Zi Ning leaned against the window of her apartment, her mind racing. Wang Hao. He was the mastermind behind it all. The true enemy.
Unlike Guo Bao, who was impulsive and arrogant, Wang Hao was different. He had resources, intelligence, and patience. He didn't make reckless moves. He planned everything carefully.
But no matter how careful he was, he had made a mistake. He underestimated her.
Zi Ning wasn't the same woman she was months ago. She had been played, humiliated, and pushed into a corner—but she had fought back. And now, she would bring him down.
Her phone buzzed. It was Fang Min.
"I found something," Fang Min said. "Wang Hao is hosting a private party tomorrow night at the Grand Lotus Hotel."
Zi Ning frowned. "A party?"
"Yes. It's supposed to be a gathering for business elites, but I heard it's really a cover-up for something else. He's meeting important people, possibly to secure his position after his father's downfall."
Zi Ning's eyes darkened. "So he's already making moves."
"Exactly," Fang Min said. "He knows his family's reputation is at risk. If he loses support, the Wang family is finished."
Zi Ning smirked. "Then let's make sure he does."
The next night, Zi Ning arrived at the Grand Lotus Hotel, dressed in a sleek black evening gown. Her long hair was styled elegantly, and her makeup was flawless. She wasn't just here to spy—she was here to make a statement.
Fang Min had arranged an invitation for her. Since Zi Ning was still a rising star in the industry, she had the perfect excuse to attend. No one would suspect she was here for revenge.
As she stepped into the grand ballroom, she scanned the room. Business elites, celebrities, and powerful figures were engaged in polite conversations, sipping champagne and exchanging smiles. But beneath the surface, deals were being made, alliances were being formed, and secrets were being traded.
Then, she saw him.
Wang Hao stood near the bar, dressed in a sharp tailored suit. He was tall, composed, and exuded confidence. He was surrounded by influential people, laughing and shaking hands like nothing was wrong.
Zi Ning clenched her fists. This man had ruined her life from the shadows, and now he was acting as if he was untouchable.
Not for long.
Taking a deep breath, she walked toward the bar. As she approached, she caught the attention of several guests. She could hear whispers—people recognizing her as the actress who had been caught in a scandal.
Zi Ning ignored them. She was past caring about rumors.
As she reached the bar, she picked up a glass of wine and stood beside Wang Hao. She didn't speak. She simply waited.
It didn't take long.
After a few minutes, Wang Hao turned to look at her, his sharp eyes filled with amusement. "Miss Zi, I didn't expect to see you here."
Zi Ning smiled. "Why not? A rising actress like me should attend high-class events, shouldn't I?"
Wang Hao chuckled. "Of course. But I thought you would be avoiding the public after your… unfortunate incident."
Zi Ning's expression remained calm. "Unfortunate incidents don't keep me down. If they did, I wouldn't be standing here, would I?"
Wang Hao's smile didn't waver, but his eyes studied her carefully. "Interesting. You're stronger than I thought."
Zi Ning tilted her head. "And you're exactly as I imagined."
Wang Hao raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And how did you imagine me?"
She leaned slightly closer, lowering her voice. "A man who hides in the shadows, pulling strings like a puppeteer. But no matter how skilled a puppeteer is, there's always a way to cut the strings."
Wang Hao's expression remained unreadable. For a moment, there was silence between them. Then, he laughed softly.
"You're bold," he said. "But boldness can be dangerous, Miss Zi."
Zi Ning smirked. "So can underestimating the wrong person."
Their gazes locked.
Wang Hao was testing her. He wanted to see how much she knew. But Zi Ning wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
Instead, she took a sip of her wine and glanced around the room. "By the way, your sister isn't here tonight. That's rare."
Wang Hao's eyes darkened slightly.
Wang Hao's expression stiffened for a brief moment before he forced a smile. "Yingying has been busy with personal matters. You know how she is—always chasing after things she can't have."
Zi Ning held back a smirk. Wang Yingying was obsessed with Lu Yichen, and her absence tonight meant she was likely planning something behind the scenes. It wasn't surprising. The Wang siblings were always scheming.
But she wasn't here for Wang Yingying. Her real target stood before her, acting like a gentleman while hiding the filth beneath his polished exterior.
Zi Ning swirled the wine in her glass. "It must be difficult for you, managing the Wang family's affairs after your father's scandal. People are wondering if you have the ability to clean up the mess."
Wang Hao chuckled, his gaze sharp. "People talk too much. The Wang family isn't as weak as they think."
"Maybe," Zi Ning said. "But people don't trust weakness, and after what happened to your father… well, let's just say his 'friends' aren't as loyal as they used to be."
Wang Hao's smile didn't falter, but his fingers tightened slightly around his glass. He knew exactly what she was doing—probing, testing his patience. But he wouldn't give in so easily.
"You seem very interested in my family's matters," Wang Hao said, tilting his head. "Should I take that as concern or something else?"
Zi Ning met his gaze fearlessly. "Let's just say I like knowing what my enemies are up to."
Wang Hao laughed lightly, shaking his head. "You're not the same woman from before."
Zi Ning smirked. "No. I'm not."
A waiter passed by, and Zi Ning placed her glass on the tray. "It was nice chatting, Mr. Wang, but I should go mingle. Enjoy your evening."
She turned and walked away, feeling Wang Hao's eyes burning into her back. He was watching her, analyzing every word she had said.
That was fine. She wanted him to.
Zi Ning made her way through the ballroom, greeting familiar faces while keeping an eye on Wang Hao. He returned to his circle of business elites, speaking confidently as if their conversation had never happened. But Zi Ning knew better.
She spotted Fang Min near the buffet table, picking at a plate of shrimp.
"How did it go?" Fang Min asked, popping a shrimp into her mouth.
"He's wary," Zi Ning said, grabbing a small appetizer. "He knows I'm a threat now."
"Good," Fang Min said. "Let him be paranoid. It'll make him slip up."
Zi Ning nodded. That was the plan.
She needed to push Wang Hao into making a mistake—something she could use against him. But she had to be careful. Unlike Guo Bao, who acted recklessly when provoked, Wang Hao was calculated. He wouldn't strike unless he was sure he could win.
Just then, a familiar voice spoke behind them.
"Miss Zi, Miss Fang. Enjoying the party?"
Zi Ning and Fang Min turned to see Lu Yichen standing there, dressed in a tailored black suit. His presence immediately attracted attention. Even among the city's elites, he was an untouchable existence.
Zi Ning smiled. "It's… interesting."
Lu Yichen glanced toward Wang Hao. "You spoke to him?"
"Yes," Zi Ning said. "He was polite, but I could tell he was testing me."
Lu Yichen's expression darkened slightly. "Be careful. He won't act openly, but he's dangerous in the shadows."
Zi Ning nodded. "I know. That's why I need to bring him into the light."
Lu Yichen studied her for a moment, then smirked. "You really don't back down, do you?"
Zi Ning met his gaze with confidence. "Would you, if you were in my position?"
Lu Yichen chuckled. "No. I wouldn't."
Fang Min cleared her throat. "Not to interrupt your intense staring contest, but we should focus. If we're going to take Wang Hao down, we need to find something solid."
Zi Ning sighed. "You're right."
Lu Yichen glanced at his watch. "I have a meeting upstairs. I'll leave you two to it." He turned to Zi Ning, his voice dropping slightly. "Be careful."
Zi Ning nodded.
As Lu Yichen walked away, Fang Min nudged her. "He cares about you."
Zi Ning rolled her eyes. "He's just cautious."
Fang Min smirked. "Sure. Whatever you say."
Zi Ning ignored her, focusing back on Wang Hao.
Tonight was just the beginning. She had planted the seed of doubt in his mind. Now, she just had to wait for him to slip. And when he did, she would be ready.