The morning light spilled through the tall glass windows of Han Corporation, casting sharp beams across the polished floors. The usual hum of chatter was missing today, replaced by tension that clung to the air like a storm waiting to break.
Whispers floated around Qin Yue as she walked through the corridors, clutching the finalized report she had rebuilt from scratch. Her body still ached from working overnight, but her spirit was steadier than it had ever been. She had survived the trap.
Or so she thought.
"Have you heard? The President is furious."
"They say the deal almost collapsed because of Qin Yue's report."
"No way she survives this. Not with Lin Jia around."
The voices stabbed into her like needles, but Qin Yue kept her chin up. They don't know the truth, she told herself. Han Jin knows. That's enough.
Yet when she entered the conference room, her heart froze.
Executives sat around the long oval table, stiff and anxious. At the head, Han Jin exuded his usual cold authority, flipping through the pages of her corrected report. Beside him, Lin Jia stood like a flawless statue, holding her own set of files.
The scene was clear. This wasn't just a meeting—it was a trial.
"President Han," one executive spoke carefully, "with all due respect, we cannot allow repeated mistakes like this. Miss Qin is inexperienced, and her errors nearly jeopardized a critical deal."
Another chimed in, "Yes, President. Though she worked hard to redo the report, such incompetence reflects poorly on the company."
Qin Yue's fingers tightened around her folder. Each word felt like a hammer slamming into her chest.
Lin Jia's lips curved into a smile, as though savoring the moment. "Han, no one doubts your decision to hire her. But sometimes… we need to acknowledge when someone simply isn't capable. For the sake of the company, perhaps Qin Yue should step down."
Her voice was honeyed, but her eyes glittered with cruelty.
Qin Yue's throat burned. She wanted to scream, to defend herself, but the weight of so many accusing gazes pressed her down.
Was this it? Was all her effort going to crumble here?
Silence. Han Jin had yet to speak. His fingers tapped lightly against the report—a sound so soft, yet everyone in the room flinched at it.
Finally, he set the papers down.
"Enough."
His voice cut through the air, cold and sharp.
The executives went quiet instantly.
Han Jin's gaze swept across the room, freezing each person in place before landing on Qin Yue. She stiffened under it, unsure if it would be her execution or her salvation.
"This report," he said, holding it up, "is flawless. Completed in one night after someone deliberately tampered with the original. Tell me—" His voice lowered, dangerous. "—which of you could have achieved the same?"
The room fell into silence. No one answered.
Han Jin's eyes darkened. "Qin Yue is not incompetent. She is resourceful, determined, and stronger than most of you sitting here."
Qin Yue's breath caught. Did he just… defend her?
Lin Jia stepped forward quickly, her smile faltering. "Han, no one questions her effort. But surely you can't ignore—"
"Lin Jia."
Her name on his lips was like a blade. She froze.
"I don't recall asking for your opinion." His tone was icy, final.
The shock in the room was palpable. No one had ever seen Han Jin dismiss Lin Jia so bluntly before.
He turned back to the executives. "If any of you dare spread false accusations about Qin Yue again, consider your positions vacant. I won't tolerate incompetence disguised as gossip."
Gasps rippled around the table. Several executives lowered their heads immediately, mumbling apologies.
Qin Yue's heart pounded so hard she could barely breathe. Was this really happening?
Han Jin closed the report, his eyes locking with hers. "From this day forward, Qin Yue is under my direct supervision. If anyone has an issue with her, they answer to me."
The declaration hit like thunder. No one dared speak against it.
Qin Yue's lips parted in shock, her cheeks flushing hot. Publicly, in front of everyone, he had chosen her.
Lin Jia's nails dug into her palm, her face pale despite the smile she forced. The humiliation was sharp—she, who had once stood proudly beside Han Jin, was now cast aside like nothing.
The meeting adjourned quickly after that. One by one, the executives filed out, bowing their heads. Lin Jia was the last to leave, her heels clicking sharply, each step like a silent promise of vengeance.
When the room finally emptied, only Han Jin and Qin Yue remained.
She stood frozen, unsure what to say. Her heart was still racing from his words.
Han Jin rose from his chair, walking slowly toward her. His presence was overwhelming, like a storm pressing against her chest.
"You look surprised," he said, his tone unreadable.
"I… I didn't expect you to…" Qin Yue's voice faltered. She bit her lip. "Why did you defend me?"
He stopped in front of her, so close she could feel the heat of him. His gaze pierced into her soul.
"Because you're mine."
Her breath caught, her eyes widening.
He leaned closer, his words like chains wrapping around her. "Everything you do, every step you take… reflects on me. Do you think I would allow anyone to mock what's mine?"
Qin Yue's cheeks burned. Anger and something else—something frighteningly tender—rose in her chest.
"I'm not yours," she whispered, though her voice trembled. "I'm just an employee. Bound by a contract."
Han Jin's eyes darkened, a flicker of something raw breaking through his usual coldness. He leaned even closer, until his lips hovered near her ear.
"You'll learn, Qin Yue," he murmured. "Contracts may bind your body… but your heart? That already belongs to me."
Her pulse thundered so hard she thought she might collapse. She stumbled back, needing space, needing air.
Han Jin let her go, but his gaze lingered on her, burning, unyielding.
As she fled the conference room, her heart in turmoil, one truth echoed inside her mind.
She wasn't just an assistant anymore. Not to him.
And that terrified her more than anything.
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