Standing Next To You-Chapter 509: Gratitude and Loyalty

Everyone at the long table discreetly glanced at the man in the center. The meeting with the heads of departments had just begun, yet the atmosphere in the room was heavy and tense.

Throughout the meeting, everyone held their breath, being careful not to make a mistake.

"Meeting dismissed."

The man’s cold, deep tone echoed, instantly making the people at the long table inwardly sigh with relief.

Once they were finally out of the meeting room, they looked at each other and whispered.

"That’s the first time I’ve seen our boss being scary."

"Me too. I was about to greet him earlier but stopped when I saw his gaze. How can someone be so handsome yet so terrifying at the same time?"

"I’m just glad we survived that meeting. I was holding my breath the whole time."

To endure that meeting was truly exhausting. Even though their boss hadn’t said much and was just sitting there, the aura he exuded was so intimidating and terrifying, it felt as if a storm was brewing inside him.

"Could it be because of that rumor?"

Someone asked, and everyone turned to him. After making sure no one else was around, they began to gossip.

"I think so too. Maybe the boss is in a bad mood because of the articles online."

"Amazing. Someone actually dared to two-time our boss. If I had a face like his and someone did that to me, I’d be furious too. I hope that girl burns to death."

As the people outside gossiped, the room inside remained horrifyingly quiet.

Assistant Cheng had finished taking notes and glanced at his boss, who stayed in his seat, silently leaning back in his chair. His deep eyes stared into empty space.

He did not dare to move too loudly, because even he—the closest person to Fei Chuan at the moment—was also afraid of him whenever he was in this mood.

"Cheng Li."

Assistant Cheng felt the hair on his arms rise. He straightened his back and swallowed hard. Fei Chuan’s voice was terrifyingly deep.

"Y-yes, sir."

Fei Chuan tilted his head toward him. His cold, piercing gaze seemed capable of killing someone on the spot.

"Why did she choose George?"

Assistant Cheng began to sweat. His mind raced as he scrambled to find the safest answer, one that might save his life.

"I-it’s because...he’s the only one who could rival your fame. Given that you’re in an alliance with the James family."

Fei Chuan narrowed his eyes. "But why him? If she wanted to bury the rumors about us, she should’ve dated the current head of the Henson family instead. That would’ve caused an even bigger stir."

Assistant Cheng: "..."

Did he need to remind him that the current head of the Henson family—George’s uncle—was in his fifties? The man was more than twice Bei Sangyun’s age and might even be older than her biological father.

Fei Chuan tapped the table. Each tap echoed menacingly in the tense, heavy silence of the room.

"Or is it because George is young and handsome? Was he her type?"

Assistant Cheng inwardly panicked but kept his face calm. He had to deny that. "Of course not. George might be young, but he’s not handsome compared to you. Maybe it’s because he ranked second after you?"

"I’m definitely more handsome than him."

"Yes, of course."

"He’s stupid. I wouldn’t even deign to compare my brain to his."

"Yes, yes."

"So why him?"

Assistant Cheng: "..." How did we circle back to this question again?

Fei Chuan smirked, but his laughter was cold and dangerous. "Instead of being rumored with me, she chose that stupid, ugly monkey. Ruining her reputation in the process. Does she really hate being paired with me that much?"

Fei Chuan’s hand curled into a fist. His voice dropped, laced with bitterness.

"...She would rather drag herself through the mud with that clown than choose me."

His laughter erupted suddenly, but it carried a madness and pain he couldn’t put into words.

Assistant Cheng didn’t dare to breathe too loudly, trying to make himself as small and invisible as possible.

Suddenly, Fei Chuan stood up. His cold smile deepened.

"If she wants to play this way...fine. I’ll just turn up the game."

.....

As Butler Xin predicted, several clients and business partners pulled out of the company after the scandal broke.

It might have been manageable if Bei Sangyun had only been involved with two unknown men. However, the scandal implicated not only Fei Chuan but also the Henson family, with the potential to drag in the James family.

What should have been a simple scandal about two young people in love had escalated into a potential clash between two legendary families—a conflict that would only harm the company and those who were affiliated with them. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Those who doubted Bei Sangyun’s ability to navigate this storm chose to leave, severing ties with her company. Bei Sangyun let them go without holding them accountable.

Yet, while many left, there were also those who chose to stay. These were the clients who had been with the company since its inception, those people whose trust and loyalty had been earned over the years.

"I don’t care about the rumors. I believe you’re a smart woman with strong morals. Your private life is something I respect, just as you respected mine," a middle-aged man declared, expressing his unwavering support. "When you first approached me to invest in my company and helped me grow, I was drowning in debt. I thought I’d never recover, but thanks to your help and support, my company has grown massively. I wouldn’t be where I am now without this company. If this company goes down, I’ll go down with it."

Another client spoke up, his voice filled with emotion. "My answer remains the same. No one believed in me or helped me back then. During the darkest time of my life, you and this company lit the way for me. I was able to get back on my feet and grow because of your help. I won’t be ungrateful like the others and abandon the people who saved me."

One by one, many of their clients expressed their loyalty and determination to stay.

Bei Sangyun looked at each of them in turn. Initially, she had decided to let those who wanted to leave go and allow those who stayed to remain. But as she listened to their heartfelt words, their loyalty and resolve touched her in a way she hadn’t expected to feel in such a ruthless industry.

Her heart was moved. She reconsidered her stance. These people didn’t deserve to bear the brunt of the fallout.

"I told you from the beginning that I was just a borrowed hand, giving you the push you needed. Where you are today is because of your hard work. I’ve already been repaid over the years. So, you don’t need to stay—I’ll be fine even if you leave. This company will recover, and I’ll still welcome you with open arms if you decide to come back later."

"Boss, please hear us out. We’ve grown with you, become successful with you, and we’ll fall alongside you if we must."

"Yes, we won’t change our minds. Please let us stay."

The dozen people in the room, every one of them, were already prepared to share in the burden, hoping they could show their loyalty by staying in the darkest time.