18: Chapter 18 Zhang Lei's reputation is ruined, his life is a social death!

The next morning, the first rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds, illuminating the office building of Hengyuan Technology.

Humming a tune, Zhang Lei swaggered into the company, wearing the brand-name suit he had just bought yesterday. In a few more days, after he jumped ship to Xinghai Technology with the core technology, he would receive a high salary and stock options, making his future even more glorious!

But as soon as he entered the office area, he sensed something was off.

Subordinates who usually acted like brothers with him now lowered their heads and avoided his gaze; several female colleagues huddled together, whispering with looks full of contempt and disgust—some even secretly rolled their eyes; even the cleaning lady deliberately swiped her mop near his feet, as if shooing away trash.

"What the hell?" Zhang Lei frowned, feeling a pang of panic, but he forced himself to stay calm as he headed toward his office.

Just then, two stern-faced men in sharp suits blocked his path, their employee badges clearly marked "Audit Department."

"Manager Zhang, we're from the company's Audit Department. We've received a report alleging you're involved in embezzlement and misappropriation of company funds. Please come with us to the conference room for an investigation," one of them said coldly, without a hint of courtesy.

"What?!" Zhang Lei's face changed, but he waved dismissively, pretending to be composed. "You must have made a mistake. How could I possibly do such things? It must be a malicious report!"

"Whether it's a mistake or not will be determined after the investigation," the other man stepped forward, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Please, Manager Zhang."

The eyes of the surrounding colleagues instantly focused on him. The whispers grew louder, and those strange looks pricked at Zhang Lei like needles, making him extremely uncomfortable.

At that moment, his phone in his pocket began vibrating frantically. A series of messages from his wife popped up on the screen, followed by a hysterical voice message that almost burst through the speaker:

"Zhang Lei! You beast! You scum! What are those photos about?! How many women have you been messing around with behind my back?! And those recordings—you actually threatened that young girl! I've been with you for five years, and this is how you treat me?! I'm going to file for divorce right now and leave you with nothing! Just you wait!"

His wife's furious roar struck Zhang Lei like a thunderbolt, leaving him dizzy. His face instantly turned as pale as paper, his hands and feet turned cold, and his heart pounded so wildly it felt like it might leap out of his throat.

Those photos and recordings... How did she find out?!

Before he could react, his phone rang again. The caller ID showed "Xinghai Technology HR." Zhang Lei answered as if grasping at a lifeline, his voice urgent: "Hello, Manager Wang? This is Zhang Lei. About the job offer..."

"Mr. Zhang Lei," the voice on the other end was icy and filled with disgust, "we've just received an anonymous report alleging you stole commercial secrets from your previous company and have serious personal conduct issues. Xinghai Technology would never hire scum like you. Our cooperation is completely terminated, and we reserve the right to pursue legal action against you!"

"Beep—beep—beep—"

The call was mercilessly cut off. Zhang Lei's hand holding the phone trembled uncontrollably, his fingertips icy cold.

It's over. Everything is over!

Staggering to his desk, he tremblingly opened his company email. The two pinned emails loomed over him like mountains, suffocating him—

One was a dismissal letter from the Board of Directors: "After investigation, you have been found guilty of serious economic crimes and leaking commercial secrets, severely damaging the company's interests. Your employment contract is terminated immediately. The company has reported this to the police and reserves the right to pursue all legal actions."

The other was a legal notice from the Legal Department, clearly stating: "Suspected embezzlement amounting to 180,000 yuan, constituting a criminal offense. Police will soon intervene in the investigation..."

Zhang Lei collapsed into his chair, as if all his strength had been drained away. His eyes were hollow, and he muttered incessantly: "Impossible... This can't be... Who could know all this... Who wants to ruin me..."

Cold sweat poured down like a waterfall, instantly soaking through his brand-name shirt, clinging icily to his back. All his secrets, all his pretenses, had been stripped bare overnight and exposed to the light.

Workplace coercion, economic crimes, leaking commercial secrets, marital infidelity... Each one was enough to condemn him to eternal ruin!

Colleagues around him had already started pointing and whispering. Some even took out their phones to take pictures. The murmurs surged toward him like a tide: "I never expected Zhang Lei to be this kind of person!" "So disgusting, how could he do such things!" "Serves him right—he was always so arrogant and overbearing!"

Looking at everything before him, Zhang Lei felt the world spinning. Despair washed over him like a tidal wave, drowning him... Meanwhile, in the suburban production workshop.

Chen Fan stood on a steel frame, tightening screws with a wrench. His face was smudged with some engine oil, but it couldn't hide the joy in his eyes. His phone vibrated in his pocket. Climbing down, he pulled it out and saw a WeChat message from a former colleague:

"Chen Fan! This is so satisfying! That bastard Zhang Lei was taken away by the police first thing this morning! The company reported him for embezzlement—solid evidence. His wife also brought a lawyer to the company to file for divorce. Now the whole company knows about his dirty deeds. His reputation is completely ruined!"

Chen Fan wiped the oil from his hands, a relieved smile curling at the corner of his mouth. He tapped out a reply on the screen: "Trash belongs in the trash can."

After sending it, all the frustration from being suppressed by Zhang Lei and the pressure of starting his own business vanished in that moment. He felt light and free, as if he could fly.

He took a deep breath of fresh air, whistling a cheerful tune, then turned and picked up his tools, resuming the work of setting up the production workshop.

Zhang Lei's downfall was just a small episode on his entrepreneurial journey. The road ahead was still long. What he needed to do was build his own business empire, making all those who once looked down on him and suppressed him look up to him in awe!