Late at night, the city lights flickered like distant stars. Inside Zi Ning's mansion, the air was heavy with tension. The recent leak of company documents had shaken the entire corporation. Although the damage was controlled, she knew the enemy wouldn't stop there.
Seated in her study, Zi Ning carefully examined the internal reports Liu Mei had compiled. Her sharp eyes scanned each line, searching for a clue—a mistake Zi Yue might have made.
A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in," she said without looking up.
Lu Yichen stepped inside, his tall figure casting a shadow over the room. In his hand was a steaming cup of tea. "You should rest," he said, placing the cup on her desk. "Working like this won't solve everything overnight."
Zi Ning sighed softly but didn't stop reading. "I can't afford to rest. Zi Yue's moves are getting bolder. If I let my guard down, she'll strike harder."
Lu Yichen walked behind her chair, his warm hands resting gently on her shoulders. "You're not fighting this battle alone," he said, his voice low and reassuring. "Let me carry some of the burden."
His words touched a soft place in her heart. She leaned back slightly, allowing herself to relax in his presence. "I know," she murmured. "But this is my fight. I need to finish it myself."
A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Stubborn as always."
Before she could respond, her phone buzzed. Another anonymous message flashed on the screen:
"Watch your people carefully. Not everyone is loyal."
Zi Ning's expression turned cold. This wasn't just a threat—it was a warning.
Lu Yichen's eyes darkened as he read the message. "She's trying to make you suspicious of those around you."
"Or," Zi Ning said quietly, "she's already planted someone close to me."
The next morning, Zi Ning arrived at the Zi Corporation headquarters earlier than usual. The hallways were still quiet, but her mind was filled with noise. The leak had been traced to a private server, but the person responsible remained hidden.
Inside her office, Liu Mei stood waiting with a stack of new reports. "Chairwoman Zi, I've tightened access to all confidential documents. Only the core team has clearance now."
Zi Ning nodded, her expression unreadable. "Good work, Liu Mei. But I want a closer eye on every department—especially the financial records. Zi Yue will target our weakest link."
Liu Mei hesitated, biting her lip. "I also noticed something unusual in the accounts. A small amount of funds has been moving to an unknown external account. It's too subtle to catch in routine checks."
Zi Ning's heart hardened. "Trace it. I want to know who's behind it."
Liu Mei bowed her head. "Yes, Chairwoman."
As Liu Mei left, Zi Ning's mind turned. Someone inside the company was working against her—but who?
That afternoon, Zi Ning attended a private board meeting. The room was filled with the company's most powerful shareholders, all watching her closely.
Mr. Zhang, an elder board member with decades of experience, cleared his throat. "Chairwoman Zi, while we trust your leadership, this recent leak has made some of us uneasy. How do you plan to ensure it doesn't happen again?"
Zi Ning met his gaze calmly. "I understand your concerns. I've already increased internal security. Anyone involved in the leak will face serious consequences. This company will not tolerate betrayal."
Another member, Ms. Xu, adjusted her glasses. "And what about Zi Yue? There are rumors she's still trying to undermine the company."
Zi Ning's lips curled into a cold smile. "Let her try. She has no power left. If she dares to move again, she'll destroy herself."
Her confidence silenced the room. No one doubted her determination.
When the meeting ended, Lu Yichen was waiting outside. His presence was steady, a quiet source of strength. "How did it go?" he asked.
"As expected," Zi Ning replied. "Some of them are still worried. But they won't dare challenge me directly."
Lu Yichen's eyes sharpened. "They wouldn't dare. Not while I'm here."
Meanwhile, in a luxury suite across the city, Zi Yue paced back and forth. Her face twisted with anger as she read the latest reports. Despite her efforts, Zi Ning remained untouched—untouchable.
Scar, the man she hired, sat lazily on the sofa, watching her with a smirk. "Getting nervous?"
Zi Yue glared at him. "I paid you to cause chaos, not to sit around!"
Scar chuckled. "Relax. I told you—we've already planted someone close to her. It's only a matter of time before we strike the heart of her company."
A cold gleam entered Zi Yue's eyes. "Make it fast. I want her to lose everything."
Scar's smile widened. "Trust me. The next blow will be one she won't recover from."
That night, Zi Ning's instincts warned her that something was wrong. She stood on the balcony of her mansion, looking over the city lights. Despite the quiet, her heart felt uneasy.
Lu Yichen joined her, slipping an arm around her waist. "Still thinking about the leak?"
Zi Ning nodded slightly. "Someone is working from the inside. I need to find out who."
His expression turned serious. "I'll have my team investigate quietly. If there's a mole, we'll find them."
She leaned into him, grateful for his support. "Thank you. With you by my side, I feel stronger."
Lu Yichen lowered his head, brushing a kiss against her temple. "You're not alone anymore, Zi Ning. Whatever comes, we face it together."
Her heart warmed at his words, but the shadow of danger still lingered. Zi Yue wasn't finished—and she wouldn't stop until one of them was completely destroyed.
Two days later, Liu Mei returned with the financial investigation report. Her face was pale as she placed the file on Zi Ning's desk. "Chairwoman Zi… we found the source of the unauthorized transfers."
Zi Ning's fingers tightened around the edge of the report. "Who is it?"
Liu Mei hesitated before whispering, "It's… someone from the executive team."
Zi Ning's eyes flashed with cold fury. "Give me the name."
Liu Mei swallowed hard. "It's Vice President Wang."
For a moment, the room fell into a deadly silence. Vice President Wang had been with the company for over a decade. He was trusted, respected—but now, he was a traitor.
Zi Ning's voice turned icy. "Summon him to my office immediately."
Liu Mei nodded and rushed out.
Within minutes, Vice President Wang entered. His face was calm, but a faint trace of guilt flashed through his eyes. "Chairwoman Zi, you asked to see me?"
Zi Ning leaned back in her chair, her cold gaze locking onto him. "I trusted you. But you betrayed this company."
His face stiffened. "I… I don't understand."
She tossed the report onto the table. "These transactions—explain them."
Panic flickered in his eyes. "Chairwoman Zi, I—I was forced! Someone threatened my family!"
Zi Ning's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Do you think excuses will save you now?"
Vice President Wang dropped to his knees, his voice trembling. "Please, forgive me! I only wanted to protect my family!"
But Zi Ning's heart was like ice. "You made your choice. Now face the consequences."
At her signal, security entered the office and dragged him away. The trap Zi Yue had set was closing—but it wouldn't be Zi Ning who fell.
As the door closed behind them, Zi Ning's expression hardened. "Zi Yue… your tricks won't save you. The next move is mine."