Against the Algorithm

Chapter 3: Lines Crossed, Loyalties Claimed

Yue, despite the tension, smirked slightly. "So we're going for blood, then?"

Sicheng's amber eyes flicked toward him—sharp, unreadable. "Obviously."

Lu Wang Lan sighed, rubbing her temple. "I'll have legal review it first," she said, already moving past the conversation, her mind working through logistics. "We'll prepare a statement and get ahead of any press fallout. Sicheng, you'll handle direct communication with sponsors."

Sicheng nodded, his expression unreadable.

Yue exhaled, relieved. "So that's it? I'm not getting banished?"

Lu Wang Lan shot him a look. "You still threw punches."

Yue rolled his eyes. "Because they threatened to break our hands!"

"And we'll make sure that's the headline," she said smoothly, already moving toward the exit. "In the meantime, stay out of trouble and your pay is gone for the next three months." With that, the board members began filing out, murmuring amongst themselves about PR strategies and damage control. Lu Wang Lan was the last to leave, her sharp gaze lingering on Yao for a brief moment before she finally turned and disappeared down the hall.

And then—

The door closed.

Leaving just the three of them.

Yue, finally able to relax, dropped into a chair with an exaggerated sigh. "Jesus Christ, that was exhausting."

Yao, still standing, felt the adrenaline slowly start to fade from her limbs, the overwhelming rush of emotions catching up with her. She swallowed, shifting awkwardly. "I... I should probably go." Before she could take a step, Sicheng moved. He stood—slowly, deliberately—and in two strides, he was right in front of her. Yao froze, her heart stopped. Her head barely reached his chest, and up close, he was towering, his presence swallowing the space between them. She could feel his warmth. Feel the quiet power behind his presence.

And when he spoke, his voice was low—measured, but carrying something dangerous. "You ran here."

"I—" Yao swallowed hard, her pulse hammering.

"You stole a phone," he continued, his amber gaze locked onto hers, pinning her in place. "Ran across the city. Forced your way into HQ."

Her hands twitched. "I—I just—"

"You ran to us."

To me.

The words weren't said, but they hung there, unspoken.

Yao, still unable to breathe properly, felt her face burning.

Yue, who had been watching the exchange, let out a low whistle. "Okaaay," he muttered under his breath. "This just got interesting."

Sicheng ignored him. He just continued watching her.

And Yao—completely overwhelmed, completely unsure of what was happening—did the only thing she knew how to do. She looked away and muttered, "I should go." And took a step back.

Sicheng didn't stop her. But the weight of his gaze followed her all the way to the door.

The second the door closed behind Yao, leaving just the two of them in the room, Yue let out a slow, exaggerated breath, dragging a hand down his face. He leaned back in his chair, watching as Sicheng remained standing near the table, his gaze still fixed on the door as if he could see her even after she had gone.