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Chapter 76 - A Bitter-Sweet Office Drama

In a hidden corner of the president's office, a clandestine drama of intrigue was unfolding, one that involved secrets, desires, and ultimately, a rather unusual punishment. It all began when Cheng Lu, a woman of cunning ambitions, chose to meddle in the affairs of her co-worker, Georgia. As the office hummed with the steady rhythm of business, Cheng Lu's fingers danced with a touch of mischief. She stealthily poured mango juice into Georgia's cup, her eyes darting back and forth like a thief in the night. With cautious deliberation, she finally raised the cup to her lips, not to drink the coffee within, but to savor the sweet victory of her small act of malice.

The atmosphere was chillier than the coffee in Cheng Lu's hand as she turned her attention to Du Yue, her voice dripping with an icy demand, "Go and prepare something…"

Meanwhile, in the heart of the Secretary's office, Cheng Lu's oblivious counterpart, Cheng Lu herself, basked in blissful ignorance. Her heart danced to an unvoiced melody, and she adorned her lips with a vibrant hue of lipstick, the embodiment of her upbeat mood. But this was only a fraction of the story, as another secretary named An Ran shared the office space with her. An Ran, engrossed in the task of organizing documents, could not help but turn her gaze towards Cheng Lu, curiosity twinkling in her eyes. "What's the matter?" she inquired, her tone light and friendly.

Cheng Lu, catching her own reflection in the mirror, responded with a sly grin, her words laden with concealed meaning, "It's truly delightful to witness those who earn her disdain making a spectacle of themselves!"

Intrigued, An Ran probed further, "And who might this person be?"

With a chuckle that carried the weight of mischief, Cheng Lu decided to indulge An Ran, "Oh, my dear An Ran, that's a secret I shan't reveal!"

An Ran conceded, the mystery woven around Cheng Lu's words piquing her curiosity but not compelling her to press further. The narrative then shifted as the news of a certain someone's return reached the ears of Cheng Lu, igniting a spark of excitement within her. Yu Zong, the enigmatic figure who commanded her professional life, had reentered the stage of their shared journey. Cheng Lu, a secretary in Jack's employ, had nursed a silent fascination for him, but the invisible boundaries of their roles had kept her affections veiled.

News of Yu Zong's return reached her ears like a distant echo, and her eyes lit up with anticipation. "Yu Zong is back?" she exclaimed, her emotions unconcealed.

The passage of time had done little to quell her infatuation, and the prospect of his presence once more within the office walls stirred her like a gust of wind through a fluttering heart.

As conversations ebbed and flowed, it became evident that Yu Zong's return was not merely a casual event. An Ran's casual revelation unveiled the fact that he had been ensconced within the office for quite some time, engrossed in some mysterious undertaking. The tidings intensified Cheng Lu's anticipation, her heart racing like a runaway stallion.

Her thoughts ran wild with possibilities, and in a moment of impulsive excitement, she contemplated seeking Yu Zong out. "Perhaps I should go and inquire?" she mused aloud, the words barely escaping her lips before a knock on the door heralded a fateful encounter.

In an unexpected twist, the door swung open, and there stood Yu Zong, an enigmatic figure with a demeanor as cold and composed as the Arctic frost. Cheng Lu's breath caught in her throat, her surprise evident, yet her enthusiasm unfettered. "Mr. Jack, are you back?" she exclaimed, her voice quivering with a blend of reverence and longing.

Yu Zong's expression remained as inscrutable as ever, and he advanced with calculated purpose, the gravity of his presence commanding the room.

Seizing the moment, Cheng Lu inquired about the outcome of his business trip, her words a blend of professional courtesy and genuine interest. The interaction that followed was unprecedented, as Yu Zong's voice—usually as distant as a whisper in the wind—addressed her directly, demanding insight into her own experiences. The effect on Cheng Lu was akin to a collision of worlds, her heart fluttering like a bird released from a cage.

For the first time, Yu Zong's attention was firmly fixed on Cheng Lu, and his intentions were shrouded in an air of enigma. His voice, like molten silver, flowed over her senses as he divulged his purpose for returning: to bestow upon her a gift.

The very idea was spellbinding, and as Du Yue materialized with a grand carton, Cheng Lu's anticipation swelled to a crescendo. The package bore the unmistakable insignia of two ripe mangoes, adorned with the characters "high quality mango."

A sense of surrealism clouded Cheng Lu's thoughts as Yu Zong's actions diverged dramatically from their professional norm. Her bewilderment was palpable, etching a question upon her lips, "General Jack, this is…"

Yu Zong's response was as measured as a heartbeat, "These are for you."

Cheng Lu's astonishment mingled with gratitude, a symphony of emotions as varied as the notes on a composer's page. However, the revelation that followed defied her expectations. Presented with a surveillance video capturing her misdeed—the lacing of Georgia's cup with mango juice—Cheng Lu's confidence wavered like a candle flame in a draft.

Her voice quivered, "Mr.Jack, I just wanted to give her a taste of humility, to remind her of your presence that reverberates throughout the company…"

But Yu Zong's reaction was as frigid as the frost she had hoped to instill, his words cutting through her justifications with unyielding finality, "Enough of this."

In the wake of his words, the wheels of destiny turned, ushering in a pivotal moment. A choice was presented, stark in its simplicity yet heavy in its implications: leave or consume the contents of the mango-laden carton.

Cheng Lu's dilemma was palpable, her aspirations clashing with the daunting reality before her. Departing would mean relinquishing years of dedication, while devouring the mangoes carried a weight of humiliation. And so, as the seconds ticked away like the grains of a sandglass, Cheng Lu's fate hung in the balance, suspended between pride and submission.

Meanwhile, the watchful gaze of An Ran—a witness to this intricate drama—was marked by an air of uncertainty and concern. She tentatively ventured forth, her words a gentle plea, "Cheng Lu, you cannot continue. It could lead to harm."

The scene unfurled like a tapestry woven with complexity, emotions interwoven with the threads of ambition and consequence. Yet, amidst this whirlwind of events, the shadow of Yu Zong's presence retreated, leaving Cheng Lu to grapple with the choice that had been cast upon her. An Ran's voice, echoing with both sympathy and trepidation, resonated through the tension, "Cheng Lu, it's not worth it. Let it end."

But as the fragments of the narrative came together, it was evident that Cheng Lu's resolve remained unshaken. Desperation and determination mingled within her gaze as she clung to her path, the world around her fading as the act of consuming mangoes took center stage.

The mangoes, symbols of her own machinations, became her unexpected tormentors. The liquid they held became the essence of her struggles, sticky and bitter. As she peeled and ingested the fruit, her carefully curated veneer dissolved like sugar in water, and her tears flowed freely. The impressive punishment unfolded like a tragicomedy, with Cheng Lu as both the playwright and the unwilling protagonist.

And thus, the curtain fell on this act of the office drama, the final scene showcasing the complexity of human motivations, desires, and the unanticipated consequences that can unfold when ambitions collide. The world of corporate intrigue had once again spun a tale of power dynamics, secrecy, and the ever-entwined threads of fate and choice.