When Hearts Collide: From Ashes to Love

Facing Marian's anxious gaze, Julian sighed. Indeed, her status as a former classmate carried more weight than his own.

"Julian, you're not suggesting that I'm at fault too, are you? I'm being framed!" Large teardrops fell from Liang Meiqi's eyes. "Manager Mao can vouch for me—it's not my fault!"

Mao Quan'an's expression turned awkward. Aaron's meaning had been quite clear. There was no way Mao could oppose him—if Aaron found out…

Thus, he tried to console Liang Meiqi: "Come on, Meiqi, let's leave it at that." He'd seen enough to realize that Marian was someone you didn't want to offend lightly. There was definitely something unusual in how Aaron treated her.

But Liang Meiqi wouldn't give up, clamoring for her innocence. Finally, Julian's face darkened.

"Liang Meiqi, as a product manager, you failed to confirm all the project requirements from the start. That's on you. You claim you trusted Marian's verbal promise—what about your own professional judgment? Do you blindly believe whatever anyone tells you? As the product manager, it's your responsibility to determine whether a request is in the company's best interest. If you weren't sure, you should have consulted your supervisor or me. Instead, you just went along with it!"

He paused before delivering the verdict. "Based on your performance in this project, I'm far from satisfied. Your entire quarterly bonus will be revoked, and you will receive an internal reprimand. This is to warn others not to make the same mistakes."

Liang Meiqi froze, unable to believe what she was hearing. Losing the bonus was one thing—she didn't need the money—but the humiliation of an official reprimand was another story. She'd always been treated like a princess, in school and at work. How could they do this to her?

Especially here, in YuTou's office building—how would she ever face Aaron again? A man so perfect, practically regal, would never want a woman who had been reprimanded for a work blunder!

No, she couldn't accept it—this was too much. She didn't deserve such severe punishment!

"Julian, I…" Liang Meiqi remembered her brief crush on him some time ago and knew he softened when approached gently. Adopting a quieter tone, she said, "I can accept losing my bonus, but do we really need an internal reprimand? I promise… I promise I won't make this kind of mistake again."

Feeling some sympathy, Mao Quan'an tried to speak up for her too. "Yes, Julian, maybe we don't have to go that far. After all, it's already been handled. Just give her a verbal warning."

But Julian had made up his mind. No one could sway him.

"I'm already showing leniency by not firing you. Reflect on yourself, and put more energy into your work instead of all this nonsense."

With that, he strode out of the meeting room.

"Marian," he called, "come here for a moment. I have something to discuss."

Marian was still in a daze when she heard Julian call her name. She quickly snapped out of it and followed him.

Downstairs, in the coffee shop, Julian took a sip of coffee, drumming his fingers on the table. "Mr. Aaron wants an update on the project's progress. Prepare a PPT and give him a presentation this Friday."

"Oh, alright."

Sensing her distraction, Julian, with his gentle eyes, looked at her. "What's wrong? Do you think I was too harsh with her?"

Marian shook her head. She wasn't some rookie who judged everything by personal feelings alone. "I'm just surprised that you decided it that way."

Julian chuckled. "This wasn't my decision; it was Aaron's."

"Huh?" Marian was puzzled.

She had a vague suspicion in the back of her mind, but it seemed impossible. Why would Aaron take her side? Wasn't he the one who usually stood by and watched her squirm?

Julian pursed his lips slightly. "Marian, are you and Aaron really just ordinary classmates?"

He'd sensed something unusual about the way Aaron treated Marian. After today, he was almost certain Aaron regarded her differently. Was it simply old classmates looking out for each other, or was there something more?

"Not exactly."

Julian's heart skipped a beat. "Then what—?"

"It's more like we're not even up to 'ordinary classmates.' You know how high and mighty he is, like a prince. Someone like me is probably just an ant in his eyes."

Marian gave a wry smile and shrugged.

Julian leaned back, stretching his arms. "Aaron can be a real piece of work sometimes. But as far as wealthy heirs go, he's one of the better ones. Some of them… well, let's just say they're appalling." He shook his head, recalling shocking rumors he'd heard about certain people in their social circle. By comparison, Aaron was decent—yes, he was aloof, but at least he acted with decorum and never abused his power.

Marian wasn't so convinced. "Society gives the rich too much slack. People like me are expected to follow all sorts of rules. Meanwhile, if a rich person just avoids wrongdoing, they get praised. It's absurd."

Her indignation made Julian chuckle. "True. It's not easy for the rest of us."

"Wait," Marian said, eyes going wide, "Julian, you're not exactly 'the rest of us.'"

Julian cleared his throat awkwardly, feeling as though she might have just insulted him. But Marian just scratched her head innocently and mumbled a quick excuse to go back upstairs.

The moment she set foot on the 23rd floor, the project team collectively fell silent, each person pretending to be busy. Liang Meiqi shot her a few dark looks, but Marian ignored them and opened her laptop to get back to work.

By the time she finished her tasks, it was already dark outside. She yawned, stretched her arms, and noticed the time—past 7 p.m. She closed her computer.

Waiting at the elevator, she suddenly remembered she hadn't thanked Aaron. Without realizing it, she pressed the button for the top floor.

On the top floor, only the CEO's office light was still on; the rest of the desks were empty. Surprised, Marian had assumed with someone as strict as Aaron in charge, nobody would dare go home early.

She knocked on Aaron's door. A long pause followed before his low, weary-sounding voice responded, "Come in."

That was a while. If she hadn't seen the lights on, she might have thought he'd left already.

"Mr. Aaron, you're still here? I mainly wanted to say thank you." Marian stepped inside, speaking in a soft, polite tone. "I realize you helped with the issue today, and I'm really grateful!" She bowed sincerely.

Remembering how their last dinner ended in a spat, she felt a bit guilty for being so difficult. So she made a promise. "I'd like to treat you to another meal soon. This time, I swear I'll listen to everything you say and won't argue at all."

"…Mr. Aar— Aaron, are you okay?!"

Marian looked up to see Aaron looking terribly pale. Alarmed, she noticed sweat beading on his forehead, and he was nearly propping himself against the desk.

"I'll call 110 right now!" Marian exclaimed, trembling so badly that she realized too late it should be 120 for an ambulance, not 110.

"No… no need," he managed weakly. "Don't call 120… just… can you help me buy some medicine?"

Worried he was just pretending to be fine, Marian insisted on calling an ambulance until Aaron explained he was suffering from a bout of gastritis. That was the only reason she relented.