"Your company."

!!

Xia Tian's smile widened, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he observed Lin Ruoxi's shocked reaction.

However, he maintained his composure, keeping her on the edge of her seat.

"Is this some kind of joke?" Lin Ruoxi exclaimed, unable to contain her surprise.

Xia Tian's audacious demand caught her off guard, and she couldn't help but question his intentions.

Xia Tian chuckled softly, savoring the moment of triumph. Deep down, he knew he had the upper hand in this game.

"Ms. Lin, I understand the immense value of your Lin Group. It's worth more than ten billion yuan, isn't it?" Xia Tian's voice resonated with a subtle confidence.

Lin Ruoxi's initial shock turned into apprehension.

She hadn't anticipated that he would possess such knowledge about her family's empire.

Her attempt to intimidate him had backfired.

Xia Tian fell into a brief silence, his mind swiftly calculating the possibilities and potential gains.

Then, with a self-assured grin, he revealed his outrageous proposition.

"Since you intend to use me, I believe it's only fair that I receive at least half of your shares," he declared, his tone daring and his smile unwavering.

Lin Ruoxi's jaw dropped in disbelief.

This unexpected turn of events left her reeling.

She struggled to comprehend the audacity of his request. Her mind raced, contemplating the consequences of such an arrangement.

"You must be joking!" Lin Ruoxi blurted out, her voice tinged with a mix of astonishment and frustration.

Xia Tian's unwavering confidence in the face of her disbelief only fueled her anger.

Amidst her rising impatience, Xia Tian couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.

He saw through her attempt to deceive him and was thoroughly entertained by her crumbling facade.

Did she truly believe she could outsmart the old fox?

In Xia Tian's mind, it seemed only natural that if Lin Ruoxi were to reap billions in benefits through their arrangement, he should receive an equitable share. It was a simple matter of fairness.

He knew all too well that she would vehemently reject his proposal.

However, witnessing her mental fortress gradually crumble brought him great satisfaction.

------

Xia Tian's chuckle grew louder, his amusement at Lin Ruoxi's panicked expression evident in his malicious grin. He relished the sight of her anger, her futile attempts to regain control.

"This is the only deal, Miss Lin. Take it or leave it," Xia Tian stated firmly, his voice dripping with confidence.

Lin Ruoxi, who had initially underestimated Xia Tian's cunning, was left stunned. Her teeth clenched in frustration, as someone dared to challenge her authority and force her into a corner.

Internally, she vowed to make him taste defeat. Today would be the day she asserted her dominance.

"I will report your actions to the police! I will accuse you of drugging and raping me yesterday!" Lin Ruoxi threatened, her voice trembling with anger. She believed that with her lawyers, there would be no chance of his victory. In an attempt to gain some leverage, she offered a compromise.

"Sign the agreement, and I will decrease the tenure to two years."

Xia Tian shook his head dismissively, gesturing towards the door. "If you want to report me, go ahead and do it," he replied nonchalantly.

His words shook Lin Ruoxi to the core. How could he be so indifferent to the potential consequences? Did he not understand the gravity of the situation?

The thought of a case involving a billionaire CEO being dragged through the legal system sent shivers down her spine. Surely he should fear the law, just like anyone else.

Lin Ruoxi's pride prevented her from admitting any fault in their previous encounter, and now, if she were to follow through with her threat, it could irreversibly ruin Xia Tian's career and life.

She had already taken note of his name on the hotel's entrance register, gathering evidence to support her claim. However, as she observed the carefree expression on Xia Tian's face, Lin Ruoxi became convinced that he didn't even consider her threat to be a genuine concern.

In that moment, a seed of doubt sprouted within her. Who was this man? What secrets did he hold? 

.....

Under the bright sky, Lin Ruoxi's arrogant facade crumbled as her desperate plan took an unexpected turn.

A flicker of determination passed through her face as she resolved herself to take a risky path, leveraging her advantage as a woman and capitalizing on Xia Tian's potential chivalry and sense of responsibility.

A cunning smile played on Lin Ruoxi's lips as she abruptly shifted her demeanor.

Tears welled up in her eyes, shimmering like crystals in the fading light.

She clutched her chest, feigning despair, and took a step back, edging closer to the balcony's edge.

"Fine, if you won't agree to my terms, I have nothing left to live for," Lin Ruoxi choked out between sobs, her voice a fragile blend of desperation and determination.

Xia Tian's eyes widened in surprise, momentarily caught off guard by her sudden transformation.

He watched with a faked mixture of concern and skepticism as Lin Ruoxi continued to retreat, her silhouette framed against the vibrant hues of the setting sun beyond the safety railing. 

Lin Ruoxi muttered further threats, her voice trembling. "Sign the agreement, or I... I will jump!"

Her heart pounded in her chest as she awaited Xia Tian's response, hoping he would succumb to the pressure and meet her demands.

But to her astonishment, his expression remained unchanged, his resolve unshaken.

"Then jump." Xia Tian repeated, his voice carrying an unexpected note of indifference.

Lin Ruoxi's bravado faltered, and she found herself at a loss for words.

Biting her lip, she stared at the ground, her desperation intensifying.

Did he truly not care about her life?

A sudden gust of wind swept through the air, causing her entire body to shiver.

In that chilling moment, she realized the futility of her ploy and contemplated changing tactics. But it was too late.

Her foot slipped, and a startled cry escaped her lips.

She tumbled over the edge, descending towards the ground below. 

"Ah!" she exclaimed, the sound mingling with the gasps of onlookers.

Her body plummeted towards the ground, gravity exerting its force.

*...Thud!*

But instead of meeting the cold, unforgiving pavement below, her fall was abruptly halted by the rooftop of her own Rolls-Royce, setting off the car's anti-theft alarms and sending shockwaves through the gathered crowd.

The car's anti-theft alarms blared in protest, mixing with the startled screams of onlookers who had gathered to witness the spectacle.

Within moments, the sound of approaching ambulance sirens pierced the air, rushing to attend to the fallen woman.

Xia Tian sighed, feigning concern. "Why was she in such a rush? Couldn't she have just called me 'husband'?" he muttered, playing the role of the concerned spouse.

When had he ever restricted his toys from addressing him as their husband?

[Master, are you serious?]

Luo Xue, felt the timing of Xia Tian's sarcasm was off.

She wanted to retort, but she held her tongue, realizing that Xia Tian's ability to act surpassed even that of a woman.

Xia Tian nodded seirously, finishing of the reamaining coffee, leisurly, he had effortlessly outplayed Lin Ruoxi in her own game.

Fortunately, Lin Ruoxi had survived the fall, but her awakening would bring her no solace.

She would soon find herself face-to-face with the devil once again.

As the situation escalated with Lin Ruoxi's fall from the rooftop, chaos ensued at the scene. People gathered around, murmuring and speculating about what had just happened.

The sound of approaching sirens grew louder, indicating the imminent arrival of the police and emergency services.

In the midst of the commotion, a waiter from the hotel rushed over to Xia Tian's table, concern etched on his face.

He spoke urgently, "Sir, please wait here. A detective will be arriving shortly to question you about the incident. It's important that you stay."

Xia Tian calmly looked at the waiter, his expression unreadable.

He nodded in acknowledgement but didn't utter a single word. 

Surprising eveyone, with a graceful and calculated movement, Xia Tian stood up from his seat, leaving behind the unfinished bills on the table.

The waiter's voice trailed off as he tried to stop Xia Tian, but it was already too late. Like a fleeting shadow, Xia Tian swiftly made his way towards the exit, his movements elegant and deliberate.

The waiter's voice carried through the air, pleading, "Sir, please wait! You must stay for the investigation!"

However, Xia Tian seemed unaffected by the plea. He stepped outside, entering the bustling city street.

The sounds of traffic and people filled the air, providing a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere he had just left behind. The waiter watched helplessly as Xia Tian's figure disappeared into the crowd, his presence fading like a phantom.

Meanwhile, the approaching sirens grew louder, signaling the imminent arrival of the police. The waiter, feeling a mix of frustration and responsibility, hurriedly dialed the emergency number to inform them of Xia Tian's departure.

He knew that his actions would likely draw suspicion, but he couldn't let Xia Tian escape without facing the authorities.