Chapter 750

Naomi studied herself once more in the tall black-framed mirror standing in the corner of the room.

For what had to be the fifth time that night.

Her fingers moved slowly, smoothing the sleeve of her dress even though it had already looked perfect long ago. Yet the longer she stared at her own reflection, the harder it became to believe the woman in the mirror was really

her.

“Do I look strange?”

Naomi’s voice came out much quieter than usual.

From the sofa near the window, Lydia let out a long, dramatic sigh and closed the small notebook resting in her hand. “If you ask that one more time,” she said as she rose to her feet, “I’m genuinely going to get angry.”

Naomi immediately turned toward her, visibly nervous. “So I really do look strange?”

Lydia walked closer, her eyes sweeping over Naomi from head to toe for several long seconds. She took her time examining every detail of the girl’s appearance tonight.

And honestly…

Naomi looked breathtaking.

The modern oriental dress she wore blended the traditional elegance of the Chen family with a refined contemporary touch. Deep black silk wrapped gracefully around Naomi’s figure, while intricate silver dragon embroidery curled from her waist to the long sleeves like living artwork.

The modern cheongsam hugged the lines of her body without looking excessive. Its high collar was adorned with delicate silver details that shimmered softly beneath the light, while the long skirt flowed elegantly to her ankles with a subtle slit along the left side, allowing Naomi to move with ease.

Her long hair was styled half-up, secured with an antique jade hairpin carved in the shape of a plum blossom.

A few loose strands framed her face intentionally, softening her features. Her makeup was light and understated, enhancing the natural beauty of her face rather than covering it. Simple, but somehow it made Naomi’s eyes seem far more alive tonight.

Lydia smiled faintly. “You look beautiful.”

Naomi immediately let out a shy huff. “That’s not a compliment.”

“It is a compliment.” Lydia stopped directly behind her, looking at their reflections in the mirror together.

And for a brief moment, Lydia truly realized just how much Naomi had changed compared to the first day she arrived at their mansion. Back then, Naomi had come trembling, her eyes filled with fear, wary of everyone

around her.

But tonight…

Even though she was still nervous, Naomi carried herself differently now. Calmer. More composed. Able to keep her anxiety under control. As though the blood of the Chen family that had long slept inside her was finally beginning to awaken again.

A soft knock echoed from the bedroom door a few moments later.

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Daniel entered after receiving permission. As always, he looked impeccably put together in a neat black suit, his expression flat and unreadable as though emotions rarely touched him.

But the moment his eyes landed on Naomi standing before the mirror, his steps paused for the briefest second.

And Lydia noticed immediately.

“Oh?” Lydia teased lightly. “So Daniel can look surprised after all.”

Daniel immediately cleared his throat under his breath.

Naomi narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “What?”

“Nothing, Miss.”

“That was definitely not a ‘nothing’ expression.”

For the first time that night, Daniel actually seemed to struggle to maintain his usual impassive face.

“Miss Naomi…” He lowered his head slightly before continuing in his signature formal tone. “You truly look very beautiful tonight.”

Naomi froze for a second.

A faint blush slowly spread across her cheeks, and Lydia couldn’t help letting out a soft laugh at the reaction.

“Remarkable,” Lydia declared dramatically. “I finally got to hear Daniel compliment someone.”

Daniel looked like he wanted to defend himself, but in the end, he chose silence instead. “The car is ready,” he said quickly, changing the subject. “Master Cale is already waiting downstairs.”

The atmosphere shifted almost instantly after those words.

The nervousness Naomi had briefly managed to suppress came rushing back into her chest.

Tonight had finally arrived.

That meeting.

The gathering that would determine how Hong Kong’s underworld viewed her from this night forward.

The Chen family’s luxury restaurant stood proudly in the center of Hong Kong’s business district, wrapped in an elegant palette of black, gold, and deep crimson. From the outside, it looked no different from an exclusive fine- dining establishment where wealthy businessmen gathered for expensive dinners.