The morning sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Lu Yichen's office. The city below buzzed with energy, but inside, the atmosphere was sharp and cold. Zi Ning sat on the leather couch, her posture calm, but her mind was anything but still.
Across from her, Lu Yichen leaned against his desk, arms crossed, watching her with that steady gaze that never missed a thing. His phone buzzed on the surface behind him, lighting up with new notifications every second. The news about Jiang Tian's downfall had spread like wildfire overnight.
"Jiang Tian's finished," Lu Yichen said, breaking the silence. "His investors are pulling out, and his mistress has already fled the country. He won't be able to touch you again."
Zi Ning gave a cold smile. "Good. One problem down. But Zi Yue won't stop here."
"She won't," Lu Yichen agreed. "But now, she's lost a powerful tool. Without Jiang Tian spreading rumors, it will be harder for her to attack you publicly."
Zi Ning tilted her head slightly. "She's too proud to give up so easily. She'll find another way."
Lu Yichen's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Let her try. I'm curious to see how desperate she'll get."
Before Zi Ning could respond, the office door swung open. Xu Wei stepped inside, a tablet in hand, his expression serious. "We've found something else," he said, walking toward them. "This might be bigger than we thought."
Zi Ning's eyes sharpened. "What is it?"
Xu Wei handed her the tablet. "A hidden account under Zi Yue's name. Over the past six months, she's funneled millions into a private overseas fund. And she's not the only one—several other members of the Zi family are connected to it."
Zi Ning's breath slowed as she scanned the screen. "So, she's not just trying to protect her position. She's preparing for something bigger."
"She's building a safety net," Lu Yichen said, stepping closer to glance at the tablet. "If things go wrong, she can walk away with enough money to start over anywhere in the world."
Zi Ning's grip on the device tightened. "This isn't just about me. She's planning something against the entire family."
A cold glint flashed through Lu Yichen's eyes. "If she's bold enough to steal from the Zi family, then she's playing with fire."
Zi Ning handed the tablet back to Xu Wei. "Keep tracking the accounts. I want to know every move she makes."
Xu Wei nodded and left the room silently.
For a moment, the office was quiet. Zi Ning exhaled slowly, gathering her thoughts. She knew the path ahead wouldn't be easy—but she wasn't afraid. Not anymore.
Lu Yichen moved to her side, his voice softer now. "You don't have to fight this alone, you know."
She met his gaze, something unreadable flickering in her eyes. "I know. But this is my battle, and I'm not backing down."
A shadow of admiration crossed his face. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
Later that day, Zi Ning returned to the Zi family estate. As her car pulled through the iron gates, she could already feel the tension thickening in the air. The servants lowered their heads respectfully as she walked inside, but she could sense their curiosity. The entire household must have heard about the scandal by now.
She found Old Madam Zi in the sunroom, sipping tea as if nothing in the world could disturb her peace. But Zi Ning knew better. That sharp, calculating mind missed nothing.
"Grandmother," Zi Ning greeted, bowing slightly.
Old Madam Zi set her cup down, her eyes cool as they swept over Zi Ning. "You've caused quite a stir."
Zi Ning remained calm. "I only defended myself. Someone tried to destroy my reputation. Should I have let them succeed?"
A faint smile curved the old woman's lips. "No. I would be disappointed if you did. But don't think I don't know who is behind these attacks."
Zi Ning's heart pounded softly, but her face revealed nothing. "Zi Yue won't stop until she gets what she wants."
Old Madam Zi's expression hardened. "And what do you want, Ning'er?"
Zi Ning lifted her chin. "I want to protect what is mine. I won't let anyone push me out."
For a long moment, silence stretched between them. Finally, Old Madam Zi chuckled softly. "Good. You have the spine for this family. But words are not enough. I expect results."
Zi Ning met her gaze steadily. "You'll get them."
As the days passed, Zi Yue grew more aggressive. Every step Zi Ning took was met with new traps. Board members who once remained neutral began leaning toward Zi Yue's side. Whispers spread through the family, hinting that Zi Ning was too ambitious, too much of a threat.
But Zi Ning didn't waver. She attended every meeting, her arguments precise, her confidence unshakable. Slowly but surely, she began to turn the tide.
Late one evening, as she prepared to leave the office, her phone buzzed with an unknown number. She hesitated for a moment before answering.
"Miss Zi," a low, unfamiliar voice spoke. "I have information you might find useful. About Zi Yue."
Zi Ning's grip tightened on the phone. "Who are you?"
"That's not important," the voice replied. "But if you want to know how far Zi Yue will go to destroy you, meet me tomorrow night at Blue Sky Lounge. Midnight."
Before she could ask more, the line went dead.
Zi Ning lowered the phone slowly, her heart pounding. Was it a trap? Or had Zi Yue finally made a mistake?
Either way, she would find out.
The next night, the Blue Sky Lounge was buzzing with music and laughter. The dim lighting cast a shadowy glow across the room, but Zi Ning's sharp eyes scanned every corner. She wore a sleek black dress, her hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders—a picture of elegance, yet prepared for anything.
At exactly midnight, a man slid into the seat across from her. He wore a dark suit, his face partially hidden under the brim of his hat.
"You're bold to come alone," he said, his voice the same as the one on the phone.
"I don't scare easily," Zi Ning replied. "What do you have for me?"
The man slid a USB drive across the table. "Zi Yue has been making secret visits to a research facility. She's after something dangerous—something that could ruin the Zi family if it gets out."
Zi Ning's pulse quickened. "What is it?"
The man shook his head. "I'm only giving you a hint. What you do next is up to you."
Before she could press him for more, he stood and disappeared into the crowd.
Zi Ning stared at the USB drive in her hand. Whatever Zi Yue was hiding—it was time to uncover it.