The table trembled as Song Qi Nian's hasty movement sent water splashing from her cup.
Cheeks draining of color, she scrambled to mop up the spill with a tissue, her mind racing with worry. Had she just sabotaged Shen Chi Yan's important meeting?
"Oh, it's just a bit of water," Director Liang said, reaching out to grasp her hand. The unexpected touch sent a jolt of discomfort through Song Qi Nian. Just as she instinctively tried to pull away, Shen Chi Yan's cutting voice sliced through the tension: "My assistant can be quite clumsy. How embarrassing."
She met Shen Chi Yan's gaze—lazy and seemingly disinterested, yet his eyes were sharp as ice. Something inside her wilted, and she found herself frozen, allowing Director Liang to continue holding her hand.
Shen Chi Yan watched, his dark eyes growing colder with each moment Director Liang lingered, touching her skin under the guise of helping.
The meeting continued as if nothing had happened, conversations flowing around the unspoken undercurrent of tension.
But Song Qi Nian knew something was wrong. Director Liang's hand kept finding excuses to brush against her, his movements growing bolder with each passing minute.
She tried to shift away, to create distance, but he only pressed closer. Desperate, she looked to Shen Chi Yan—her boss, her only potential lifeline in this uncomfortable situation. But he remained silent, his fingers tapping an irregular rhythm on the table—a telltale sign of his rising irritation.
The other participants chatted animatedly, oblivious to her growing distress. Song Qi Nian felt trapped, afraid to move too much and disrupt the negotiations, yet equally terrified of Director Liang's wandering hands.
Then, with calculated casualness, Director Liang draped his arm across her shoulders. "Director Shen," he said, a predatory smile playing on his lips, "I'm quite fascinated by sign language. Perhaps your secretary could give me some lessons?"
Song Qi Nian's eyes darted to Shen Chi Yan. Though she might not fully understand the intricate dance of business politics, she recognized the clear threat in Director Liang's words.
She was Shen Chi Yan's wife, after all. Surely he wouldn't just hand her over to Director Liang, would he?
Shen Chi Yan's face remained blank, his expression unreadable. Song Qi Nian's heart raced, her eyes pleading silently for help. When Shen Chi Yan finally spoke, his words cut like ice. "Of course, Director Liang, feel free."
In that moment, Song Qi Nian felt her heart shatter.
She had known Shen Chi Yan hated her, but this—casually offering her up like this—was beyond anything she could have imagined. Was this truly how someone treated a person they didn't love?
Song Qi Nian struggled against Director Liang's grip, desperate to escape. Suddenly, Shen Chi Yan stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Secretary Song," he said, his voice deceptively gentle, "Director Liang rarely shows interest in sign language. Don't disappoint him."
Then, leaning close, he whispered words meant only for her. His tone was cold, ruthless: "You want your father to get medical parole, right? Serve Director Liang well, and I'll agree."
Song Qi Nian froze. Staring at Shen Chi Yan's cruel face, she felt like she couldn't breathe. Her fists clenched tight, her eyes burning with unshed tears. But what choice did she have?
Her father was gravely ill. He needed medical parole.
And if she defied Shen Chi Yan now, refused Director Liang, the consequences would be unbearable.
Reluctantly, she loosened her fists.
Director Liang's triumphant laughter echoed through the room as he led her away, his arm possessively around her. To Song Qi Nian, it sounded like the laugh of a predator.
Shen Chi Yan watched them leave, his eyes dark and unreadable.
Inside the room, Director Liang wasted no time. He pushed Song Qi Nian onto the bed, moving like a man possessed. She lay there, feeling like a lifeless doll, unable to resist.
As he tore at her clothes, his eyes fell on the numerous kiss marks covering her body. A wild, cruel laugh burst from his throat.
"I knew it," he said. "How could Shen Chi Yan resist such a prize?"
Song Qi Nian suddenly snapped to her senses at the mention of Shen Chi Yan's name, fighting desperately.
No!
Even if Shen Chi Yan didn't love her, she wouldn't let anyone touch her!
"Oh?" Director Liang sneered. "Just moments ago you seemed ready to comply, and now you're playing the innocent?"
She pushed against him with all her might, but he was massive—towering over her, overwhelmingly strong. Her attempts were futile.
"Still thinking about Shen Chi Yan?" he mocked. "Can't you see he's already handed you over to me? Haha, what a clever trick, giving me a mute assistant!"
Silently, she screamed.
Let go!
Let go of me!
Someone save me!
Her mind raced with bitter frustration. Being mute was a curse. Even if she could scream, who would hear? Who would come?
Despair and terror closed in, threatening to consume her entirely.
"I've never had a mute before," Director Liang breathed heavily. "Today, I'll see how you react in bed!"
Her fierce resistance provoked him. He struck her twice, hard. Her head rang from the impact, blood trickling from her nose.
As he began to tear her clothes, something inside Song Qi Nian broke. Survival instinct took over. She grabbed the nearby desk lamp and, gritting her teeth, smashed it against Director Liang's head with every ounce of strength she possessed.
He screamed, hands flying to his head. Seizing her chance, she shoved him away, kicked him viciously, and ran.
"Stop! You bitch! When I catch you, I'll kill you!"
His thundering footsteps pursued her. She ran blind with terror, clutching her torn clothing, fighting for survival.
The elevator. So close.
Just get on, and she'd be safe.
But as she reached the elevator, the doors opened. Shen Chi Yan stood there, tall and imposing in a black suit.
Her heart stopped.
He wasn't supposed to be here. Why now?
This was the end. He'd hand her back to Director Liang. She was certain of it.
Tears burst forth. Her delicate face crumpled—a picture of pure, heartbreaking desperation that would move even the coldest heart.
"Bitch... got you!" Director Liang's voice sent terror racing through her body.
Seeing him charging toward her, Song Qi Nian did the only thing she could.
She threw herself into Shen Chi Yan's arms.
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