Chapter 4....Lin Xiaoyu knew her life was officially over the moment she stepped out of the elevator.
People were staring.
Not the normal, curious kind.
The something-happened-and-you're-the-last-to-know kind.
Whispers floated through the lobby of Mingcheng Law Firm like invisible threads, tangling around her ankles as she walked.
"Is that her?"
"She doesn't look special…"
"But the surname Lin—could it really be her?"
Xiaoyu slowed her steps.
Her phone vibrated violently in her bag.
She pulled it out.
Her blood froze.
She tapped the link.
A blurry photo filled the screen.
A man in a black suit.
A woman beside him, head slightly lowered, hair tucked behind her ear.
The background was unmistakable.
The Civil Affairs Bureau.
Xiaoyu's legs went weak.
That woman—
Was her.
"Xiaoyu."
She flinched.
Her supervisor, Director Fang, stood a few steps away, face unreadable.
"Come to my office," he said.
No greeting.
No explanation.
Just judgment.
Inside the office, the door shut with a soft click that sounded far too final.
Director Fang tossed his tablet onto the desk and turned it toward her.
The headline stared back at her like an accusation.
Zhou Yanchen Marries in Secret — Identity of Wife Revealed?
"You want to explain?" he asked.
Xiaoyu opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
She'd rehearsed a hundred lies in her head, but none of them survived the weight of reality.
"I didn't plan this," she finally said.
Director Fang laughed—short, humorless.
"No one ever does."
He leaned back in his chair. "Do you understand the position you've put this firm in?"
Her fingers clenched.
"I followed every rule," she said quietly. "I never disclosed client information. I never used connections."
"That's not the point!" Director Fang snapped.
He stood up, pacing.
"Zhou Group is not just any client. It's a walking conflict of interest. You represent us, and now you're married to him?"
Xiaoyu felt heat rush to her face.
"It's… complicated."
Director Fang stopped and looked at her sharply.
"Then simplify it. Are you resigning, or are you transferring cases?"
The words hit like a slap.
Resigning.
Just like that.
Her chest tightened.
"I need time," she said.
"You have until the end of today," he replied coldly.
Outside, Xiaoyu leaned against the corridor wall, breathing hard.
Her phone buzzed again.
This time, a message from an unknown number.
[Stop pretending. We both know this was calculated.]
Her stomach dropped.
Before she could reply, another message came through.
[Enjoy the fame while it lasts, Mrs. Zhou.]
She deleted the messages with shaking hands.
This wasn't part of the contract.
That evening, she returned to the apartment later than usual.
The lights were on.
Zhou Yanchen sat on the sofa, jacket off, sleeves rolled up, phone in his hand.
"You saw the news," she said.
He looked up.
"Yes."
"That photo—did you leak it?"
"No."
She studied his face.
He looked… irritated.
Good. At least she wasn't alone in this mess.
"My office is in chaos," she said. "They want me to resign."
His eyes darkened slightly. "They won't."
She laughed bitterly. "You're very confident."
"I'll handle it."
"No," she said immediately. "This is my career. Don't interfere."
He stood.
The air shifted.
"Lin Xiaoyu," he said slowly, "this marriage affects more than just you."
She met his gaze stubbornly. "Then maybe you shouldn't have married me."
The silence stretched.
For the first time, anger cracked through his calm.
"You think I don't know that?" he said quietly.
She froze.
He took a step closer. "This scandal damages Zhou Group. My board is already asking questions."
Her heart skipped. "Then why—"
"Because backing out now would be worse."
Their faces were too close.
She could see the tension in his jaw, the restraint in his eyes.
"You're not disposable," he continued. "Not to me."
Her breath caught.
That was not in the agreement.
Before she could respond, the doorbell rang.
They both turned.
Zhou Yanchen frowned and opened the door.
A woman stood outside.
Elegant. Beautiful. Confident.
"Yanchen," she said softly. "It's been a long time."
Xiaoyu's heart sank.
The woman's gaze shifted to her.
And she smiled.
"So," she said, "this must be your wife."
Xiaoyu instinctively straightened.
This was not just another problem.
This was history.
And judging by the way Zhou Yanchen's expression stiffened,a dangerous one.