"Yes, Chairman Manoban."
When Wei Zheng left, he shot Jennie a worrying look.
Chairman Manoban seemed very angry.
He hoped that they wouldn't end up in a heated argument.
But given the news that Young Madam got into with her ex, it was only natural that Chairman Manoban got angry.
Any other man would feel the same if they were in his position.
Especially since Chairman Manoban cared so much about Young Madam.
If he was in Chairman Manoban's position now, he wouldn't be able to take it.
He would probably make the Yang Mandate bankrupt already.
This Kai was really asking for it though.
Chairman Manoban was already angered the last time when he sent Young Madam flowers.
Now he was actually proposing to Young Madam in public?
He was courting death.
Chairman Manoban was surely furious this time.
Although Chairman Manoban seemed rather expressionless when he informed him of this news and did not blow up...
He knew full well after all these years that the quieter Chairman Manoban was initially, the bigger the eruption would be thereafter.
Kai was definitely going down this time.
Wei Zheng closed the door lightly when he left.
Then, Lisa used his finger to gesture for Jennie to come nearer.
He seemed so scary and unapproachable, and even colder than usual.
Jennie dared not get closer to him.
She was stunned in her spot for a few seconds.
And in these few seconds, the man's eyes got even colder.
The air around him got stale and thick.
It was so suffocating, Jennie almost wanted to flee the office.
Seeing how she wasn't moving towards him, Lisa reached out and pulled her into his arms.
Jennie let out a short "Ah!" and then landed with her head against his chest. He then forced her into sitting on his lap.
Before she even looked up at him, he asked, "Where did you go today? What were you doing before you came?"
The man sounded rather calm, but his voice was laced with a hint of danger.
Jennie detected it and tried to break free from his grip. "Lisa, let go of me."
The man's arms were like bars of steel, keeping her in place.
He was using so much force, she felt as if her back could break.
She was getting uncomfortable.
"Baby, you haven't replied to me." Lisa pinched her chin and tipped her head up until their eyes met. "Where were you before you came to the Manoban Corporation? What were you doing?"
"Lisa."
He wasn't using a lot of force, but it was already hurting Jennie pretty badly. Her eyes were red, and she bit her lip as she glared at him teary-eyed. "Let go, you're hurting me."
Lisa seemed to snap out of it when he saw her bloodshot eyes. Much of his anger immediately dissipated.
He released his grip around her waist as well, but he wasn't letting go of her just yet.
"Answer me, Jennie." The man wasn't going to let this off. "Where were you before this?"
"Lisa, did you see some news about me?"
Jennie eyed him and just made a guess.
She saw Wei Zheng talking to him when she came out.
Then, his expression got really unpleasant.
And now, his attitude towards her was so odd, and he was repeatedly asking where she'd gone.
He must have seen the rumors about her on Weibo.
And... got jealous over it?
Jennie found this possibility annoying but also amusing.
She knew just how petty and jealous Lisa was when it came to their relationship.
He was even jealous of Wei Zheng before, much less others.
Moreover... Kai was her ex.
It was only normal to be jealous after seeing such photos and videos without getting the full picture.
If he didn't mind it at all, then something was really wrong.
But she was a little upset that he still suspected her, even after he'd made promises previously.
He said he'd trust her unconditionally.
But now... it was obvious that he suspected her.
At the end of the day, he just wasn't confident when Kai was in the picture.
Anything to do with her and Kai would get him overthinking.
If this happened in the past, Jennie would have been upset and disappointed.
Possibly sad, too.
Because he didn't trust her.
But now, although she was still a little upset, it wasn't such a big deal anymore.
He was only acting this way because she meant something to him.
He could've chosen to pretend nothing happened, but how?
If he was in such a rumor with Krystal, with photos and videos attached, could she be completely calm and rational about it?
She thought about it seriously and felt that she couldn't, either.
Since she couldn't achieve it herself, how could she expect that of Lisa?
Lisa narrowed his eyes.
Jennie knew she'd guessed right.
He was unhappy because he'd seen the news going around about Kai and her.
She sighed and looked at the man a little helplessly. "The photos you see on Weibo are real, but everything else is false.
"Before I came here, I went to look for Sister Xie to discuss the contract. After signing it, I coincidentally bumped into Kai. He ended up harassing me, and I couldn't shake him off.
"He wasn't kneeling on the ground to propose to me. He was begging for me to reconcile with him."
Jennie made everything clear to him, for she knew that anything left unsaid would just lead to more problems in the future, especially since this man was a jealous lover.
"I rejected him. Everyone present saw that. I just have no idea why the person on Weibo wants to twist the facts. Mino was there too, you can ask him if you don't believe me."
Jennie thought, Fortunately, Mino was around.
He could at least clarify things with this jealous lover.
"Fourth Bro was there too?" Lisa's eyes glistened a little. He finally spoke.
"Yup, he happened to be there too. He should be clear about what happened just now. And, do you still not believe me? I already said that I can't possibly get back together with him, not in this lifetime. Lisa, don't be so suspicious of me. I'm already married to you, so I won't do anything to let you down."
Lisa actually never suspected that Jennie would really get back together with Kai.
He was in such a bad mood and feeling so annoyed simply because he detested Kai too much.
Although he never found this person a threat, the thought of Jennie's previous relationship with Kai irked him.
As much as he despised Kai, this man was Jennie's previous fiancé, after all.
Hence, it was hard for him not to get jealous after seeing the news online.
And that jealousy somewhat led to a little fear as well.
He was worried that she'd be so soft-hearted as to agree to reconcile with Kai.
He knew that the possibility was slim.
But he couldn't help but worry.
His confidence was almost non-existent before her.
"Baby, I'm not suspecting you. I just... don't like seeing you with him." Lisa felt a lot better after hearing Jennie's explanation.
The pressurizing aura around him was gone too.
The warmth was restored in his eyes.
His eyes were no longer icy cold. The expression in his eyes was now what she was familiar with.
Jennie was much more relieved now. She felt that the Lisa she knew was back.
He really scared her just now.
She bit her lip and looked at him a little sadly. "Lisa, you were so fierce just now. You scared me.
"You can't be so fierce to me next time.
"Otherwise, I'm gonna ignore you."
"I'm sorry, Baby."
He couldn't control his mood when the jealousy surged inside him.
Now that he had returned to normal, he realized that he'd gone overboard and scared her.
"Forgive me, alright?" Lisa hugged her tightly and sighed. "I don't want to mind it, but I really can't.
"Seeing him with you makes me uncomfortable.
"Baby, he's the only man you've been with besides me. I told myself that this is your past and I shouldn't mind it so much, but I really..."
"Alright, I get it." Jennie covered his mouth. "I'm not angry. I just don't like the you from just now. You make me feel like... you're so foreign.
"It scares me.
"So, no matter what happens in the future, don't give me that look, alright?"
"Sure."
Lisa cupped her face in his hands and kissed her on the forehead. "I promise you, I won't do that again."
Now that this had been clarified, the short-lived unhappiness was over.
Lisa looked through the last two documents with Jennie on his lap and then shut his laptop.
He called Wei Zheng into the office.
Wei Zheng opened the door and saw the woman sitting on Chairman Manoban's lap behind the desk. He paused for a moment before walking towards them.
Chairman Manoban was no longer like before.
He changed.
He was now hopelessly in love with her.
Even at work, he couldn't take himself away from her.
Love was a scary thing.
It could change someone so drastically.
If he hadn't seen it for himself, he never would have believed that this cold and aloof boss who once viewed women as poison would become like this someday...
He was so engrossed in his wife during office hours.
Wei Zheng felt like this sort of man, who'd gone their whole lives being disinterested in women, had a much stronger and scarier reaction after touching women than normal men did.
Chairman Manoban was the best example.
Men like this were the most clingy once they got into a relationship.
"Ahem, Chairman Manoban, Young Madam." Wei Zheng didn't want to look directly at them.
He was a single man witnessing such an intimate scene.
Lisa saw how awkward he looked and felt like kicking him out of the office.
But considering that this lad was still rather useful and reliable, he resisted it.
"Check something out." He glanced at the woman on his lap and decided to find out who it was that started this mess online. He said seriously, "Investigate the account that first made the post on Weibo.
"Also, inform the Public Relations Department to remove all that nonsense in the next hour. If I still see any news that upsets me, you can tell them to prepare their resignation letters."
Wei Zheng replied, "... Yes, Chairman Manoban."
"Alright, get on to it." Lisa waved him away.
Wei Zheng knew that Chairman Manoban despised his presence.
He was an extra in the office that Chairman Manoban couldn't tolerate, as long as Young Madam was around.
He left, slightly upset but very self-aware.
Once he left.
Jennie looked at Lisa and asked, "You're going to help me find out who did this to me?"
"Of course."
Lisa looked down at her and said a little coldly, "Someone is spreading rumors about my wife, am I supposed to sit back and just watch? I can't possibly let you think that you married a useless husband.
"Baby, I've said it before, you're Mrs. Manoban now. You've got more power than you can imagine. You're entitled to all the resources in the Manoban family. And getting your husband to help you to do things is part of your authority.
"You can get me to help you settle anything.
"Just one word from you and I'll do it."
The man ruffled her hair, his eyes full of affection.
Just a word from her, and he was willing to do anything.
She had no idea how much she meant to him.
At this moment, Jennie was truly touched.
She felt all warm and fuzzy inside. But just as she was about to say something, her cell phone rang.
It was Linda calling.
"Let me take this call." Jennie laid on Lisa's chest and received the call.
"Hello, Sister Xie."
"Jennie, the eyewitness you saw just now was Young Master Song?" Linda sounded shocked.
Jennie was shocked to hear that too. "How did you know that, Sister Xie?"
She remembered that she didn't name him.
"You haven't heard?" Linda asked in return. " Young Master Song reposted the original post and cleared your name. Jennie, I didn't know Young Master Song was your friend. Why didn't you tell me?
"Having such an impressive friend to clear your name is amazing. A lot of the verified accounts saw his post and took their original reposts down, for fear of offending him. In this case, the company won't have to get Public Relations to settle this for you anymore."
" Young Master Song's clarification helps more than anything else."
Jennie was a little shocked.
Mino actually cleared her name on Weibo?
How was it possible?
But Linda couldn't possibly be joking about this.
So... Mino really did help her?
Jennie was actually shocked, but also pleasantly surprised.
After hanging up, she was dazed for a while.
Why would Mino help her?
Didn't he detest her?
Wasn't he... on Krystal's side?
"What is it?" Lisa pinched her cheek gently. "What happened?"
"Sister Xie called me and said that Young Master Song helped clear my name on Weibo." Jennie was so confused. "But, I thought he didn't like me.
"He always gives me a dirty look.
"Why do you think he helped to clear my name?"
She really couldn't understand it.
This came as a shock to her.
"Fourth Bro cleared this up on Weibo?" Lisa asked. He seemed surprised to hear this too.
He knew just how much Mino disliked Jennie.
Why would he be willing to do this of his own accord?
"Mm." Jennie nodded as she tapped on her cell phone.
She logged into Weibo and looked for Mino's post.
Mino's account was a verified one too. He was verified as the Director of the Gong Firm.
And his account bio wrote: An ordinary person.
As a rich second-generation heir, he was already very well sought after. Coupled with the fact that he was handsome, he was all the more likable. He had over 10 million fans on his account.
That was comparable to some top-tier celebrities.
Meanwhile, Mino only followed five people.
And he had even fewer posts.
He had only made four posts, inclusive of the one he'd made to clarify things for her.
His account had been created a year ago.
He posted once on the day he created it.
A few months later, he posted one about his trip overseas.
Another few months later, he made a football-related post.
And the most recent one was made today.
Seeing that he'd only made four posts in total, and one was about her, Jennie did not feel happy or touched. Instead, she felt oddly tense.
What was Mino doing?
Was he trying to make it known that he knew her?
And that they were on good terms?
Otherwise, why would the renowned Young Master Song help a newbie actress whom no one had even heard of before?
Jennie clicked into the comment section to take a look.
As she guessed, the netizens were speculating their relationship.
Someone with the account name Young Master Song's Little Wife commented: Damn, what are you doing, Young Master Song? Why are you helping this unknown actress clear her name? Who is she to you?
Song family's Cutie: Yeah, who is that woman to you, Young Master Song? Why would you take to Weibo especially for her? Do you like her? Well, she's kinda pretty, but she's not good enough for you!
Just A Passerby: I saw that Young Master Song only made five posts in total, and this woman isn't even an account he follows. But he actually bothered to clear her name. It seems like... their relationship is unique.
Qi Qi: Could she be Young Master Song's girlfriend?
Ah Luo: We don't know if she's his girlfriend, but they surely know each other. Young Master Song isn't a very warm-hearted person, he wouldn't help to clarify things for someone he doesn't know.
As Jennie continued scrolling on Weibo, she felt the gaze above her get colder and colder.
She looked up and saw Lisa looking down at her cell phone seriously.
His expression didn't look too pleasant.
She quickly locked her screen.
"Ahem. So... why do you think Mino helped me? Did you get him to?"
She felt that this was the only possibility.
Although Mino did not like her, he and Lisa were still good friends.
He would have to do it on his account.
"No." The man, however, denied this with an unhappy look.
"You didn't get him to help me with this?" Jennie widened her eyes in shock and curiosity. "Then, why would he do this?"
Lisa pursed his lips. "How am I to know? You're suddenly on good terms with Fourth Bro?"
"... no."
Jennie quickly denied. "I thought you were helping me behind my back."
Lisa took out his cell phone after a thought. "I'll ask him about it."
...
On the other side.
When Krystal saw Mino's post about Jennie, she broke a nail she'd just manicured.
Was her worry coming true?
Was Mino entranced by Jennie too?
She knew Mino well. He never poked his nose into others' business.
He never cared about an outsider's matters or anyone besides his group of friends.
Moreover, he'd done it openly on Weibo.
That was such a high-profile way...
If he hadn't fallen for Jennie, what other reason could it be?
He said that he would always be on her side.
And he knew that she disliked Jennie.
Had he considered her feelings when he did that?
Or did he not care about her anymore?
The more she thought about it, the more tense and flustered she felt. At the same time, a sense of betrayal hit her.
Mino, how could he treat her this way!
Where did he place her in his heart?
"Jennie..." she said through clenched teeth.
The two most important men in her life were being taken away by the same woman.
She really... hated her so much.
She was the woman everyone envied. She always got everything she wanted.
But now, she'd lost twice to the same person.
Her cell phone rang.
Krystal looked down and received it.
The person on the other line sounded a little uptight. "Miss Jung, Young Master Song helped that woman clarify the situation. After his post appeared, the situation has been changing in her favor. All the users we've gotten on our side aren't working anymore.
"Also, even more people on their side are flooding the comment section. Our users' comments have been pushed aside. Do you think Young Master Song got those people?"
"Should we still continue?"
The people said in fear, "Miss Jung, why didn't you tell us that she knows Young Master Song?"
Krystal clenched her teeth, and her expression was awful.
She remained silent. The others asked again cautiously, "Miss Jung, do we still continue? If yes... you will have to pay extra so we can continue working."
"No need." Krystal clenched her fist. "Everybody stop. Remember our non-disclosure agreement. No matter what happens, you cannot expose that I was behind this, or else..."
That person had already started taking action.
No matter how many more bots she hired, her attempts would be futile.
She might even expose herself if she continued this.
Once Lisa decided to do something, no one could stop him.
She thought that he would be angry after seeing the news on Weibo.
Even though he wouldn't fully trust it, he would be bothered by it.
So, he would no longer trust Jennie fully.
She knew Lisa well.
He was a very egoistic man. How could he tolerate seeing his wife and her ex-boyfriend together?
That was why she took some photos and videos when Kai met up with Jennie. Then, she hired some bots to accuse Jennie online.
Everything was going smoothly at the start.
If not for Mino's clarifications.
She did not expect that the person to ruin her plans would be him.
The person that was always by her side and would never reject any of her requests. But this time, he actually helped a woman she hated.
He knew very well that she disliked Jennie.
But he still helped her.
This showed that he did not take her seriously.
So what if they had known each other since young?
After all, he was still unreliable.
She grew up together with Lisa and Mino. But both had deeply hurt her because of Jennie.
She liked Lisa for over 20 years.
But in the end, he chose to marry a woman he had only known for a few days.
Mino said that he would stay by her side. But now, he actually helped someone she despised.
Knowing that she would be unhappy, he still helped her.
Krystal's heart turned cold. Feeling angry yet disappointed, she couldn't help but call Mino.
After some time, he picked up the phone. She couldn't hold back her anger and asked coldly, "Mino, what's with your recent Weibo post?"
Mino replied after a few seconds of silence, "It's what you saw. Why?"
Krystal was slightly taken aback.
She was even more disappointed.
She never imagined that he would admit it so easily.
He didn't even try to explain it to her.
He never used to be like this.
In the past, when she asked something, he would explain it to her clearly.
Feeling betrayed, she lost her rationality. She said with a sharp and aggressive tone, "Why did you help Jennie? You know very well that I dislike her.
"Mino, are you smitten by her? Didn't you say that you will definitely help me if I asked? But why did you have to help Jennie?"
She'd thought that even if the world turned its back on her, Mino would never do so.
He was Mino.
The man that promised to treat her well forever.
How could he?
She wouldn't be able to bear it if even he left her.
Now... she only had him left.
"Calm down, Krystal. Yes, I promised to help you, but that is a separate matter. Also, stop speculating. She's Lisa's woman. I don't have any interest in her.
"I was there when it happened, so I helped to clarify the situation. Don't overthink this."
This explanation was not what Krystal wanted.
She sneered. "Did Lisa ask you to help?"
"No," Mino replied quickly. "Lisa did not contact me."
"How dare you say that you are not in love with her!" Krystal said sharply. "If you don't like her, why did you help her? You were never a busybody. Mino, did you not consider my feelings when you did this?"
"Krystal..."
"You knew very well that I would be angry. Is Jennie more important to you than me? Mino, since when did you not dare to admit that you like someone? Are you afraid that Lisa will cut ties with you if he finds out?"
"Don't be unreasonable, Krystal," Mino said seriously. "She's Lisa's wife. If her name is tarnished, do you think it will do any good to Lisa?"
"So, are you saying that you helped only because of Lisa?" Krystal sneered. "Don't you think this is a terrible excuse? Their marriage is a secret. Who even knows they are married?"
"Sooner or later, they will know. Besides, Lisa did not intend for their marriage to be a secret. I don't know why they don't want to disclose their marriage."
"Mino, do you think I believe you?" Krystal's voice was getting colder. "You know very well if it's really because of Lisa. You can take back what you said to me now if you regret it. I don't want to force you."
Mino was silent for a few seconds before saying, "I have nothing else to explain. There's nothing more I can say if you don't believe me. I will fulfill whatever I promised you.
"Krystal, let me ask you something. Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Mino, what do you mean? Have you regretted it?"
"I haven't." Mino explained calmly, "I'm afraid you will regret it. Knowing Lisa's personality, if he finds out...."
"We just have to keep him from finding out," Krystal said without hesitation. "Mino, Jennie forced me to do this. I have loved Lisa for over 20 years. I can do anything for him, and no one can love him as much as I do.
"She hasn't known Lisa for long. How dare she steal away the man I loved for so many years?
"No matter what, I will not let her have Lisa."
"Krystal." Mino smiled bitterly after hearing this. "You said you have loved Lisa for over 20 years and only have eyes for him, right? It doesn't matter how well others treat you... am I right?"
Krystal's expression changed.
Although Mino's words were spoken intermittently, she fully understood what he meant.
She knew that he liked her for a long time.
But she acted like she didn't know.
And because of this, he had never confessed to her.
Whenever he tried to give her hints, she always feigned ignorance.
The Song and Jung family family families were well-matched in terms of social status.
Mino's qualifications were considered top-notch in the upper social class.
His only flaw was that he was unable to control his temper.
He had gotten better after receiving treatment for many years.
As long as he controlled his feelings, his temper could be well maintained.
So, Mino was a very good catch considering all his qualifications.
Most importantly, he really loved her.
Even after so many years.
If she married him, she would definitely lead a blissful life.
She knew that very well.
But the person she wanted to marry was Lisa, not Mino.
She didn't ask him to treat her well.
Hence, she didn't want Mino to confess to her because she couldn't accept him and didn't want their friendship to become awkward.
All these years, she feigned ignorance at Mino's advances.
She couldn't accept him, but she also couldn't refuse his kindness.
He was extremely kind to her.
It was a kindness that no woman could reject.
She thought that it would be nice to maintain their relationship this way.
She would treat him as an elder brother who doted on her.
But now, she'd changed her mind.
Mino seemed to want to define their relationship.
He seemed as if he wanted to.... confess to her.
Previously, she would have immediately changed the topic and would not let him have the chance to continue.
But this time...
If she continued feigning ignorance, she was unsure if Mino would ever confess to her in the future.
She never had to worry about this.
She had full confidence that he would never fall in love with another woman.
But now, there was Jennie.
She felt an unprecedented fear.
If she didn't grab this chance, Mino... might leave her.
"Krystal." Mino was silent for a while. He sounded tired as he said, "Other than Lisa, is there anyone else that you care about? You mind if I treat others well, but what about you?
"Every time you tell me how much you like Lisa and how important he is to you. Do you think I like to hear that? Or do you really think I treat you as a younger sister, so you think it's fine to tell me all of that?
"Krystal, after all these years, don't you have any feelings for me?"
"Mino, you..."
"10 years ago, I used to treat you as a younger sister. I have liked you for so many years. Did you really not know?"
It was too late to take these words back.
There was no need to hide anymore.
"Krystal, I like you," Mino said calmly. He said each word clearly. "I know you're in love with Lisa, so I didn't express my feelings all these years. I know you're aware as well, but you never gave me the chance to confess."
"I didn't confess since you didn't want me to.
"If you and Lisa can be together, I will give you my blessings. But you still can't let go even though Lisa is married. I really don't want to hear how much you love and cherish him.
"Do you think I won't feel hurt?"
With that, Mino went silent.
Krystal also kept quiet for a long while.
She had avoided this for so many years. Now, she finally had to face it.
"Forget it. Pretend I didn't say anything," Mino said after a few minutes of silence. "I take back what I've said, just pretend that you didn't hear it."
But how could she pretend that she didn't hear all that?
Moreover, Krystal gave him the opportunity to say it.
"I've heard everything clearly. How can I pretend that I did not?" Krystal pretended to be shocked. "Mino, whatever that you just said, is it... true? You're not joking with me?"
Mino lowered his voice and said, "Do you think I will joke about this matter?"
"But, why..."
"What why?"
"You said that you treated me as a younger sister."
"Yes, 10 years ago, I did treat you as a younger sister."
10 years ago...
Krystal suddenly recalled that night.
Her heart thumped, and she tightened the grip on her cell phone unconsciously.
"Then why..." She already had the answer.
"Krystal, do you still remember that night 10 years ago? It was my birthday, and we fought because of something. I was in a bad mood and went alone to the backyard, but I accidentally fell into the swimming pool.
"That time, I didn't know how to swim.
"I was struggling in the water screaming for help, but nobody came to rescue me. Just as I thought I was going to die, you appeared and saved me. When I opened my eyes and saw you, I realized that you were the one who saved me. Did you know how I felt after that?"
Gripping her phone even tighter, her expression changed. She bit her lip and said, "How?"
"I told myself to treat you well forever. And when I grow up, I will marry you and dote on you forever, without letting you experience any hardship.
"Ever since I had that thought, I never treated you as a younger sister anymore.
"So..."
Krystal was expressionless after listening to what he said.
Recalling that night, her expression changed again. She clenched her fists and replied, "Are you saying you fell in love with me because I saved you?"
"Yes."
Mino's revelation came as a shock to her.
She'd never imagined that Mino fell in love with her because of what happened that night.
So, if that didn't happen, he... would never have liked her?
But that night...
10 years had passed.
But she still couldn't forget what happened.
It was etched in her mind.
She dreamt about and relived that night many times.
But what was different from reality was that she was exposed in her dream.
The little girl that saved Mino exposed her in public and said that she was lying.