The morning sun rose too quickly for Qin Yue. She sat in the passenger seat of Han Jin's sleek black car, staring out the window as the city bustled awake. Her eyelids were heavy from lack of sleep, but her mind was worse—full of the chaos from the night before.
His words.
His arms around her.
His vow to protect her.
Her heart still raced remembering how tightly she had clung to him in fear. But every time warmth spread in her chest, she shoved it down.
I can't… I can't let myself fall.
When the car stopped in front of the company building, she quickly reached for the door. "Thank you for last night. I… I'll go in first."
Han Jin's gaze flicked toward her, sharp but unreadable. "Wait."
She froze, her hand on the door handle.
"You don't have to hide it, Qin Yue," he said calmly. "You were scared. Anyone would be. Don't carry it all by yourself."
Her lips parted, but no words came. His tone wasn't commanding this time—it was gentle, almost tender.
That frightened her even more.
Before she could respond, he leaned back in his seat, his cold mask slipping back into place. "Go. I'll join the meeting later."
Qin Yue nodded quickly, almost fleeing the car. Her cheeks burned as she rushed inside, avoiding the curious glances from employees at the entrance.
But she didn't realize that those glances weren't just curiosity. They were already laced with suspicion.
---
By mid-morning, whispers had spread like wildfire.
"Did you see? She came with President Han."
"Not only that—I heard he dropped her off right at the front."
"What's going on between them?"
Qin Yue sat at her desk, typing furiously, pretending not to hear. Her ears burned with every hushed conversation. She kept her head down, focusing only on her work.
But the whispers grew louder, bolder.
"She must be using him to climb up."
"Typical. A pretty face gets further than hard work."
"No wonder Lin Jia looked so furious today."
Qin Yue's fingers paused on the keyboard, trembling. No. I can't let this get to me.
But the murmurs pierced her heart anyway.
The sudden sharp clack of heels echoed across the office, silencing the chatter for a moment. Lin Jia.
She walked in elegantly, carrying a stack of files. Her smile was poised, but her eyes glittered with cruelty as they landed on Qin Yue.
"Oh, Miss Qin," she said sweetly, her voice carrying across the room. "How fortunate you are. Not many employees get the privilege of being escorted by President Han himself."
The office froze. All eyes turned to Qin Yue.
Qin Yue's throat tightened. "It's not like that—"
Lin Jia tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Oh? Then perhaps you can explain to everyone why President Han's car was seen outside your apartment last night? Surely… you wouldn't deny such a thing."
Gasps filled the air.
Qin Yue's heart plummeted. She saw?
Her hands curled into fists under the desk. "That's none of your business."
Lin Jia's smile widened. "Oh, but it is. When a junior staff member receives such… special treatment, it reflects on all of us. Don't you agree?"
The crowd of employees shifted uneasily, whispers starting again.
Qin Yue bit her lip hard. She wanted to shout the truth—that she had been in danger, that Han Jin had only been protecting her. But how could she explain that without inviting more mockery? No one would believe her.
Lin Jia leaned closer, her voice dropping but loud enough for everyone to hear. "Be careful, Qin Yue. Some of us earned our place here through merit, not… favors."
The jab cut deep, sharper than any blade.
Qin Yue stood abruptly, her chair scraping the floor. Her eyes burned, but she refused to cry. "I don't need to prove myself to you."
Lin Jia's smirk remained, but her eyes narrowed slightly, seeing the fire in Qin Yue's gaze.
"Let's see how long that confidence lasts," she murmured, walking away as the office erupted in whispers once more.
---
Later that afternoon, Qin Yue found herself summoned again—to Han Jin's office.
Her heart pounded as she stood before his desk, the heavy silence suffocating. He leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes fixed on her.
"You've been the center of attention today," he said coolly.
Qin Yue bit her lip. "It's not my fault. Lin Jia—"
"I know." His voice cut in, firm.
She blinked. "You… know?"
Han Jin's jaw tightened. "Lin Jia is overstepping. But you—" His gaze darkened. "Why didn't you say anything? Why did you let her humiliate you in front of everyone?"
Her hands clenched. "Because if I argued, it would only make things worse. People already think I'm here because of you. If I say you saved me last night, no one will believe me. They'll only think…" Her voice cracked. "…they'll only think I seduced you."
The room fell silent.
Han Jin's eyes softened slightly, but his expression remained cold. He rose from his chair, walking around the desk until he stood before her.
"You care too much about what they think," he said quietly.
She looked up at him, tears threatening. "And you don't care at all. But I'm not you, Han Jin. I don't have your power. I don't have your name. All I have is my pride. And I won't let anyone take that from me."
For a moment, he simply stared at her. Then, slowly, something unreadable flickered in his gaze.
His hand lifted, brushing away the tear that escaped down her cheek.
"You're stronger than you think," he murmured. "And I won't let them break you."
Qin Yue's breath caught.
But before she could respond, the office door opened abruptly. Lin Jia walked in, holding a file, her expression perfectly composed.
"President Han," she said smoothly, "the investors are waiting."
Her eyes flicked to Qin Yue, and the corner of her lips curled ever so slightly.
Han Jin's expression turned cold. "Get out."
Lin Jia blinked. "But—"
"Now." His voice was sharp, commanding.
For the first time, Lin Jia's mask cracked. She stiffened, bowed slightly, and left without another word.
The door shut with a soft thud.
Han Jin turned back to Qin Yue, his gaze still burning. "Stay by my side. No matter what happens, don't let go."
Her chest ached, torn between fear and something dangerously close to hope.
She lowered her head, whispering, "I'll try."
---
Meanwhile, outside the office, Lin Jia's nails dug into her palm, her face twisted with rage.
"Qin Yue," she hissed under her breath. "You think you've won? This is only the beginning."
And in the shadows of Han Corporation, whispers grew louder—rumors that threatened to drown Qin Yue before she could even learn how to swim.
---