A salvation in abandonment—in his favoritism, she sheds her disguise and confronts her true self. In her honesty, he breaks free from shackles and releases suppressed emotions.
The Buddhist b...
As usual, Fan Shengmei walked into the Fu Group building in her high heels, full of energy. However, the moment she stepped into the company, she keenly sensed something amiss. Her colleagues' eyes were drawn to her, their gazes filled with curiosity, surprise, and, more than anything, an indescribable scrutiny. Whispers spread around her, like fine spiderwebs, tightly binding her.
A sense of foreboding washed over Fan Shengmei, and her steps unconsciously slowed. She followed the gaze of the crowd and saw a dense crowd gathered in front of the company bulletin board. An instinctive fear drove her to hurry towards the bulletin board, squeezing through the gaps in the crowd. When she saw the information posted on the bulletin board, she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her.
Printed on it were details of her past fake socialite behavior. Every word and every photo was like a sharp knife, piercing her eyes. In the photos, she was wearing borrowed designer clothes, posing in various high-end places. Those moments she once thought were glorious had now become evidence that plunged her into the abyss.
"This...how is this possible..." Fan Shengmei murmured to herself, overwhelmed by shock and helplessness. Her hands trembled slightly as she tried to reach for the documents, but she seemed rooted to the spot, unable to move. She knew that her worst fears had come true.
The colleagues around him began to gossip without restraint.
"I never expected her to be this kind of person. She usually seems quite proper, but she's actually a fake socialite."
"That's right, I don't know how she got into our company. I wonder if she has some ulterior motive."
"Hmph, maybe she just wants to climb the social ladder and snag a rich husband."
These harsh words pierced Fan Shengmei's ears, turning her face ashen and her lips trembling slightly. She tried to remain calm, but the pain in her heart was like a raging sea, almost engulfing her.
Just then, Meng Yanchen received the news and rushed to the company. He pushed his way through the crowd to Fan Shengmei's side. Upon seeing the notice on the bulletin board, his eyes instantly turned icy cold, and the muscles on his face twitched slightly.
Without hesitation, Meng Yanchen shielded Fan Shengmei behind him, his gaze sweeping sharply over his colleagues. He declared loudly, "Stop gossiping here! I will thoroughly investigate this matter and give everyone an explanation. Until then, anyone who spreads rumors will face consequences!"
However, her colleagues didn't seem to buy it. Someone in the crowd whispered, "President Meng, don't be fooled by her. These are all irrefutable pieces of evidence."
"That's right, we're also thinking about the company. Keeping someone like that around might cause some trouble."
Meng Yanchen frowned and said firmly, "I believe Fan Shengmei. There must be someone behind this. Until the truth comes out, no one is allowed to say anything inappropriate about her!" After saying that, he took Fan Shengmei's hand, turned around, left the bulletin board, and walked towards his office.
All the way, Fan Shengmei kept her head down, not daring to look at the people around her, tears welling up in her eyes. She felt like a clown despised by everyone, all her dignity trampled into pieces at this moment.
After entering the office, Meng Yanchen gently helped Fan Shengmei to sit down on the sofa, then knelt down in front of her, held her hands, and said gently, "Xiaomei, don't be afraid, I'm here. No matter who is doing something underhanded behind my back, I will definitely not let them get away with it."
Fan Shengmei looked up at Meng Yanchen, her eyes filled with gratitude and helplessness, and tears finally welled up in her eyes: "Yanchen, what should I do? Now everyone knows, my reputation is completely ruined..."
Meng Yanchen tenderly wiped away her tears and comforted her, "Don't say that, it's not your fault. Let's calm down and think about how to deal with it next. Since the other party dared to publish this information, they certainly won't let it go. We need to find the mastermind behind this as soon as possible to completely solve the problem."
Fan Shengmei nodded slightly, trying to calm herself down. She took a deep breath and said, "Yan Chen, I think this matter is very likely related to the mysterious investment group. They have been trying to deal with us for a while, and this time they may be trying to use my identity to strike at you and the Fu Group."
Meng Yanchen pondered for a moment and said, "What you said makes sense, but we can't be sure yet. We can't limit our attention to them alone; there might be a mole within the company. After all, for this information to appear so accurately on the company bulletin board, there must be someone in the company providing assistance."
The two then began discussing countermeasures. Meng Yanchen decided to first have the company's legal department collect evidence to prepare for a potential public relations crisis. At the same time, he tasked his trusted aides with investigating company personnel to see if anyone had connections with the mysterious investment group or other suspicious forces.
Fan Shengmei then tried to gather information indirectly by using her connections. She contacted some former friends and colleagues, hoping to obtain some useful clues. However, most people chose to avoid her after learning about her situation, and only a few genuine friends were willing to keep an eye out for her.
As time went on, the rumors within the company did not stop despite Meng Yanchen's warnings; instead, they intensified. Even some media outlets picked up on the rumors and began calling the company to inquire about the matter. Meng Yanchen had no choice but to have the public relations department step in to temporarily stabilize the situation.
Throughout this process, Fan Shengmei endured immense pressure. She felt the strange looks from her colleagues every day, those gazes piercing her like needles. She tried to focus on her work, attempting to numb herself with busyness, but the inner pain remained a constant companion.
Meng Yanchen saw this and felt deeply for Fan Shengmei. He tried his best to spend time with her, offering encouragement and support. He knew that at this time, what Fan Shengmei needed most was his companionship and trust.
One day, while investigating internal staff, Meng Yanchen discovered some suspicious signs. One employee had been frequently contacting an unknown number, which, upon investigation, was found to be linked to a mysterious investment group. Meng Yanchen immediately arranged for this employee to be closely monitored, hoping to find a breakthrough through him.
However, just when they thought things were about to turn around, a new problem arose. The employee being monitored suddenly disappeared, along with his computer and some important documents. Meng Yanchen realized that the other party might have discovered their investigation and taken action in advance.
Upon hearing the news, Fan Shengmei's spirits plummeted once again. She felt as if she were trapped in an endless whirlpool, the more she struggled, the deeper she sank. Meng Yanchen held her tightly and whispered, "Xiaomei, don't lose heart. Although the other party is cunning, we won't give up easily. We have other clues, and we'll definitely find the mastermind."
In the days that followed, Meng Yanchen and Fan Shengmei continued their efforts to find clues. They left no detail unchecked and investigated every possible connection thoroughly. Meanwhile, Meng Yanchen was also considering how to deal with the emerging public relations crisis. He knew that time was of the essence; if the problem wasn't resolved quickly, the Fu Group's reputation would be severely damaged.
At the company, Meng Yanchen convened an all-staff meeting. He reiterated company discipline and sternly warned against spreading rumors and undermining company unity. He stated that the company would thoroughly investigate the matter and provide a fair explanation. He also hoped that employees would trust the company and not be misled by false information.
However, the employees' attitudes remained divided. Some employees chose to believe in Meng Yanchen and the company, willing to wait for the truth to come out; while others still harbored doubts about Fan Shengmei, believing that her presence would have a negative impact on the company.
Fan Shengmei's situation at the company became increasingly difficult. With every step she took, she could feel the gazes and whispers of those around her. But she did not choose to back down; she knew she could not be defeated like this. Together with Meng Yanchen, she continued to search for the truth amidst the thick fog, trying to unravel the mystery and escape this crisis.
How will Meng Yanchen deal with this public opinion crisis? What is the purpose of the person who exposed Fan Shengmei's identity? Everything is still unknown, and Fan Shengmei and Meng Yanchen can only move forward with difficulty on this thorny road, hoping for the dawn.