The air in the ballroom grew heavy with tension. Every eye in the room was on Zi Yue as she faced Zi Hong's sharp gaze. The elegant facade of the charity gala cracked under the weight of the scandal. Murmurs spread like wildfire, but no one dared to speak too loudly.
Zi Ning stood quietly beside Lu Yichen, her face calm, but her heart pounded in her chest. This was the moment she had been waiting for. Zi Yue, the woman who had humiliated her, was finally being exposed.
Zi Yue took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Grandmother," she began, her voice steady despite the pressure, "I don't know where these documents came from, but I can assure you, they are fake. Someone is trying to ruin my reputation."
Zi Hong's expression remained cold. She tapped her cane against the marble floor lightly, the sound echoing through the silent room. "Fake? Do you think I'm a fool, Zi Yue?" Her voice cut through the air like a blade. "These documents match our financial records exactly. Are you saying someone outside the family had access to those?"
Zi Yue's face paled slightly, but she kept her composure. "I would never betray the family. Someone must be trying to frame me."
The crowd watched with bated breath. No one dared to move or interrupt. It wasn't every day that the powerful Zi family aired their dirty laundry in public.
Zi Ning's lips curled into a faint smile. She had been patient for too long. Now, it was time for Zi Yue to taste the humiliation she had once inflicted on her.
Lu Yichen leaned closer and whispered softly, "She's trapped. Zi Hong won't let this go easily."
Zi Ning nodded. "But Zi Yue is too smart to fall without a fight. She'll try to shift the blame soon."
And just as she predicted, Zi Yue spoke again, her voice a little louder this time. "Grandmother, if you give me time, I'll investigate and find out who's behind this. I would never risk the family's reputation."
Zi Hong's eyes narrowed. "I gave you power because I believed you were capable and loyal. But now, you stand here feeding me excuses."
At that moment, Zi Han, another member of the family and Zi Yue's long-time rival, stepped forward. His voice was calm but filled with hidden satisfaction. "Grandmother, perhaps we should appoint someone else to handle the family's overseas affairs until this matter is cleared up. It would prevent further damage."
Zi Yue's body stiffened. She knew exactly what Zi Han was doing—taking advantage of her weakness to steal power.
"I agree," a middle-aged man added, his tone cautious. "For the sake of the Zi family's reputation, we need to act quickly."
Zi Hong remained silent for a moment, her face unreadable. Then, she nodded slowly. "Effective immediately, Zi Yue will step down from handling the overseas accounts. Until we uncover the truth, all responsibilities will be transferred to Zi Han."
A murmur swept through the crowd. This was a major blow to Zi Yue's position. Without control of those accounts, her influence in the family would weaken.
Zi Yue's hands trembled slightly as she bowed her head. "I understand, Grandmother. I will do everything I can to clear my name."
Zi Ning's heart swelled with satisfaction. For years, Zi Yue had walked over her without consequence. Tonight, the tables had turned.
But she wasn't done yet.
As the gala continued, Zi Ning excused herself from the crowd and slipped onto the balcony for some fresh air. The cool night breeze brushed against her skin, calming the fire burning in her chest.
A soft click of footsteps behind her made her turn. Lu Yichen had followed her, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. His dark eyes held a warmth only she ever saw.
"You did well," he said quietly.
Zi Ning sighed softly. "It's not over. Zi Yue won't give up that easily."
"No," he agreed, stepping closer. "But tonight, you struck the first blow. She's wounded now. It's only a matter of time before she falls completely."
His quiet confidence gave her strength. For the first time in years, she felt like she had someone who would stand beside her—no matter how difficult the road ahead became.
She turned to face him fully. "Thank you, Yichen. I couldn't have done this without you."
His lips curved into a faint smile. "I told you—I'll always be by your side."
Before she could respond, a sharp voice interrupted them.
"So this is how you repay me, little sister?"
Zi Ning's body tensed as Zi Yue stepped onto the balcony. Gone was the polished mask she had worn inside. Her eyes burned with anger, and her lips curled into a cold sneer.
Lu Yichen's expression turned icy as he stepped protectively closer to Zi Ning. "You should choose your words carefully, Zi Yue," he warned.
Zi Yue ignored him, her gaze locked on Zi Ning. "Did you think I wouldn't know it was you? You're the only one who stands to gain from this."
Zi Ning lifted her chin, meeting her sister's furious glare without fear. "If you hadn't stolen what wasn't yours, you wouldn't be in this position."
A bitter laugh escaped Zi Yue's lips. "Stolen? Everything I have, I earned. While you were living your pathetic life outside the family, I was the one building my power."
"And yet," Zi Ning said softly, "here you are—falling apart."
The words hit their mark. Zi Yue's face twisted with rage. She took a threatening step forward, but Lu Yichen's cold gaze stopped her in her tracks.
"You may hate me," Zi Ning continued, her voice steady, "but I won't let you destroy me again. This is only the beginning, Zi Yue. From now on, I'll take back everything you stole—one piece at a time."
Zi Yue's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Don't celebrate too soon, little sister. You think you've won, but you don't know what you're up against. You don't have the stomach for this game."
Without another word, she turned and disappeared back into the crowd.
Lu Yichen slipped his hand into Zi Ning's, his grip warm and reassuring. "She's dangerous," he said quietly, "but she's losing control. You've already made her desperate."
Zi Ning let out a slow breath. "I know. And I'm ready for whatever comes next."
For years, she had lived in her sister's shadow—helpless, powerless. But not anymore.
Tonight, the first strike had been made.