‌Chapter 26 Trial by Fire

The cafeteria's silence choked like smoke. Zhou Jie, Tang Yan, and Zhu Lingling sat frozen, faces burning crimson, as Ye Chenghuan's ill-fated joke hung in the air like a fart in church.

"Well," Ye clapped his hands, rising with theatrical nonchalance, "bon appétit!" He strolled out under fifty pairs of judgmental eyes.

Back in the marketing den, his trio of subordinates slunk in minutes later, avoiding eye contact. Ye hovered by Zhu Lingling's desk, offering a Dove chocolate. "Fuel for productivity."

She eyed the treat like a landmine. "I'm… watching my figure."

"Nonsense! Skinny girls lack negotiation power." He dropped the chocolate into her trembling palm. "Dinner's on me tonight—Euphoria Bar, premium cocktails. Unless you'd rather starve?"

Three pairs of eyes lit up.

The phone shrilled. Tang Yan answered, stifling a giggle. "Director Zhao requests your presence."

Ye's smirk faded as he entered the CEO's lair. Wu Shi's greasy presence confirmed his suspicion—the weasel had squealed.

"...Understood." Zhao Yalin hung up, glacial gaze pinning Ye. "Your circus act today reached Lin Peishan's ears."

Ye loosened his tie. "Busy day! Learning regulations, strategizing sales—"

"—Flirting and smuggling snacks," Wu Shi sneered.

"Better snacks than sexual harassment claims," Ye shot back. The rat paled and fled.

Zhao's pen snapped. "You've disgraced this department. Lin agrees you're unfit—"

"Enough." Ye's voice dropped to subzero. "Thought you were different from that sycophant. Turns out you're just another ladder-climbing—"

"How dare you!" Zhao stood, quivering. "Lin recruited me from Stanford! My methods built Haunting's—"

"—Into a creativity gulag. Congrats, Warden."

Her porcelain cheeks mottled red. "Get out!"

Ye's grin returned lightning-fast. "Dismissed? Splendid!"

"Wait!" Zhao mastered her fury through visible effort. "Your probation task: one billion Q4 sales."

"Last quarter was two hundred million!"

"Lin expects exponential growth." Her smile could frost hell. "Fail, and your 'hubby' act ends with your job."

The Lamborghini's roar announced Ye's return to Villa Victoria. Lin Peishan awaited in the marble foyer, a ice sculpture in Armani.

"Early tonight, wifey!" Ye breezed toward the stairs.

"Explain."

He flopped onto the sofa. "Drove your car? Yes. Washed it? Also yes. Stole your CEO's dignity? Guilty as charged."

Lin's composure cracked. "You leveraged our sham marriage to manipulate Zhao!"

"Newsflash: I aced her sadistic interview solo. Ask your attack dog."

"Impossible. Zhao's standards—"

"—Met my charm offensive." Ye winked. "Relax, Mrs. Lin. I'll keep our little secret... provided you stop sabotaging me."

Her jade necklace quivered with suppressed rage. "You'll destroy Haunting's reputation!"

"Or save it." He headed for the door. "Dinner with colleagues. Don't wait up."

The Chanel cushion hit the wall as he exited. Upstairs, a vase met its demise.

Euphoria Bar pulsed with basslines and neon. Ye's trio arrived in hesitant glamour—Zhu Lingling's sequined mini, Tang Yan's slit gown, Zhou Jie's austere black sheath.

"Tequila flights!" Ye ordered. "To surviving dictators!"

Liquid courage flowed. Zhu Lingling giggled into her margarita. "Huanhuan, why'd Zhao promote you? She hates men!"

Ye swirled his Macallan. "Some women express hatred through… tension."

Tang Yan nearly choked. Zhou Jie's glass clinked too loudly.

The music died. All eyes turned to the entrance—Zhao Yalin stood framed in the doorway, crimson cheongsam slicing through the gloom like a warning flare.

"Director Ye." Her stilettos tapped a death march toward their table. "Care to explain why marketing's budget funds this… orgy?"

Ye rose, drink in hand. "Team-building, per regulation 4.12." He leaned close, whiskey breath mingling with her jasmine perfume. "Join us, Warden. I'll demonstrate… creative compliance."

Her slap echoed like a gunshot.

The bar froze.

Ye caught her wrist mid-swing, pulling her flush against him. "Violates HR policy 3.7, Zhao-zong." His thumb brushed her racing pulse. "Unless this counts as… private tutoring?"

Chaos erupted. Camera phones flashed. Zhu Lingling squealed. A bouncer lunged.

Amidst the bedlam, Zhou Jie's whisper cut through: "He's playing with fire."

Ye's laugh rolled dark and warm. "Darling, I am the fire."

Somewhere, a gossip blog's server crashed under incoming footage. Lin Peishan's phone began its death ringer.

The game had just escalated to nuclear.