The Fallen Film Queen’s Possessive Alpha - Chapter 13

The latest gossip within Rubik’s Industries was that both the Executive Vice President and the Chief of Staff had skipped work. Many had witnessed the night before when Vice President Du suddenly went into her rut and was taken away by Assistant Xuan.

[No office romances allowed, right?]

[How do you know it’s romance? Maybe they were just spending her rut together.]

[If it’s neither, you two are just spreading rumors. Better watch out]

Rumors swirled in the work group chat until the CEO’s secretary finally intervened: [Shut it, everyone. President Zhou is in the office.]

[Wait, President Zhou and Vice President Du aren’t a thing? I always thought they were a pair. Who knew it was actually Assistant Xuan!]

[I always felt Vice President Du treated our big boss like an overprotective older sister.]

[So Assistant Xuan is the sister-in-law?]

[All of you are muted now.]

From the moment she entered the company until she reached her office, Zhou Qiwei was met with countless curious glances. She knew exactly what everyone was wondering about. Last night, she had attended that ill-fated art exhibition opening, while Du Xin had suddenly gone into rut at the office and was taken away by Xuan Tinglu. Today, both had called in sick.

The facts were plain to see,what everyone really wanted to know was how she planned to handle this potential office romance.

But Zhou Qiwei was not the kind of boss who indulged gossip. The first thing she announced was an emergency morning meeting, demanding reports from every department: the R&D team (aka the Rubik’s Biotech Research Center) had to submit their quarterly and half-year research reports, the investment team had to hand in their investment analysis, the finance team had to provide audit reports, and even the general affairs department was tasked with submitting a report on daily operational expenses.

The entire company was thrown into chaos, scrambling to meet her demands. Satisfied, Zhou Qiwei glanced at her secretary’s phone, where the “Rubik’s Industries Employee Chat Group” now lay eerily silent. As expected when people were busy, they had no time for idle chatter. Handing the phone back, she sighed apologetically. She’d have to disturb Du Xin during her rut.

For the first half of the year, Zhou Qiwei had been completely absorbed in developing a new inhibitor. Then, there was the unexpected encounter with Song Haoyin, leaving the company’s daily operations entirely on Du Xin’s shoulders. On top of that, Zhou Qiwei had been pushing to invest in a television network, expand into media, keep a “close eye” on Top Profit Group, and stay informed about Jiuzhou’s movements. The sheer workload had thrown Du Xin’s rut cycle into disarray.

A disrupted rut led to uncontrolled surges of pheromones. Luckily, Xuan Tinglu had been there last night otherwise, who knew how things might have ended…

Du Xin was held tightly in someone’s arms, sleeping more deeply than she had in a long time. This wasn’t just exhaustion it was the profound stillness after a storm of overstimulation. The person behind her had their fingers interlaced with hers, and the moment she stirred, they woke instantly.

“Are you still feeling unwell anywhere?” Xuan Tinglu, her hair a mess, hovered over Du Xin, concern etched on her face.

“Let go of me first.”

Du Xin twisted free, and the usually playful assistant now looked utterly lost until the phone rang. Xuan Tinglu scrambled back, hastily releasing her, then tumbled off the bed, dragging the sheets with her as she bolted for the bathroom.

Xuan Tinglu hid by the bathroom door, eavesdropping on Du Xin’s phone call with Zhou Qiwei don’t ask how she knew it was Zhou. Du Xin’s gentle, patient tone while discussing company matters could only mean one person. The jealous assistant abandoned her shower, wrapping herself in a sheet before sulking back to bed.

“Li You? Isn’t she Zhou Mu’s fiancée? Why the sudden interest?”

Zhou Qiwei’s voice came through casually: “Ran into her last night. She seemed like such a prep school kid wondered what kind of family produces such an adorable lawyer.”

“She’s ah!”

Du Xin muffled the receiver as Xuan Tinglu’s wandering hands became too distracting. She gestured for her to stop, but ended up biting her lip against the pillow until finally slapping the intrusive hands away. Xuan Tinglu had the audacity to pout. When Du Xin ignored her stern expression, the younger woman soon sidled up again, pretending innocence as she nestled close.

With Zhou gone silent, Du Xin gladly resumed: “Li You’s maternal grandmother is quite prominent founding member of the Omega Protection Association. Her paternal grandmother was the former president of Luocheng First University, law school alum. Her mother’s currently the associate dean of their law school and provost, while her father serves as chief prosecutor. Only child, apparently met Zhou Mu at some alumni event.”

“Quite the legal dynasty,” Zhou remarked knowingly before teasing: “Alright, won’t keep you from handling your rut. You two can take a couple extra days off. Though heads-up had an unpleasant run-in with Zhou Mu last night over that incident four years ago. If they come asking ”

“I know.”

Another abrupt hangup. Xuan Tinglu watched Du Xin end the call before dramatically flopping onto the bed, cocooning herself in sheets to project utter desolation.

Du Xin sighed. She’d always considered Xuan Tinglu emotionally immature great as a friend, less so as a partner.

“You always share secrets with her, never me.” Xuan Tinglu’s eyes reddened with genuine hurt. “We met her together! Why does Qiwei get special treatment?”

Now she was jealous. Du Xin couldn’t deny the truth in her words, but Zhou’s privacy wasn’t hers to disclose. “Her personal matters aren’t mine to share. Just like I’d never tell her yours unless you want me gossiping?”

Xuan Tinglu brightened instantly. Their playful tussle carried them back to the bathroom, where Xuan Tinglu took a hasty shower before happily bustling off to cook for Vice President Du.

Soaking in the tub, Du Xin replayed the call and finally noticed the anomaly: Zhou claimed conflict with Zhou Mu, yet her voice lacked its usual post-family-fight bitterness. What or who had lifted her spirits this time?

Could it be Song Haoyin?

Then there was today’s public spectacle her rut hitting mid-office, being escorted home by Xuan Tinglu under everyone’s gaze, now both taking leave. The rumor mill would be churning. While not technically an office romance yet, appearances mattered. Standard protocol meant reassigning Xuan Tinglu no way she could remain as executive assistant.

If only science would hurry up with that universal suppressant already.

Still troubled, Du Xin heard singing coming from outside it was Xuan Tinglu humming a cheerful tune while making lunch. The melody was light and joyful, reflecting the singer’s sunny mood. Leaning against the edge of the bathtub, Du Xin listened to the song outside, unaware of the gentle smile that had appeared on her face.

The stirring melodies of classical music echoed through the lobby of Cube Industries. On the public television screen, a program preview from LBS, also known as Los Angeles Broadcasting, was playing. During the post-lunch break, some energetic employees lingered in the company lobby, sipping coffee and watching TV in the lounge area. The upcoming interview, known for its sharp questions and deep dives into guests’ inner thoughts, was one of LBS’s most popular flagship shows.

Zhou Qiwei chose to wander around at noon after all, it was her company, and nowhere was off-limits. But as she passed the lounge, she stopped in her tracks, her expression shifting as she watched the broadcast. If she remembered correctly, this program was supposed to be a live interview that evening, with a rerun the next day. That meant the show hadn’t been canceled last night, someone had replaced Song Haoyin!

Yet when Song Haoyin accompanied her to the bar, she hadn’t said a word about it.

Why hadn’t she mentioned it?

When Zhou Qiwei saw Song Haoyin’s invitation last night, she naturally had no desire to return to the art gallery and instead asked if Song Haoyin wanted to grab a drink. She hadn’t expected Song Haoyin to agree after all, a high-profile actress with no work commitments late at night should be getting her beauty sleep but Song Haoyin quickly accepted.

They went to a bar near the Cube Biological Research Institute, frequented mostly by researchers and students, where the atmosphere was quiet and relaxed. The lazy strains of jazz filled the air as the bar, nearing midnight, hosted only a handful of patrons. Sitting in a corner, they enjoyed the rare luxury of anonymity and peaceful solitude.

When pouring wine for Song Haoyin, Zhou Qiwei caught her smiling at her; when speaking, Song Haoyin would lean slightly forward. And today, she smelled so good. Every time Song Haoyin drew near, a faintly salty sea breeze mingled with a crisp, bitter fragrance drifted into Zhou Qiwei’s senses. Breathing in that scent, her earlier unhappiness was quickly forgotten.

Slightly tipsy, Zhou Qiwei lost herself in Song Haoyin’s fragrance, idly toying with her glass as she listened to stories about the actress’s past filming adventures. They also talked about Song Ange’s condition. Perhaps moved by Song Haoyin’s deep care for her sister, Zhou Qiwei asked, “Have the two of you ever fought?”

“No.” Song Haoyin covered her mouth with a laugh, as if recalling a happy memory. “Ange is six years younger than me. When she was little, she was like my little shadow,how could I fight with such an adorable sister? Later, as we grew up, she was busy with school, and I was occupied with acting and studies. There were years when we barely saw each other nothing worth fighting over.”

What a good sister, Zhou Qiwei murmured, letting the topic drop.

Eventually, she succeeded in drinking herself into a stupor. Song Haoyin took her back to the research institute, and the two unexpectedly spent a chaste night together in the lounge before Song Haoyin left at dawn.

All night long, why hadn’t she mentioned being replaced on the show? Zhou Qiwei didn’t understand. But she knew asking Song Haoyin wouldn’t help, she needed to ask someone else instead.

Song Haoyin’s Studio

Su Ye was locked in a standoff with Yu Miao, while Xu Su wisely stayed out of it. Song Haoyin hadn’t yet returned from the hospital.

“I’m still a shareholder here. Why can’t I come? As a shareholder, it’s perfectly normal for me to check on part of my assets.”

The speaker was an innocent looking Beta who appeared more like a high school teacher than the head of a top talent agency. However, in Yu Miao’s eyes, this respectable person was the epitome of “fair without but foul within” after all, no truly decent individual would stab their best friend in the back without hesitation.

This Beta was none other than Song Haoyin’s former agent, Su Ye, who had boldly come to Song Haoyin’s studio and produced a document.

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