Chapter 16: Lin Is Under Fire

As soon as Lin Xinyer finished speaking, someone couldn't hold back and fired back sarcastically,

"Well, maybe you were the one who leaked it. You saw the document too, didn't you?"

"Yeah," another chimed in, her voice low but laced with venom. "Maybe you want the President and his wife to get divorced."

The comment was quiet, but everyone heard it—and everyone smirked knowingly.

Because the truth was, they had all long suspected there was something inappropriate between Lin Xinyer and President Yu.

Otherwise, how could she have risen so fast? She was barely 22, yet she already held the position of Chief Secretary.

It didn't make sense. Not unless there was more going on behind closed doors.

So in their minds, the answer was obvious—it had to be her who leaked the divorce agreement.

These secretaries were all seasoned players in the corporate world. And now, faced with the threat of being fired, they needed a scapegoat.

"Lin Xinyer," one of them said with a bitter smile, "I've always wondered—how exactly did you get promoted so quickly to chief secretary?"

"Yeah, we've all been here at least five or six years, working directly under President Yu. You haven't even been with the company for two, and you already outrank us all. How does that work?"

"Could it be," someone sneered, "that those rumors are true? That you got where you are by doing… certain unspeakable things?"

"Shut your mouth!" Lin Xinyer finally snapped. Her face flushed with anger and shame. "If you want to know how I got the job, go ask the President yourself. It was his decision. Or are you saying he made the wrong call?!"

"Of course not," someone laughed mockingly. "No one's questioning President Yu. But some people just… don't seem very clean."

"That's right. Even if the President does get divorced, there's no way someone like you could ever replace his wife."

"Yeah. Look at yourself. Do you really think you're worthy of him?"

Lin Xinyer stood up straighter, spine stiff with pride. Her eyes were sharp and full of fire.

"I know you all think it was me. But tell me—what would I gain from leaking it? If I wanted the President and his wife to get divorced, leaking this document would be the last thing I'd do. Right now, during a critical time for Dongfang Group, a scandal like this only forces the President to not get divorced—otherwise it just confirms the rumors!"

Her argument was solid—and true.

If the story got out now, Ethan Yu would be forced to stay married to Hailey Tang, at least temporarily, to avoid damaging the company further.

"Who knows what you were thinking?" someone scoffed. "But your sudden promotion is still suspicious."

"Exactly. If you want to clear your name, then just tell the truth. How did you get that promotion, huh?"

But Lin Xinyer had no way to explain.

What could she say? That she'd been promoted because the President's wife once tried to kill her, and Ethan Yu felt guilty?

Of course she couldn't tell them that. So her silence only made them more certain—she must be guilty.

"Director Lin," one of them said pointedly, "you might as well just admit it. At least that way you won't drag the rest of us down. I'm sure the President will go easy on you."

"Yeah, you're clearly not cut out for this job. Just confess and be done with it. You don't need to play innocent—we all know it was you."

"You…" Lin Xinyer stared at them, stunned. She hadn't expected them to turn on her like this.

This wasn't just an accusation—it was an outright attempt to force her into confessing something she didn't do.

But no matter how much she wanted to defend herself, she was outnumbered. The words stuck in her throat, useless.

And then—

Someone else walked in.

Chai Xiyang.

He had just arrived and happened to witness the entire scene: Lin Xinyer being surrounded, mocked, and silenced.

He heard everything.

His gaze fell on Lin Xinyer, who stood quietly in the center of the group, biting her lip to hold back tears, her shoulders trembling ever so slightly.

For the first time, he felt a flicker of sympathy.

He knew who she was—Lin Xinyer had a background in architectural design. Last year, Dongfang Group had held an internal architecture competition, and she had taken the grand prize.

Her design had been bold, unique, and refreshing—something no one had expected from a newcomer.