Can't let it go

The morning air felt heavy as Lu Xiao stepped into the office. Despite her composed demeanor, the events of the previous night lingered in her mind. The shadowy figure, the feeling of being watched—it all left her uneasy.

Lei Han's security team had already stationed guards near her building, but she couldn't help but feel exposed. Chen Wei was clearly escalating, and she knew that meant things were going to get worse before they got better.

As she settled at her desk, Clara approached, her face pale.

"Lu Xiao," Clara whispered, glancing around to ensure no one was listening, "have you seen this?"

She slid a tablet across the desk, the screen displaying an article from a gossip website. The headline read: "Cruz Corporation Scandal: CEO Lei Han and His Assistant Lu Xiao Linked Romantically?"

Lu Xiao's heart sank. The article featured a blurry photo of her leaving Lei Han's apartment building late one evening. The accompanying text spun a salacious narrative about their supposed relationship, hinting that it was inappropriate and could jeopardize the company's reputation.

Her hands trembled as she handed the tablet back to Clara. "This is Chen Wei's doing," she said through gritted teeth.

Clara nodded. "I thought the same. He's using the media to create chaos."

Lu Xiao straightened her shoulders, forcing herself to stay calm. "Let them talk. I won't let this get to me."

---

By midday, Lei Han called her into his office. His face was a mask of calm, but she could see the tension in his eyes.

"Close the door," he said softly.

She obeyed, taking a seat across from him. "I saw the article," she said before he could speak.

"I figured you would," he replied, leaning back in his chair. "I've already instructed the legal team to handle it. But this is just the beginning. Chen Wei won't stop until he feels he's broken us."

Lu Xiao's hands clenched in her lap. "Then we won't let him win. Lei, I'm not afraid of what people think. What matters is the truth—and us."

A faint smile tugged at his lips. "You're braver than most people I know, Lu Xiao."

She returned his smile, though her heart ached for him. "We'll get through this together. I won't let him tear us apart."

---

The rest of the day passed in a haze of whispered conversations and stolen glances. Lu Xiao kept her head down, focusing on her work despite the storm swirling around her.

When the workday ended, Lei Han insisted on driving her home. As they sat in the car, the city lights passing by, he reached for her hand.

"I hate that you're caught in the middle of this," he said quietly.

"I'm here because I want to be," she replied. "You're worth it, Lei."

His grip on her hand tightened, and for a moment, they sat in silence, the weight of their emotions hanging between them.

---

Later that night, as Lu Xiao prepared for bed, her phone buzzed with a message from Lei Han.

I'll always protect you, no matter what it takes.

Her heart swelled at his words. Despite everything, she knew their bond was unbreakable. Chen Wei might have cast a long shadow, but their love was a light that no amount of darkness could extinguish.

As she drifted to sleep, Lu Xiao reminded herself of the promise they had made to each other: to face every challenge together.

And she intended to keep it.