The next morning, Zi Ning stood in front of her office window, gazing at the city skyline. The sun shone brightly, but her heart was heavy. The envelope she received last night revealed more than just Wang Sheng's illegal dealings—it exposed a dangerous alliance with The Black Serpent.
She knew what that meant. Wang Sheng wasn't just trying to ruin her reputation. He wanted to destroy everything she had built, and he was willing to use criminals to do it.
A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. Liu Mei entered, holding a tablet and a worried expression.
"Chairwoman Zi, bad news," she said. "Three of our international partners have suddenly canceled their contracts. They claimed it's due to 'market concerns,' but I dug deeper. Someone is spreading rumors that our company is involved in financial fraud."
Zi Ning's face turned cold. "Wang Sheng," she said without hesitation.
Liu Mei nodded. "It has to be him. He's moving faster than we expected."
Zi Ning clenched her fists. "If he thinks I'll just sit back and take this, he's wrong."
She turned to her desk and picked up the phone. "Get the legal team. I want a defamation lawsuit prepared immediately. Also, contact the public relations department. We're releasing a statement to crush these rumors before they spread further."
Liu Mei hesitated. "And about The Black Serpent? Should we inform the authorities?"
Zi Ning shook her head. "Not yet. Without solid proof, the police won't act. We'll gather more evidence first."
At the same time, in the Qin Group headquarters, Wang Sheng sat in his office, sipping tea. Qin Wei stood nearby, his face twisted in a cruel smile.
"Our plan is working perfectly," Qin Wei said. "Zi Corporation is already losing major deals. Soon, she'll be too weak to fight back."
Wang Sheng set his cup down carefully. "Don't underestimate Zi Ning. She's not the type to surrender easily. Keep the pressure on her, but don't give her room to breathe. The moment she shows a weakness, we strike harder."
Qin Wei chuckled. "She won't last long. Especially when The Black Serpent gets involved."
Wang Sheng's eyes gleamed with malice. "Exactly. And once she's out of the way, the entire business world will belong to us."
Later that afternoon, Zi Ning met with her legal team. The head lawyer, Mr. Zhou, was an experienced man in his fifties, known for his aggressive style.
"Chairwoman Zi, the evidence of defamation is strong," he said, flipping through documents. "We can file lawsuits against both Wang Sheng and Qin Group. However, it will take time to gather enough to link them directly to these international rumors."
"Time is a luxury we don't have," Zi Ning said sharply. "If we let this drag on, they'll destroy us before we even reach the courtroom."
Mr. Zhou hesitated. "There is another option. If we can find a whistleblower within Qin Group or someone connected to Wang Sheng's dealings, we could fast-track the case."
Zi Ning's mind raced. She thought of the mysterious caller from last night. Could he be the key?
"I'll handle that," she said. "For now, file the lawsuits and send letters to every partner who canceled. Make it clear we won't tolerate false accusations."
That evening, Zi Ning returned to the Lu family mansion. As she stepped inside, she found Lu Yichen waiting in the living room, reviewing a stack of documents.
He looked up when she entered. "You're pushing yourself too hard," he said softly.
"I can't stop now," Zi Ning replied, walking over to him. "Wang Sheng isn't just playing business games. He's using criminals to destroy us."
Lu Yichen's face darkened. "The Black Serpent."
She nodded. "If we don't stop him soon, there may be no turning back."
Without a word, Lu Yichen picked up his phone and made a call. His tone was calm but carried a weight of authority. "I want full surveillance on Wang Sheng and Qin Group. I want to know every step they take."
When he hung up, he turned to her. "We're in this together, Zi Ning. Whatever it takes, we'll make them pay."
His words sent warmth through her heart, but she knew the fight was far from over.
The next day, Zi Ning received an anonymous message on her phone.
"Meet me at the abandoned warehouse on Pier 17 tonight. I have the evidence you need."
She knew it was risky—but she also knew it could be the breakthrough they needed.
At exactly 10 PM, she arrived at Pier 17. The air was cold, and the moon hung low over the water. The old warehouse was dark, but Zi Ning stepped inside without hesitation.
Footsteps echoed behind her. She turned sharply, her heart pounding.
A man emerged from the shadows. It was the same hooded figure from the dockyard.
"You're brave," he said quietly. "Most people wouldn't risk coming here alone."
"I'm not most people," Zi Ning answered, her voice steady. "Do you have the evidence?"
The man nodded, pulling out a flash drive. "Everything you need to bring Wang Sheng down. Bank transfers, bribes, even his connection to The Black Serpent."
Zi Ning reached for the drive—but before she could grab it, the sound of a gun cocking echoed through the warehouse.
"Did you really think I'd let you leave so easily?"
A cold voice filled the air. Zi Ning turned to see Wang Sheng stepping out of the darkness, a gun in his hand. Wang Yin stood beside him, her face twisted in a cruel smile.
"You should have stayed out of this, Zi Ning," Wang Sheng said softly. "But now, you've gone too far."
Zi Ning didn't flinch. "You're the one who's gone too far, Wang Sheng. When the truth comes out, no one will save you."
He laughed coldly. "Truth? In this world, the only thing that matters is power. And right now, I have all of it."
Before he could take another step, a new voice cut through the air.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that."
Lu Yichen stepped into the warehouse, flanked by several bodyguards. His gaze was sharp and cold, locking onto Wang Sheng.
"I warned you once to stay away from her," Lu Yichen said quietly. "You didn't listen."
For the first time, fear flickered in Wang Sheng's eyes.
"You're too late," he growled. "I still have the evidence."
Lu Yichen smiled coldly. "Not anymore."
At his signal, one of his bodyguards stepped forward, holding up the flash drive. "Your man sold you out," Lu Yichen said. "It's over, Wang Sheng."
Wang Sheng's face twisted with rage. "You think you've won?"
"No," Zi Ning said, stepping closer. "I know I've won."
Without another word, Wang Sheng turned and fled into the night, but Zi Ning knew it was only a matter of time before everything he built came crashing down.
As Lu Yichen took her hand, she felt a sense of calm.