Zi Ning sat alone in her car, the faint glow of the USB drive gleaming in her hand. The city lights blurred outside the window, but her mind was sharp. The man's words echoed in her ears—"Zi Yue is after something dangerous." Whatever it was, it wasn't just about power anymore. It was something that could destroy the Zi family.
Taking a deep breath, she slid the USB drive into her laptop. The screen flickered to life, and a series of encrypted files appeared. Password-protected. Of course, Zi Yue wouldn't leave her secrets unguarded.
But Zi Ning wasn't the helpless girl she used to be. She pulled out her phone and dialed a familiar number. Within minutes, Xu Wei's steady voice answered.
"Miss Zi?"
"I need a password cracked," she said, wasting no time. "It's urgent."
"Send it over," Xu Wei responded without hesitation.
She transferred the files, and in less than fifteen minutes, a new message popped onto her screen—Access granted.
Zi Ning's heart pounded as she opened the first document. Rows of data scrolled before her eyes—financial records, medical reports, and a name that made her blood run cold.
Project Phoenix.
Her fingers froze. She had heard whispers about it during board meetings—a secret research initiative, hidden beneath layers of corporate funding. But the details had always been vague, and no one dared to speak of it openly. If Zi Yue was involved, it meant only one thing—she was willing to risk everything.
As she scrolled further, a disturbing truth began to unfold. The project wasn't just about business. It was biological research—experimental treatments with potential military applications. And the Zi family was funding it.
Her stomach tightened. If this information leaked, it would destroy the Zi Corporation's reputation. And somehow, Zi Yue was pulling the strings behind the scenes.
A chill crept down her spine. What was Zi Yue planning?
Zi Ning copied the files and tucked the USB drive safely into her bag. She couldn't confront Zi Yue without solid proof—but now, she had enough to start digging deeper.
The next morning, she arrived at the Zi Corporation headquarters. The towering glass building shimmered in the sunlight, but beneath its polished surface, a battle for control raged on.
She stepped into the executive elevator, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. As the doors closed, her reflection stared back—a woman who was no longer a pawn in someone else's game.
When she reached her office, a familiar voice greeted her.
"You're early," Lu Yichen said, leaning casually against the doorway. His tailored suit hugged his frame perfectly, but there was a sharpness in his eyes.
"I couldn't sleep," Zi Ning admitted, moving past him. "I found something last night."
His brows lifted slightly as he followed her inside. "Tell me."
She pulled out the USB drive and handed it to him. "It's called Project Phoenix. Zi Yue is involved. If this goes public, it could destroy the entire corporation."
Lu Yichen plugged the drive into his laptop, scanning the files quickly. His expression darkened. "This isn't just corporate espionage. It's illegal. Human trials, unapproved treatments…"
"Exactly," Zi Ning said quietly. "And Zi Yue is at the center of it. She's not just trying to get rid of me—she's preparing for something bigger."
Lu Yichen's jaw clenched. "If this gets out, the government will shut down the Zi Corporation. Zi Yue isn't just playing dirty—she's playing dangerously."
Zi Ning leaned against her desk, arms crossed. "We need to stop her before it's too late."
A heavy silence filled the room. Finally, Lu Yichen spoke, his voice cold and precise.
"We have to move carefully. If we push too hard without evidence linking her directly, she'll slip away. But if we wait too long…" He trailed off, his meaning clear.
Zi Ning nodded. "I'll dig deeper. If she's hiding something, I'll find it."
"I'll put my people on it too," Lu Yichen said. "But Zi Ning…"
She met his gaze, her heart pounding at the serious look in his eyes.
"Be careful," he warned. "Zi Yue won't hold back anymore."
That afternoon, Zi Ning attended a board meeting. The air was thick with tension. Zi Yue sat confidently at the far end of the table, her lips curling into a faint smile as Zi Ning entered.
The battle lines were drawn.
As the meeting progressed, Zi Ning remained calm, countering every subtle attack Zi Yue launched. But beneath the surface, her mind raced. She couldn't afford to make a mistake.
Toward the end of the meeting, Zi Yue finally made her move.
"I propose a new initiative," she announced smoothly. "An expansion into medical research. Our competitors are already ahead. If we delay, we risk falling behind."
Zi Ning's fingers curled into fists under the table. Medical research. She's trying to push Project Phoenix into the open.
"We should proceed with caution," Zi Ning said, her voice steady. "Unregulated research carries legal risks. Without proper oversight, the consequences could be severe."
Zi Yue's smile didn't waver. "Are you suggesting that I would be careless, sister?"
"I'm suggesting we prioritize ethics over profit," Zi Ning said sharply.
Murmurs rippled through the boardroom. For a moment, the two sisters locked eyes, the air around them crackling with unspoken hostility.
Old Madam Zi, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
"We will not approve any new initiatives without full transparency," she declared. Her gaze settled on Zi Yue. "I expect detailed reports on any research conducted under our name. No exceptions."
Zi Ning felt a flicker of relief. For now, Zi Yue's plans were stalled. But she knew this was only the beginning.
Later that evening, Zi Ning returned to her apartment. Exhaustion weighed on her shoulders, but her mind wouldn't rest. She poured herself a glass of water and sank onto the couch, replaying the day's events in her head.
Her phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number.
"You're getting close. But there's more to uncover. Meet me tomorrow. Same place, midnight."
Her heart raced. The mystery man again.
Zi Ning's hands tightened around the phone. She didn't trust him—but she couldn't ignore the information he had given her. If she wanted to stop Zi Yue, she had to know everything.
She stood, her resolve hardening.
Whatever secrets Zi Yue was hiding, she would uncover them.
And when the truth came out—there would be no place left for her sister to hide.