The air inside Zi Corporation's headquarters was heavy with tension. Even though Zi Yue had been officially removed from her position, no one dared to relax. Everyone knew that a person like Zi Yue would never accept defeat quietly.
Zi Ning stood in her office, gazing out of the large glass window. The city lights sparkled beneath the darkening sky, but her heart felt heavy. She had won this battle, but the danger had not passed. Zi Yue was still out there, and with her connections, there was no telling what her next move would be.
A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.
"Come in," she said, her voice calm but firm.
The door opened, and Lu Yichen stepped inside. He carried a folder in one hand, his sharp eyes scanning her face carefully. "The audit team has finalized their report," he said, handing her the folder.
Zi Ning took it and flipped through the pages. The evidence was overwhelming. Zi Yue's illegal dealings, the embezzlement, and the secret experiments were all laid bare. There was no escaping it now.
"This should be enough to destroy her," Zi Ning said quietly.
Lu Yichen leaned against the desk, watching her. "It will—but you know she won't go down without a fight."
Zi Ning closed the folder and exhaled slowly. "I'm prepared for whatever comes next."
A faint smile touched his lips. "I know you are. But you don't have to do this alone."
His words softened the cold weight pressing on her heart. In the chaos of the past weeks, he had been her constant support—strong, steady, and unyielding. Without him, things might have turned out very differently.
"I'm not alone," she said, meeting his gaze. "Not anymore."
Lu Yichen stepped closer, his fingers brushing against hers. "Good. Because I'm not going anywhere."
The warmth of his touch comforted her, but she knew there was no time to let her guard down. Zi Yue was a dangerous opponent, and the battle was far from over.
The next morning, Zi Ning arrived at the office early. The city was just waking up, but she had barely slept. There was too much at stake.
Her assistant, Li Wei, was already waiting with fresh reports. "Miss Zi, there's news," she said, her voice tense.
Zi Ning took the report and scanned it quickly. Her heart tightened. Zi Yue had made her next move.
"She's filed a lawsuit against the company," Li Wei explained. "She's claiming wrongful termination and defamation. She's also demanding a full investigation into the audit team, accusing them of bias."
Zi Ning's expression hardened. "She's trying to slow us down."
"Yes," Li Wei confirmed. "And she's doing it publicly. The media has already picked up the story."
Of course, Zi Yue would use the media to her advantage. Public opinion could be a powerful weapon if wielded correctly.
Zi Ning set the report down and straightened her shoulders. "Contact our legal team. I want a full response prepared by noon."
"Yes, Miss Zi." Li Wei bowed slightly and left the room.
Later that afternoon, Zi Ning held a press conference to address the situation. The room was packed with reporters, their cameras flashing as she stepped onto the stage.
Calmly, she addressed the allegations. "Zi Corporation takes corporate governance seriously. Our audit was conducted by an independent team, and the findings speak for themselves. We will not tolerate corruption, no matter who is involved."
A reporter raised a hand. "Miss Zi, how do you respond to Zi Yue's claims that you're using this to seize power?"
Zi Ning's lips curved into a faint smile. "I don't need to 'seize' anything. I've earned my position through hard work and dedication. This company belongs to those who act with integrity—not those who exploit it for personal gain."
Her words were sharp and direct, leaving no room for doubt. She knew that if she showed any weakness, Zi Yue would pounce.
When the press conference ended, Lu Yichen was waiting for her backstage. His presence, as always, was a source of quiet strength.
"You handled that well," he said, handing her a bottle of water.
Zi Ning took a sip and sighed softly. "It's not over. She's too quiet—I don't trust it."
He nodded. "I agree. My people are watching her closely. If she makes another move, we'll know."
Zi Ning felt a flicker of relief. With Lu Yichen by her side, she wasn't fighting this battle alone.
As the days passed, the lawsuit dragged on, but Zi Ning remained focused. She refused to be distracted or intimidated. The company was hers to protect, and she would not let anyone tear it apart.
One evening, as she worked late in her office, her phone buzzed with an urgent message. It was from one of her private investigators.
"Zi Yue met with someone tonight—a foreign businessman. I think you should see this."
Attached was a photo of Zi Yue shaking hands with a tall, silver-haired man in a sleek black suit. Something about him sent a chill down Zi Ning's spine.
"Who is he?" she asked aloud, more to herself than anyone else.
"I already looked into him," Lu Yichen said, stepping into the room quietly. "His name is Victor Chen—a corporate shark known for hostile takeovers. If Zi Yue is working with him, she's planning something big."
Zi Ning's grip on the phone tightened. She should have known Zi Yue wouldn't stop at a simple lawsuit. This was only the beginning.
"She wants to take the company back," she murmured.
Lu Yichen's expression darkened. "Let her try. She won't succeed."
The following week, a new storm hit. News broke that a mysterious investor was buying large amounts of Zi Corporation's stock. The market buzzed with speculation, and many suspected Zi Yue was behind it.
Zi Ning wasted no time. She called an emergency board meeting.
"We cannot let her regain control," she said firmly, her voice carrying across the room. "If this investor is working with her, our position is at risk."
Chairman Liu nodded gravely. "We need to move quickly. What do you propose?"
Zi Ning stood, her presence commanding. "We strengthen our partnerships and lock down key shares. I will personally invest more to protect our core assets."
Her decisiveness impressed the board, and the vote was unanimous.
Late that night, Lu Yichen found her still working. She was exhausted, but her spirit remained unyielding.
"You should rest," he murmured, placing a warm hand on her shoulder.
Zi Ning shook her head. "Not yet. She's coming for me—I can feel it."
He leaned down, his breath warm against her ear. "Let her come. I'll be here—always."