The next morning, Zi Ning sat in the Lu Group's private conference room. Sunlight poured through the tall glass windows, casting a golden glow over the sleek black table. But there was no warmth in her heart. Her mind was focused on one thing—revenge.
Across from her, Lu Yichen leaned back in his chair, his expression calm but his eyes sharp. He had already instructed his team to monitor Cheng Yifan and Mo Qing closely. But Zi Ning knew it wasn't enough to watch—they had to strike first.
Xu Mei entered the room quietly, carrying a stack of documents. "President Zi," she said, placing them in front of Zi Ning. "I found more details about the overseas backer. It's a private investment group called Black Horizon. They specialize in hostile takeovers and work in the shadows. Whoever hired them isn't just trying to ruin you—they want to erase you."
Zi Ning's fingers tightened around the papers. "Black Horizon," she repeated, her voice cold. "So, Cheng Yifan isn't working alone."
Lu Yichen tapped his fingers against the table, his mind working fast. "Black Horizon won't act unless there's a high reward. Which means…"
Zi Ning's lips curled into a dangerous smile. "Which means they think there's something valuable in my past. Something worth destroying me for."
She met Lu Yichen's gaze. "If they want a fight, I'll give them one."
By noon, Zi Ning and Lu Yichen were back in his private office, surrounded by high-level executives from both the Zi Corporation and the Lu Group. The air was thick with tension. This was no longer a simple business rivalry—this was war.
Lu Yichen stood at the head of the room, his voice steady and commanding. "Cheng Yifan and Mo Qing have made their move. We will not sit back and let them win. Starting today, we will put pressure on every one of their businesses. I want their partnerships broken and their investors scared."
The executives nodded in agreement. None of them dared to question him.
Zi Ning spoke next, her tone sharp. "I'll handle Cheng Yifan's overseas investments. He's hiding something in that pharmaceutical company. I want a full audit. If there's anything illegal, I'll expose it."
Xu Mei took notes quickly. "I'll assign a team immediately," she promised.
Lu Yichen turned to his security chief, Guo Lin. "Increase surveillance on Mo Qing. I want to know where she goes, who she meets, and what she's planning next."
Guo Lin nodded. "Consider it done, sir."
Zi Ning leaned back in her chair, her mind already working on the next step. "Cheng Yifan thinks he's safe with Black Horizon backing him. Let's show him he's wrong."
That evening, Zi Ning returned to her mansion. The house was quiet, but her thoughts were loud. She changed into a soft silk robe and walked to the balcony, letting the cool breeze touch her face.
Her phone buzzed. It was a message from Lu Yichen.
"Black Horizon is moving fast. Be careful."
A rare smile touched her lips. No matter how dangerous things became, Lu Yichen was always by her side.
She typed a quick reply: "I'm not afraid."
As she set her phone down, her eyes darkened with determination. She had spent too long playing defense. Now, it was her turn to strike.
The next day, Zi Ning visited the Cheng Group's main office building. Dressed in a tailored black suit, she exuded power and confidence. Heads turned as she walked through the lobby, but she ignored them.
She had come to deliver a message—face-to-face.
The receptionist's smile faltered when she saw her. "Miss Zi, do you have an appointment?"
Zi Ning didn't bother answering. She walked straight to the elevator and pressed the button for the executive floor.
When the doors opened, Cheng Yifan's assistant tried to stop her. "President Cheng is in a meeting—"
Zi Ning pushed the door open without hesitation.
Cheng Yifan sat behind a massive oak desk, speaking with a few board members. His expression froze when he saw her.
"Zi Ning," he said smoothly, though there was tension in his voice. "What brings you here?"
She closed the door behind her, cutting off the curious stares. "I thought it was time we had a little chat," she said, her voice like ice.
He gestured for the board members to leave. Once they were gone, he leaned back in his chair. "I must admit, I'm surprised to see you. What's on your mind?"
Zi Ning walked slowly toward his desk, her heels clicking against the marble floor. "Cut the act, Cheng Yifan. I know about your deal with Black Horizon."
His smile didn't fade, but his fingers twitched slightly—a sign she had struck a nerve.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he said calmly.
Zi Ning leaned over his desk, meeting his gaze head-on. "You made a mistake when you aligned yourself with Mo Qing. And an even bigger mistake when you tried to bury the truth about me."
His smile faded. "You think you can stop me?"
Zi Ning's eyes burned with cold fire. "I don't think—I know. And I promise you this, Cheng Yifan. Everything you've built? I'll tear it down."
Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked out of the office, leaving him to stew in his anger.
By the time she returned to the Lu Group's headquarters, Xu Mei was already waiting with new information.
"President Zi," she began, her voice urgent. "We found something else. Black Horizon is moving money into several shell companies—one of which is connected to the Wang family."
Zi Ning's hand clenched into a fist. "So, Wang Yin is involved too."
Lu Yichen entered the room just in time to hear the conversation. "That means all three of them—Cheng Yifan, Mo Qing, and Wang Yin—are working together," he said, his tone deadly.
Zi Ning exhaled slowly, her mind sharpening like a blade. "Then we strike all three at once."
Late that night, Zi Ning stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of Lu Yichen's penthouse. The city lights sparkled below, but her thoughts were fixed on the days ahead.
Lu Yichen joined her, placing a warm hand on her waist. "You should rest," he murmured.
She leaned against him slightly, allowing herself a rare moment of vulnerability. "I can't. Not until this is finished."
He tilted her chin up gently, making her meet his gaze. "They started this war," he said softly. "But we'll end it—together."
Zi Ning's lips curved into a fierce smile. "And when we do, there will be nothing left of them."
In the battle for power, there was no room for mercy.