Zi Ning sat on the balcony of Lu Yichen's penthouse, sipping her tea as the city lights twinkled in the distance. The air was calm, but she knew that behind this peaceful night, a storm was brewing. Wang Yin wouldn't sit still after everything that had happened.
Xu Jia scrolled through her phone, smirking. "People are tearing Wang Yin apart online. No matter how hard she tries, she can't fix her reputation."
Zi Ning set her cup down. "She's not someone who gives up so easily. She will fight back."
Lu Yichen, who had been standing by the window, finally spoke. "She will. And she's already making her move."
Zi Ning and Xu Jia turned to him.
"What do you mean?" Zi Ning asked.
Lu Yichen handed her a file. "One of my sources found this. Wang Yin is preparing to release a fabricated scandal about you. She's trying to plant evidence of a crime you never committed."
Xu Jia's eyes widened. "That woman is insane! What's she accusing Zi Ning of this time?"
Lu Yichen's expression darkened. "She's planning to frame you for bribery and contract fraud. She's even bribed a few people to come forward as fake witnesses."
Zi Ning clenched her fists. "She's really desperate now."
Xu Jia scoffed. "Does she think people will believe her after everything that happened?"
Lu Yichen crossed his arms. "She still has influence in certain areas. If she plays this right, she might be able to make people doubt you."
Zi Ning took a deep breath. "Then we need to stay ahead of her."
Lu Yichen nodded. "I've already instructed my team to keep an eye on her movements. The moment she tries to release this fake evidence, we'll be ready to strike back."
Xu Jia grinned. "Good. Let's see who falls harder."
But despite their confidence, Zi Ning couldn't shake the feeling that Wang Yin still had something more planned.
The next morning, a major news channel released an exclusive report.
[Breaking News: Evidence of Zi Ning's Illegal Activities Surfaces!]
[Anonymous sources claim Zi Ning used money and power to secure high-profile contracts! Fake charity donations and hidden bribes exposed!]
Photos of supposed bank transactions, signed documents, and testimonies from so-called "victims" spread like wildfire.
The internet exploded.
[Is this real? Zi Ning was bribing people all along?!]
[No way, this has to be fake. Wang Yin is obviously behind this.]
[I supported Zi Ning, but this… I don't know what to believe anymore.]
Zi Ning was sitting in Lu Yichen's office when Xu Jia burst through the door, phone in hand.
"That witch did it! She actually released fake evidence!"
Zi Ning took the phone and scrolled through the news. A cold laugh escaped her lips. "So this is her plan."
Lu Yichen's assistant rushed in. "Sir, reporters are gathering outside the building. They want a statement from Miss Zi Ning."
Lu Yichen remained calm. "Let them wait. We need to handle this properly."
Zi Ning looked at him. "Do we have proof that these documents are fake?"
Lu Yichen nodded. "Yes, but we need to present it at the right time. If we expose everything too early, Wang Yin might twist the narrative again. We need to trap her in her own lies."
Xu Jia smirked. "I like the sound of that."
Zi Ning's phone buzzed. It was an unknown number.
She answered, and a disguised voice spoke. "Miss Zi Ning, I have information about Wang Yin. Meet me at the old factory in the west district at midnight. Come alone, or I won't talk."
The call ended before she could respond.
Xu Jia frowned. "That's obviously a trap!"
Lu Yichen's expression was serious. "It's too suspicious. Wang Yin could be trying to lure you into danger."
Zi Ning thought for a moment. "If someone really has information, this could help us bring her down faster."
Lu Yichen shook his head. "It's not worth the risk. I'll send someone instead."
Zi Ning, however, had already made up her mind. "No. I'll go myself."
Xu Jia's jaw dropped. "What? Are you crazy? What if something happens?"
Lu Yichen stared at her. "I won't allow it."
Zi Ning met his gaze. "I appreciate your concern, but I need to face this myself. If Wang Yin is setting a trap, I want to know exactly what she's planning."
Lu Yichen was silent for a moment before sighing. "Fine. But I'm coming with you."
Zi Ning smiled. "I knew you'd say that."
At midnight, Zi Ning arrived at the abandoned factory, Lu Yichen hidden nearby with his men. The place was dark, the air thick with dust.
She stepped forward, her heels clicking against the concrete floor. "I'm here," she called out.
A shadow moved from the corner. A man in a hooded jacket stepped into the dim light.
"You actually came alone," he said in a raspy voice.
Zi Ning's heart pounded, but she remained calm. "You said you have information on Wang Yin."
The man hesitated, glancing around. "I do. But I need something in return."
Zi Ning narrowed her eyes. "What do you want?"
"Money. A lot of it."
Before she could respond, loud footsteps echoed through the factory.
Suddenly, several men appeared from the shadows, blocking the exits.
Zi Ning's eyes darkened. "So it was a trap after all."
The hooded man smirked. "Wang Yin sends her regards."
Zi Ning took a step back, her hand discreetly reaching for her phone. Before she could press the emergency button, one of the men lunged at her.
But before he could touch her, a gunshot rang through the air.
The man collapsed, clutching his leg.
Zi Ning turned to see Lu Yichen standing in the doorway, a gun in his hand.
His voice was ice-cold. "Touch her, and you won't leave here alive."
His men stormed in, surrounding the attackers.
The hooded man's face twisted in panic. "Tch! Retreat!"
But it was too late. Lu Yichen's men quickly overpowered them.
Zi Ning walked up to the hooded man, her heels clicking on the concrete. She stared down at him. "Tell Wang Yin this: She just made her biggest mistake."
The man gritted his teeth but said nothing.
Lu Yichen stepped beside her. "Let's go. There's no point wasting time on rats."
As they walked out, Zi Ning exhaled. She had expected Wang Yin to retaliate, but she didn't think she would go this far.
Lu Yichen glanced at her. "Are you hurt?"
Zi Ning shook her head. "No. Thanks to you."
Xu Jia's voice came through the earpiece. "I told you it was a trap! But wow, that was thrilling!"
Zi Ning chuckled. "Next time, I'll listen to you."
Lu Yichen smirked. "Next time, you're not coming alone."
Zi Ning smiled. "Fine. Next time, I won't."
But deep down, she knew this fight was far from over.
Wang Yin had just crossed the line.
And now, it was time for Zi Ning to strike back.