The night was far from over. Although the charity gala continued with its elegant music and flowing conversations, the true battle was happening behind the polished walls of the Zi family's private lounge.
Zi Ning sat calmly on a velvet chair, her expression poised but her mind sharp. She knew the confrontation with Zi Yue wasn't finished—far from it. And tonight, she had no intention of backing down.
Lu Yichen stood beside her, his presence steady and powerful. His dark eyes held a dangerous coldness as if he wouldn't hesitate to strike if anyone dared threaten Zi Ning again.
The door swung open with a sharp creak, and Zi Yue entered, her heels clicking against the marble floor. Gone was the friendly mask she wore for outsiders. Now, her face showed pure anger and frustration.
"You must be very proud of yourself," Zi Yue said coldly, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.
Zi Ning lifted her chin slightly. "I don't take pride in exposing the truth. I simply did what was necessary."
Zi Yue let out a bitter laugh. "Truth? Don't act so innocent. You wanted to humiliate me. And you did it perfectly." Her voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a knife.
"You humiliated yourself," Zi Ning replied calmly. "If you weren't guilty, you wouldn't be so afraid."
Zi Yue's fingers curled into fists, and for a moment, it seemed like she might lose control. But she took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay composed. "Don't think you've won. Tonight was only one battle. I won't let you take everything from me."
"I'm not taking anything that doesn't belong to you," Zi Ning said softly. "You've held power for years through lies and manipulation. Now, it's my turn to take back what is mine."
Zi Yue's lips curled into a cold smile. "Do you think Grandmother will trust you so easily? I've been by her side for years. You're nothing but an outsider who came crawling back when it was convenient."
A sharp tension filled the air, but Zi Ning remained calm. She had expected these words. "You're right," she admitted. "I've been away for years. But blood doesn't lie. I am Zi Ning, and I am the rightful heir. Nothing you do will change that."
Zi Yue's eyes burned with hatred, but before she could respond, the door opened again. This time, it was Zi Han who stepped inside, his expression full of satisfaction.
"Still fighting, sisters?" Zi Han said with a smirk. "I thought the battle was settled tonight."
Zi Ning's eyes narrowed slightly. She didn't trust Zi Han. He had his own ambitions, and while he had been helpful tonight, she knew he wasn't her ally.
"Don't pretend you're innocent in this, Zi Han," Zi Yue snapped. "You're just waiting to take advantage of the situation."
Zi Han shrugged, his smile never fading. "Why shouldn't I? You were careless, Zi Yue. You left yourself exposed, and now you're paying the price. Don't blame me—or Ning—for your mistakes."
For a moment, Zi Yue's mask slipped, and raw anger flashed across her face. "You're all the same—circling like vultures, waiting for me to fall. But I'm not finished yet."
Zi Ning met her sister's gaze steadily. "We'll see," she said quietly.
Without another word, Zi Yue turned on her heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
Zi Han chuckled softly as he leaned against the wall. "You really know how to push her buttons," he said to Zi Ning. "I almost feel sorry for her. Almost."
Zi Ning didn't respond. Her thoughts were already moving forward. Zi Yue was down, but not defeated. She would strike back—of that, Zi Ning was sure. And when she did, Zi Ning needed to be ready.
Later that night, Zi Ning returned to the Lu family estate with Lu Yichen. The cold night air did nothing to calm the storm brewing inside her. She stood by the large window of the study, looking out over the city lights.
Lu Yichen poured her a cup of tea and placed it gently on the table beside her. "You did well tonight," he said softly.
Zi Ning sighed. "It's not over. Zi Yue won't go down without a fight."
"She's weakened," Lu Yichen reminded her. "Her position in the family is already shaking. The more desperate she becomes, the easier it will be to destroy her completely."
Zi Ning turned to face him, her eyes filled with a quiet determination. "I want to know everything she's planning. I won't let her hurt me again—or anyone I care about."
Lu Yichen nodded. "I'll have my people keep a close eye on her. If she makes a move, we'll know immediately."
Grateful for his support, Zi Ning stepped closer to him. "I couldn't do this without you," she admitted softly.
His expression softened as he reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're stronger than you think, Ning. But no matter what happens, I'll be by your side."
Warmth spread through her chest at his words. In a world full of lies and betrayals, Lu Yichen was the one person she could trust completely.
For a moment, she allowed herself to lean into his embrace, drawing strength from his warmth. But deep down, she knew there was no time to relax. Zi Yue was still a threat—and she wouldn't stop until one of them fell for good.
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit private suite, Zi Yue paced back and forth, her mind racing with thoughts of revenge. The humiliation she had suffered tonight burned in her chest like fire.
She picked up her phone and dialed a number. When the call connected, her voice was cold and sharp. "It's time. I want every piece of dirt you can find on Zi Ning. Nothing is off-limits."
The voice on the other end hesitated. "Are you sure? She's being protected by Lu Yichen. If we push too hard—"
"I don't care!" Zi Yue snapped. "Find her weaknesses. I want her destroyed."
As she ended the call, her lips curled into a cruel smile. Zi Ning thought she had won tonight, but the real war was just beginning.
And Zi Yue had no intention of losing.