SMACK!
A sharp slap echoed through the usually busy office.
Xia Yuqing barely had time to react. Her breath hitched as she stumbled a step back, hand flying to her face. The room fell deadly silent. A few stopped what they were doing and looked up from their computer screens.
Others looked at each other like, "What just happened?"
That's when they saw her— Mrs. Hu, the boss's wife. She looked furious, her usual warm smile gone. She was breathing heavily, as her body trembled with rage. "You!" she hissed, "How dare you!! Do you think you can take him from me?"
Xia Yuqing was confused and so were the others. Take who? What was she talking about? What was going on?
"M-madam, I... I-I don't understand...." she stammered nervously at the sudden accusation.
"Don't!" Mrs. Hu's eyes burned with rage. "Don't you dare play innocent with me! Did you take me for a fool? Did you think I wouldn't find out?"
"Madam, what are you—"
Before Xia Yuqing could finish, Mrs. Hu lunged forward like an angry cat. Her hand wrapped around Xia Yuqing's throat and squeezed hard. "He's my husband. Do you hear me? Mine!" she roared. "How dare you sleep with him?!"
Gasps rippled through the office as many stood up in shock at the sudden revelation.
Xu Yuqing's face turned red. Her eyes bulged not only due to the shock of her words but also due to her actions. Tears began to form as she clawed at Mrs. Hu's hands, desperate for air. "L-let... me... go…" she choked out, struggling to speak.
Red spots danced before her eyes as she searched the horrified faces of her coworkers for help. Some were frozen, others looked away while a few shifted nervously, wanting to help but a single glare from Mrs. Hu pinned them in their places.
The air danced with tension as everyone shifted nervously. Finally, two men sprang into action. One rushed towards Mr. Hu's office and the other to get help. Xia Yuqing was fighting desperately, her face turning blue and green from the lack of air.
But, Mrs. Hu didn't show her any pity.
"You think you're special?" she continued, her nails digging into her skin leaving marks. "Did you use this pretty little face to make my husband crawl into your bed? Answer me!"
"I will ruin this face of yours, you bitch! How dare you seduce my husband!" she roared, squeezing her throat with all her might. Xia Yuqing's vision blurred, and an overwhelming feeling of panic and terror gripped her.
Seeing the situation turning worse, everyone in the office understood someone needed to step in. Finally, two men glanced at each other and stepped forward. They grabbed Mrs. Hu's arms and pulled her away. "Let me go!" she shrieked, struggling against their hold. "I'll tear her apart! That home-wrecking whore, she—"
Her perfectly styled hair had come undone, wild strands falling across her face as she shot daggers at Xia Yuqing. "I'll claw your eyes out, you bitch! I will make your life hell!"
Xia Yuqing stumbled back, gasping for air. She clutched her throat, eyes burning with unshed tears. She could feel the burning stares, the condemning gazes, the tiny whispers going through the air.
She needed to explain. She needed to clear up the misunderstanding. She needed Mrs. Hu to know that she did not sleep with her husband. She was innocent.
"N-no… I didn't—" she croaked, shaking her head. "It's not true… I didn't—"
"Liar!" Mrs. Hu spat. "First you sleep with my husband, and now you have the audacity to stand there and deny it? You filthy little—"
Just then, a sharp clicking of heels filled the room. A few heads turned to see who had arrived. It was Li Xinran, Xia Yuqing's best friend and team leader. She walked with a smooth, confident grace, her hips moving slightly. Her bright red dress stood out against the dull office colors.
Her eyes moved over every face in the room, then finally stopped at Mrs. Hu who was still cursing and screaming. "Mrs. Hu," she said gently, "We all respect you, but you cannot accuse one of us without any proof."
"I know Xia Yuqing. She would never do something like this. She is not that kind of a woman. There has to be some sort of misunderstanding."
Her words carried weight. They worked like magic. Almost immediately, a few coworkers began to nod while others voiced their support. Xia Yuqing looked toward Li Xinran with gratitude in her tear-filled eyes.
Li Xinran smiled back before turning back to Mrs. Hu. "Do you have any proof for the accusation you are throwing at my best friend and teammate, Mrs. Hu?"
Mrs. Hu let out a cold laugh, "Oh, I have proof."
Under everyone's gaze, she reached into her purse and took out something small and shiny. And, then before anyone could react, she threw it towards Xia Yuqing. Frightened, Xia Yuqing quickly stepped back but the item flew in the air and struck her chest before landing at her feet.
When Xia Yuqing saw the item, a gasp left her lips. It was a diamond earring. Her diamond earring. With trembling fingers, she picked it up. Confusion swirled in her mind.
"Recognize this?" Mrs. Hu sneered. "It belongs to you, right?"
The room went quiet as everyone stared at the small piece of jewelry. All eyes fell on Xia Yuqing. Her heart sank, as panic began to rise. Of course, she recognized it. It was the pair she received as a reward at last year's company party. Everyone saw it. They were envious.
"And do you know where I found it?" Mrs. Hu's voice dripped with venom. "In my house. In my bedroom. On. My. Bed."
Xia Yuqing felt the blood drain from her face.
The room erupted into hushed whispers.
"So, it's true…?"
"She slept with the boss?"
"No wonder he always praised her work…"
"Ugh! I actually thought that she was talented."
"Tch..... It's always the innocent-looking ones..."
"Poor Mrs. Hu. No wonder she looked so angry..."
"Even if she slapped Xia Yuqing a few more times, I wouldn't blame her."
Like a hot iron, all the judgemental gazes burned into her skin. Tears blurred her vision. "No… it's not like that," she whispered. "I didn't—"
She did not sleep with the boss. She has never even been to their house. But then, how did her earring..... and then, it hit her.
Her eyes snapped toward Li Xinran.