The morning sunlight fell pale on Anya's face, highlighting the faint shadows under her eyes—the remnants of a sleepless night spent in anxiety. In her hands, she carried a beautiful bouquet of lilies and a dumpling lunch box, Huan Jing's favorite. She was not the type to give up easily.
At lunch, Anya approached Jing's desk and gently placed the bouquet down. "Jing… can we talk? I know what happened yesterday—"
Huan Jing lifted her head to look at Anya. The warmth in her eyes was gone, replaced by an icy glare. With a sudden motion, she grabbed the bouquet and threw it into the trash. The office fell into a stunned silence.
Mei Wei, standing nearby and adjusting her red lipstick, smiled wickedly. "Oh, Anya! Do you really think flowers can heal the wound you left on Jing's heart yesterday? Stop pretending."
Huan Jing rose to her feet, her voice echoing across the floor. "Take her away! Anya, looking at your face makes me sick. People think you're innocent and sweet, but only I know how far you can fall. What you call a victory is actually your greatest defeat!"
She deliberately avoided mentioning Zhen Yan's name, yet her words were sharp enough that her colleagues began whispering amongst themselves.
"See? They were such good friends, and now this?"
"Anya must have done something terrible. Look how hurt Jing looks."
Anya's eyes welled up with tears, but she did not let them fall. She struggled to maintain her dignity, while Mei Wei leaned close, whispering, "You're losing, Anya."
Just then, Kiyan, Anya's devoted protector and Jing's boyfriend, arrived. He saw Jing yelling at Anya.
"Jing! Stop! What is this spectacle?" he shouted.
Huan Jing, furious, snapped, "You're taking her side, Kiyan? Do you even know what she's done? This girl isn't what she seems! She's—"
Kiyan stepped forward and took Anya's hand firmly. "She's like my sister, Jing. And I trust her intentions completely. Don't let Mei Wei's words make you lose your judgment."
Jing's face flushed with rage. Leaning closer to Anya, she sneered with hatred, "These innocent-looking curls, the glasses… what truth are you hiding, Anya? This façade of innocence is just a mask."
Without another word, Kiyan led Anya away, knowing that arguing now would be like pouring fuel on a fire. Behind them, Mei Wei placed a hand on Jing's shoulder, her poisonous smile curling. "See, Jing? Even Kiyan has fallen for her. You're alone now."
As they turned the corner, Zhen Yan, the CEO, appeared. His mere presence seemed to lower the temperature in the office. His piercing gaze first fell on Mei Wei, then on Jing.
Anya released Kiyan's hand and looked at Zhen. His face was unreadable, but his fists were clenched.
Mei Wei stammered, "Mr. Yan… we were just… discussing office discipline."
Zhen ignored her and locked eyes with Huan Jing. His voice was cold as ice. "Huan Jing. My office. Now."
The entire office held its breath. Zhen turned, giving Anya a fleeting glance—warning and unspoken support reflected in his eyes. Jing trembled as she followed, while Mei Wei's confident expression faltered. She realized the game had slipped from her hands and into the control of the 'Emperor.'
Once inside, the heavy door shut, muffling the outside noise. Zhen did not sit behind his massive desk but instead turned to regard Huan Jing with a cold, dissecting gaze. Jing, who had appeared fierce moments ago, now quivered under the weight of his aura.
"What did you think would happen?" Zhen's voice was calm but deadly. "You think causing a spectacle in my office would let you get away with it?"
"I… Mr. Yan… Anya… she did something wrong. She's deceiving you… she's only after your—" Jing's voice wavered.
Slamming his hand on the desk, Zhen cut her off. "Silence! Anya is my wife. Contract or not, it is my right to protect her dignity. If you or Mei Wei speak another word about her, I will make sure not a single clerk in this city would give you employment."
"I can't believe you're blind! She doesn't love you!" Jing's voice trembled with emotion.
"I don't need her love," Zhen said firmly. "I only need her loyalty. Now leave—before I lose my patience."
Jing stumbled out, her face pale. She understood that confronting Zhen Yan was like digging her own grave.
Meanwhile, Kiyan had taken Anya to a quiet corner, trying to calm her down. Her eyes were still wet with tears.
"Anya, Jing has lost herself," Kiyan said gently. "She's under Mei Wei's influence. Don't blame yourself."
Sniffling, Anya whispered, "Kiyan… she was my best friend. Today, she proved me 'characterless' in front of everyone. And it's all because of this agreement."
"When Zhen finds out, he'll handle it. He cares about you," Kiyan reassured.
Anya's bitterness grew. "Cares? No, Kiyan. Zhen Yan is only protecting his 'property.' My feelings don't matter. If he hadn't forced me into this marriage, my friend would still be on my side, not against me."
Her resentment toward Zhen deepened. Even his intervention felt like an attempt to belittle her.
As Jing left her office, Mei Wei approached her. "See, Jing? Zhen Yan threatened you, right? Kiyan is on her side. You're all alone now."
"I won't let her have him. If she becomes Zhen's wife and is happy, I will take that happiness away," Jing muttered, blinded by anger and pain.
Meanwhile, Mei Wei, standing near Zhen Yan's office, straightened her dress with a victorious smile. She knew her plan had worked: the friendship between Anya and Jing had shattered, a friendship that had once been the office's example.
Stepping into the office, she feigned concern. "Zhen… I feel so sorry for Anya. Did you see what Jing did to her today? They were the office's perfect friends, and now… it's all over."
She inched closer to Zhen, her voice dripping with falseness, attempting to comfort him.
Before she could touch his shoulder, Zhen snatched his hand away with lightning speed. His eyes burned like icy fire.
"Stay away, Mei Wei! Have you forgotten who you're talking to? I am a married man. I will not allow any other woman to touch me except my wife—contract or not."
Mei Wei froze, never expecting Zhen to be so fiercely loyal to his 'contract wife.' He stepped closer to push her back, his hand gripping her wrist to keep her at bay.
At that moment, the office door opened. Anya, who had come to deliver coffee and greet him in the morning, froze. Her eyes widened as she saw Zhen holding Mei Wei's hand, standing uncomfortably close. Tears streaming down her face and without her glasses, she misinterpreted the scene as intimacy.
"Z-Zhen… I… I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was interrupting…" she stammered, her voice trembling.
Mei Wei, taking full advantage, added in a panicked tone, "Anya! You're misunderstanding… we were just… Zhen, you need to explain!"
Her words turned suspicion into certainty.
Anya's tears spilled over. She felt the last anchor in her world slip away. She had no idea that Zhen was trying to protect her.
"Please forgive me, sir… I… I should leave," she whispered.
She turned and ran from the office. Zhen wanted to call her back, to hold her close, but Mei Wei stood in the way. The rest of the office remained unaware that they were husband and wife, and Zhen, bound by his own sense of duty and to protect Anya, could not reveal the truth.
Mei Wei's face curled into a cunning smile. Her mission was complete.