Morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the CEO's office. Gu Xinglan sat behind her desk, quietly reviewing the documents in her hands. While last night's victory had temporarily stabilized the company's situation, she knew the power struggle was far from over.
The phone on her desk buzzed, breaking her train of thought. Su Yao's voice came through.
"President Gu, Mr. Zhang Feng is here. He says he has something important to discuss with you."
Gu Xinglan's lips curled into a cold smile. Her fiancé's sudden visit wasn't on her agenda. "Let him in," she replied.
Moments later, Zhang Feng entered. Dressed in a tailored suit, his signature warm smile adorned his face. To others, he might appear polished and charming, but to Gu Xinglan, he was nothing but a thorn in her side.
"Xinglan, I heard about what happened last night. Congratulations on handling it so brilliantly," Zhang Feng said, his tone laced with curiosity. "But don't you think your approach has been a bit too aggressive? It might make people in the company feel... disconnected."
Gu Xinglan's gaze turned icy. "Disconnected?" She set down the file in her hand, her tone calm but sharp. "Zhang Feng, I'm not here to make friends with them. My job is to lead this company out of crisis. Are you here to teach me how to be a CEO?"
Zhang Feng's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "Of course not. I just wanted to remind you that being too rigid might backfire."
"If that's all, you can leave now," Gu Xinglan said curtly, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.
Though irritation flickered in Zhang Feng's eyes, he masked it with a practiced smile. "Actually, I also wanted to ask about the wedding. Our families are eagerly awaiting an update."
The wedding. Gu Xinglan felt a flicker of annoyance. To the original protagonist of this story, the marriage was a crucial alliance—a symbol of corporate stability and a move to appease shareholders. But for her, Zhang Feng was nothing more than a liability.
"The wedding preparations are proceeding as planned," she replied, her tone devoid of warmth.
Relieved, Zhang Feng gave a small nod before taking his leave. However, as the door closed behind him, Gu Xinglan's expression darkened. She knew Zhang Feng's visit wasn't just about the wedding.
A Crack in the Façade
That afternoon, Su Yao entered the office with a file in hand. "President Gu, here's what you asked me to look into regarding Mr. Zhang's recent activities."
Gu Xinglan opened the file and quickly scanned its contents. As expected, Zhang Feng had been meeting frequently with a rival company. Additionally, he had been seen multiple times with a mysterious woman at luxury hotels and private clubs.
"President Gu, there's one detail you might find particularly interesting." Su Yao slid a photograph across the desk. It showed Zhang Feng with the woman—her seductive smile unmistakable. But what stood out was the venue in the background: the Blue Bay Club.
The same club where Zhao Gang had held his secret meeting the previous night.
"So, it's even more interconnected than I thought," Gu Xinglan murmured.
Zhang Feng wasn't just a philandering fiancé; he was also a double agent. On one hand, he maintained the engagement to leverage her status, and on the other, he secretly colluded with competitors to secure greater benefits for himself.
A Showdown at the Banquet
That evening, Gu Xinglan attended an elite business banquet, a gathering of the city's top corporate players. It was an opportunity to uncover more information and position herself strategically.
Dressed in an elegant emerald-green off-shoulder gown, she entered the grand hall with a composed grace that turned heads. Her presence was magnetic, commanding attention wherever she went.
"President Gu, it's an honor to meet you," an executive greeted her, raising his glass in a toast.
Gu Xinglan responded with a polite smile, her eyes scanning the crowd. Soon, her gaze landed on Zhang Feng. He was in a lively conversation, his arm casually resting on the shoulder of a young woman dressed impeccably.
The woman was none other than the one from the photo.
Gu Xinglan walked toward them, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. Her presence immediately silenced their conversation.
"Mr. Zhang," she said with a faint smile, her tone laced with sarcasm. "What a pleasant surprise to see you here. And who might this be?"
Zhang Feng stiffened for a moment before quickly recovering. "Xinglan, this is Miss Lin Wan, my personal assistant."
"Personal assistant?" Gu Xinglan's lips curved upward. "Your assistant must be exceptionally dedicated to accompany you to such events."
Lin Wan, clearly uncomfortable, forced a polite smile. "It's my honor to assist Mr. Zhang and learn from his expertise."
"Such diligence is commendable." Gu Xinglan's words were light, but her gaze was piercing. Zhang Feng's expression betrayed his unease, though he managed to maintain a façade of calm.
The exchange was brief, but it planted a seed of doubt in Lin Wan's mind.
Gathering Evidence
After the banquet, Gu Xinglan immediately hired a private investigator to dig deeper into Zhang Feng's relationship with Lin Wan and their activities.
A few days later, the investigator delivered a video. In the footage, Zhang Feng and Lin Wan were seen together in a private room at the Blue Bay Club. Lin Wan handed Zhang Feng a file folder, and he accepted it with a triumphant smirk.
"Looks like the puzzle pieces are falling into place," Gu Xinglan said coldly.
She instructed Su Yao to prepare a copy of the video and began planning her next move.
The Final Confrontation
At the next company shareholders' meeting, Zhang Feng was invited to attend as a guest. He arrived, confident as ever, unaware of the storm about to engulf him.
Midway through the meeting, Gu Xinglan pressed a button on the remote in her hand. The screen at the front of the room lit up, playing the damning footage.
The room fell silent as shareholders and executives watched the video of Zhang Feng and Lin Wan exchanging files at the Blue Bay Club. The implications were clear.
"Mr. Zhang," Gu Xinglan said, her voice icy. "Care to explain what we're seeing?"
Zhang Feng's face turned pale. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
"As my fiancé, you not only betrayed me personally but also sought to exploit our engagement for illegal gains," Gu Xinglan continued, her tone sharp. "As of today, I am officially terminating our engagement and reserving the right to pursue legal action against you."
The room erupted in murmurs. The shareholders' gazes were a mix of shock, disdain, and schadenfreude as Zhang Feng sat frozen in his seat.
Meanwhile, Gu Xinglan stood tall, her presence commanding. In this battle of wits and power, she had emerged victorious, her position now unshakable.