The storm around Guo Bao was finally settling, but Zi Ning knew better than to relax. Enemies like him didn't disappear so easily. Even when cornered, a rat would fight back.
She sat in her apartment, sipping a cup of tea as she scrolled through the latest news. Guo Bao's name was completely ruined. Brands had cut ties, his family had abandoned him, and even his closest friends were avoiding him. But something still felt off.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. She stood up and opened it, only to find Fang Min standing there, looking anxious.
"You need to see this," Fang Min said, walking inside without waiting for an invitation. She handed her phone to Zi Ning.
Zi Ning frowned and took the phone. The screen displayed a new article with a shocking headline:
"Zi Ning's Secret Past—Was She Really Framed, or Was This All Part of Her Plan?"
Her stomach tightened as she read through the article. It was filled with lies, claiming she had used the scandal to gain sympathy and destroy Guo Bao on purpose. It even hinted that she might have fabricated some of the evidence against him.
"They're trying to turn the public against you," Fang Min said, crossing her arms. "And it's working. Some people are already questioning everything."
Zi Ning clenched her jaw. She should have known this would happen. Just because she had won the battle didn't mean her enemies would stop attacking.
"Who's behind this?" she asked.
Fang Min hesitated. "I don't know for sure, but… I have a feeling it's Wang Yin."
Zi Ning's eyes darkened. "She still dares to fight back?"
Fang Min sighed. "She has nothing to lose now. Her reputation is in shambles, but if she can drag you down with her, she will."
Zi Ning took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. "Then we need to act fast. If we don't clear this up, people will start believing it."
Fang Min nodded. "I've already contacted a few media outlets to counter this story, but we need something stronger. We need solid proof that everything we exposed about Guo Bao and Wang Yin is real."
Zi Ning's mind worked quickly. "The police investigation. If we can get an official statement from them confirming that our evidence was legitimate, it will shut down all doubts."
Fang Min's eyes lit up. "That's a good idea. I'll see if we can arrange a statement from the authorities."
Just as she was about to leave, Zi Ning's phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number.
"If you think this is over, you're wrong. Watch your back."
Zi Ning's blood ran cold.
She showed the message to Fang Min, who frowned. "Guo Bao?"
"Or someone working for him," Zi Ning said. "Either way, they're not done with me."
Fang Min looked worried. "Should we tell Lu Yichen?"
Zi Ning hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. "Not yet. Let's handle this first. If things get worse, then I'll tell him."
Fang Min didn't look convinced, but she nodded. "Just be careful."
Zi Ning gave her a small smile. "I will."
The next day, things escalated even further.
More articles appeared, twisting the truth and making Zi Ning look like the villain. Some people online started calling for her to be investigated, saying that if Guo Bao was guilty, then so was she.
It was ridiculous, but she knew how quickly rumors could destroy a person.
Then, in the afternoon, something unexpected happened.
The police released an official statement.
"All evidence presented in the case against Guo Bao has been verified and confirmed as authentic. Investigations into his actions are ongoing, and we urge the public not to spread false information."
As soon as the statement was released, the tide turned again.
"So she was telling the truth all along!"
"Those fake articles trying to frame Zi Ning were clearly planted!"
"Who's behind this smear campaign? They need to be exposed!"
Zi Ning finally let out a breath of relief. At least now, people would stop doubting her.
But just as she started to feel at ease, she received a call from an unknown number.
She hesitated before answering. "Who is this?"
A cold, familiar voice spoke on the other end. "Did you think I would go down so easily, Zi Ning?"
Her grip on the phone tightened. "Guo Bao."
He laughed, but there was no humor in it. "You ruined my life. Did you think I'd let you get away with that?"
"You did this to yourself," Zi Ning said, her voice steady. "You and Wang Yin tried to destroy me first. I just defended myself."
Guo Bao scoffed. "Believe whatever you want. But this isn't over. I still have ways to make you suffer."
Zi Ning's heart pounded, but she refused to show fear. "Then go ahead and try. But you should know by now—I don't go down easily."
Guo Bao was silent for a moment before he chuckled. "We'll see."
The line went dead.
Zi Ning slowly lowered the phone. She had expected Guo Bao to fight back, but something about his tone unsettled her.
He wasn't just angry. He sounded like a man with nothing left to lose.
That evening, Zi Ning met with Lu Yichen.
He could tell something was wrong the moment he saw her. "What happened?"
She told him about the articles, the threats, and Guo Bao's call. Lu Yichen listened silently, his face growing colder with every word.
"He's desperate," he finally said. "And that makes him dangerous."
Zi Ning nodded. "I know. But I won't let him scare me."
Lu Yichen studied her for a moment before speaking. "From now on, I'm increasing your security."
Zi Ning opened her mouth to argue, but he cut her off.
"This isn't up for discussion," he said firmly. "Guo Bao is backed into a corner. We don't know what he'll do next, and I'm not taking any chances with your safety."
Zi Ning sighed but nodded. "Fine. But I still want to fight back. I won't hide."
A slow smile spread across Lu Yichen's lips. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you."
She smiled back, but deep down, she knew this fight was far from over.
Guo Bao wasn't done yet.
And the next move could be deadly.