The next morning, Lin Waning stepped into the office when her secretary rushed over, eyes wide with worry.
"President Lin—early today, our finance system glitched. At the same time, some of our partners received anonymous emails. The content… it's damaging to our reputation."
Lin Waning's brow creased. "What do they say?"
The secretary handed her a printed screenshot. Lin Waning scanned it—and her expression froze cold.
"Lin Group's recent financing figures show irregularities. Suspected fabrication of the financial reports…""Lin Waning is in an inappropriate relationship with Shen Jingchuan of Shengyuan Capital—possible insider deals…"
Each line struck like a dagger. Below stood two photos from the gala: Waning laughing beside Shen Jingchuan, champagne glasses raised. Misleading captions invited gossip. The seeds of a social-media firestorm had been sown.
The secretary's face went pale. "These messages are already on some finance forums… They haven't exploded yet, but if the press picks it up, our credit rating could be at risk."
Lin Waning's fingertips trembled—but only for a moment. She drew herself erect, calm returning.
"Who sent them?" she asked.
The secretary shook her head. "No trace. The emails originated from overseas relays, using VPNs and one-time encryption channels."
Lin Waning let out a thin, cold laugh. "Of course he'd make a move."
Her gaze dropped to the photo of her and Shen Jingchuan. It was a perfectly targeted smear.
—A calculated attempt to blacken her name.
Lin Waning tightened her grip on the paper, eyes ice. "Shen Sihan… you truly don't disappoint."
**
Meanwhile, in Shen Group's boardroom, Shen Sihan sat reviewing the same screenshots, unreadable calm on his face.
"Are you certain there are no traces leading back to us?" he asked his deputy.
"Completely clean," the aide replied. "All channels were third‑party, and the contractor has already dissolved. Nothing leads back to us."
Shen Sihan nodded. "Good. Lin Waning has grown too bold. It's time she learned that no one climbs on the Shen family without consequences."
He closed his eyes for a moment, as if finalizing his next move.
"Oh, and Shen Jingchuan," he opened his eyes, cold as steel. "Acquire any fund under his name. Offer a price he can't refuse—and he'll realize standing by Lin Waning is a costly mistake."
**
That evening, Lin Waning chose not to publicly refute the emails. Instead, she instructed the PR team to treat the episode as a low‑key internal incident. Then she made a bold move of her own.
She picked up the phone. "Hello, this is Lin Waning. I'd like to request a feature interview on 'Women CEOs and the Biases They Face in Finance.'"
The journalist on the other end paused. "Ms. Lin, are you sure this is the right time?"
"All the more reason," Lin Waning replied firmly. "Someone's quietly trying to manipulate my life. It's time the public saw I won't stay silent."
After a moment, the journalist agreed. "We'll schedule it."
**
Three days later, the interview went live under a striking title:"Heard You Like Controlling Other People's Lives? A Woman CEO Takes on Capital Pressure."
Within hours, views soared past one million.
In the video, Lin Waning didn't shrink from the issue. She named the "anonymous allegations" as evidence of an attempt by powerful interests to "darkly acquire and control" Lin Group. She spoke of facing systematic smear campaigns—without ever naming Shen Group, but pointing every accusation squarely at him.
Public support flipped instantly.
"A CEO who dares to speak truth—total boss energy!""Finance trying to silence her? That's the real scandal!""I'm Team Lin Waning from today on!"
When Shen Sihan saw the spike in viewership, he let out a bitter laugh.
"So she's declared war on me, has she?"
He rose to storm out, but his aide intercepted him. "President Shen—I have news! Lin Group's new deal with the Japanese investment bank just closed. They praised Lin's resilience and decisiveness. This deal is worth over a hundred million."
Shen Sihan's eyes darkened, his fist clenching. He had thought himself in control. But Lin Waning—not only had she refused to be cowed, she'd turned the public tide in her favor.
This woman… was no longer the Lin Waning he once knew.
—She had changed from the day she walked away.
**
That night, Lin Waning sat alone in her office, watching the interview replay on her screen.
Her phone buzzed with a text from Shen Sihan:
"You've won this round. But the game isn't over."
She didn't reply. Instead, she smiled faintly and set the phone aside.
Gazing out at the city lights, her eyes shone with resolve.
"Shen Sihan," she whispered, "if you want to play… I'll play with you—every step of the way."
4o