Volume One, Chapter 43: Standing Up for Her

“Mr. Lou…”
“Mr. Lou…”
The crowd parted from the outside in, creating a path.
Lou Ye, dressed in a black suit, walked in, his gaze sweeping over Sang Wan’s pale face.
His eyes finally landed on Su Baohui. “Mrs. Lu, what guidance do you have for me?”
Mrs. Lu?
From the elite families?
Then Sang Wan…
The young boss stood tall, his presence commanding.
The people surrounding them were either employees or visitors. Everyone glanced at each other, countless speculations exchanged through their eyes.
Yet not a single person dared to speak.
In the absolute silence, Su Baohui’s mind blanked for a moment.
She knew Lou Ye; after all, the Lou family’s status in the imperial capital was well-known.
Arrogant and unruly in his youth, his infamous exploits were no secret among the wealthy.
After coming of age, he took over Lou Corporation and soared to new heights.
His notoriety was dazzling.
His excellence even more so.
He was, in every sense, the crown prince of the capital’s elite circle.
But Su Baohui never expected Lou Ye to know her as well.
She had resolved to cause a scene today—one so public it would ruin Sang Wan’s position at Lou Corporation and make it impossible for her to survive in the capital.
But Su Baohui had accounted for everything except Lou Ye’s appearance.
The Lu family could not afford to offend the Lou family.
Nor could she afford to offend Lou Ye.
Even if she managed to drive Sang Wan out of the capital as she wished, what if Lou Ye remembered her disruption at Lou Corporation and later sought trouble with Lu Jinnian and the Lu family?
That would be a classic case of losing more than she gained.
In a flash, Su Baohui put on a smile. “Young Master Lou, it’s just a family matter…”
“If it’s a family matter, it should be handled at home. Coming here to cause trouble—is that your idea, Mrs. Lu, or Mr. Lu’s?”
What?
The very thing she feared had arrived.
Su Baohui frantically waved her hands. “No, no, Mr. Lou, I…”
Her eyes swept over Sang Wan, and she steeled herself. “Mr. Lou, I actually just came to remind your HR department about something. This Sang Wan, she…”
“Mrs. Lu!”
Lou Ye interrupted coldly. “Is my HR department full of idlers? Or do you believe, after living a few decades longer, you’re qualified to point the way for Lou Corporation?”
“Young Master Lou, you…”
She had thought that after exposing Sang Wan’s disgraceful family background, Lou Ye would, if not immediately fire her, at least demand a thorough investigation from HR in front of so many employees and visitors.
She never expected her words would be cut off before they even left her mouth.
He not only implied she was old—
But also criticized her for meddling.
Su Baohui was taken aback.
Lou Ye turned to the reception desk. “Did you call the police?”
“Yes, yes…”
The receptionist nodded. “The legal department has been notified.”
He looked back, noticing a few lawyers signaling their arrival on the edge of the crowd.
Lou Ye’s expression darkened. “When an employee requests legal aid, your first reaction isn’t to start work immediately but to stand around and watch?”
“Mr. Lou, we…”
“Mr. Lou…”
Two lawyers hurried to explain. Lou Ye looked at the receptionist. “Tell Gu Qian to get over here!”
Gu Qian, legal director of Lou Corporation.
Also Lou Ye’s personal lawyer.
Gu Qian arrived along with the police.
On one side, Gu Qian was gathering information from his assistants and the receptionist who witnessed everything.
On the other, the police had already taken Sang Wan’s statement and collected footage from the lobby’s security cameras.
“Su Baohui, correct?”
The officer, stern-faced, pointed to the police car parked outside on the steps. “You created a disturbance in a public place and spread rumors and slander. Please come to the station for questioning.”
What?
Su Baohui was shocked. “I—I didn’t… Sang Wan, you shameless wretch, I won’t let you get away with this!”
Restrained by two police officers, Su Baohui continued to shout even after being placed in the patrol car.
The crowd dispersed, heads lowered.
Lou Ye spoke coldly, “Stop.”
His voice was not loud, but its force was undeniable.
Those who were leaving froze in place.
Lou Ye surveyed the room, focusing on the visitors with badges around their necks. “Non-employees, please leave first…”
Some moved toward the exit.
Others headed for the elevators.
The lobby was half empty.
Lou Ye’s gaze landed first on the two legal department staff. “During work hours, when an employee requests legal aid, you stand around watching…”
“Mr. Lou, I won’t dare again!”
“Mr. Lou, I just arrived—I came as soon as I got the call, and when I stepped out, I saw you speaking with that lady. I… Mr. Lou, I was wrong. Please give me another chance. I promise it won’t happen again!”
Two people, two explanations.
Clearly, one had received the news first and was spectating, the other had just arrived.
Lou Ye looked to Gu Qian. “You know what to do?”
Gu Qian nodded. “Xiao Hu, you’re fired! Go to HR and complete the process. … Lao Liao, let’s not repeat this!”
“Director Gu, Mr. Lou…”

“Thank you, boss, thank you, Mr. Lou!”
One was escorted away by security.
The other bowed repeatedly, standing off to the side.
Gu Qian turned to Sang Wan. “Miss Sang, this way please…”
Lou Corporation’s legal department not only handled internal and external affairs, but also provided legal aid to all employees.
Whenever an employee applied, whether it was a crime, domestic abuse, or drunk driving, nothing was off-limits.
It was one of the company’s internal benefits.
Having received Xiao Bai’s reminder, Sang Wan had studied the employee regulations on the company forum in detail.
She never expected to need them so soon.
Looking back, she caught only a glimpse of Lou Ye’s retreating figure.
Sang Wan withdrew her gaze and followed Gu Qian upstairs to the legal department.
In the lobby, Lou Ye faced the ten or so remaining people.
“Each one of you is either from a top university or has outstanding achievements in your field.”
“Before hiring, HR conducted thorough background checks on each of you, including contacting previous employers. I can say with confidence: everyone who joins Lou Corporation has a spotless record.”
“Use your brains when watching the excitement. And…”
His eyes swept over their anxious faces, Lou Ye’s voice deepened. “Each of you, give me a legitimate reason for being here at this time.”
“Mr. Lou, I’m from the sales department; a client was scheduled to visit at ten, I came down to meet them, and they just went up…”
“Mr. Lou, I’m on a flex day—just arrived…”
“I came down to pick up my food delivery…”
Some could provide reasons.
But more could not, having simply come to gawk after hearing the news.
They never expected to be caught in the act by the boss.
“Those with legitimate reasons, register at the front desk. Two days’ performance bonus will be deducted from each of you!”
“Those without valid reasons, return to your departments and report to your managers! … You’re fired!”
With that, Lou Ye turned and headed for the elevator.
The lobby was dead silent.
“Feels like Mr. Lou is standing up for Sang Wan.”
“If you were the one targeted today, wouldn’t you want the boss to support you like that?”
“…”
“I’ve always disliked the legal department—so high and mighty, as if they’re superior! Finally, someone put them in their place!”
“…”
In the legal department meeting room, Sang Wan had just submitted her request for assistance.
Her phone rang.
It was a call from Lu Jinnian.