The next morning, the Zi Corporation headquarters buzzed with tension. Rumors of Zi Yue's suspension had already spread like wildfire. Employees whispered in the hallways, and senior managers scrambled to align themselves with the winning side. Everyone knew that a battle for power was unfolding at the highest levels—and no one wanted to be on the losing side.
Zi Ning arrived early, her expression calm as she stepped out of the sleek black car. Dressed in a tailored white suit, she exuded authority. Her presence alone silenced the murmurs as she walked through the main lobby. But beneath her composed exterior, her mind was sharp and calculating.
Today was not the day to relax. Zi Yue might be down, but she was far from out.
Lu Yichen was already waiting for her in the executive office. He leaned casually against the desk, but his sharp gaze held a dangerous glint. "The audit team has arrived. They're starting with Zi Yue's private projects."
Zi Ning nodded. "Good. She hid her tracks well, but no one can cover everything. We just need one mistake."
A faint smile tugged at Lu Yichen's lips. "She's already made it. I dug deeper into her offshore accounts. There's a large sum transferred to a shell company last month. That company is linked to illegal medical testing."
Zi Ning's eyes narrowed. "Once the auditors find that, she's finished."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "But she won't go down quietly. My sources say she's contacted someone last night—a powerful backer. We should be prepared for retaliation."
Zi Ning's heart tightened, but her expression remained steady. "Let her try. I've come this far—I won't back down now."
Just then, her assistant, Li Wei, knocked on the door and entered with a stack of files. "Miss Zi, the audit team requests your presence. They found something unusual."
Without hesitation, Zi Ning took the files and glanced through them. Her eyes sharpened as she read the contents. "A fake project under the Research Department?"
Li Wei nodded. "Yes. The expenses don't add up. There are millions unaccounted for, funneled through dummy contracts."
Zi Ning exchanged a glance with Lu Yichen. This was it—the crack in Zi Yue's armor.
In the conference room, the lead auditor, a stern-looking man in glasses, stood beside a projector displaying financial documents. "As you can see," he said, pointing at the screen, "this project—coded 'Phoenix'—appears legitimate on paper. But the funds were redirected to a private laboratory under Zi Yue's supervision."
Zi Ning's expression hardened. "What was this lab doing?"
The auditor hesitated. "We're still investigating, but initial findings suggest illegal genetic experiments. If this is proven, it will be a criminal matter."
A heavy silence fell over the room. Zi Ning's stomach churned with cold anger. She had expected corruption—but not this level of madness.
Lu Yichen's voice broke the silence. "Seal off all access to these files. No one leaves the building until the audit is complete."
The auditor nodded and issued orders to his team.
Zi Ning turned to Li Wei. "Summon the board. They need to see this."
By noon, the board members were gathered in the main conference room. Their faces were a mix of anger and unease as Zi Ning laid out the evidence.
When she finished speaking, Chairman Liu's expression was thunderous. "This is beyond corporate misconduct—this is criminal! Zi Yue has crossed every line."
An older director shook his head in disbelief. "How did she hide this for so long?"
Zi Ning's voice was calm but cold. "She had help. And unless we act now, she will strike back. I propose an immediate vote to remove her from the company permanently."
Murmurs of agreement swept through the room.
Before anyone could respond, the doors burst open. Zi Yue strode in, her face pale but filled with defiance. She wore a blood-red dress, as if daring them to oppose her.
"You think you've won?" Her voice was sharp, echoing across the room. "I am the one who built the most profitable sectors of this company! Without me, you'd all be nothing!"
Zi Ning met her sister's glare without flinching. "And yet, you used this company to hide your crimes. Your greed nearly destroyed everything our family built."
Zi Yue laughed coldly. "You're naïve if you think this is over. My backers won't let you touch me."
Lu Yichen's voice was like ice. "Your backers can't protect you from federal investigators. The evidence is already being handed over."
For the first time, fear flickered in Zi Yue's eyes. But she masked it quickly. "You think you've won just because you exposed this? I have leverage you can't imagine."
Zi Ning's patience snapped. "Enough. I gave you a chance to walk away, but you refused. Now, you'll face the consequences."
Chairman Liu's voice rang out. "We will hold a formal vote. Zi Yue, as of today, you are permanently removed from the Zi Corporation."
Hours later, Zi Ning stood alone on the balcony of her office, the city stretching below her in glittering lights. The weight of the day's victory hung heavy on her shoulders. She had won this battle—but the war was far from over.
Lu Yichen joined her quietly. "She's out. But she won't stop."
"I know." Zi Ning's voice was steady. "But neither will I."
He reached for her hand, his touch warm against the cool evening breeze. "You're stronger than she ever was. And you're not alone."
For the first time in weeks, a small smile touched her lips. "No, I'm not."