Later that week, Lucas couldn't shake the uneasy feeling he had about Sophia's situation at work. He had noticed her coming home exhausted and more reserved than usual. Her explanations about the increased workload didn't sit right with him, so he decided to take matters into his own hands.
During a break between meetings, Lucas casually walked through the office floor where Sophia worked. He kept his distance, blending in with the bustle of the office, making it appear as though he was simply passing by. But his eyes were sharp, observing everything closely.
As he approached Sophia's department, he noticed something troubling. Ms. Zhang was standing over Sophia's desk, her voice low but laced with condescension. Lucas watched as she handed back a file with an exaggerated sigh, clearly finding fault in something trivial. Sophia accepted the criticism without argument, her posture tense but compliant.
Lucas's jaw clenched. He had seen enough.
Without a moment's hesitation, Lucas pulled out his phone and dialed a number. His voice was cold and authoritative as he spoke. "Get the HR Director and all department heads to the conference room immediately. I'm on my way."
He didn't wait for a response. He hung up and turned to walk towards the conference room, his expression dark and determined. As he passed by Sophia, he briefly met her eyes, his gaze softening for just a moment. But he didn't stop; there was work to be done.
In the conference room, the department heads and HR Director were already seated, exchanging confused and nervous glances. It wasn't often that the chairman called such an impromptu meeting, and the tension in the room was palpable.
When Lucas entered, the room fell silent. His presence was commanding, and his anger was barely concealed beneath his calm exterior. He didn't waste time with pleasantries.
"Ms. Zhang," he began, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade, "I've observed some concerning behavior from you today. Care to explain why you've been unfairly targeting one of my employees?"
Ms. Zhang paled, her eyes wide with shock. "C-Chairman Lucas, I—I don't know what you mean," she stammered, trying to maintain her composure. "I've only been enforcing company standards."
Lucas's gaze hardened. "Company standards do not include harassment or petty vindictiveness. I saw how you treated Sophia today. Your behavior was unprofessional and unacceptable."
The room was silent, the tension thick. Ms. Zhang opened her mouth to speak, but Lucas held up a hand to stop her.
"I won't tolerate any form of bullying in this company, especially not against my wife," Lucas continued, his voice like steel. "As of this moment, you are relieved of your duties. HR will process your termination and arrange your severance package. I don't care what it costs—I will not allow someone like you to remain in this company."
Ms. Zhang was stunned into silence, her face ashen. The other department heads looked equally shocked, exchanging glances as they processed what they had just heard.
"And let this serve as a warning to everyone here," Lucas added, his voice carrying authority. "If anyone dares to harass or mistreat Sophia—or any other employee, for that matter—you will face the same consequences. I won't hesitate to take action."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "Moreover, Ms. Zhang, you'll find that your future prospects in this industry are now very limited. I will make sure you are blacklisted from every reputable company. Consider this the consequence of your actions."
The room was filled with a stunned silence. No one had ever seen Lucas this angry before, and the severity of Ms. Zhang's punishment left everyone in a state of shock.
Before leaving, Lucas turned to face the group one last time. His expression softened slightly as he spoke, but his tone remained firm. "Sophia is my wife. I will not tolerate any disrespect toward her. Let that be clear."
With that, he turned and left the conference room, leaving the managers to process what had just happened. As he exited, whispers erupted among the employees—shock, admiration, and awe mingled together. They had never imagined that the chairman's new wife could inspire such a fierce protective reaction from him.
Back at her desk, Sophia was still processing the sight of Lucas striding past her earlier. She had sensed his anger, but she wasn't sure what had happened until she heard the whispers spreading through the office. When someone mentioned that Lucas had declared her as his wife, her heart skipped a beat.
Moments later, Lucas returned to her department, his expression softened as he approached her desk. He didn't say anything right away, just looked at her with a mix of concern and tenderness.
"Lucas… what did you do?" Sophia asked quietly, her eyes searching his.
He took her hand, squeezing it gently. "I did what I should have done sooner. I won't let anyone mistreat you, Sophia. You deserve to be treated with respect, especially in your workplace."
"But… you fired her," Sophia whispered, still in shock.
Lucas nodded. "She was out of line, and I won't tolerate that. No one will ever make you feel less than you are. Not while I'm here."
Sophia felt a mix of emotions—relief, gratitude, and love. She looked into his eyes, seeing the depth of his care for her. "Thank you, Lucas. But… I don't want you to have to fight my battles."
Lucas smiled softly, brushing a thumb over her cheek. "You don't have to fight alone, Sophia. We're in this together, remember?"
Sophia leaned into his touch, feeling the warmth of his hand against her skin. She realized that, with Lucas by her side, she could face anything. And she wasn't alone—not anymore.
As they stood there, the office slowly returning to its usual rhythm, Sophia knew that their bond had only grown stronger. She had always known Lucas was protective, but seeing him take such decisive action on her behalf made her realize just how deeply he cared for her.
And as they left the office together, heading home after an emotionally charged day, Sophia couldn't help but feel that they were truly building something lasting—a partnership based on mutual respect, love, and unwavering support.