Author's Note: Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.
Zi Ning walked out of the Golden Pavilion with steady steps, but her mind was sharp.
Fang Cheng had warned her.
Someone powerful was watching her.
Someone who didn't just want to ruin her career—but destroy her completely.
But who?
Huo Lian? Zhao Feng?
No.
Fang Cheng said they were small players.
That meant someone bigger was behind this.
Zi Ning's lips curled into a cold smile.
They wanted to scare her?
They picked the wrong person.
She took out her phone and dialed a number.
"Find out who's been following me. I want every detail."
The voice on the other end was quick. "Understood, Miss Zi."
Zi Ning hung up.
If someone thought she was weak, she would prove them wrong.
By the time she arrived at Starlight Entertainment, news had already spread about the banquet last night.
She could hear whispers as she walked through the lobby.
"Did you hear? Zi Ning slapped Huo Lian in front of everyone!"
"Not just that, she embarrassed Zhao Feng too!"
"She's crazy! How is she still standing after offending such powerful people?"
Zi Ning ignored them.
She wasn't here to play nice.
As she entered the dressing room, her assistant, Xiao Mei, rushed over.
"Sister Ning, you're trending again!" Xiao Mei's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Zi Ning took the tablet and scanned the headlines.
#ZiNingStrikesBack
#GoddessZiNing
#HuoLianHumiliated
Photos from last night were everywhere. The moment she slapped Huo Lian. The way she walked away, calm and powerful.
The public was eating it up.
Half of them supported her.
The other half called her arrogant.
Zi Ning smirked.
Let them talk.
She wasn't here to please anyone.
"Your fanbase is growing like crazy!" Xiao Mei continued. "You've gained over a million new followers overnight!"
Zi Ning put down the tablet. "Good. Let's make use of it."
She sat in front of the mirror as a makeup artist began preparing her for today's photoshoot.
But just as they were about to start, the door slammed open.
A group of executives walked in, their expressions cold.
At the front was Director Han, one of the senior managers of Starlight Entertainment.
"Zi Ning," his voice was low. "We need to talk."
Zi Ning leaned back in her chair. "What's the problem, Director Han?"
Han's eyes darkened.
"The company has been receiving pressure since last night."
Zi Ning raised an eyebrow. "From who?"
Han didn't answer immediately.
But Zi Ning already knew.
Zhao Feng.
Huo Lian.
Or perhaps… the bigger player Fang Cheng mentioned.
Han sighed. "We need you to lay low for a while. Stop causing trouble."
Zi Ning chuckled. "I see. So you want me to stay quiet while others try to ruin me?"
Han's face twitched. "This isn't about that. It's about keeping the company stable."
Zi Ning tapped her fingers on the makeup table.
"I understand," she said. "But I won't stay silent."
Han's jaw tightened.
He lowered his voice.
"If you keep this up… you might lose everything."
Zi Ning's eyes turned cold.
She stood up and stepped closer to Han.
"I have nothing to lose, Director Han," she whispered. "But if someone wants to take me down, tell them this—they should be ready to pay the price."
Han took a step back, startled by her calm confidence.
Without waiting for a response, Zi Ning turned to Xiao Mei.
"Let's start the shoot."
She wasn't going to hide.
She wasn't going to run.
Let them come.
She was ready.
That evening, Zi Ning returned to her apartment.
She checked her phone—no news from her investigator yet.
Whoever was behind this was careful.
Suddenly, a message popped up.
Unknown Number: "Check the news."
Zi Ning's fingers tightened around the phone.
She quickly opened a news app.
And her eyes turned sharp.
BREAKING NEWS: Zi Ning's Secret Past—Did She Really Cheat Her Way to Stardom?
Her face was on the screen.
Below it, fake documents showed contracts, payments, and rumors linking her to powerful men.
They made it look like she slept her way to fame.
Lies.
Every single one.
A wave of comments flooded in.
"I knew it! No way she became famous on talent alone!"
"Disgusting! Another fake celebrity!"
"She deserves to be blacklisted!"
Zi Ning took a deep breath.
She expected an attack.
But this was more than just slander.
This was a full-blown character assassination.
And it was only the beginning.
Her phone rang.
Lu Yichen.
She answered immediately.
"You saw it?" she asked.
His voice was low. Dangerous. "I did."
Zi Ning closed her eyes for a moment. "Whoever did this isn't playing games."
Lu Yichen's tone was calm, but there was murder hidden beneath it.
"They want to destroy you," he said.
Zi Ning clenched her fist. "Then I'll destroy them first."
A pause.
Then, Lu Yichen chuckled softly.
"Good," he said. "I'll help."
Zi Ning didn't waste a second.
She called Xiao Mei.
"Set up a press conference," she ordered.
Xiao Mei hesitated. "But Sister Ning, wouldn't it be better to wait?"
"No," Zi Ning said coldly. "If I wait, they'll keep attacking. I need to strike first."
She hung up and dialed another number.
Her investigator.
The voice on the other end was serious.
"We found something," he said.
Zi Ning's eyes flashed.
"Tell me."
A short silence.
Then—
"The person behind this isn't just Zhao Feng or Huo Lian."
Zi Ning gritted her teeth. "Then who?"
The investigator hesitated.
Finally, he spoke.
"It's someone from your past."
Zi Ning's breath caught in her throat.
Her past.
The memories she had tried to bury.
The part of her life that no one was supposed to know about.
The voice on the phone continued.
"This person… they know everything about you."
Zi Ning's grip on her phone tightened.
So this was it.
Her real enemy had finally stepped forward.
And now, there was no turning back.
She smiled coldly.
"Let's see who falls first."