The morning air in Guotech was electric, tense. Chen Yuxi walked into the office, heels clicking on the polished floor, trying to steady her nerves. Yue Xinyan was already there, leaning casually against a desk, a smirk on her face that spelled trouble.
"Ah, Yuxi," Yue Xinyan drawled, loud enough for nearby colleagues to hear. "I hope you didn't think your little 'night out' would change anything here."
Chen Yuxi straightened, taking a deep breath. Stay calm. Don't react. She could feel Lin Guo's presence behind her—subtle, possessive, protective. He hadn't even touched her yet, but the electricity radiating from him was enough to make Yue Xinyan hesitate.
"Is there a problem, Xinyan?" Lin Guo's voice cut through the office, low and dangerous. His dark eyes swept the room, warning anyone who dared to interfere.
Yue Xinyan faltered, the smirk twitching as she realized the office hierarchy wasn't on her side today. "I… I was just—"
"You were just trying to humiliate someone," Lin Guo interrupted, voice calm but deadly. "Careful. This isn't a game you can win."
Chen Yuxi felt a surge of confidence. Tipsy last night, flustered, vulnerable—but here, awake and focused, she was untouchable. She met Yue Xinyan's gaze, cool and unwavering.
"Everything's in order," she said softly, but firmly. "And I suggest you focus on your own tasks."
Yue Xinyan's jaw tightened, her plan unraveling. Nearby colleagues exchanged glances, impressed by Yuxi's poise under pressure—and subtly aware of Lin Guo's shadow behind her, guarding her every move.
Later, in a private meeting room, Lin Guo closed the door and let the tension drop just slightly. "You handled that well," he murmured, hand brushing lightly over hers, possessive yet gentle.
"I… didn't want to cause a scene," Chen Yuxi whispered.
"You didn't," he replied, thumb brushing her knuckles. "I'll take care of the scene for you. Always."
Her pulse raced. Even in the office, surrounded by work and rivals, the intensity between them was undeniable—flirty, possessive, dangerous.
And for the first time, Chen Yuxi realized: with Lin Guo, she didn't have to fight alone. And maybe… she didn't want to.