Chapter 42 Disposal
"Mr. Xie... I... I didn't know... I thought she... she was... I was wrong, Mr. Xie, I really didn't know. I was blind, I underestimated you, please..."
Tears and snot instantly covered his face, and all traces of his previous arrogance vanished.
Xie Shiyan didn't even lift his eyelids. He slightly turned his head and swept his cold gaze over the security supervisor who was silent at the door and the administrative director who had rushed over after hearing the news and was also pale-faced.
“Security,” he said, his voice low but carrying an undeniable authority, “take this person who is disrupting company order and insulting our VIP guests.”
He pointed at Wang Li on the ground, "Get out. Immediately. Anyone who lets her in again will also get out."
"Yes, Mr. Xie." The security supervisor was startled and immediately led two strong security guards forward, unceremoniously lifting up Wang Li, who was limp as a rag doll and still crying and begging for mercy.
"And another thing," Xie Shiyan's gaze was like an icicle piercing Gao Xinxin, who was trembling in the corner, "the receptionist, Gao Xinxin? She reported the situation without verifying it properly, which caused a serious conflict and a bad influence."
He paused, each word crystal clear, "Transfer to the logistics department to relearn the employee handbook and basic etiquette. If you can't learn it, don't come back."
Gao Xinxin's vision went black, and she almost fainted. She couldn't even cry and was taken away by the administrative manager who arrived later.
Everyone in the lounge and the area outside the door held their breath, afraid to make a sound. Xie Shiyan's swift and decisive action clearly conveyed one message—the woman he was protecting was not someone to be trifled with.
Xie Shiyan ignored the chaos behind him and turned back to face Jiang Yining. Seeing her still pale face and reddened eyes, the coldness in his eyes softened slightly.
He leaned down slightly, getting even closer, and could almost smell the sweet fruity scent emanating from her, as well as... a very subtle, familiar lemony tang.
His gaze swept over her tightly clenched little fist, which seemed to be hiding something.
"How many did you sneak a bite of?" he asked in a low voice, just loud enough for her to hear. His tone was neither reproachful nor anything else, but a knowing look and a faint smile flickered in his deep eyes.
Jiang Yining, who was immersed in her grievances, was soothed and startled, she suddenly raised her head, like a frightened little rabbit, her eyes wide open, her cheeks instantly turning red, even the tips of her ears turning crimson. She subconsciously wanted to hide her hands behind her back, but her wrists were gently grasped by his warm, dry hand.
"No...no," she denied vehemently, her voice trembling with guilt, her eyes darting around, unable to meet his gaze. She thought to herself that he probably wouldn't know about the lemon candies in the lounge; what CEO would pay attention to such details?
Seeing her flustered state, as if she were trying to hide something, Xie Shiyan's smile deepened, but he didn't press the matter further. He turned around and naturally enveloped her tightly clenched fist in his warm, broad palm, and with an irresistible force, he took her hand and led her outside.
“Let’s go, I’ll take you somewhere.” His voice returned to its usual deep and steady tone, as if the storm had never happened.
Jiang Yining was led by him, walking beside him. His tall figure shielded her from all curious, inquisitive, and awe-inspiring gazes, and the firm yet warm embrace of his hand soothed her earlier grievances and anger.
She secretly glanced up at his profile, its lines sharp and perfect, and her heart began to pound belatedly and violently in her chest.
The crowd parted to make way for them, watching them leave until their figures disappeared into the passageway leading to the CEO's private elevator.
Only then did an uncontrollable buzzing of discussion erupt.
"……Oh My God……"
"Mr. Xie was holding her hand just now?"
"Wang Li is completely finished now..."
"Who exactly is that woman? President Xie himself said she's 'one of my people'!"
"They even 'touched my people'... This is such obvious protection!"
The mess in the break room was carefully cleaned up by the administrative staff. Meanwhile, in a corner unnoticed by anyone, a cleaning lady who had just emptied a nearby trash can was wiping the break room door frame with a rag while whispering to another cleaning lady beside her, still shaken:
"Oh dear, I caught a glimpse of that girl from afar this morning when I was taking out the trash. It was General Manager Xie who personally escorted her into this break room, protecting her head. That look in his eyes...tsk...Manager Wang really messed with someone who doesn't know what's good for him this time."
Xie Shiyan's large, warm, and dry palm tightly enveloped Jiang Yining's slightly cool fingers. He led her by the hand, striding across the lobby area on the first floor of the Xie Group building.
The other company staff looked on with prying, curious eyes. Jiang Yining was protected by him and was practically being led forward. The familiar, crisp scent of cedar and leather emanating from him, now mixed with a trace of lingering cold anger, enveloped her completely.
Did what just happened cause him trouble? He noticed her slight flinch and tightened his grip on her hand, but he didn't stop walking. He headed straight for the understated yet luxurious direct elevator deep in the lobby, which required exclusive access to open.
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