Chapter 42: Come with Me

He Jingyue rapidly scanned the content of the post, his expression growing increasingly grim. The low pressure emanating from him caused the others in the conference room to hold their breath.

Involving a senior executive assistant, technical plagiarism, and workplace bullying—each allegation was explosive enough to ignite public opinion, dealing a devastating blow to the meticulously cultivated image of the He Corporation and the heavily invested "Wisdom Language" project.

A senior executive cleared his throat and spoke in a tactful tone, "President He, with public opinion currently raging, should we have Assistant Lu take a few days off at home to ride out the storm?"

He Jingyue lifted his gaze from the tablet, his icy eyes sweeping across those present, and stated decisively, "She would not do such a thing."

A vice president could not help but chime in, "President He, we know Assistant Lu was personally promoted by you, but appearances can be deceiving! Now that both human and physical evidence are present, and public opinion is one-sided, we must provide the outside world with an account!"

"Do you think I am partial to Assistant Lu?" He Jingyue let out a cold laugh, his fingertips tapping on the description of the so-called "plagiarized" algorithmic thinking in the tablet.

"Take a close look at these so-called 'plagiarized' core viewpoints. They are wildly imaginative, unorthodox, and even completely contrary to some basic technical logic."

"This is not something any properly trained, rigorously minded engineer at our He Corporation could write. It looks much more like something pieced together by someone who knows nothing about technology, relying on some strange intuition."

He Jingyue glanced around the room, his tone carrying undeniable force, "The proposal Lu Qiuyi submitted may seem absurd, but it often carries an insight detached from our technical thinking inertia. She might not be professional, but plagiarize the work of a senior engineer? She lacks both the ability and the necessity."

The executives exchanged glances; although some felt He Jingyue's analysis made sense, more still wore expressions of doubt and worry.

After all, being emotionally willing to believe was one thing, while dealing with the monstrous pressure of public opinion in reality was quite another.

"Enough." He Jingyue said no more, forcefully suppressing all controversy. "Now is not the time to discuss this. Public Relations, act immediately according to my instructions; Technical Department, I want to see preliminary analysis of all backend data and communication records in the shortest possible time; Legal Department, step in and prepare to handle all potential legal issues."

"Understood, President He."

The conference room instantly became busy, the sounds of phone calls, keyboard clacking, and the buzzing of printers intertwining.

Meanwhile, completely unaware of this, Lu Qiuyi sat idly at her workstation, waiting for HR to approve her online resignation.

From time to time, surrounding colleagues cast covert glances at her, wearing strange expressions accompanied by whispered murmurs.

At first, Lu Qiuyi was somewhat puzzled, but she quickly had an epiphany—the news of her impending departure must have spread! Everyone must have felt her joy at escaping the sea of misery and was blessing her with their eyes!

She even smiled quite cheerfully at a few people who were peeking at her, making them look away with even greater embarrassment.

After a while, HR's internal line rang. "Assistant Lu, your resignation application has been received. However, according to company regulations, the resignation of the president's direct assistant must be ultimately approved and take effect directly from President He himself. President He is currently in an emergency meeting, so please wait a moment."

Lu Qiuyi: ......

Why is resigning so troublesome!

And it requires that king of hell to personally approve it?

Will he intentionally withhold it and refuse to let her go?

Depressed, she hung up the phone and prepared to slack off a bit longer when her personal phone vibrated.

It was a message from Lu Mingxuan.

[Father Lu]: Did you see what's on the forum? Regardless of whether you did it or not, remember, you are merely He Jingyue's assistant. Individual actions bear individual consequences, and this has nothing to do with the Lu family. If necessary, the Lu family will issue a statement. Take care of yourself.

Lu Qiuyi was completely baffled.

What forum?

A statement? What individual actions?

An ominous premonition instantly gripped her. She immediately opened the company's internal anonymous forum app.

The next second, that bright red, shocking headline instantly slammed into her field of vision.

"He Corporation President's Special Assistant Lu Qiuyi maliciously suppresses and plagiarizes work, driving me to a dead end!—The final voice of a dying man."

Her fingers trembled as she tapped on the post, her complexion turning paler the more she read.

Malicious suppression? Plagiarizing achievements?

Was this talking about her?!

Lu Qiuyi opened her mouth, but no sound came out, leaving her to look futilely at the surrounding pointing gazes.

"It's her!" An enraged roar exploded like a thunderclap at the entrance of the office area.

A tall middle-aged man wearing work clothes, his eyes bloodshot and emotions agitated, broke through the obstruction of the front desk and security guards. He seemed to be holding something in his hand as he charged directly toward Lu Qiuyi's workstation, shouting angrily, "You black-hearted woman! Give me back my son! I'll fight you to the death!"

It was Zhang Zhiwei's father; somehow he had gotten the news and actually rushed straight to the company.

Surrounding colleagues let out gasps of alarm, hurriedly dodging out of the way.

Lu Qiuyi was dumbfounded by the sudden turn of events, standing rigidly in place.

Just as the middle-aged man was about to reach Lu Qiuyi, a figure moved even faster, blocking in front of her.

He Jingyue had emerged from the conference room at some point, his expression as cold as ice. With one hand, he grabbed the wrist of Father Zhang, who was swinging wildly, with a force so immense that the other man was instantly immobilized.

"Security," He Jingyue said, his voice not loud yet carrying immense deterrence as his icy gaze swept over the security personnel who had rushed over at the sound, "Take him away and calm him down. Without my permission, no one is allowed to barge in again."

"Understood, President He!" The security guards quickly stepped forward, carefully leading Father Zhang away from the office area while he was still cursing and crying.

Only then did He Jingyue turn around to look at Lu Qiuyi behind him, who was pale-faced and trembling slightly all over.

Her eyes were wide open, filled with terror, bewilderment, and helplessness, resembling a frightened little animal entirely devoid of the bravado she had displayed that morning.

He Jingyue frowned deeply, took off his suit jacket, and unceremoniously draped it over her trembling shoulders, shielding her from the surrounding gazes.

"Come with me." He Jingyue grasped her wrist with unquestionable firmness, leading her through the silent office area straight toward the private elevator.

Lu Qiuyi was pulled along almost mechanically, her mind in complete chaos while her ears were still ringing.

Father Zhang's desperate, angry face and the accusing words intersected and flashed before her eyes continuously.

He Jingyue remained silent all the way as he led her down to the underground garage, shoved her into the passenger seat of the Rolls-Royce, started the engine, and drove away from the He Corporation building.

Scenery flashed past outside the car window. Lu Qiuyi curled up in the spacious seat, still draped in his jacket carrying the scent of cedar, yet she still felt chilled all over.

Everything that happened today felt like an absurd and terrifying nightmare.

She only wanted... she just wanted to resign, that's all.

How did it turn out like this?

She turned her head to look at He Jingyue in the driver's seat beside her with his taut expression, her lips moving a few times, but not a single word came out.

A wave of immense grievance surged over her like a tide. Her nose stung, and her vision instantly blurred into a sheet of tears.