Zi Ning stood by the floor-to-ceiling window in her office, gazing at the city below. The skyline stretched endlessly, a reminder of how high she had climbed—and how far she could still fall. The article accusing her of destroying Wang Sheng for personal revenge was spreading like wildfire. Every media outlet had picked it up, twisting the truth even further.
The phone on her desk rang sharply, cutting through the tense silence. She turned away from the window and answered.
"President Zi, the PR team has released the official statement denying the allegations," Xu Wei reported. "We've also contacted our legal team to prepare a defamation lawsuit against the original source."
Zi Ning's expression remained cold. "Good. What about the investigation? Any leads on who leaked the information?"
"There's no direct evidence yet," Xu Wei admitted, frustration in her voice. "The source is hidden behind multiple layers of anonymity. But we're following the money trail—someone paid a lot to push this story."
Zi Ning's fingers tapped against the desk. "Keep digging. No matter how deep they hide, I want them exposed."
"Yes, President Zi!" Xu Wei hung up, leaving the office quiet again.
Zi Ning took a slow breath, forcing herself to stay calm. This was not the first time someone had tried to bring her down—but this time felt different. The attack was precise and personal. Whoever was behind it wasn't just after her business—they wanted to destroy her reputation completely.
Her phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Lu Yichen.
"I'm handling it. Don't worry."
A flicker of warmth touched her heart, but she quickly pushed it aside. She couldn't afford to rely on anyone else—not even him.
That evening, Zi Ning attended an emergency board meeting. The directors were already gathered when she arrived, their faces tense with worry.
The chairman, an older man with silver hair, spoke first. "President Zi, the recent scandal is causing unrest among our shareholders. Some are questioning whether your leadership is still stable."
Zi Ning's eyes hardened. "I've already taken steps to counter the false accusations. Our legal team is pursuing action, and the truth will come out soon."
A woman on the board leaned forward, her lips pressed into a thin line. "But the damage is already done. Our stock value dropped five percent today. If this continues, we may face a shareholder revolt."
Zi Ning's voice was steady but sharp. "I built this company's success with my own hands. If the shareholders doubt me, they are welcome to walk away—but I promise you, anyone who bets against me will lose."
A tense silence fell over the room. Finally, the chairman nodded. "We trust you, President Zi. But time is running out. Whoever is behind this won't stop until you're ruined."
Zi Ning stood. "Let them come. I'll be ready." Without another word, she left the meeting room, her heels clicking against the marble floor.
Late at night, Zi Ning sat alone in her office, reviewing documents. She had no time for rest—one mistake could cost her everything.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Before she could respond, Lu Yichen stepped inside. His black suit hugged his broad shoulders perfectly, and his expression was unreadable.
"You should be home," he said quietly, closing the door behind him.
Zi Ning raised an eyebrow. "So should you."
He walked over, placing a folder on her desk. "I found something."
Her heart skipped a beat as she opened the folder. Inside were records of large financial transfers—payments made to the media outlets that published the scandal.
"This account belongs to a private holding company," Lu Yichen explained. "But if you trace it further, it leads back to someone you know."
Zi Ning's blood turned cold as she read the name: Wang Yin.
Her grip on the folder tightened. "Wang Yin… of course."
Wang Yin had always hated her—ever since she rejected her attempts to control the Zi Corporation through marriage alliances. But to attack her so openly now… it meant Wang Yin wasn't acting alone.
"She's not smart enough to plan this herself," Zi Ning said. "Someone else is backing her."
"I thought the same," Lu Yichen agreed. "And I'll find out who."
Zi Ning met his gaze. "Why are you helping me, Lu Yichen? What do you really want?"
For a moment, his mask slipped. Something raw and intense flashed in his eyes. "What I want… is you."
The air between them grew heavy. Zi Ning's heart pounded against her ribs. But she couldn't afford to be distracted—not now.
"I don't need a savior," she said softly.
Lu Yichen stepped closer, his voice low and dangerous. "Good. Because I'm not here to save you—I'm here to stand beside you."
Before she could respond, her phone buzzed with another alert. A new article had just been published.
The headline hit her like a punch:
"Zi Ning's Secret Relationship with Lu Yichen—Did She Use Him to Destroy Her Rivals?"
Her stomach twisted as she scanned the article. Photos of them together—at restaurants, business events, even the private lunch earlier that day—were plastered across the page. The article painted her as a scheming woman who seduced Lu Yichen for power.
"They're trying to ruin us both," she said through clenched teeth.
Lu Yichen's expression darkened. "Let them try. They'll regret it."
Across the city, in a dimly lit penthouse, Wang Yin laughed softly as she scrolled through the latest headlines.
"Did you see their faces?" she said to her companion, a shadowy figure seated across from her.
"They're cornered," the figure replied. "But this is just the beginning. We'll strike harder next time."
Wang Yin's smile turned cruel. "I want Zi Ning destroyed. Completely."
The figure leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "Don't worry. By the time we're finished, she won't have anything left."