Chapter 54

Chapter 54: Picking a Fight

“You were speeding, you ran red lights, and you ignored police instructions.” The officer’s tone turned even colder. “We’re impounding the car, and you’re coming with us. Hand over your license.”

Around them, quiet sounds rose—sharp inhales, faint chuckles.

No one was stupid. Anyone who could afford a supercar and show up at this gala wasn’t ordinary.

Was this officer trying to lose his job?

Young Master Si looked almost amused. He waved a hand. “No.”

Then, as if bored, he added, “Fine. I’ll go with you.”

No license? No one believed that. People like him often had licenses before they were even of age, let alone someone who looked well into his twenties.

In the end, the farce concluded with Young Master Si being escorted into a police car.

And as soon as someone recognized him, the news spread through Cloud City’s circle like wildfire.

“Did you hear? That one from the Si family caused trouble the moment he got back. They hauled him away right at the entrance.”

“With a young master like that, the Si family really—”

“Shh. Keep your voice down. You forgot that person is also from the Si family…”

“I heard he switched to a new girlfriend as soon as he returned. Someone saw a stunning woman get out of his car.”

“Really? Which family’s miss, or some entertainment celebrity?”

“Who knows. With his personality, what young lady would dare marry him?”

While gossip about Young Master Si spilled into the hall, Qiao Qing Yan ran into a small obstacle at the entrance.

“Sorry, Miss.” The attendant kept a courteous smile, but the line of his shoulders stiffened. “Your name isn’t written on the invitation, so we need to verify whether it’s real.”

Qiao Qing Yan glanced down at the gold invitation in her hand. It was identical to everyone else’s.

Only hers was blank where the invited person’s name should have been.

At first, she assumed it was simple caution. Then her gaze drifted past the attendant—to a cluster of people standing not far away.

“Luo Yu,” someone whispered, eyes bright with malicious curiosity, “could her invitation be real?”

The girl in the Lolita dress lifted her chin, proud as a little queen. “I already checked the invitation list. There’s no way they’d invite anyone from the entertainment industry. Especially her—it’s even more impossible.”

The women beside her stiffened, their expressions turning awkward.

“Luo Yu…”

Su Luo Yu smiled as if she were being generous. “You’re here because I invited you, so naturally you’re an exception. As for everyone else…”

She let the words hang for a heartbeat, savoring the attention.

“There’s absolutely no such good luck.”

They looked disappointed, but they seized the opportunity anyway, bending their pride into flattery.

“Luo Yu, thank you.”

“Yes, if it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t get to see a scene like this.”

They’d been in the industry long enough to know what people liked to hear. A few sweet words cost nothing—and tonight, maybe they’d gain something in return.

Meanwhile, as guests continued to enter, more and more eyes slid toward the beauty waiting quietly at the side.

Whether man or woman, they couldn’t help it. Cloud City had someone like this?

“What is going on here?” A steady, deep voice cut through the lobby noise. “Why is that woman being stopped?”