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Liang Yexuan's hand was still on the doorknob.
His mind reeled with the sound of Lin Yue's voice echoing through the door. "Of course, CEO Xu. I'll bring it tomorrow."
His face turned cold, like a storm quietly building on the surface of a calm sea.
He had clearly misjudged her.
What a scheming woman.
Was this her plan all along?
She had refused his personal gratitude only to sneak into his company then now sell him out?
Was it because he hadn't paid her any attention?
Or because she'd realized she couldn't marry rich and now was clawing her way into wealth through underhanded means?
Behind him, Jin Shu and the driver exchanged glances.
The storm brewing on their Young Master's face was one they rarely saw but—one that usually preceded bloodshed.
He kicked the door open.
—
Inside the suite, Lin Yue had just given her reluctant agreement to Xu Mingze's proposition when the door suddenly burst open with a loud crash.
Startled, she jumped to her feet and spun around.
Her eyes met Liang Yexuan's.
Time froze.
For a moment, Lin Yue's heart stopped in her chest.
Why... why is he here?!
His face was a mask of chilling coldness, darker than anything she'd ever seen... from him.
Her throat dried up.
What did he hear? Did he hear everything?
Xu Mingze frowned, squinting at the new arrival. "Who barges into people's private rooms like this these days?" he asked sarcastically.
But when he realized who it was, his expression faltered.
"CEO Liang," he said, shifting uncomfortably. "What a surprise."
Liang Yexuan ignored him.
His sharp gaze was fixed on Lin Yue as she trembled.
Xu Mingze got angry as he felt his pride stepped on.
His Xu group wasn't worse than the Liang Congromerate.
Who was he ignoring?
He looked outside, calling out, "Assistant Liu!"
Silence.
Jin Shu and the driver entered behind Liang Yexuan like shadows of war.
Xu Mingze's eyes narrowed.
"What did you do to my men?"
Still ignoring him, Liang Yexuan turned to Lin Yue.
His voice was low, sharp, and cut through the air like a whip. "What are you doing here?"
Lin Yue froze. Her lips parted, but her voice wouldn't come out.
He looks... so angry.
Very angry.
"I—"
"She just came for a chat," Xu Mingze said coolly, then turned toward her with cold amusement. "Isn't that right, Miss Lin?"
Lin Yue nodded numbly. "Yes..."
"Follow me," Liang Yexuan ordered sharply.
She didn't hesitate.
Lin Yue grabbed her bag quickly and nearly stumbled after him, her legs barely obeying.
Jin Shu and the driver trailed behind them, giving Lin Yue side-eyes filled with disappointment and disdain.
—
In the elevator, the silence was deafening.
Liang Yexuan stood stiffly in front of her, his hands in his pockets, eyes staring straight ahead.
Jin Shu and the driver stood to the sides, both clearly trying to pretend they hadn't heard everything.
Lin Yue's heart beat wildly. Her lips parted.
"Mr. Liang…" Her voice was hesitant, soft.
He turned his head slightly. His glare was sharp.
The glance shut her up instantly, as she bit her lip as she looked at him standing tall his expression unreadable.
This silence… it was suffocating.
She hated it.
Her mind whirled. What do I say? Should I explain? What if he really heard everything and misunderstood.
She didn't want her Ah Yan to misunderstand her.
She couldn't betray him.
She'd not even helped him remember her, how could she betray him?
—
When the elevator reached the ground floor, he strode out.
She rushed after him, almost jogging to keep up.
"Mr. Liang—please, it's not what you think—"
He said nothing.
"Mr. Liang—please, it's a misunderstanding!" she pleaded, desperation leaking into her voice.
He didn't respond.
She felt her throat tighten. Was he going to fire her?
Would he really think she'd betray him like that?
When they reached the Rolls-Royce, the driver opened the door.
Liang Yexuan stepped in without a word.
Jin Shu sat in front. The driver hesitated.
Should he let her in?
Liang Yexuan's voice lashed out coldly, "What are you waiting for? Let her in."
Lin Yue gripped her bag tightly and got in.
The driver slipped inside and asked, "Young Master, where to?"
"To the company," Liang Yexuan said coldly.
Lin Yue stared at his side profile.
The car started.
Liang Yexuan pulled out his MacBook, typing furiously. His face was still stone.
Lin Yue twisted her fingers.
She glanced at him, then spoke softly this time, "Mr. Liang... please... I can explain."
He scoffed, still typing.
"What's there to explain?" he asked, finally turning to her with a sardonic smirk. "You promised Xu Mingze you'd take the sketch. To his company. What else could there be?"
"No, it's—"
"That's betrayal. I'll find another artist. You can go."
"No! It's not like that!" she insisted.
He ignored her and continued to type on the Mac book.
She said. "He's not someone who takes 'no' for an answer. I had to pretend to agree to buy time."
Liang Yexuan raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"I recorded everything," she said suddenly, reaching into her pocket and pulling out her phone.
'What?' Liang Yexuan paused typing. 'She recorded it?'
Lin Yue tapped the screen and played the audio.
Xu Mingze's voice came out clearly: "Tomorrow morning bring the sketch to my company..."
She pressed her phone again.
Then her own voice, sharp and wary came: "And if I say no?"
And again, Xu Mingze: "Then I'll make sure you regret it. I'm not one to lose what I want."
—
The car was quiet except for the recording.
Jin Shu glanced at the driver.
Their expressions said the same thing: She's clever. Very clever and smart.
Liang Yexuan's gaze rested on her for a long moment.
Was she... really telling the truth?
She looked up at him, sincere. "I would never betray the company. And I'd never betray you."
He didn't say anything immediately.
But inside—
Why did his heart twist like that?
Weird.
He didn't want to admit it, but he was… impressed.
His voice softened—just slightly. "What do you plan to do now?"
Lin Yue returned the phone to her pocket, a crease forming on her forehead. "I don't know yet. He won't give up. I don't even know how he found out I was Yue."
Her eyes met his. "Will you help me?"
Liang Yexuan's eyes met hers.
He stared into her eyes—so clear, so bright.
A flicker of something unfamiliar passed through him.
His voice was lower this time. "Then we don't let him win."
She blinked. "So you believe me?"
He paused, his expression unreadable again.
"…We'll handle it together."
Her eyes widened.
Did she hear right?
She smiled slowly, cheeky and mischievous. "So… Mr. Liang, are you going to join some fun?"
His lips twitched.
This woman… His lips threatened to curve. He quickly looked away.
"Tch."
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