The next morning, Zi Ning woke up early. Sunlight poured through the large windows of the Lu family mansion, casting a soft glow across the room. She stretched her sore muscles and turned to find Lu Yichen already awake, sitting on the edge of the bed, dressed in a crisp black suit.
"You're leaving early today?" she asked, her voice still soft with sleep.
Lu Yichen glanced at her, his sharp features softening slightly. "There's a business deal I need to handle personally. But if you need me, just call."
Zi Ning smiled faintly. "I can take care of myself."
He stood up, walking toward her. "I know you can," he said, leaning down to press a kiss on her forehead. "But that doesn't mean I won't worry."
As he straightened, his phone buzzed. With a glance at the screen, his expression turned colder. "I have to go. Don't push yourself too hard today."
Zi Ning watched him leave, the door clicking softly behind him. For a moment, the room was quiet. But her mind was already spinning with plans. Zhang Qiang had been removed from the company, but she knew better than to let her guard down. There were still people lurking in the shadows, waiting for her to slip.
She slid out of bed and stepped into the shower. By the time she emerged, her usual cool, composed mask was firmly in place. Today, she had unfinished business to handle.
When Zi Ning arrived at Zi Corporation, Liu Mei was already waiting outside her office, her expression tense.
"Chairwoman Zi," she said quietly. "We have a problem."
Zi Ning's steps didn't falter as she pushed open the door. "Tell me."
Liu Mei followed her inside, setting a folder on the desk. "It's Wang Dong. After yesterday's meeting, he's been secretly contacting external investors. I believe he's trying to sell off his shares—possibly to one of our competitors."
Zi Ning's fingers tapped against the polished wood. Wang Dong was one of the shareholders who had supported her during the vote. If he turned against her now, it could create instability within the company.
"Do we know which competitor he's in contact with?"
Liu Mei hesitated. "There are rumors that it's the Qin Group."
Zi Ning's eyes narrowed. The Qin Group had been eyeing Zi Corporation's entertainment division for months. If they gained a foothold through Wang Dong's shares, it would give them the leverage to interfere with her projects.
"Schedule a meeting with Wang Dong immediately," Zi Ning ordered. "And gather everything we have on the Qin Group's recent activities. I want to know their next move before they make it."
Liu Mei nodded and left the office.
Zi Ning leaned back in her chair, her mind sharp and focused. If Wang Dong thought he could betray her, he was about to learn how ruthless she could be.
An hour later, Wang Dong arrived. The middle-aged man wore a confident smile as he settled into the chair across from Zi Ning.
"Chairwoman Zi," he greeted, his tone smooth. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Zi Ning didn't bother with pleasantries. "I hear you've been speaking to the Qin Group."
The smile on Wang Dong's face faltered for a brief second before he quickly recovered. "I'm a businessman, Chairwoman Zi. It's normal to explore opportunities."
"Opportunities?" Zi Ning's voice turned colder. "Selling your shares to a rival company isn't 'exploring opportunities.' It's betrayal."
Wang Dong chuckled lightly, though the sound lacked warmth. "You're young, Miss Zi. Sometimes it's better to be flexible in business. The Qin Group made me an interesting offer."
"I'm sure they did," Zi Ning said smoothly. "But let me make this clear—you owe your position here to me. If you think you can stab me in the back and walk away unharmed, you're making a serious mistake."
Wang Dong shifted in his seat, the confidence in his eyes dimming slightly. "Threatening me won't change anything. Business is business."
Zi Ning leaned forward, her tone dangerously soft. "This isn't a threat. It's a promise. If you sell your shares to the Qin Group, I will destroy everything you've built. Your contracts, your partnerships—I'll tear them apart one by one."
The air in the room grew heavy as her words sank in.
"You don't have that kind of power," Wang Dong muttered, though there was a trace of uncertainty in his voice.
Zi Ning smiled coldly and pressed a button on her desk. Within seconds, Liu Mei entered with another folder.
"These," Zi Ning said, flipping the folder open, "are the details of your company's debt restructuring. If I withdraw Zi Corporation's support, your entire empire will collapse within months."
Wang Dong's face paled.
"I suggest," Zi Ning continued, her voice like ice, "that you reconsider your 'opportunities' very carefully."
For a long moment, Wang Dong sat in silence, his face tense. Finally, he sighed heavily. "What do you want from me?"
"Loyalty," Zi Ning said simply. "And from this moment forward, you will vote exactly how I tell you to."
Defeated, Wang Dong nodded slowly. "I understand."
"Good." Zi Ning leaned back. "You can leave now."
As he stood and walked out, Liu Mei turned to her. "That was… cold."
Zi Ning's expression softened slightly. "People like Wang Dong only understand power. If I let him think he can betray me once, others will follow."
Liu Mei smiled faintly. "Remind me never to cross you, Chairwoman Zi."
Later that evening, Zi Ning returned to the Lu family mansion. This time, Lu Yichen was already waiting for her in the living room, a thoughtful look on his face.
"How was your day?" he asked as she settled beside him.
"Exhausting," Zi Ning admitted. "But Wang Dong won't be a problem anymore."
Lu Yichen tilted his head slightly. "You didn't let him off easily, did you?"
A faint smile curved her lips. "I just reminded him who holds the real power."
He chuckled quietly. "Good. You can't afford to be soft with people like him."
Zi Ning's smile faded as her thoughts turned to the Qin Group. "There's still something else," she murmured. "The Qin Group won't stop. I need to find out who's backing them."
Lu Yichen's expression darkened slightly. "I'll look into it. The Qin Group has been expanding too aggressively lately—it's unusual."
She nodded, leaning against his shoulder. For the first time all day, she allowed herself to relax.
"Thank you," she whispered softly.
Lu Yichen's arms wrapped around her, holding her close. "You don't need to thank me. I'll always have your back, Zi Ning."
His words warmed something deep inside her. In a world full of enemies and betrayals, at least here—with him—she wasn't alone.
But even as she closed her eyes, one thought remained.
The Qin Group was coming for her.