The emergency board meeting the next morning was brutal.
Guàn Jǐngchén sat at the head of the long table like a king under siege. The board members' faces were grim, papers spread before them like evidence in a trial. Li Wei sat to the right, quiet but clearly satisfied with how things were unfolding.
"The audit results are concerning," the chairman said, sliding a thick report toward Guàn Jǐngchén. "While we haven't found definitive proof that Lin Yuè is Eclipse, the patterns are too similar to ignore. We strongly recommend you distance yourself publicly and temporarily suspend his access to sensitive systems until a full independent investigation is complete."
Guàn Jǐngchén's expression didn't change, but his hand tightened into a fist under the table.
"I have already made my position clear," he said, voice cold and authoritative. "Lin Yuè stays. The relationship stays. Any attempt to force this issue will be considered a direct challenge to my leadership."
Li Wei leaned forward. "With respect, CEO Guàn, your personal involvement has clouded your judgment. The company's reputation and security are at stake."
Guàn Jǐngchén's eyes sharpened like blades. "My judgment has built this company from nothing. If you doubt it, you're welcome to resign."
The meeting ended in tense silence. No decision was forced, but the threat lingered.
When Guàn Jǐngchén returned to the penthouse that evening, the air was thick with suppressed fury.
Lin Yuè was waiting in the living room, wearing one of his black silk shirts, the hem barely reaching mid-thigh. The moment Guàn Jǐngchén saw him, something snapped.
He crossed the room in three strides, grabbed Lin Yuè by the waist and slammed him against the nearest wall, kissing him with bruising force. The kiss was all teeth and anger, tongues clashing as Guàn Jǐngchén shoved the silk shirt up and off in one rough motion.
"You should have run when you had the chance," Guàn Jǐngchén growled against his mouth, biting his lower lip hard enough to draw a whimper. "The board wants your head on a platter, and I'm still protecting you."
Lin Yuè gasped as Guàn Jǐngchén's hand wrapped around his cock, stroking him roughly. "I don't want to run. I want to stay with you."
Guàn Jǐngchén spun him around, pressing his chest to the wall. He shoved Lin Yuè's legs apart and thrust two slick fingers inside without warning, stretching him open with impatient movements.
"Then take the consequences," he snarled.
He replaced his fingers with his cock in one brutal thrust. Lin Yuè cried out, forehead pressed to the cool glass. Guàn Jǐngchén fucked him hard and fast, hips snapping forward, one hand gripping his hip while the other tangled in his hair, yanking his head back.
"Every meeting today, they looked at me like I'm weak," Guàn Jǐngchén panted, thrusting deeper. "Because of you. Because I can't let you go even though you lied to my face for months."
Lin Yuè moaned brokenly, pushing back to meet every thrust. "I'm sorry… use me… punish me… I deserve it."
Guàn Jǐngchén's pace became punishing. The sound of skin slapping skin filled the penthouse. When Lin Yuè came with a sharp cry, spilling against the wall, Guàn Jǐngchén followed with a guttural groan, burying himself deep as he filled him.
They stayed pressed against the window for several minutes, breathing harshly.
Guàn Jǐngchén finally pulled out and turned Lin Yuè around. His eyes were still dark with conflict as he cupped the younger man's face.
"I told the board I would burn everything before I let them touch you," he said quietly, voice strained. "I don't know if that makes me a fool… or if it makes me yours."
Lin Yuè leaned into the touch, eyes glistening. "It makes you the man I fell in love with."
Guàn Jǐngchén stared at him for a long moment, then kissed him — slower this time, almost tender, though the anger still simmered beneath the surface.
They showered together in silence. Guàn Jǐngchén washed Lin Yuè with surprisingly gentle hands, tracing every mark he had left earlier. Afterward, they ate dinner on the couch, Lin Yuè sitting in Guàn Jǐngchén's lap, the CEO feeding him bites between soft, lingering kisses.
Later that night, as they lay in bed, Guàn Jǐngchén held Lin Yuè from behind, arm locked around his waist.
"The board is giving me one week," he said into the darkness. "One week to either distance myself publicly or face a vote of no confidence."
Lin Yuè's fingers tightened on the arm around him.
"What are you going to do?"
Guàn Jǐngchén pressed a kiss to the back of his neck.
"I don't know yet," he admitted. "But I'm not ready to let you go. Not even for them."
Lin Yuè closed his eyes, a single tear slipping down his cheek.
He had caused this mess.
And now the man he loved was willing to risk everything to keep him.
The question remained whether their fragile, painful love would survive the coming storm.
End of Chapter 58