The morning after the gala was quiet, but Zi Ning knew it was only the calm before the storm. She stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of Lu Yichen's penthouse, sipping her coffee as the city stretched beneath her in a sea of glittering lights and early traffic.
The diamond bracelet from the auction still rested on her wrist, but it wasn't the victory she cared about. Wang Yin's words echoed in her mind.
"Soon, you'll lose everything."
A threat. One she couldn't ignore.
Behind her, Lu Yichen emerged from the bedroom, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar. Even in the morning, he radiated a quiet, powerful energy. He walked over, his arms circling her waist as he kissed her neck.
"Still thinking about last night?" he murmured.
Zi Ning leaned back against him. "Wang Yin isn't done. She's planning something."
His lips curved into a cold smile. "Let her plan. Whatever she does, we'll destroy her."
Zi Ning turned to face him, her expression serious. "I don't want to wait for her to strike first. I want to know her next move."
Lu Yichen's fingers traced down her spine. "Leave that to me. I've already sent someone to keep a close watch on her. If she tries anything, we'll know."
Zi Ning nodded, but a part of her was restless. Waiting had never been her style.
Just then, her phone buzzed on the marble counter. She reached for it and saw a message from Chen Wei, her most trusted assistant.
Chen Wei: Miss Zi, there's something you need to see. Urgent.
Her heart tightened. She immediately dialed his number. "What is it?"
"Miss Zi, it's the Lu Group's new project. Someone leaked confidential documents online. There are accusations of insider corruption." His voice was tense. "And the source is…you."
Zi Ning's blood turned cold. "Me?"
"Yes. The documents have your signature. They're claiming you approved illegal deals."
For a moment, the world seemed to tilt. Zi Ning had been careful—always. There was no way those documents were real.
"I'll be there in ten minutes," she said, hanging up.
Lu Yichen had already heard everything. His expression was icy. "This is Wang Yin's work."
"She's fast," Zi Ning muttered. "But if she thinks this will ruin me, she's wrong."
Without another word, she grabbed her coat. Lu Yichen followed her out, his presence a silent promise—whatever happened, they would face it together.
At the Lu Group's headquarters, tension filled the air. Employees whispered in small groups, their eyes flicking toward the CEO's office where Zi Ning had just arrived.
Inside the office, Chen Wei stood by the desk, his face pale as he laid a stack of papers in front of her.
"These are the documents," he said grimly. "The media already got hold of them. If we don't act fast, your reputation—"
"I don't need reminders," Zi Ning cut in sharply, flipping through the pages.
The documents were detailed, listing fake transactions that suggested she had personally approved illegal contracts. Her signature was there—perfectly forged.
"Who else had access to these files?" Lu Yichen asked coldly.
Chen Wei hesitated. "Only a few senior executives. But…there's one person who stands out. Miss Wang Yin's assistant requested these exact documents last week."
Zi Ning's lips curled into a cold smile. "She's sloppy. Leaving such an obvious trail—does she think I'm that easy to destroy?"
Lu Yichen's phone buzzed. He glanced at it, his face darkening. "The board is calling an emergency meeting. They want you to explain yourself."
Zi Ning stood up, her eyes gleaming with fire. "Then let's give them a show."
The boardroom was filled with tension. Powerful shareholders and senior executives sat in a circle, their expressions ranging from concern to suspicion.
At the head of the table, Zi Ning stood tall, her calm exterior hiding the storm brewing inside her. Lu Yichen sat beside her, his presence a silent warning to anyone who dared to challenge her.
An older board member cleared his throat. "Miss Zi, these allegations are serious. If proven true, they could destroy the company's reputation."
Zi Ning's smile was razor-sharp. "Allegations are not facts. And these documents? Forgeries."
A murmur spread through the room. One of the directors frowned. "You sound confident. Can you prove it?"
Zi Ning turned to Chen Wei, who immediately brought up a digital record on the large screen.
"These documents were tampered with," Zi Ning said smoothly. "Look closely at the metadata. The digital signature is fake—copied from an older contract."
On the screen, the evidence was clear. The time stamps had been altered, and the signature came from a different project entirely.
"This kind of forgery is amateur work," Zi Ning continued. "And I know exactly who's responsible."
She turned toward the door. "Bring her in."
The door opened, and Wang Yin's assistant was dragged inside by two security guards. Her face was pale as she struggled against their grip.
"You can't do this!" she cried. "I don't know anything!"
Zi Ning's voice was calm, but it cut through the room like a blade. "Tell the truth, and maybe you'll leave here with your job intact."
The assistant trembled under her gaze. For a long moment, the room was silent. Then, she broke.
"It was Miss Wang!" she blurted out. "She made me do it! She said if I didn't help, she'd ruin my career!"
The confession echoed through the boardroom. Faces turned pale, and murmurs spread like wildfire.
Zi Ning let the silence hang before speaking again. "I warned Wang Yin to stay in her place. She didn't listen."
The board members exchanged glances, unsure whether to admire her or fear her.
One of the senior shareholders nodded slowly. "It's clear Miss Zi is being framed. I suggest we move on and issue a public statement clearing her name."
The motion was approved unanimously.
As the meeting ended, Zi Ning rose to leave, but not before delivering a final blow.
"To those who doubt me," she said, her voice smooth as silk, "remember this—I never lose."
Later that evening, Zi Ning stood on the rooftop garden of the Lu Group, the city lights glittering beneath her feet.
Lu Yichen joined her, his hands sliding around her waist. "You handled them perfectly," he said, a trace of pride in his voice.
"She wanted to ruin me," Zi Ning murmured. "Instead, she gave me more power."
Lu Yichen kissed her temple. "What's your next move?"
Zi Ning's eyes gleamed in the moonlight. "I'm not finished with her. Wang Yin started this war, but I'll be the one to end it."
In the distance, the city stretched on—unforgiving and endless. But Zi Ning wasn't afraid. She had faced worse and survived.