The cold night breeze swept through the city, but inside Zi Ning's office, the air burned with tension. The harsh glow of her computer screen reflected in her eyes as she stared at the latest article. Each word felt like a knife, cutting away at the reputation she had built with years of blood and sweat.
"Zi Ning's Secret Relationship with Lu Yichen—Did She Use Him to Destroy Her Rivals?"
The accusation was bold, malicious, and carefully planned. This wasn't an ordinary smear campaign. It was a strike aimed at her heart—her image. Whoever was behind it wanted to ruin not just her career, but everything she held dear.
Lu Yichen stood beside her, his expression calm but dangerous. The muscles in his jaw tightened as he read through the article. "They're playing a dirty game," he said coldly.
Zi Ning let out a slow breath, forcing herself to stay composed. "And they're getting bolder," she murmured. "First Wang Sheng, and now this. Someone wants me destroyed—no, us destroyed."
His gaze softened as it fell on her. "They won't succeed," he promised. "I'll make sure of it."
Zi Ning closed the article and leaned back in her chair. "It's not that simple," she said, her voice low. "Public opinion is like wildfire. If we don't control it soon, it will burn everything to ash."
Lu Yichen placed a hand on the desk, his fingers brushing against hers. "Then we fight fire with fire."
Her lips curved into a faint smile, one filled with icy resolve. "Good. Because I'm not the type to sit back and be destroyed."
The next morning, the storm had only grown worse.
The media swarmed like vultures outside Zi Corporation's headquarters. Reporters shoved microphones toward anyone entering or leaving the building. Their loud questions echoed through the glass doors:
"President Zi, did you manipulate Lu Yichen to take down Wang Sheng?"
"Is your relationship with the Lu family purely for power?"
"Will you step down to protect the company's image?"
Zi Ning arrived in a sleek black car, her face calm and unreadable as she stepped onto the marble steps. She wore a tailored black suit that hugged her curves perfectly—a battle armor for the modern battlefield. The flashes of cameras exploded around her like fireworks, but she didn't flinch.
Xu Wei was already waiting by the entrance. "The board is restless," she warned in a low voice. "A few directors are calling for a vote of no confidence."
Zi Ning's eyes turned sharp. "Let them try," she said coolly. "If they think they can push me out, they're welcome to try their luck."
As they stepped into the elevator, Xu Wei hesitated. "President Zi… should we address the rumors publicly?"
Zi Ning's lips curved into a cold smile. "Not yet. Let them spread their poison. The louder they shout, the harder they'll fall when the truth comes out."
In the boardroom, the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. The directors sat around the long mahogany table, their faces tight with worry.
Chairman Liu, an old man with sharp eyes, was the first to speak. "President Zi, these rumors are damaging the company's reputation. Shareholders are getting nervous."
Zi Ning folded her hands on the table, her posture relaxed but her voice cold. "Rumors are just noise. I deal in facts. And the fact is—under my leadership, this company's profits have never been higher."
A middle-aged woman with dyed red hair leaned forward. "Still, perception matters. If the public believes you're using your relationship with the Lu family for power—"
Zi Ning cut her off with a cold laugh. "Relationship? Since when is having a business alliance a crime?" Her gaze swept the room. "Or perhaps some of you would rather hand this company to my enemies?"
The room fell silent. No one dared meet her eyes.
Chairman Liu cleared his throat. "Of course not, President Zi. But we must act swiftly to calm the storm. If the rumors persist, the damage could be permanent."
Zi Ning leaned back, her smile icy. "Trust me, Chairman Liu. I have everything under control. Those who dared to attack me will regret it."
Meanwhile, across the city, in a luxurious private club, Wang Yin sipped her wine with a smile of satisfaction. The plan was working perfectly. Zi Ning's image was cracking, and soon, the pressure would force her to crumble.
Opposite her sat a man hidden in the shadows. His face was calm, but his eyes gleamed with malice. "She's still standing," he said. "You promised me she'd be broken by now."
Wang Yin chuckled softly. "Patience. Zi Ning is stubborn, but everyone has a breaking point. We'll keep pushing until she reaches hers."
The man's fingers drummed against the table. "I want her completely ruined. Not just her business—I want her life in ashes."
Wang Yin's smile grew colder. "Consider it done."
That night, Zi Ning met Lu Yichen at a private restaurant, away from the prying eyes of the media. The dim lighting cast soft shadows across the table, but nothing could soften the fire burning in their eyes.
"I traced the money further," Lu Yichen said quietly. "The account that paid the media—there's a connection to an international shell company. Someone powerful is backing Wang Yin."
Zi Ning's heart pounded harder. This wasn't just a personal grudge—this was a coordinated attack by someone with deep resources and a vicious agenda.
"Who do you think it is?" she asked.
Lu Yichen's expression darkened. "I have my suspicions, but no solid proof—yet." His gaze softened as he looked at her. "But I won't let them touch you. Not while I'm here."
Zi Ning met his eyes, her voice steady. "I don't need protection, Lu Yichen. I need a partner."
A slow, dangerous smile curved his lips. "Then you have one."
At that moment, her phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Xu Wei.
"Emergency. Someone leaked your private emails. They're accusing you of corporate espionage."
Zi Ning's blood turned to ice.
"They're not stopping," she whispered.
Lu Yichen's fingers brushed against hers across the table. "Then neither will we."
In the days that followed, the attacks grew worse. Anonymous sources leaked fake documents accusing Zi Ning of illegal business practices. Fake witnesses came forward, claiming she had bribed officials to expand her empire.
But through it all, Zi Ning stood firm.
She launched aggressive legal action against the media outlets spreading falsehoods. She made bold public appearances, refusing to hide. With Lu Yichen's resources and intelligence network, they began to trace the attacks to their true source.
And slowly—bit by bit—their enemies' masks began to slip.
One night, as the city slept, Zi Ning received a call from an unknown number.
"You think you're untouchable," a distorted voice sneered. "But even queens can be brought to their knees."
Zi Ning's lips curled into a cold, fearless smile. "Come and try." And with that, she hung up.
If they wanted a war—she was more than ready.