my name and wants me to become the brightest person in this industry.”
“To be honest, none of that is what I truly wanted. But he’s a workaholic, so naturally, he assumed I was the same…”
“Hahaha. Cute, isn’t he?”
“But if that’s what he expects from me, then of course I can make it happen.”
After Yu Yan finished speaking, the room fell silent for several seconds.
Then a few crisp claps rang out.
Shen Jizhou was the first to applaud.
The subtle tension in the room immediately eased. As though the ice had finally been broken, everyone began raising their glasses and chatting cheerfully.
A powerful businesswoman lifted her glass toward Yu Yan and flattered him:
“Yu Yan, I’m a huge fan of your movies. May I ask what your relationship is with that person?”
Yu Yan’s expression turned solemn.
With unwavering certainty, he replied:
“He is the most important person in my life.”
The woman covered her mouth and let out a quiet gasp before saying regretfully:
“What a shame. Since the flower is already taken, I suppose I’ll have to admit defeat and step aside…”
“Are you planning to make things official with that person?”
Yu Yan nodded.
“Of course. And one day, the whole world will know.”
The banquet gradually came to an end, and the guests began leaving one after another.
Before long, only Shen Jizhou and Yu Yan remained in the hall.
They sat at opposite ends of the long table, facing each other from a distance. The tension between them was as sharp as drawn swords.
“I originally prepared several attractive mixed-race beauties so President Yu wouldn’t have to harass an innocent person for no reason.”
“But I never expected you to have such a deeply romantic past. In that case, I suppose there’s no need.”
Shen Jizhou stared at him with barely concealed anger, though a smile remained on his face.
“Now that everyone else has left, we might as well speak openly.”
“President Yu, you came here uninvited. What exactly do you want?”
“I believe our previous partnership as brand and ambassador was quite pleasant.”
Yu Yan folded his hands together and replied at an unhurried pace:
“If I did anything wrong, please feel free to enlighten me.”
“Don’t play the thief crying thief, President Yu.”
Shen Jizhou went straight to the point.
“If our partnership was so pleasant, why did you have someone freeze my funds?”
“My friend chose not to pursue the misunderstanding at the police station, so I let it go.”
“Later, you saved my friend, and I was genuinely grateful.”
“But as far as I know, you and I have never had any personal grudge against each other. Isn’t that right, President Yu?”
Although Shen Jizhou had no intention of continuing his partnership with Voyage, he had been unable to contact Nolan during this entire period.
While sending people to search for Nolan in Malaysia, he had also been forced to handle the trust fund issue himself.
Armed with evidence of the drugging incident, Shen Jizhou confronted Voyage’s senior management. Naturally, they obediently told him everything that had happened that night.
Yu Yan let out a long breath of relief.
So that was all it was.
He had thought Shen Jizhou had discovered something suspicious and traced it back to him.
It turned out the man merely wanted revenge for what Yu Yan had done before.
Yu Yan raised his voice and asked in return:
“Are you sure there’s nothing between us?”
He lifted his left hand.
A sparkling diamond ring rested on his middle finger, signaling that he was either engaged or deeply in love.
“Then you’d better put those thoughts away and keep them well hidden.”
“Don’t even think about pursuing my fiancé.”
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