The client meeting room was pristine, filled with polished executives and critical eyes. Chen Yuxi stood at the front, her presentation ready, pulse steady but nerves alive. Yue Xinyan lingered at the back, a smile that didn't reach her eyes, clearly planning mischief.
"You're confident today," Lin Guo whispered, leaning close enough that his presence brushed her shoulder. His dark eyes swept the room, alert, protective, warning anyone who dared cross her.
Yuxi nodded, taking a deep breath. "I've got this."
As she spoke, Yue Xinyan tried to sabotage her subtly, flipping a file and whispering pointed comments toward the clients. A few heads turned; a murmur rippled through the room.
Lin Guo's gaze snapped toward her instantly. He didn't move forward, didn't speak—yet the sheer intensity of his stare made Yue Xinyan falter, her calculated smile trembling.
"Chen Yuxi's presentation is thorough and precise," he said suddenly, voice calm but commanding. Every word carried weight. "I assure you, she's more than capable."
The clients leaned in, impressed. Yue Xinyan's sabotage was exposed, leaving her exposed and flustered in front of the very people she hoped to manipulate.
After the meeting, in the hallway, Yuxi whispered, "She… she tried to ruin everything."
Lin Guo's hand brushed hers lightly, possessive. "Not on my watch," he murmured. "No one humiliates you, not here, not anywhere."
The spark between them lingered, flirty and electric, even amid professional chaos. The office had eyes, the clients had seen, but none dared challenge them—not when Lin Guo's protective presence was a silent warning.
Later that day, Yue Xinyan was formally confronted by security and police after evidence of her repeated schemes surfaced. Her arrest was swift, leaving Chen Yuxi feeling a mix of relief and vindication.
Lin Guo caught her gaze, thumb brushing over her hand. "See? I told you—no one touches what's mine."
Yuxi's cheeks warmed, heart racing. "I… I know."
And just like that, even amidst office intrigue and schemes, one truth remained: with Lin Guo, she was untouchable, flustered, and completely claimed.