Can't let it go

The following morning began like any other, but Lu Xiao felt a heavy weight in her chest as she walked into the office. The rumors and Chen Wei's manipulations hung over her like a dark cloud, but she pushed the unease aside. She reminded herself of Lei Han's words the night before—his love, his confidence in her, and the strength they shared.

Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was brewing beneath the surface. The quiet hum of the office seemed too calm, too composed, like the silence before a storm.

By mid-morning, Clara hurried to her desk, her face pale and drawn.

"Lu Xiao," Clara said, lowering her voice, "you need to see this."

"What is it now?" Lu Xiao asked, her stomach sinking.

Clara handed her a tablet, and Lu Xiao's heart dropped as she read the headline splashed across the screen: "Exclusive: Scandal Deepens with New Evidence of Corporate Misconduct."

The article was filled with baseless accusations against Lei Han, suggesting corruption and insider trading. Worse, it dragged Lu Xiao into the narrative, painting her as a willing accomplice. The fabricated story alleged that she had been planted in the company to gather information and manipulate Lei Han.

Her hands trembled as she set the tablet down. "This… this is insane."

Clara nodded grimly. "Chen Wei is escalating. He's not just targeting you two personally—he's going after the company now."

Lu Xiao's mind raced. She couldn't let this continue, but she didn't know what to do. Just as she was trying to process the situation, her phone buzzed with a message from Lei Han.

Come to my office. Now.

---

When she entered Lei Han's office, she found him standing by the window, his posture rigid. He turned when he heard the door, and the anger in his eyes was unmistakable.

"Lu Xiao," he said, his voice low but sharp, "you've seen the article?"

She nodded, her throat tight. "Clara showed me."

Lei Han exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Chen Wei's moves are getting bolder. He's not just trying to discredit us—he's trying to destroy everything we've built."

"What can we do?" she asked, stepping closer.

"I've already contacted our legal team," he said. "We're filing a defamation lawsuit against the publication. But that's just the beginning. We need to expose Chen Wei for what he's doing."

Lu Xiao hesitated, then said, "What if he's counting on us to retaliate? What if this is part of his plan?"

Lei Han's eyes softened as he looked at her. "You're right. He's hoping to bait us into making a mistake. That's why we have to be careful."

She nodded, her resolve hardening. "Then let's be careful. But we can't let him win."

---

The rest of the day was a whirlwind of damage control. Lei Han and his team worked tirelessly to counter the rumors, issuing statements and gathering evidence to clear their names. Lu Xiao stayed by his side, offering support wherever she could.

As the hours dragged on, she couldn't help but admire Lei Han's composure. Despite the chaos around them, he remained calm and focused, his determination unwavering. It was in moments like these that she saw the true strength of the man she loved.

By the time evening rolled around, they were both exhausted. Lei Han insisted on driving her home again, and as they sat in the car, the weight of the day seemed to settle over them.

"You've been amazing today," he said, breaking the silence.

"So have you," she replied, offering him a small smile.

He reached over, taking her hand in his. "We'll get through this, Lu Xiao. Together."

Her chest tightened at his words, and she nodded. "I know. I believe in us."

---

That night, as she lay in bed, Lu Xiao reflected on everything that had happened. The road ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: she and Lei Han were in this fight together.

No matter what Chen Wei threw at them, no matter how dark the days became, they would stand by each other's side. Because their love wasn't just a fleeting emotion—it was a bond that nothing could break.

And with that thought, she drifted off to sleep, ready to face whatever came next.