Chapter Twenty-Two: Fighting Back

Lu Xiao stood at the edge of her desk, her heart pounding as she scrolled through the latest headlines on her phone. The media storm was unrelenting, and Chen Wei's fabricated accusations were spreading like wildfire. Every article painted her as a betrayer, a schemer who had sold secrets to Lei Han's competitors. It was a nightmare she couldn't escape.

But Lei Han's words echoed in her mind: "We fight back. Together."

Taking a deep breath, she placed her phone down and tried to focus on her work. Just as she began typing, Lei Han's assistant walked in.

"Mr. Lei wants to see you in his office," she said curtly before leaving without another word.

Lu Xiao squared her shoulders and headed to Lei Han's office. The walk felt longer than usual, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. When she entered, Lei Han was sitting behind his desk, his sharp gaze fixed on the laptop screen in front of him.

"You called for me?" she asked, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her.

Lei Han looked up and gestured for her to sit. "I've been reviewing everything. Chen Wei's accusations, the so-called evidence—everything. It's all meticulously fabricated, but there's a crack in his story."

Lu Xiao leaned forward, her interest piqued. "What crack?"

He turned the laptop screen toward her, showing a detailed analysis of the timestamps on the alleged messages. "These messages were supposedly sent from your company account, but the system logs show that your account wasn't accessed at the time. Whoever framed you didn't cover their tracks well enough."

Relief washed over her, but it was quickly replaced by a new wave of determination. "What does this mean? Can we prove my innocence with this?"

Lei Han nodded. "It's a start. But we need more. Chen Wei is ruthless, and he won't stop until he destroys us both."

---

The next few days were a blur of activity. Lei Han's legal team worked around the clock, while Lu Xiao sifted through countless documents, looking for anything that could help their case. It was exhausting, but she refused to give up.

Late one evening, Lei Han found her in the conference room, surrounded by papers and files. She was scribbling notes furiously, her hair falling into her face.

"Lu Xiao," he said gently, making her look up.

"You should go home," he continued. "You've been at this all day."

She shook her head. "I can't. Not until we find something concrete."

He walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You've done more than enough. Let me handle the rest."

"But—"

"No buts," he interrupted, his tone firm but kind. "You need rest, Lu Xiao. I need you at your best if we're going to get through this."

Reluctantly, she agreed. As she gathered her things, she glanced at him. "Thank you, Lei Han. For believing in me."

He smiled, the corners of his mouth softening. "I told you, Lu Xiao. I'm not letting you face this alone."

---

The turning point came a week later. Lei Han's team uncovered a series of financial transactions linking Chen Wei to an external IT specialist—the same specialist who had tampered with Lu Xiao's account. It was the smoking gun they needed.

Lei Han wasted no time. He organized a press conference to clear Lu Xiao's name and expose Chen Wei's deceit.

The conference room was packed with reporters, their cameras flashing as Lei Han took the podium. Lu Xiao stood behind him, her hands clenched tightly at her sides.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Lei Han began, his voice commanding the room, "I stand before you today to address the false accusations made against my personal assistant, Lu Xiao. The evidence presented against her was fabricated by Chen Wei, a man whose vendetta against me has driven him to desperate measures."

He went on to present the findings, detailing the forged messages and the financial trail leading back to Chen Wei. The room buzzed with murmurs as the reporters absorbed the information.

When he finished, Lei Han turned to Lu Xiao and gestured for her to step forward. She hesitated for a moment before joining him at the podium.

"Lu Xiao has been an integral part of my team," Lei Han said, his voice steady. "Her dedication and integrity are beyond question. I ask that you respect her privacy and allow her to move forward without further harassment."

As Lei Han spoke, Lu Xiao felt a surge of gratitude. He wasn't just defending her reputation; he was standing by her side, refusing to let her be swallowed by the lies.

---

That evening, back at the office, Lu Xiao stood by the window, looking out at the city lights. Lei Han joined her, his presence a comforting warmth by her side.

"Thank you," she said softly.

He looked at her, his gaze filled with sincerity. "For what?"

"For everything," she replied. "For believing in me, for standing by me… for not letting me face this alone."

He reached for her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. "You're not alone, Lu Xiao. And as long as I'm here, you never will be."

In that moment, Lu Xiao realized that their bond had grown into something unshakable. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she knew they would face them together.