Chapter 1505: Chapter 1505

Jealousy burned in her chest like acid, scorching every breath she took. She barely managed to keep the emotion from twisting across her face. Lucia suddenly cleared her throat sharply. The sound sliced through their quiet warmth like a blade.

"Oh my," Lory blinked, feigning mild embarrassment. "I’m sorry for my negligence, Miss...?" Her expression was calm, her eyes politely curious.

Lucia’s lips parted, her mask sliding smoothly back into place. "Viora. My name is Lucia Viora." She extended her hand to Zhao Li Xin; her smile was alluring and brimmed with intent. "We meet again, Mr. Zhao."

Lory wasn’t blind; she knew exactly what Lucia was doing, trying to seduce her husband right in front of her. How bold... or perhaps just foolish. Did the woman even realize who she was provoking?

A slow, amused smile curved Lory’s lips, her eyes glinting with mischief and something sharper beneath. "Oh? You know my husband?" she asked sweetly, her tone light, almost playful, but it carried the subtle chill of a blade behind silk.

Zhao Li Xin’s expression shifted. His brow furrowed slightly, and silence stretched between them. Lory nudged him playfully, feigning innocence. "Where did you meet Miss Viora, husband?"

The moment his gaze fell on Lucia, the softness bled out of his expression. The air itself seemed to cool. His eyes, once tender, turned icy cold as he scanned Lucia’s face as though he were trying to search her face in his memory.

Lucia’s practiced smile almost broke under Zhao Li Xin’s clueless look. She couldn’t believe it. How could Zhao Li Xin have forgotten her? It was just a few days ago!

At first, she thought he was pretending, perhaps he was trying to avoid his wife’s suspicion, as men so often did. But the longer she looked at him, the more certain she became.

That calm, detached expression wasn’t an act. He truly didn’t remember her. The realization made her chest tighten with irritation as her ego hurt. This never happened before!

"We met at the Bellevue Hotel," Lucia said, impatience slipping beneath her polite tone. Her smile remained poised, carefully measured. "Did you forget? We had dinner together." Her eyes flicked toward Lory,curious to see herreaction.

However, before Lory could respond, Zhao Li Xin’s calm voice cut through the air. "Oh, you’re Salvo De Rova’s acquaintance. My apologies, I didn’t remember you. I’m sorry, but I always have a hard time remembering the faces of people I’ve only met once."

His words were polite, yet they struck like a blade. The implication was clear, Lucia was so ordinary it didn’t give any impression on him whatsoever. For a beautiful woman who can easily seduce ma an with just a flick of her fingers, Zhao Li Xin’s words felt like a slap on her face.

Lory shot her husband a sideways glance. It’s rich coming from the same man who had remembered her voice and scent from their very first meeting, not to mention he was also half-unconscious at that time.

Anger simmered beneath Lucia’s flawless mask, but she forced herself to breathe, her lips curving into a brittle smile. "It’s... okay," she managed softly.

"Anyway, honey," Lory said sweetly, slipping her arm through his, "I told Miss Viora I can give her a discount on the painting she wants. Is that okay?"

"Of course. Whatever you say, dear. You know you don’t even have to ask, right?" Zhao Li Xin said with a faint smile, his tone soft but teasing. He pursed his lips slightly, as if disappointed she still thought she needed his permission.

Their flirty exchange made Lucia feel like an unwelcome third wheel, though she kept her expression composed. "Mr. Zhao, I didn’t realize you doted on your wife this much," she said lightly, her tone laced with subtle sarcasm. "Aren’t you afraid people might mock you for being a henpecked husband?"

"I am a henpecked husband," Zhao Li Xin said matter-of-factly. There was neither shame nor hesitation in his eyes; if anything, he looked rather proud of it.

"..." Lucia’s smile twitched.

Lory sighed inwardly. Even back when Zhao Li Xin was the fearsome leader of the strongest sect in his world, he always listened to whatever she said, no matter what it was or who was watching. Fortunately, she was sensible enough not to meddle in Hei Shen important matters, and whenever she had an idea, she’d ask for his opinion first, because she wanted to preserve his dignity in front of his subordinates.

Not that it fooled anyone. Everyone in the Hei Shen Sect knew Zhao Li Xin would do anything for Lory, even if it meant plucking the moon and stars from the sky, and now that he no longer had a title, a sect, or reputation to keep, so why on earth should he care what people said about him?

Lory didn’t want to waste more time with lucia, so she end it "So, Miss viora, do you want to buy the painting?"

Lucia, already irritated by the insufferably affectionate couple, decided she wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of thinking she was making idle chatter.

Straightening her posture, she said curtly, "Of course. Please have the painting delivered to my hotel."

"Wonderful," Lory replied brightly, patting Zhao Li Xin’s chest with an indulgent smile. "How about we give you a twenty percent discount? Consider it a little gift to celebrate our acquaintance."

Lucia’s face tightened a bit. She feel Lory was mocking her. Anger flared in her eyes, but still as a professional, she managed to contain her emotion, "That won’t be necessary. I’ll pay the full price."

"Oh? Are you sure?" Lory asked, her voice dripping with feigned concern.

Lucia knew she was only pretending, which made her anger simmer even hotter. "Haha, thank you for your generosity, but that’s unnecessary, I have more than enough money for something ," she said tightly, her jaw clenched as she maintained her calm expression.

Lory tilted her head, her smile never faltering. "Well, if you insist. Enjoy your evening, Miss Viora." She slipped her hand into Zhao Li Xin’s palm as they prepared to leave.

Just as they turned away, Lucia took a step forward. "Oh, wait a minute, Mr. Zhao, I—" Her words were cut short as her heel slipped, sending her stumbling forward, straight toward Zhao Li Xin.

She had meant to fall gracefully, imagining he would reflexively catch her. But, unfortunately, she had chosen the wrong man. With perfect precision, Zhao Li Xin stepped aside, pulling Lory protectively into his arms as Lucia fell face-first onto the floor.

Lory blinked, momentarily stunned. She’d almost reached out to catch Lucia, but Zhao Li Xin’s firm grip had pulled her safely away. Now she could only watch as Lucia tumbled unceremoniously to the ground.

"Thank goodness she didn’t fall on you," Zhao Li Xin said seriously, his hand still on Lory’s waist. "Are you all right, wife? You’re not hurt, right?"

’How can I get hurt?’

Lory stared at him, speechless. She could never tell whether he was joking or simply being himself. Given his tone, she suspected the latter. This update ıs available on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹~𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮~𝚗𝚎𝚝

Lucia’s face burned crimson as she pushed herself off the floor. The pain was nothing compared to the mortifying embarrassment clawing at her chest. Several gallery staff stopped to stare, some wide-eyed, others biting back laughter. Hastily, she smoothed her dress and turned to glare at Zhao Li Xin, silently cursing him with every ounce of her dignity.

’A beautiful woman threw herself at him, and this was how he reacted?’

But Zhao Li Xin, ever merciless, added salt to the wound. "Miss, watch where you’re going," he said in a reprimanding tone. "You almost hurt my wife."

Lory sighed, helpless. She had forgotten how mean her husband could be, whether it was men or women, he treated them equally cruelly.

That was the last straw for Lucia. "It wasn’t my fault! The floor is slippery!" she snapped, her voice trembling with anger. "You’re lucky I didn’t twist my ankle, or I’d sue this whole gallery!" She spun around with a huff, heels clicking sharply against the marble.

Just as she was about to reach the door, Zhao Li Xin called after her, "Miss, wait!" His voice rose across the room. "If you still buy my painting, just call my assistant!"

Lucia froze for a second, then stormed out, her pride in tatters.

Zhao Li Xin watched her leave and snorted. "What a rude woman."

Lory could only stare at him, caught between disbelief and reluctant amusement. At this point, she almost felt sorry for Lucia. If Bei Li Yan were here, he would’ve gleefully added Lucia’s name to the ever-growing list of women victimized by Zhao Li Xin’s merciless tongue.