Episode 3 - Shattered Dreams

Months later.

The early morning sun poured through the glass towers of Vitality Pharmaceuticals, painting the marble floors in gold — beautiful, yet cold. Li Xin walked those halls daily, each step echoing her resolve. She had rebuilt herself after heartbreak, staying professional despite the whispers that still lingered like ghosts in the corners of every meeting room.

But rumors, like shadows, never truly faded.

The news of** Liu Hao's engagement to Wang Mei** had long become yesterday's gossip, yet Li Xin could still feel its sting. Every glance, every lowered voice, carried a trace of pity or cruel amusement. What hurt most wasn't that Liu Hao had moved on — it was that the man who once swore to protect her had aligned himself with a woman who despised her existence.

Wang Mei was radiant, confident, and ruthlessly aware of her new power. As Vitality's latest business partner — and Liu Hao's fiancée — she wore her status like a weapon. Her laughter echoed through the office halls, sharp and sweet. And whenever her gaze met Li Xin's, it carried a single, unspoken message: You don't belong here.

One morning, Li Xin was reviewing quarterly reports when an email appeared in her inbox.

**Subject: **Board Meeting – Immediate Attendance Required.

From: Executive Office

Her pulse quickened. No agenda, no details — only urgency.

Straightening her blazer, she walked briskly to the top floor, unaware that this meeting would end everything she had fought to preserve.

The boardroom loomed ahead — sleek, glass-walled, intimidating. Inside,** Liu Hao** sat at the head of the table, flanked by Wang Mei and several executives. The tension in the air was suffocating.

"Li Xin," Liu Hao began, voice polite but distant. "Please, have a seat."

Her brow furrowed. "What's this about?"

He exchanged a glance with Wang Mei before continuing, tone laced with feigned regret.

"I'm afraid we've received a complaint — from a long-term client — about your conduct during the latest Nexus account meeting. They claim you were unprofessional and dismissive."

Li Xin froze. "That's impossible. I handled that presentation myself, and the client approved every term—"

"Still," Wang Mei interrupted smoothly, a faint smile curling at her lips, "the company cannot risk its reputation. I reviewed the feedback personally. It's... concerning."

Li Xin's heart pounded. "You reviewed it?" Her voice sharpened. "You weren't even part of that project, Wang Mei."

A murmur rippled among the executives. Wang Mei leaned forward, fingers interlaced elegantly. "Let's not make this personal. It's about what's best for Vitality. Perhaps it's time you consider resigning gracefully before things escalate."

Li Xin felt her chest tighten. She looked to Liu Hao — the man she once loved — hoping for some trace of fairness. But his eyes refused to meet hers.

"Liu Hao," she whispered, her voice trembling. "You know me. You know I would never jeopardize this company."

He hesitated — just for a heartbeat — before lowering his gaze. "I'm sorry, Li Xin. But Wang Mei and I have discussed this. It's for the best."

Her breath caught. The room blurred around her. "For the best?" she repeated, her words barely a whisper. "You mean for you. For your family. For your spotless image."

Wang Mei's smirk widened. "Let's keep emotions out of this, Miss Li. If you step down quietly, we'll ensure your record remains clean. Consider it... an act of mercy."

The insult landed like a slap. Li Xin rose slowly, refusing to let them see her crumble. "Mercy?" she said, her voice steady but cold. "No, this is cruelty disguised as civility. You're both cowards — hiding behind lies and power."

For a moment, silence ruled the room. Even Liu Hao's expression faltered. But he said nothing.

Li Xin's throat burned, her eyes stinging. "I gave this company everything. My time, my effort, my loyalty — even after being humiliated by your engagement. And this is how it ends?"

Liu Hao exhaled softly, guilt flickering across his face. "It's time for you to leave."

The words hung heavy in the air — final, absolute.

That afternoon, Li Xin packed her belongings in silence.

Her desk, once filled with color and life, now looked sterile — as though she had never existed.

As she walked through the lobby, heads turned. Some with pity, others with quiet approval.

At the revolving doors, she paused, glancing once at the Vitality Pharmaceuticals logo gleaming on the wall. The same place where she had poured years of her life — now nothing but ashes of ambition and heartbreak.

Outside, the sky threatened rain. She took a long breath and stepped into the wind.

That evening, Li Xin found herself back at the familiar café — the same place where her heart had broken once before. **Kyra Lee **was already waiting, concern etched in her face.

"Xin!" Kyra stood as she saw her, rushing to pull her into a tight embrace. "I heard. Are you okay?"

Li Xin's composure cracked. "They accused me, Kyra. Said I was unprofessional — that I hurt the company's reputation. It was all Wang Mei's doing. And Liu Hao... he just let it happen."

Kyra's eyes darkened with anger. "That's unforgivable. They used power to destroy you because they couldn't stand your strength. But listen to me, Xin — this doesn't define you. You are stronger than this. You'll rise again, and they'll regret ever trying to break you."

Li Xin wiped a tear, her voice faint. "I don't even know where to start."

Kyra cupped her hands gently. "Start by remembering who you are — Li Xin, the woman who doesn't bend, even when the world turns against her."

Li Xin managed a weak smile. "Thank you, Kyra. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Kyra squeezed her hand. "You'll stand again. You always do."

Outside, the rain began to fall — soft at first, then steady, washing the city clean.

Through the window, the reflections blurred like teardrops on glass. But somewhere in that blur, Li Xin's reflection seemed to straighten, her gaze steadier than before.

The storm had come for her — but it would not last forever.

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