NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1: The Room Key
[Location: Suite 1602 – Executive Floor, Hantian Hotel]
The elevator ride to the executive floor was silent. Only the faint hum of the city pressed against the glass walls as Lilly Li held the key card between her fingers.
She wasn't rushing.
There was no need.
Lilly stepped out onto the plush carpet of the corridor, her heels barely making a sound as she moved toward Suite 1602.
The meter flickered into view as she neared the door—hovering faintly over Rocky Chan's name.
[Rocky Chan: +70 (Like)]
…Not for long.
She didn't knock. The door unlocked with a soft click, the dim light of the suite spilling out to greet her.
Her gaze swept the room. The first thing she noticed was Anna Feng's dress—carelessly slung over the armrest of the sofa.
Another flicker.
[Anna Feng: +80 (Like)]
...Interesting.
The faint murmur of voices drifted from the bedroom. A soft laugh—Anna's laugh.
Lilly didn't stop.
The bedroom door was slightly ajar, and through the narrow opening, she saw them—Rocky, bare-chested, propped against the headboard, with Anna wrapped lazily in silk sheets beside him.
Rocky's meter ticked downward the moment he saw her.
[-20… -35… -50]
Anna's barely moved.
Lilly stepped inside, calm and deliberate, letting the door swing softly shut behind her.
"Lilly—" Rocky began, reaching for the shirt draped over the chair.
[-60 (Hate)]
"Don't," Lilly said, her voice steady.
His meter dropped again.
[-75]
Anna shifted slightly, brushing her hair over one shoulder as if nothing about this moment required urgency. The sheet slipped just enough to expose smooth skin.
[Anna Feng: +82 (Like)]
Lilly met Anna's gaze.
"Mrs. Chan," Anna greeted, soft and sweet. "I wasn't expecting you tonight."
Lilly's meter barely shifted, but for the briefest moment, she saw Anna's flicker.
[Anna Feng: +1]
Calculated.
"You should get dressed," Lilly said to Rocky without looking at him. She stepped further inside the room, stopping at the edge of the bed. "Your lawyer will be in touch tomorrow."
Rocky stilled, his shirt half-buttoned.
"Lilly, you're overreacting."
[-85]
She ignored him, her gaze still on Anna.
"You're being hasty," Rocky continued, stepping toward her. His hand brushed her arm, and the moment it did—
[-90]
Anna smiled faintly.
"Don't," Lilly repeated softly, slipping from his touch. "I'll have the divorce papers ready by morning."
[-100 (Hatred Unlocked)]
The red glow of Rocky's name flickered to solid crimson.
Lilly glanced back at Anna, whose meter remained a steady +83.
Curious.
Anna tilted her head slightly, watching the exchange with an almost amused glint in her eyes. "That seems a little extreme," Anna said lightly.
Lilly smiled faintly. "You'll understand when you're older."
Anna's meter didn't drop.
Lilly turned toward the door.
"Lilly," Rocky's voice followed her, heavier now. "This isn't necessary. We can—"
"I won't be going home," she cut him off.
Anna's gaze flickered faintly upward.
[Anna Feng: +2]
As Lilly crossed the suite, Rocky called after her once more, his voice growing distant behind her.
She didn't turn around.
The elevator doors slid shut with a soft hum, and as she descended, she glanced up to see the floating crimson letters over Rocky's name—
[-100 (Hatred – Locked)]
Anna Feng: +85 (Like)]
Lilly smirked faintly.
Let her enjoy it.
For now.