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"Wait… what? Did she say the CEO's pen?"
"Seriously? Is it really the CEO's pen?"
"I've seen that pen. He uses it during meetings—always keeps it clipped to his inner coat pocket."
Gasps rippled through the room like wind rushing through dry leaves.
Every eye turned toward Lin Yue, who stood frozen, blinking in shock, her hand half-raised.
Song Ziyan's fingers were clamped tightly around the pen as if it were her trophy of war.
Her eyes burned with vicious triumph as she turned on Lin Yue like a predator.
"I asked you a question," she said, her voice sharp enough to slice air. "What are you doing with the CEO's pen?"
Lin Yue opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Her thoughts scrambled like startled birds in her mind.
Why didn't she return the pen earlier? Why did it have to fall out now?
Song Ziyan could barely contain her excitement. Her eyes gleamed with excitement.
Finally. This is it. This is the proof I've been looking for.
She had been watching Lin Yue for sometime, ever since she'd caught her sneaking glances at the CEO.
There was something about the way her eyes looked at him with longing, the way she subtly smiled—it wasn't just admiration.
She'd known then. Lin Yue liked CEO Liang.
But he had a fiancée. A prestigious one. Lin Yue was clearly dreaming far above her league and class.
Now, Song Ziyan had her.
She stepped forward, brandishing the pen like it was a blade of justice.
"I asked you a question, Lin Yue," she said again, her voice like cracked ice. "Can't you understand?"
Lin Yue's lips parted but no sound came out. Her expression screamed panic.
Song Ziyan drank it in with satisfaction. 'Yes, panic. Let them all see you for who you really are.'
Before Lin Yue could speak, Du Liyao jumped in.
"Wait a second. It's just a pen. Maybe it just looks like the CEO's."
Song Ziyan snapped her head toward her, annoyed. Why was Du Liyao always defending Lin Yue?
"Looks like it?" she sneered. "Do you think I wouldn't recognize it? I've seen that pen every single time he's used it. I know it's his."
Ma Zhen joined in, trying to ease the tension. "Still, it's a common pen, no?"
Song Ziyan smiled triumphantly. "Really? Then explain this."
She held up the pen so the initials caught the light: L.Y.X.
A dramatic hush fell over the office.
More whispers.
"Wait… could it really be the CEO's?"
"How did she get it?"
"Is she… seeing him?"
Song Ziyan felt victorious. There it is. The moment her little fantasy crumbles.
Lin Yue's heart slammed against her ribs.
What should she say? What could she say?
She hadn't expected this.
This troublemaker.
Song Ziyan smiled like a queen atop a throne of gossip. "So? Are you going to admit it, or should we just call HR?"
Du Liyao moved to stand in front of Lin Yue protectively. "That's enough, Ziyan. You're acting like she robbed the CEO's mansion."
"She's not saying anything," Ziyan snapped. "That means she's guilty."
"No," Ma Zhen chimed in, "it just means she's shocked. Wouldn't you be?"
Whispers swirled again.
Lin Yue's throat tightened. Her palms were sweaty.
Then, the elevator dinged.
Everyone turned.
Jin Shu stepped out, carrying a tablet in one hand.
He paused, frowning slightly when he noticed the tense atmosphere.
Why do they all look like they're about to pounce on someone? he thought.
Dozens of eyes turned back to Lin Yue, then to him.
Song Ziyan's face lit up. Perfect timing.
She was about to march up to Jin Shu when Lin Yue's instincts kicked in.
Her brain surged with adrenaline and one word screamed inside her: run.
In a flash, she grabbed the pen from Song Ziyan's hand, leaving the girl stunned.
"Assistant Jin!" she called sweetly, holding up the pen. "I found the CEO's pen downstairs!"
Song Ziyan's mouth fell open. What?! Found it?
She froze, watching in horror as Jin Shu—clearly caught off guard—paused.
Jin Shu blinked.
Lin Yue handed him the pen like a sweet little assistant returning lost property, though her heart was thundering.
He looked at her. Downstairs? This was the pen Young Master had handed her this morning. So why…?
She blinked at him once.
Then twice.
Jin Shu's mind clicked. Ah. She didn't want anyone to know.
He smiled professionally. "Thank you, Miss Lin. The CEO will be relieved. He's very particular about his pens."
Lin Yue gave a small nod, her smile unwavering.
Around them, the air shifted again.
"Wait… so she found it?"
"Downstairs…? That makes sense."
"Ziyan caused such a scene for nothing?"
"She's always starting drama with Lin Yue."
Song Ziyan's jaw clenched. She could feel her moment slipping. Her humiliation rising.
Jin Shu suddenly said. "Also, the CEO would like to see you."
Song Ziyan's heart leaped.
Me? she thought.
But then Jin Shu turned to Lin Yue. "Miss Lin."
Her world froze.
Her? Again?
Lin Yue blinked but quickly recovered. "Okay. I'll come right away."
She fell into step beside Jin Shu, and together, they entered the elevator.
—
Left behind, the others turned to look at Song Ziyan.
"Honestly," someone whispered, "she's always so mean to Lin Yue."
"Right? Lin Yue's so nice. Why pick on her?"
"She didn't even do anything wrong."
"Ziyan, you need to chill," Ma Zhen said with a frown. "You're obsessed."
Du Liyao nodded. "It's weird at this point."
"She's jealous, obviously," said another colleague.
'Jealous?' Song Ziyan's hands curled into fists. 'Why should I be jealous of someone like Lin Yue? I just didn't like her.'
Her ears burned. Her hands clenched harder at her sides, nails digging into her palms but she didn't feel any pain.
'No way.' Her heart stopped. 'No way he just bought that.'
She had watched Lin Yue.
That blinking…
Wait.
Had she misjudged something?
Did Lin Yue like Jin Shu?
No… not at the CEO.
Every time she thought Lin Yue was looking at the CEO, Jin Shu was with him. And now this?
Then the blinking… the fake excuse… Jin Shu playing along so smoothly?
Song Ziyan's mind spiraled. Could it be… she likes Jin Shu?
Not the CEO?
Have I been wrong this whole time?
She turned back to her desk stiffly, but her mind was racing.
'If she doesn't like the CEO… if it's Jin Shu instead…' She clenched her jaw.' Did I misunderstand?'
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