The morning sunlight filtered through the window of Ivy's apartment, but it did little to warm her. After the unnerving conversation with Lu Feng, she had barely slept. His cryptic words replayed in her mind like a broken record: "The people who came after us, they're not finished."
Ivy gripped her coffee mug tightly, the unease settling deeper into her bones. She had thought working for Lu Cheng was already an uphill battle, but now she was facing threats she couldn't even comprehend. And the worst part? She still hadn't heard directly from him.
Her phone vibrated on the table, snapping her out of her thoughts. A surge of hope rushed through her, but when she glanced at the screen, it wasn't the call she was expecting. It was from Lin Wei.
"Ivy, we need you in the office immediately," his urgent tone greeted her the moment she picked up.
"What's going on?" she asked, her heart beginning to race.
"There's been a breach in the company's database," Lin Wei explained hurriedly. "All assistants are required for an emergency meeting. You're expected to be there."
The line disconnected before she could ask any further questions. Ivy set her coffee down, grabbed her bag, and rushed out the door.
By the time Ivy arrived at Spring Entertainment, the atmosphere in the office was electric with tension. Assistants scurried through the hallways with papers and laptops, their faces pinched with worry. Ivy spotted Zhao Jun and Cheng Rui whispering near the boardroom door, but as soon as they saw her, they straightened.
"Ivy," Zhao Jun greeted her curtly, his usual friendliness replaced with a clipped tone. "You're late."
"I came as quickly as I could. What's happening?"
"The breach was deliberate," Cheng Rui said grimly. "It wasn't random, it was targeted at Lu Cheng's confidential files."
A chill ran down Ivy's spine. "What kind of files?"
"That's what we're trying to figure out," Zhao Jun replied, glancing toward the closed boardroom door. "But if someone's going after those, it means they're digging deep into the company, and Lu Cheng's personal dealings."
Before Ivy could respond, the boardroom door opened, and Lin Wei stepped out. His expression was grave. "Get in here. Now."
The meeting was tense. Charts and graphs projected on the screen displayed the extent of the breach, and the IT team rattled off terms Ivy barely understood. What she did understand, however, was the gravity of the situation.
"They were searching for something specific," one of the IT specialists said, pointing to a highlighted section of code. "The data extracted focused on offshore accounts, property deeds, and encrypted communications tied directly to Mr. Lu Cheng."
"Does Lu Cheng know about this?" Ivy asked, unable to stop herself.
The room fell silent, all eyes turning toward Lin Wei. His jaw tightened. "He's been informed, but his current condition prevents him from taking immediate action. That's why it falls on us to contain this before it spirals out of control."
Ivy's stomach churned. The idea of Lu Cheng being vulnerable, even momentarily, felt wrong. He had always seemed untouchable, a force to be reckoned with. But now?
As the meeting continued, Ivy's thoughts kept drifting back to Lu Feng's warning. "There are forces at play... you need to start asking the right questions."
Hours later, Ivy found herself back in Lu Cheng's office, her hands trembling slightly as she typed out a report. The weight of everything, his injury, the attack, the breach, was pressing down on her, but she refused to crumble under it.
The sound of the door opening startled her. She turned to see Lu Feng standing in the doorway, his sharp gaze cutting through her.
"You're not supposed to be here," he said, his tone flat but laced with authority.
"I'm working," Ivy replied, her voice steady despite the nerves coiling in her stomach.
Lu Feng stepped inside, his presence dominating the room. "You're digging too deep, Ivy."
She frowned. "I'm just doing my job."
"You're doing more than that," he said, his eyes narrowing. "And it's going to get you hurt."
Ivy stood, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "If you're so concerned, then why don't you help me understand what's going on? Because right now, I'm in the dark, and I hate it."
Lu Feng's expression didn't change, but something flickered in his eyes, something she couldn't quite place. He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.
"My brother trusts you, but trust doesn't mean safety. The people who want him gone won't stop at him. If they think you're a liability, they'll come for you too."
Ivy's breath hitched. "Why? What do they want?"
"That," Lu Feng said, turning toward the window, "is the question you should be asking him, not me."
Before she could respond, he was gone, leaving her alone with more questions than answers.
That night, as Ivy lay in bed, her phone buzzed again. This time, the name on the screen made her heart leap.
Lu Cheng.
She answered immediately. "Lu Cheng! Are you okay?"
"Ivy," his voice was hoarse but firm. "I need you to listen carefully. No matter what happens, stay out of this. Do you understand?"
Her chest tightened. "But—"
"No buts," he interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I'll handle it. Just... stay safe."
The line went dead, leaving Ivy in the dark once more. But one thing was certain: whatever storm was coming, it was far from over.