The night outside was quiet, but Zi Ning's heart was anything but calm. She leaned back in her chair, her eyes fixed on the documents glowing on her laptop screen. Each page exposed more of Zi Yue's hidden crimes—money laundering, embezzlement, and backdoor deals that could destroy her reputation if they were revealed.
Someone wanted Zi Yue to fall. And they wanted Zi Ning to be the one to push her down.
A part of her wondered who sent these files. But right now, it didn't matter. What mattered was that she finally had something to fight back with. For too long, others had controlled her fate. Now, it was her turn to take control.
Her phone buzzed again—a call from Lu Yichen.
She answered immediately. "Yichen."
His voice was low and steady. "You said you found something. What is it?"
"I have proof that Zi Yue's been embezzling money from the Zi family's overseas accounts," she said, her voice firm. "If this gets out, it could ruin her position."
There was a pause on the other end before Lu Yichen spoke again. "Who sent you the evidence?"
"I don't know. It was an anonymous email," she admitted. "But the documents are real. If we use this the right way, we can strike before she does."
A soft chuckle came through the phone. "You're learning fast, Zi Ning. That's exactly what you need to do. But be careful. Zi Yue won't go down quietly. She's the kind of person who fights until the end."
"I'm ready," Zi Ning said without hesitation.
"I'll support you no matter what," Lu Yichen promised. "But you need a plan. You can't just throw this evidence out without thinking."
She knew he was right. Zi Yue wasn't someone who would panic over a little pressure. If Zi Ning wanted to win, she needed to be smart.
"I have an idea," she said after a moment. "The Zi family has their annual charity gala next week. It's a big event—everyone important in the business world will be there. If we leak this information just before the gala, it'll spread like wildfire. Zi Yue won't be able to explain it away."
Lu Yichen hummed in approval. "Smart. Public humiliation is harder to recover from. And if you strike in front of the entire business circle, it'll force Zi Hong to question her loyalty."
"Exactly," Zi Ning said. "If Zi Yue loses Zi Hong's trust, she loses everything."
A heavy silence fell between them for a moment before Lu Yichen spoke again, his voice softer this time. "I'm proud of you, Zi Ning. You're stronger than you realize."
Her chest warmed at his words. No one had ever stood by her like this before. "I couldn't do this without you," she whispered.
"You're not alone anymore," he said firmly. "Never forget that."
The days leading up to the gala passed quickly. Zi Ning worked quietly behind the scenes, preparing her move. She forwarded the documents to a trusted media contact under an anonymous account, timing the release to hit the news the night before the gala.
Meanwhile, Lu Yichen ensured that her position within the Zi family remained protected. With his influence, no one dared to question her sudden return.
But as the gala approached, Zi Ning couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was at play. Whoever sent those documents wanted to hurt Zi Yue—but why? What was their true goal?
She didn't have time to find out. All she could do now was focus on the battle ahead.
The night of the Zi family charity gala arrived. The grand ballroom of the Imperial Hotel glittered with luxury. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm golden glow over the elegantly dressed guests.
Zi Ning stepped out of the black luxury car, her posture straight and her expression calm. She wore a sleek black gown that hugged her figure perfectly, the silk shimmering under the lights. Her hair was styled in soft waves, and a diamond bracelet sparkled on her wrist—a gift from Lu Yichen.
As she walked toward the entrance, cameras flashed, and reporters murmured in excitement. Everyone was curious about the newly returned heiress of the Zi family.
Zi Ning ignored the attention, her focus locked on one goal—Zi Yue.
Inside the ballroom, familiar faces from the business world mingled, exchanging pleasantries and forming alliances. At the center of it all stood Zi Yue, wearing a blood-red gown that screamed confidence and power. She smiled graciously at the guests, her every move polished to perfection.
But Zi Ning noticed the slight tension in her shoulders, the stiffness in her smile. The news had already begun to spread.
Lu Yichen arrived shortly after, his tall, commanding presence drawing everyone's attention. He cut through the crowd easily, coming to stand beside her.
"You look beautiful," he murmured, brushing his fingers against hers.
"And you're late," she teased, her lips curving slightly.
"I wanted to give you the grand entrance you deserve," he said with a smirk.
Before she could respond, a hush fell over the room. Zi Hong had arrived.
The elder matriarch of the Zi family exuded power in her silver-gray gown. She moved with a grace that only came from years of being at the top. Her sharp eyes scanned the room before landing on Zi Ning.
Zi Ning bowed her head slightly in respect. "Grandmother."
Zi Hong nodded in acknowledgment but said nothing. Zi Ning knew better than to expect warmth from her—but the fact that she was acknowledged at all meant something.
The night continued with speeches, performances, and charity auctions. But beneath the surface, tension simmered.
At precisely ten o'clock, the real show began.
A sudden buzz filled the room as phones lit up with notifications. Murmurs spread like wildfire.
"Have you seen this?" a man whispered to his wife.
"Is this real?" another guest asked, holding up his phone.
Zi Ning exchanged a glance with Lu Yichen. It had begun.
Across the room, Zi Yue's face remained calm, but her knuckles turned white as she clutched her wine glass. The leaked documents had hit the media—and there was no hiding from it now.
Zi Hong's expression grew icy as she scanned her phone. Slowly, she turned her gaze to Zi Yue.
"Yue," her voice rang through the room, cutting through the whispers. "What is this?"
Zi Yue stepped forward, her smile tight. "Grandmother, it's a misunderstanding. These documents are fabricated—someone is trying to smear my name."
"Fabricated?" Zi Hong's tone grew sharper. "Then explain why these transactions match our overseas accounts exactly."
The room fell silent, everyone watching the confrontation unfold.
Zi Ning stood quietly by Lu Yichen's side, her heart pounding. This was the moment she had been waiting for.
For years, she had been powerless—an outsider looking in.
But tonight, everything had changed.