News of Wang Yin's arrest spread quickly. The internet was filled with discussions about her crimes, and the Wang family's downfall became a hot topic. Many people who once supported them now distanced themselves, pretending they had never been involved.
Zi Ning watched everything unfold quietly. She didn't feel pity for Wang Yin—her downfall was well deserved. But she knew this was just the beginning. Guo Bao was still out there, and as long as he was free, he was a danger to her.
Lu Yichen had already started searching for him, but Guo Bao was proving difficult to find. He had disappeared the moment the scandal broke, cutting off all contact with his former associates.
At Lu Group headquarters, Lu Yichen sat in his office, his fingers tapping against the desk.
Zhou Wei entered, holding a tablet. "We found something."
Lu Yichen looked up. "Go on."
"Guo Bao withdrew a large amount of money before disappearing. Our sources say he might have left the city, but we're not sure where he's hiding yet."
Lu Yichen's expression remained calm, but his eyes were cold. "Find him. No matter where he is, I want him brought to me."
Zhou Wei nodded and left.
Lu Yichen leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. Guo Bao wasn't smart enough to pull this off alone. Someone had to be helping him.
And he had a good idea of who it might be.
Guo Bao was sitting in a dimly lit hotel room, pacing back and forth. His face was pale, and his hands were shaking.
"Damn it," he muttered. "This wasn't supposed to happen."
He had thought Wang Yin would be able to handle things, but she had failed miserably. Now she was in jail, and he was left to deal with the mess alone.
His phone rang, and he grabbed it quickly. "Hello?"
A low voice answered, "You're running out of time."
Guo Bao swallowed hard. "I just need a little longer. I can fix this."
The voice on the other end laughed coldly. "Fix this? You've already lost. If you don't disappear soon, Lu Yichen will find you."
Guo Bao clenched his fists. "Are you threatening me?"
"I'm giving you advice. Take the money and leave the country while you still can."
The call ended, and Guo Bao threw his phone across the room in frustration. He couldn't accept defeat. He wouldn't accept it.
He needed a plan.
And he needed it fast.
Zi Ning spent the next few days focusing on her work. She had a new film project coming up, and she wanted to put everything behind her. But no matter how much she tried to distract herself, she couldn't ignore the fact that Guo Bao was still missing.
One evening, she was at home reviewing a script when her phone buzzed.
It was a message from an unknown number.
"You think you've won? It's not over yet."
Zi Ning's heart pounded. She immediately took a screenshot and sent it to Lu Yichen.
A few minutes later, her phone rang.
"Are you alone?" Lu Yichen asked.
"Yes," Zi Ning said. "I just got this message. Do you think it's from Guo Bao?"
"Most likely," Lu Yichen said. "But don't worry. I won't let him get near you."
Zi Ning took a deep breath. "I don't want to be afraid of him, but I can't help it."
"You don't have to be afraid," Lu Yichen said. "I'll handle this."
Zi Ning trusted him. If anyone could find Guo Bao, it was Lu Yichen.
But until that happened, she had to be careful.
Because Guo Bao was still out there.
The days passed, but there was still no sign of Guo Bao.
Zi Ning remained cautious, always looking over her shoulder whenever she stepped outside. She trusted Lu Yichen's people to keep her safe, but the thought of Guo Bao lurking in the shadows made her uneasy.
She wasn't the only one feeling the pressure. Lu Yichen had increased security around her, placing more bodyguards near her home and workplace. But despite all their efforts, Guo Bao had completely vanished.
Until now.
Late at night, in a dark alley behind an abandoned warehouse, Guo Bao stood nervously, checking his surroundings. His face was unshaven, and his clothes were wrinkled, a stark contrast to his usual polished image.
A black car pulled up in front of him, its headlights cutting through the darkness. The window rolled down, revealing an older man with sharp eyes and a cold expression.
"You've made a mess, Guo Bao," the man said.
Guo Bao clenched his fists. "I just need more time. I can still fix this."
The man snorted. "Fix it? Wang Yin is in jail. Your father disowned you. Your so-called friends have abandoned you. What exactly are you going to fix?"
Guo Bao's face twisted in frustration. "I won't let Zi Ning win. I swear I'll—"
The man raised a hand, cutting him off. "Enough. You're reckless and desperate. That makes you a liability."
Guo Bao's stomach twisted. "What are you saying?"
"You need to leave the country. Now. Before Lu Yichen finds you."
Guo Bao shook his head violently. "I'm not running away like a coward! I'll make them pay for what they did to me!"
The man's expression darkened. "Then you're on your own."
The window rolled up, and the car drove away, leaving Guo Bao alone in the darkness.
He felt his heart pounding. Everyone had abandoned him. Everyone had turned against him.
But he wouldn't give up.
He would take revenge, no matter what.
The next morning, Lu Yichen received a call from Zhou Wei.
"We found him."
Lu Yichen immediately put down his coffee. "Where?"
"He was spotted near the old industrial district. Seems like he's been hiding there for a while."
Lu Yichen's eyes turned cold. "Send our people. I want him caught today."
Zhou Wei hesitated. "There's something else. Our sources say he's planning something. He's desperate."
Lu Yichen frowned. "Then we can't give him a chance to act. Move quickly."
Zi Ning was on set filming when her phone vibrated.
It was a message from Lu Yichen.
"We found Guo Bao. Stay where you are. I'll handle this."
Zi Ning's heart raced. This was it. The end of the nightmare.
But something didn't feel right.
A strange feeling crept over her, making her uneasy.
She looked around. The set was crowded, with actors and staff members moving about. But despite the noise, she felt… watched.
Her body tensed. Was she imagining it? Or was Guo Bao already here?
Guo Bao gritted his teeth as he walked toward the film set.
Lu Yichen's men were closing in on him, and he had only one option left.
Zi Ning.
She had ruined him. She had humiliated him.
If he was going down, he was taking her with him.
Dressed as a crew member, he blended into the crowd.
His eyes locked onto her.
This was his last chance.
And he wouldn't waste it.