In a dimly lit room, Guo Bao leaned back in his leather chair, the faint glow of his cigarette the only light. His phone buzzed against the polished wood of his desk. Seeing Wang Yin's name flash across the screen, a wicked smile crept across his face.
He answered, his tone cold. "You must be desperate to call me."
On the other end, Wang Yin's voice trembled with rage. "Don't act smug. You and I both know Zi Ning is the reason we're in this mess."
Guo Bao chuckled darkly. "And what do you want from me?"
Wang Yin's nails dug into her palm. "I want revenge. And I know you do too."
For a moment, silence hung between them. Then, Guo Bao spoke, his voice sharp. "You have my attention. What's your plan?"
A cruel glint flashed in Wang Yin's eyes. "If Zi Ning wants to play dirty, we'll drag her through the mud. I have something she can't escape from."
Guo Bao's interest deepened. "Go on."
At Starlight Entertainment, Zi Ning reviewed the latest headlines. Wang Yin's empire was collapsing fast, and her public image was ruined beyond repair. Yet, something in Zi Ning's heart felt uneasy. Wang Yin wouldn't go down quietly—she was too proud, too ruthless.
A soft knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. Lin Qiao entered, holding a folder. Her face was serious.
"You should see this," Lin Qiao said, handing over the papers.
Zi Ning flipped through the documents, her brow furrowing. "A new investment proposal?"
Lin Qiao nodded. "Yes, but it's strange. The funding traces back to one of Guo Bao's companies. It looks like they're trying to sneak in under a fake name."
Zi Ning's lips curled into a cold smile. "So, they're already moving. They think they can trap me again?"
Lin Qiao scoffed. "They must not know who they're dealing with."
Zi Ning placed the folder aside. "Reject the offer quietly. Let them think we don't suspect anything. I want to see how far they'll go."
Lin Qiao grinned. "I'll handle it."
Meanwhile, Wang Yin and Guo Bao met in a private lounge. The tension between them was thick—two wounded beasts joining forces out of necessity.
Wang Yin leaned forward, her voice low. "I still have connections with a few reporters. We spread the right rumors, and we can ruin her image."
Guo Bao smirked. "Rumors aren't enough. We need something that will destroy her completely."
Wang Yin's lips curled into a cruel smile. "I have something better. I know her weakness—Lu Yichen."
At the mention of his name, Guo Bao's expression darkened. "What about him?"
Wang Yin's eyes gleamed with malice. "He's powerful, but no one's untouchable. If we make it seem like Zi Ning is using him for her own gain, his family won't tolerate her. She'll lose her strongest shield."
Guo Bao tilted his head, considering her words. "And how do you plan to do that?"
She slid a USB drive across the table. "This contains fabricated evidence—bank transactions, fake messages. It will make it look like Zi Ning's been leaking Lu Group's business secrets to rival companies."
Guo Bao whistled softly. "You've been busy."
Wang Yin's voice dripped with venom. "I had to prepare for a day like this. Once this leaks, the media will rip her apart."
He leaned back, a satisfied smile on his face. "Let's ruin her."
Two days later, the storm broke.
A series of anonymous reports flooded major media outlets, accusing Zi Ning of corporate espionage. Screenshots of alleged messages between her and competing firms spread like wildfire.
"Starlight's Queen or Corporate Spy?"
"Zi Ning Betrays Lu Yichen? Inside the Scandal Rocking the Business World!"
The headlines were brutal. Comment sections were filled with outrage and speculation.
At Starlight Entertainment, tension hung thick in the air. Staff avoided eye contact, fearing the fallout.
Zi Ning, however, remained calm. She sat in her office, watching the news unfold. Her fingers tapped rhythmically against the desk.
Lin Qiao stormed in, her face red with anger. "They've gone too far! This could ruin everything."
Zi Ning's voice was cold. "Let them bark. The truth will crush them."
Lin Qiao exhaled sharply. "Do you want me to release the evidence proving this is fake?"
Zi Ning shook her head. "Not yet. They're too arrogant—they'll expose themselves if we're patient."
A soft vibration from her phone drew her attention. It was a message from Lu Yichen.
"I'm handling the board. Trust me."
Her heart warmed slightly, but her resolve stayed firm. This wasn't just about her—it was about finishing her enemies once and for all.
At the Lu Group headquarters, Lu Yichen sat at the head of a long, sleek conference table. The board members, mostly older men with sharp eyes and colder hearts, murmured amongst themselves.
One of them, an elder with silver hair, spoke up. "President Lu, these accusations are serious. If Zi Ning is indeed leaking confidential information—"
Lu Yichen cut him off, his tone like ice. "She isn't."
The room fell silent. No one dared to challenge him directly.
Another member cleared his throat. "But the evidence—"
"It's fake," Lu Yichen said flatly. "And anyone pushing these lies will regret it."
His words weren't a threat—they were a promise.
He rose from his seat. "Meeting adjourned. I'll personally handle this matter."
As he left the room, his assistant trailed behind. "President Lu, should we initiate legal action?"
Lu Yichen's eyes burned with a dangerous light. "Yes. And I want the ones behind this exposed."
That evening, Zi Ning met Lu Yichen in his private villa. The city lights sparkled outside, but inside, the air was thick with tension.
He poured her a glass of wine, his gaze softening as he sat beside her. "You're calm."
She sipped her wine, her lips curving slightly. "I know my enemies. This is their last desperate move."
Lu Yichen's hand brushed against hers. "They'll pay for daring to touch you."
A spark of warmth flared in her chest, but her mind remained sharp. "Let's give them a reason to fear us."
He smiled darkly. "Consider it done."
By the next morning, the tides turned.
Lu Group's official statement crushed the rumors. Forensic experts proved the leaked messages were fabricated. The media quickly shifted gears—now focusing on who dared to frame Zi Ning.
And Lu Yichen's legal team? They were relentless.
In less than 24 hours, the digital trail led straight to Wang Yin and Guo Bao. Their names flooded the headlines.
"Wang Yin's Last Gamble Backfires—Caught in Corporate Fraud!"
"Guo Bao Exposed: The Mastermind Behind the Smear Campaign!"
Police soon arrived at their doors, arrest warrants in hand.
At Starlight Entertainment, Lin Qiao burst into Zi Ning's office, grinning ear to ear. "They're finished!"
Zi Ning leaned back, her expression serene. "As expected."
Lin Qiao laughed. "Remind me never to be your enemy."
Zi Ning's smile was cold. "Wise decision."