In Madam Lin's lavish powder room, lined with imported crystals and the scent of lavender and rot, Feng Qian stood before the vanity, dabbing pink gloss on her lips—her smile sweet, but eyes venomous.
"She embarrassed us at the banquet," she hissed. "She's getting too bold."
Madam Lin adjusted her silk robe with elegance forged from years of deception.
"She's forgotten her place," the woman said. "But don't worry. We'll remind her."
She turned to her daughter and handed her a sealed envelope.
Inside—photos. Grainy but damning. Forged bank records. A web of lies created to look like Xiao Xiao had taken bribes from her mother's former associates—some of whom had... criminal ties.
"She'll look like a greedy daughter of a disgraced woman," Madam Lin smiled. "Once this hits the media, no respectable man—or company—will go near her."
Feng Qian grinned. "Let's see how long that arrogance lasts when she's crawling back to beg."
The plan was already in motion.
A well-placed blogger. A juicy post.
A scheduled leak by morning.
But what they didn't know was that someone else was already watching. Listening.
And moving.
Later That Night — Li Yan's Private Study
Zhou entered without knocking, laptop in hand.
"Boss. Something came up."
Li Yan looked up from his glass of aged scotch. "Speak."
"A scandal is about to break by morning. Xiao Xiao is the target. They're pinning bribery, fraud, and corruption on her mother's name. All fake. All meant to ruin her."
For a second, Li Yan said nothing.
Then he leaned back, eyes narrowing, voice calm.
"Shut it down."
"Already ahead of you," Zhou said. "But should we let her know?"
Li Yan sipped his drink, fingers tapping the glass.
"No."
He stood, walking to the window.
"Let her think she fought the storm off herself."
Zhou raised a brow. "Why?"
Li Yan's voice was quiet. Almost… thoughtful.
"Because a phoenix doesn't rise because of help. She rises from fire."
And then, after a long pause, softer—
"…But I won't let them burn her."