After the meeting ended, Mr. Wang introduced Ruan Jian.
Ruan adjusted his coat and stood confidently in front of everyone. The girls in the office immediately began whispering among themselves.
Employee 1: "Oh my God! After President Zain and President Qian, he's the most handsome man so far."
Employee 2: "Look at his style… he's exactly like a Korean drama hero. Compared to President Zain's temper, his calm aura is so different!"
Ruan greeted everyone with a faint smile, but his eyes were constantly searching for Aanya.
Aanya, who had been smiling until now, turned into a statue of stone.
The man standing before her was none other than her ex-boyfriend—Ruan Jian (RJ).
Shock and countless questions filled Aanya's eyes.
Ruan Jian—the man who had left her years ago without a word—was now standing before her dressed like a wealthy businessman.
The same familiar smile curved on Ruan's lips… the smile that had once lit up Aanya's entire world.
Ruan Jian (in a low, deep voice): "Aanya…"
Aanya's heart pounded violently. She wanted to ask him why he left. Why he abandoned her.
But then reality struck her—she was now Zain Yan's wife.
Her love now belonged to Zain, no matter how possessive he might be.
Aanya composed herself and turned away, deliberately ignoring Ruan.
Panicking, she turned back and hurried away without looking. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears. But her foot got caught in a cable, and she began to fall backward.
She crashed straight into a broad, solid chest.
"Oh…!" Aanya lost her balance and was about to fall.
At that exact moment, two hands caught her—
but with two completely different intentions.
From one side, Ruan Jian swiftly grabbed Aanya's wrist tightly.
"Careful, Aanya. I told you… you won't be able to stay away from me."
But on the other side—the person she had collided with—
was none other than Zain Yan.
With lightning speed, Zain wrapped his arm around Aanya's waist and pulled her firmly against his chest.
The entire office seemed to freeze.
Even the sound of falling files stopped.
On one side was Zain—who had come down from the 50th floor—holding Aanya firmly by the waist to stop her from falling.
On the other side, Ruan Jian still had a tight grip on her hand.
The entire office went still.
A terrifying rage burned in Zain's eyes. He looked at Ruan as if he might kill him on the spot.
Challenge gleamed in Ruan Jian's eyes. He did not release Aanya's hand.
Caught between them, Aanya's breathing turned rapid. One hand was pressed against Zain's chest, while the other remained trapped in Ruan's grip.
All the employees were rooted to their spots. They had never seen Zain Yan this close to any female employee.
Employee 1 (whispering): "What is happening? President Ruan is holding her hand and President Zain…?"
Employee 2: "Everyone knows President Zain is married, but no one has ever seen Mrs. Yan. Could this girl be…?"
Employee 3: "No way. She's just an ordinary employee. President Zain is probably just stopping her from falling."
Trapped in the middle, Aanya's breathing hitched.
Zain's grip on her waist was so firm and possessive that she could clearly sense his anger. His icy eyes were locked onto Ruan Jian, who still held Aanya's wrist.
Zain (in an extremely cold, dangerous voice):
"Mr. Ruan… you're new to my company, so perhaps you've forgotten basic manners. Holding a female employee's hand like this falls under harassment. Let go."
A devilish smile appeared on Ruan Jian's face.
He did not release her hand. Instead, his grip on Aanya's wrist tightened.
Ruan Jian:
"Mr. Yan, I was only stopping her from falling. After all, Aanya and I share a very old relationship… don't we, Aanya?"
The tension in the air was so thick it could be felt.
Zain's hold on Aanya's waist tightened further, as if silently declaring to the world that she belonged to him.
Meanwhile, the same old sparkle burned in Ruan Jian's eyes—the one that had once made Aanya crazy for him.
The moment Ruan mentioned their "old relationship," hazy layers of the past began unfolding before Aanya's eyes…
Flashback: Two Years Ago (College Campus)
Golden sunlight filtered through the cherry blossom trees.
Aanya and Ruan Jian were sitting on a wooden bench in the college garden. As usual, Aanya was engrossed in watching a Korean drama on her phone, while Ruan simply stared at her.
Gently, Ruan removed her earphone and looked into her eyes.
"Aanya, how long will you keep chasing these drama heroes? Don't you want a real 'oppa' in your life?"
Aanya looked at him shyly.
Ruan dropped to one knee and took out a small ring.
"I love you, my crazy K-Drama lover! Will you make this drama king the lead actor of your life?"
Aanya was overwhelmed with happiness.
Laughing, she said,
"I love you too! But on one condition—you'll have to learn Korean cooking for me."
Both of them laughed and, holding hands, started walking toward the building.
But suddenly, Aanya felt someone watching them.
She turned back.
At a distance near a tree stood a man in a black coat, cap, and mask.
His tall frame and ominous presence sent chills down Aanya's spine.
"What happened?" Ruan asked.
"Someone is watching us…" Aanya whispered.
But when she looked again, the shadow had disappeared.
Aanya dismissed it as her imagination…
—but she didn't know that shadow was about to change her destiny.
Present: Yan Corporation
Aanya snapped out of the whirlpool of memories when she felt like she couldn't breathe.
On one side was Zain's authority.
On the other was Ruan's claim.
"Let me go! Both of you let me go… I can't breathe!" Aanya's voice trembled with panic and pain.
Just then, Huan Jing came running over. She had already sensed the severity of the situation. She knew that if Zain lost control, bloodshed could follow.
Huan Jing (shouting loudly):
"Aanya! What are you doing here? That file! Mr. Wang needs that urgent report and you're standing here? Come quickly with me!"
Showing courage, Huan Jing grabbed the hand of Aanya that was trapped in Ruan's grip.
With a sharp tug, she forced Ruan to loosen his hold and pulled Aanya out of Zain's arms.
Huan Jing (looking at both men):
"Sorry, sir, but the work is urgent. Aanya, hurry!"
Without looking back, Aanya quickly left with Huan Jing.
But she could feel the burning weight of two pairs of eyes on her back—
One that wanted to burn her to ashes (Zain),
and one that wanted to reclaim her (Ruan).
As soon as Huan Jing disappeared with Aanya, the temperature of the entire office seemed to drop below zero.
The calm on Zain Yan's face was the warning sign of an approaching storm.
Ruan Jian adjusted his wristwatch and said with a crooked smile,
"Mr. Yan, aren't you being a bit too protective about your employee? After all… she's just an ordinary staff member."
Zain Yan's eyes burned like cold fire.
He stepped forward, his voice so low only Ruan could hear:
"She might be 'ordinary' to you, Mr. Ruan… but what she is to me is none of your concern. Don't try to cross my boundary again."
Before Ruan could respond—
Zain suddenly slammed his hand with full force onto the nearby glass table.
BANG!
The entire floor shook.
Without looking back, Zain strode toward his private elevator and headed to his 50th-floor office.
As he left, the last look he gave Ruan was a deadly warning.