The city lights sparkled outside Zi Ning's penthouse window, but inside, the atmosphere was cold and heavy. She stood by the window, her arms crossed as she replayed the distorted voice from the phone call in her mind.
"Even queens can be brought to their knees."
The words were meant to scare her—to break her confidence. But instead, they fueled the fire burning inside her. Whoever was behind these attacks had crossed the line. And Zi Ning was done playing defense.
Lu Yichen stood nearby, his tall figure relaxed but his eyes sharp. He had been silent for a while, but his mind was working like a machine, piecing together every clue.
"They're getting desperate," he said, breaking the silence. "If they're making direct threats, it means they know we're getting close to uncovering them."
Zi Ning turned to face him, her expression calm but fierce. "Good. Because I'm done waiting. It's time to make them pay."
A small smile tugged at his lips. "That's exactly what I wanted to hear."
The next morning, the entire city buzzed with the latest scandal. The media had gone wild over the leaked emails, twisting every word to paint Zi Ning as a ruthless businesswoman who would do anything to crush her enemies.
But instead of hiding, Zi Ning walked straight into the storm.
She arrived at Zi Corporation's headquarters dressed in a crisp white suit—elegant and commanding. Her heels clicked sharply against the marble floor as she strode into the building, ignoring the reporters shouting questions at her.
Inside the executive meeting room, the board members waited. Some of them wore worried expressions, while others—like Chairman Liu—looked impatient.
The moment she entered, the murmurs stopped. All eyes were on her.
Chairman Liu cleared his throat. "President Zi, these allegations are becoming a serious problem. Shareholders are concerned. The longer we stay silent, the more damage is done."
Zi Ning took her seat at the head of the table, her back straight and her face calm. "I understand their concerns," she said coolly. "But let me make one thing clear—this company is not run by rumors. It is run by results."
She tapped her fingers against the table. "In the last quarter alone, our profits increased by twenty percent. We secured two major international deals, and our market value continues to rise." Her voice sharpened. "Anyone who doubts my leadership is free to step down."
A heavy silence filled the room. None of them dared to challenge her directly.
Chairman Liu adjusted his glasses. "Still… a public response is necessary. If we do nothing, the rumors will continue to spread."
Zi Ning's lips curved into a cold smile. "Don't worry. I have a plan."
That afternoon, Zi Ning held a press conference. The room was packed with reporters, their cameras flashing as she stepped onto the stage.
She faced them without a hint of fear. "Over the past few weeks, there have been false and malicious claims made against me," she began, her voice steady and clear. "Let me be clear—I have never used illegal methods to expand my business, nor have I ever relied on anyone's influence to maintain my position."
She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing. "These attacks are not just against me—they are against everyone who believes in hard work and integrity. I will not sit quietly while my name is dragged through the mud."
The reporters fired questions at her, but she answered each one with confidence, refusing to give her enemies any advantage.
By the time she left the stage, the narrative had already begun to shift. Zi Ning wasn't a woman in crisis—she was a woman fighting back.
Meanwhile, Lu Yichen's investigation was making progress.
In his private office, he stood with his most trusted assistant, Chen Xiang. "The payments to the media were funneled through several shell companies," Chen Xiang reported. "But we finally traced the main account."
Lu Yichen's expression turned cold. "Who is it?"
Chen Xiang hesitated. "It's connected to a private foundation overseas. And the person behind it… is Wang Yin."
A dangerous light flashed in Lu Yichen's eyes. "So, it was her all along."
He had suspected Wang Yin from the beginning, but now he had proof. And with proof came action.
"Expose everything," he ordered. "I want the world to know exactly who's been pulling the strings."
That evening, a bombshell report hit the internet.
"EXCLUSIVE: Evidence Ties Socialite Wang Yin to Smear Campaign Against Zi Ning!"
The article detailed the entire scheme—how Wang Yin had funded the fake news, leaked private emails, and bribed fake witnesses. It included bank records and testimony from insiders who had turned against her.
Within hours, the public's opinion shifted.
"She was framed?"
"Wang Yin has always been jealous of Zi Ning—it makes sense!"
"Zi Ning should sue them all!"
The backlash against Wang Yin was swift and brutal.
In her luxury apartment, Wang Yin smashed her phone against the wall, her face twisted with rage.
"How did this happen?" she screamed.
The man sitting across from her—her mysterious partner—watched her with cold amusement. "You underestimated her," he said smoothly. "Zi Ning is not someone who breaks easily."
Wang Yin clenched her fists. "I won't lose to her."
The man's smile faded. "You already have."
He stood and adjusted his cufflinks. "I have no interest in backing a failure. Consider our partnership over."
Wang Yin's heart dropped to her stomach. "Wait—"
But he was already gone, leaving her to face the ruins of her plan alone.
Back at Zi Ning's penthouse, the atmosphere was lighter. For the first time in weeks, the pressure seemed to lift.
Zi Ning poured herself a glass of red wine, her movements graceful as always. "One battle down," she murmured. "But this isn't over yet."
Lu Yichen stepped behind her, wrapping an arm around her waist. "No," he agreed. "But we're winning."
She leaned against him, letting herself relax for just a moment. "Thank you," she whispered. "For standing by me."
His lips brushed against her ear. "I told you—I'm not going anywhere."