The wind on the rooftop was cold, but Zi Ning barely noticed it. The fire in her heart burned hotter. Wang Yin's attempt to frame her had failed—but she knew this wasn't the end. Someone as ambitious as Wang Yin wouldn't stop after one loss.
Beside her, Lu Yichen's arm was wrapped around her waist. His warmth was a steady reminder—no matter what happened, she wasn't alone.
"I know she won't give up," Zi Ning said quietly, watching the city lights below. "She's too stubborn."
Lu Yichen chuckled softly, but there was no warmth in his voice. "Let her try again. I'm not in the habit of showing mercy."
Zi Ning turned to face him, her gaze sharp. "I don't want mercy either. I want her destroyed."
His dark eyes glinted with approval. "What do you have in mind?"
A slow, cold smile curved her lips. "Wang Yin is always so careful. She hides her weaknesses well. But no one is invincible. We just need to find the right crack."
Lu Yichen's fingers brushed a strand of hair from her face. "I've already ordered my people to dig deeper. There's always something—no matter how well she hides it."
Zi Ning nodded. She trusted him. Still, she had her own plans. She wasn't the kind of woman who waited quietly while others fought her battles.
"Tomorrow," she said softly, "I'll make the first move."
The next morning, Zi Ning arrived at her private office earlier than usual. The scandal from yesterday was already fading from the media, thanks to Lu Yichen's swift action. But that wasn't enough. She wanted to strike while the wound was fresh.
Chen Wei was already there, holding a tablet in his hands. His face lit up when she walked in. "Miss Zi, I've found something."
Zi Ning raised a brow. "Tell me."
Chen Wei set the tablet down on her desk and tapped the screen. "This is a list of Wang Yin's private investments. Most of them are clean—on the surface. But look at this one."
Zi Ning leaned closer. It was a company under a different name, but the connection to Wang Yin was clear if you knew where to look.
"What does this company do?" she asked.
"It's a luxury goods distributor," Chen Wei said. "But here's the interesting part—they've been smuggling counterfeit products under the radar. High-end knock-offs. If this gets out, it will ruin her reputation and her family's standing in the business world."
Zi Ning's smile turned cold. "Perfect. Prepare the evidence. I want it airtight."
Chen Wei nodded quickly. "I'll have the full report ready by noon."
Zi Ning leaned back in her chair. Wang Yin thought she was untouchable, but everyone had secrets. And secrets could destroy even the most powerful.
By lunchtime, the report was in her hands. Detailed, undeniable. With one move, she could ruin everything Wang Yin had built.
But it wasn't enough. Zi Ning wanted more.
"Chen Wei," she said, tapping her fingers against the polished desk. "I need you to find something else. Something personal. A weak spot she can't defend."
Chen Wei hesitated. "Personal?"
Zi Ning's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Yes. Everyone has a weakness. Even Wang Yin."
That afternoon, Zi Ning's plan began to take shape. She called an old contact—someone who owed her a favor.
When the call connected, a woman's silky voice floated through the line. "Zi Ning. It's been a while."
"Li Na," Zi Ning greeted smoothly. "I hear you've become quite the socialite. How's your gossip circle these days?"
Li Na laughed softly. "Still thriving. Why? Interested in some juicy secrets?"
"Perhaps," Zi Ning replied, her tone casual. "I'm curious—what do you know about Wang Yin's personal life?"
A pause. Then Li Na's voice lowered. "Ah, Wang Yin. Everyone thinks she's perfect. But…there is something. Her fiancé."
Zi Ning's eyes sharpened. "Fiancé?"
"Yes," Li Na said, amusement dripping from her voice. "A wealthy businessman. But here's the fun part—he's been seeing someone else. Quietly, of course. If Wang Yin found out…"
Zi Ning's smile was like a blade. "Send me everything you have."
Li Na laughed again. "Consider it done. But be careful, darling. When you play with fire…"
"I don't burn easily," Zi Ning said coolly, ending the call.
That evening, Zi Ning received the files. Photos. Messages. Proof that Wang Yin's perfect relationship was nothing more than a fragile illusion.
Zi Ning studied the images, her mind working fast. Wang Yin had tried to destroy her publicly—so she would return the favor.
But first, a warning.
The next day, Wang Yin's office was as pristine as ever, but there was tension in the air. She sat behind her desk, reading the latest market reports when her assistant rushed in.
"Miss Wang—this arrived for you."
It was a sleek black envelope with no markings. Wang Yin's brows furrowed as she opened it.
Inside was a single photograph. Her fiancé—arms around another woman.
And beneath it, a note written in bold, elegant script:
"Secrets always come to light. Careful, or yours will too."
For the first time in a long while, Wang Yin felt a chill run down her spine.
At the same time, Zi Ning sat in her office, sipping tea as she waited for the inevitable response. She didn't need to wait long. Her phone buzzed.
Unknown Number: What do you want?
Zi Ning's lips curled. Wang Yin was finally scared.
Zi Ning: Stay out of my way. Or the next gift won't be so polite.
The message was read immediately, but no reply came.
Good. Wang Yin needed to understand—Zi Ning wasn't the weak girl she once was.
Lu Yichen walked in, his gaze warm as he took in her calm expression. "She contacted you?"
"She's nervous," Zi Ning said, setting her phone down. "But this is only the beginning. I'm not done with her yet."
He leaned against her desk, a smile playing at his lips. "I love seeing this side of you."
Zi Ning met his gaze, her heart steady. "I won't stop until she's finished."