The Zhao Group headquarters building stood tall in the center of the business district, a monument of glass and steel that had once symbolized unshakeable power.
But inside the executive meeting room on the top floor, the atmosphere was heavy.
Very heavy.
The air felt thick, suffocating, as if a storm was brewing within the four walls.
Several board members sat around the long conference table, their faces pale and tense. Sweat beaded on their foreheads despite the cool air conditioning.
Documents were spread across the polished wood surface like casualties of war.
Stock reports.
Market notifications.
Emergency alerts.
Red arrows pointing down.
Director Chen adjusted his glasses nervously, his hands trembling slightly.
"This is impossible… how did it drop this fast?"
Another director slammed his palm lightly on the table, the sound echoing sharply in the silence.
"This is Han Corporation's doing!"
Across the table, at the head of the room, Lina Zhao sat calmly in the chairman's seat.
Her posture was relaxed.
Her expression was unreadable.
Her fingers were laced together loosely on the table, steady as stone.
But inside her mind…
None of this surprised her.
Not even a little.
Because she had already experienced this once.
In her previous life.
Victor Han had destroyed Zhao Group using the exact same method.
It was a systematic execution.
First, he pressured their investors, causing them to pull funding.
Then, he blocked supplier contracts, halting production.
Finally, he spread rumors that caused the stock price to collapse.
It had been a perfect business assassination.
Slow.
Painful.
Fatal.
But this time…
Lina already knew every move.
She had seen the script before the play even began.
Director Chen turned toward her anxiously, his voice cracking.
"Miss Zhao, you cancelled the engagement with Victor Han yesterday!"
"Yes," Lina replied calmly. Her voice was smooth, devoid of panic.
"And today our suppliers are suddenly terminating contracts!" Chen exclaimed, gesturing at the papers. "This is retaliation!"
Another director spoke sharply, his face flushed with anger.
"This is not coincidence. It's a targeted attack."
Director Huang added in a worried voice, leaning forward.
"If this continues, Zhao Group's stock price will collapse within two weeks! We won't have enough capital to sustain production!"
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
All eyes turned toward Lina.
They were waiting for panic.
For fear.
For regret.
They expected her to crumble under the pressure like she always had before.
But Lina simply folded her hands calmly on the table.
She looked at each of them, one by one.
"Are you finished speaking?"
The directors exchanged confused glances.
Director Chen frowned, bewildered by her composure.
"Miss Zhao… this is serious. Do you understand the situation?"
"I know," Lina said calmly.
Director Huang asked carefully, wiping his forehead.
"Then… what should we do? Should we contact Mr. Han? Apologize?"
Lina's eyes narrowed slightly.
Apologize?
In her past life, they had apologized.
They had begged.
And it had gotten them nothing but death.
She looked at the documents on the table.
Then she spoke quietly.
"Let them withdraw."
The directors were stunned.
Director Chen's eyes widened behind his glasses.
"Let them withdraw?!"
"Yes."
"But if the suppliers terminate contracts, our production line will stop!" Chen argued.
"Yes."
"Then why—?"
Lina interrupted calmly. Her voice cut through the noise like a blade.
"Because new suppliers will replace them."
The directors looked at each other.
Confusion.
Disbelief.
Director Huang shook his head vigorously.
"That's impossible. Han Corporation controls most of the industry network. No one dares to cross them."
Lina smiled faintly.
The expression was cold.
Confident.
"That was yesterday."
***
Across the city.
Inside Han Corporation headquarters.
Victor Han sat in his office while reviewing financial reports on his tablet. The room was vast, minimalist, and cold, much like the man himself.
His assistant stood nearby, holding a clipboard.
"Sir, Zhao Group has already lost three supplier contracts this morning."
Victor nodded calmly.
A hint of satisfaction flickered in his eyes.
"Continue."
"We have also successfully pressured two of their major investors. They are pulling out by the end of the week."
Victor leaned back slightly in his chair.
A small smile appeared on his face.
It was the smile of a chess player who had just checkmated his opponent.
"She will panic soon."
His assistant asked cautiously,
"Should we continue increasing the pressure?"
Victor's eyes became colder.
"Yes."
"Cut their logistics routes as well."
"Choke them completely."
"Yes, sir."
Victor stood and walked toward the window.
From the top floor, the entire city skyline was visible. The world lay beneath his feet.
Or so he thought.
"Lina Zhao," he murmured softly.
"You chose war."
"And you will lose."
***
Back inside Zhao Group headquarters.
The meeting room door suddenly opened.
A secretary hurried inside, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
"Miss Zhao!"
Everyone turned.
The secretary looked slightly shocked, as if she couldn't believe the news herself.
"We just received three new partnership requests!"
Director Chen frowned.
"What?"
The secretary continued, her voice trembling with hope.
"Three overseas suppliers want to cooperate with Zhao Group! Immediately!"
The directors were stunned.
Silence reigned for a heartbeat.
Then chaos erupted.
Director Huang quickly asked,
"Who are they? Are they reliable?"
The secretary read from the tablet, her voice gaining strength.
"Orion Industrial Supply."
"Golden Axis Manufacturing."
"And…"
She paused slightly.
"NovaTech Logistics."
Director Chen's eyebrows jumped.
His face went pale.
"These are international suppliers! Top tier!"
"How did they suddenly contact us?! We never negotiated with them!"
All eyes slowly turned toward Lina.
The question hung in the air.
How?
She remained calm.
Unfazed.
"Schedule a negotiation meeting."
Director Huang asked carefully, his voice filled with awe.
"Miss Zhao… did you arrange this?"
Lina simply smiled slightly.
The expression was mysterious.
"You could say that."
But in reality…
She knew these companies because of her past life.
When Zhao Group collapsed previously, these companies had expanded rapidly in the market, filling the void Victor left.
They were hungry.
They were powerful.
And this time…
She contacted them first.
Before Victor could even think of them.
***
At the same moment.
Inside Lu Corporation Tower.
Adrian Lu stood beside his desk while reviewing a tablet. The screen showed real-time market data.
His assistant spoke quietly.
"Sir, Zhao Group has received new supplier offers."
Adrian nodded slightly.
"Good."
"Should we reveal our involvement?"
Adrian shook his head.
His profile was sharp against the window light.
"No."
"Miss Zhao wants independence."
"She wants to stand on her own."
"Yes, sir."
Adrian's gaze turned toward the city skyline.
His eyes were dark.
Protective.
"But make sure no one blocks those suppliers."
"If Han Corporation tries to interfere…"
"Stop them."
"Yes, sir."
***
Back at Zhao Group headquarters.
Director Chen was still staring at the supplier list in disbelief.
"This changes everything…"
Director Huang nodded slowly, relief washing over his face.
"With these suppliers, Zhao Group's production line will remain stable. We can withstand the pressure."
Another director spoke quietly, looking at Lina with new respect.
"Did Miss Zhao… already expect Han Corporation's attack?"
Everyone looked at Lina again.
The atmosphere in the room had shifted.
Fear was gone.
Replaced by hope.
And awe.
She stood up from her chair.
The sound of her chair scraping against the floor was sharp.
"Yes."
Her calm voice filled the meeting room.
"Victor Han's strategy is predictable."
"He relies on fear."
"But fear only works on those who are unprepared."
Director Chen asked cautiously,
"Then what is our next move? Should we counter-attack?"
Lina's eyes became slightly colder.
A glint of vengeance sparked in their depths.
"No."
"Let him believe we are struggling."
The directors exchanged confused glances.
"What do you mean?"
Lina walked toward the window.
She looked out at the city, just as Victor had done.
"But this time… I am the one watching."
She smiled faintly.
"Because the more confident he becomes…"
"The harder he will fall."
***
That evening.
Victor Han received a report from his assistant.
The mood in his office had shifted.
The assistant looked nervous.
"Sir… Zhao Group has secured new suppliers."
Victor frowned slightly.
The paper in his hand crumpled.
"Who?"
"Three international companies."
Victor's fingers slowly tightened around the report.
His knuckles turned white.
For the first time…
Something felt strange.
A chill ran down his spine.
Because Lina Zhao should not have had enough time to arrange this.
She was cut off.
She was isolated.
She was supposed to be desperate.
Victor whispered quietly,
"…Interesting."
Suspicion bloomed in his chest.
Who is helping her?
Adrian Lu?
***
At the same moment.
Lina stood alone on the balcony of Zhao Mansion.
The night wind brushed against her hair, cool and refreshing.
The city lights twinkled below, a sea of stars.
In her previous life…
This had been the moment Zhao Group began collapsing.
This had been the night she cried herself to sleep.
This had been the beginning of the end.
But now…
Everything had changed.
The air smelled different.
It smelled like victory.
She whispered quietly to herself.
The wind carried her words away.
"Victor Han…"
"This is only the beginning."
She touched the cold railing.
Her eyes reflected the city lights.