The tension from the morning hadn't faded.
It followed Chen Yuxi everywhere—through the office, through every glance, every step, every breath.
And worst of all…
Through him.
She was halfway down the hallway when her system suddenly reacted.
"Warning: Abnormal activity detected. Location—parking level B2."
Her steps slowed.
Parking level?
That area was supposed to be restricted today.
Her instincts kicked in immediately.
System, show visual feed.
A flicker.
Then static.
"Signal disrupted."
Yuxi frowned. Again?
Something wasn't right.
Behind her—
Lin Guo looked up from his office.
His expression changed instantly.
Cold. Sharp. Focused.
She's heading into danger.
He heard it.
The alert.
Her thoughts.
Everything.
Yuxi didn't hesitate.
She turned and headed toward the elevator.
Fast.
Determined.
If this is another setup, I'll end it myself.
B2 parking was quiet.
Too quiet.
The lights flickered slightly.
Her heels echoed softly against the concrete floor.
System, scan surroundings.
"Limited visibility. Possible threat detected."
Her pulse quickened—but she didn't stop.
"Come out," she said calmly.
Silence.
Then—
A figure stepped out from behind a pillar.
Followed by another.
And another.
Three men.
Not employees.
Not security.
Yuxi's eyes sharpened.
So this is her move.
Yue Xinyan had escalated.
"Miss Chen," one of them said, cracking his knuckles, "you've caused quite a bit of trouble."
Yuxi exhaled slowly.
System—
No response.
Her advantage… gone.
Upstairs—
Lin Guo was already moving.
Fast.
Faster than anyone had ever seen him.
His calm… gone.
Replaced with something darker.
Something dangerous.
Back in B2—
The first man lunged.
Yuxi dodged, barely.
Her breath hitched as her back hit a car door.
Think. Move. Don't freeze.
She kicked hard, catching him off guard—but the second one grabbed her wrist.
Pain shot up her arm.
Her heart slammed.
This is bad—
Then—
A voice.
Cold.
Deadly.
"Let her go."
Everything stopped.
Lin Guo stood at the entrance.
Eyes dark.
Expression unreadable.
But the air around him—
It changed.
Yuxi's breath caught.
He came…
One of the men scoffed. "And who are you supposed to be—"
He didn't finish.
Because Lin Guo moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
In one motion, he grabbed the man's arm and twisted—hard enough to drop him instantly.
The other two rushed him.
It didn't matter.
Every move he made was precise.
Controlled.
Efficient.
Like he already knew what they were going to do—
Before they did it.
Yuxi froze.
Watching.
Her mind racing.
That wasn't normal…
Within seconds—
It was over.
The men were down.
Silence returned.
Lin Guo turned to her.
And for the first time—
She saw it clearly.
Not calm.
Not controlled.
But anger.
Real anger.
He walked toward her slowly.
Each step heavy.
Measured.
Dangerous.
"You shouldn't have come down here," he said.
Low. Tight. Controlled.
Yuxi swallowed.
"I could handle it," she replied—but her voice was softer now.
Less certain.
Could I?
He stopped in front of her.
Too close again.
Always too close.
"You couldn't," he said bluntly.
Her chest tightened.
Why does he sound so sure…
His hand lifted—
Gripping her wrist.
Firm.
Warm.
Possessive.
"Do you know what would've happened," he continued quietly, "if I didn't come?"
Her heart pounded.
He sounds… angry. Not at them. At me.
Silence stretched.
Heavy.
Then—
Without thinking—
She whispered:
"How did you know I was here?"
The question hung between them.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
For a second—
Lin Guo didn't answer.
Didn't move.
Didn't look away.
Then—
His grip tightened slightly.
And he leaned closer.
"Because," he said softly,
"I always know what you're thinking."
Her breath stopped.
Her eyes widened.
Her heart—
Dropped.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Then—
He released her.
Stepped back.
Composed again.
As if nothing had happened.
"Let's go," he said calmly.
But Chen Yuxi didn't move.
Because for the first time—
The truth wasn't just a suspicion anymore.
He wasn't guessing.
He wasn't observing.
He knew.