The city was quiet by the time Zi Ning arrived at the meeting place. The old, abandoned warehouse stood at the edge of the industrial district, its broken windows and rusted doors giving it a ghostly appearance under the pale moonlight. A chill crept through the air, but Zi Ning ignored it, her mind focused on one thing—the truth.
Her heels tapped softly against the concrete floor as she stepped inside. The dim glow of a single hanging bulb flickered above, casting long shadows along the walls. The faint smell of oil and rust lingered in the air.
A figure emerged from the darkness. The same man from before. His face remained hidden beneath the shadow of his hood, but his sharp, cold voice confirmed his identity.
"You came," he said quietly.
Zi Ning crossed her arms, her expression calm but alert. "I don't like being played with. If you have something to say, say it."
The man chuckled softly. "Always so direct. Fine. I'll give you what you want."
He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a slim envelope, extending it toward her. "Everything about Project Phoenix—partners, hidden accounts, and evidence tying Zi Yue directly to the experiments. But that's not all."
Zi Ning narrowed her eyes as she took the envelope. "What else?"
He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "She isn't working alone. There's someone behind her—someone even more dangerous."
A shiver ran down her spine, but she held his gaze. "Who?"
The man hesitated for a moment before answering. "The Black Consortium."
Her heart thudded painfully in her chest. The Black Consortium was a name whispered only in secret—an underground organization known for illegal dealings, from arms trafficking to corporate sabotage. If Zi Yue had aligned herself with them, it meant only one thing.
She was planning something far bigger than a simple power grab.
"Why are you helping me?" Zi Ning demanded.
The man's lips curled into a bitter smile. "Let's just say, I have my reasons. But be careful, Miss Zi. You're walking on thin ice. If Zi Yue senses you're onto her, she won't hesitate to strike."
Before she could respond, the man turned and melted back into the shadows, leaving her alone in the cold, empty warehouse.
Zi Ning tightened her grip on the envelope. No matter the risk, she had to see this through. She couldn't let Zi Yue destroy everything their family had built.
The next day, Zi Ning returned to the Zi Corporation, her mind sharp and focused. The envelope burned like a weight in her bag, but she knew she had to move carefully. If she revealed her hand too soon, Zi Yue would slip away—again.
As she stepped into her office, she found Lu Yichen waiting for her. His expression was calm, but his eyes held a quiet intensity.
"You're late," he remarked.
"I had a meeting," Zi Ning replied, closing the door behind her. Without another word, she handed him the envelope.
He opened it, his face darkening as he scanned the contents. "This is worse than I thought. If the Black Consortium is involved…" He paused, his jaw tightening. "We need to act fast."
Zi Ning nodded. "I want to bring this to Old Madam Zi, but we need stronger proof. Zi Yue won't go down without a fight."
Lu Yichen leaned back against her desk, his gaze never leaving her face. "I'll have my team follow the money trail. If there are offshore accounts or hidden transactions, we'll find them."
"And I'll keep pushing her from within," Zi Ning said firmly. "If she makes a mistake, I'll be ready."
A silence fell between them, heavy with unspoken tension. Finally, Lu Yichen spoke, his voice softer.
"Zi Ning… be careful."
She looked up, surprised by the warmth in his tone. For a brief moment, the cold mask he usually wore slipped away, revealing something deeper—something she didn't dare name.
"I will," she promised.
The days passed quickly, but the pressure only grew stronger. Zi Ning worked tirelessly, balancing the demands of the company while secretly investigating Zi Yue's hidden operations. Every step forward uncovered new dangers—anonymous threats, strange figures following her car, and encrypted emails warning her to back off.
But she refused to stop.
Late one evening, after another exhausting board meeting, she returned to her apartment. The lights were dim, and silence filled the space. She poured herself a glass of water, trying to push away the ache in her temples.
Her phone buzzed. A message flashed across the screen.
"Check your balcony."
Her heart pounded as she moved cautiously toward the glass doors. The city lights shimmered in the distance, but something else caught her eye—a small, black box resting on the balcony floor.
With a deep breath, she opened the door and bent down to pick it up. Inside was a simple USB drive, unmarked and plain.
Without hesitation, she plugged it into her laptop. A video file appeared. She clicked play.
The footage was grainy but clear enough to recognize the faces. Zi Yue stood in a darkened room, speaking with a tall man in a black suit. Their conversation was brief but chilling.
"…The board is growing suspicious," Zi Yue said coldly.
The man laughed softly. "Let them. Once Project Phoenix is complete, no one will dare challenge you."
Zi Yue's lips curled into a cruel smile. "And Zi Ning?"
"She won't be a problem for much longer," the man promised.
The screen went black.
Zi Ning's fingers trembled as she shut the laptop. This was it—the final proof she needed. Zi Yue wasn't just aiming for power—she was willing to destroy anyone who stood in her way.
But if Zi Yue thought she would go down quietly, she was wrong.
Zi Ning stood, her resolve hardening. She had played defense long enough. It was time to strike back.
The next morning, she arrived at the Zi Corporation earlier than usual. A storm was brewing, and she intended to be ready.
As the executive elevator carried her to the top floor, her mind raced through her plan. She would confront Zi Yue in front of the entire board, expose her lies, and strip her of the power she had stolen.
When the doors slid open, Zi Yue was already waiting. Dressed in a sleek black suit, she radiated confidence—but beneath the polished surface, Zi Ning saw the flicker of tension in her eyes.
"Sister," Zi Yue greeted smoothly. "You're early. How diligent of you."
Zi Ning smiled coldly. "I believe in being prepared."
As the board members filed in, the air grew heavy with anticipation. Zi Ning met Lu Yichen's gaze across the table, a silent signal passing between them. It was time.
The battle for the Zi Corporation—and their family's future—was about to begin.
And Zi Ning was ready to win.