It was 1 a.m. The city was asleep, but the top floor of the Shen Group building was still brightly lit.
Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, Shen Sihan's expression was grim. His lips were tightly pursed, and a suffocating chill surrounded him.
"She thinks a few interviews can bring me down?" he sneered coldly. "Naive."
His assistant, head lowered, handed over a file. "This is the latest information about the South Bay New District land project. The Lin Group just passed an internal board vote to fully acquire the land."
A glint flashed in Shen Sihan's eyes. His brow arched slightly.
"That land… the geological issues haven't been made public yet, have they?"
The assistant nodded. "Not yet reported. But we've secured verified data. If the news were to be 'accidentally' leaked now—"
"Public panic, project devaluation, Lin Group's capital chain collapses," Shen Sihan said coolly, his gaze turning icy.
"Make the arrangements. I want it to take effect by morning."
"Yes, sir."
The Next Morning
Just as Lin Wannian arrived at her office, her assistant burst in, flustered. "President Lin, something happened to the South Bay site! There's an online leak claiming the land has severe foundation issues. The Bureau of Quality Supervision hasn't responded yet, but public opinion is exploding!"
"What?!"
Lin Wannian shot to her feet and pulled up the data report on the land, quickly flipping through it.
Sure enough, one section on geological evaluation was marked "pending review" — an oversight.
"Damn it," she cursed under her breath.
She knew this wasn't a coincidence. This was a deliberate strike — sudden, precise.
Forcing herself to stay calm, she said, "Get the legal team to draft a clarification. Contact the authorities for verification. And tell the PR department to initiate the first round of response strategies."
Just then, her assistant's phone rang. He picked up, then looked up at her cautiously.
"President Lin… it's Shen Group's PR director. They're offering a full geological assessment report."
Lin Wannian laughed — coldly. "How very thoughtful of them."
On the other end of the line, Shen Sihan himself spoke, his tone low and laced with challenge.
"Wannian, do you believe me now? You're not fighting alone. Bravery isn't enough to win everything."
Her hand tightened around the phone, her voice icy. "So you triggered this public crisis, then pretended to be my savior?"
"You're not stupid," Shen Sihan replied slowly. "All this goes away… if you come to me."
"Beg you?"
Lin Wannian chuckled darkly. "You really see yourself as some kind of messiah, don't you?"
She hung up.
No fear. No hesitation.
Half an hour later, she convened an emergency meeting.
"We're not going to sit around waiting for a government response. Hire an independent geological agency to re-evaluate the site. I'll hold a press conference myself."
The team was stunned. "President Lin, the media is fanning the flames. If you appear now, you might…"
"I know," she said clearly. "But silence only fuels suspicion."
She knew Shen Sihan was waiting — waiting for her to break, to come crawling.
But she wouldn't.
She would show the world that Lin Wannian didn't need anyone to stand tall.
3:00 PM, Press Conference
The venue was packed with reporters and flashing cameras.
Lin Wannian stood on stage, dressed in a sharp black suit with her hair pulled back. Her aura was fierce and unshakable.
"Regarding the rumors about the South Bay project, I am here today on behalf of Lin Group."
"First, it's true there are pending geological evaluations. But the land is not unstable — the assessment is merely incomplete. Second, we've already commissioned a trusted third party to review the site, and the report will be made public within 48 hours."
She paused, sweeping her gaze over the crowd.
"Lin Group never dodges problems. And we will not be destroyed by slander. We admit our oversight — but we won't tolerate defamation."
For a few seconds, the room was silent. Then, applause broke out.
Her poise and confidence moved the media.
[Crisis response from Lin Group — textbook level!][President Lin proves again what real leadership looks like!][A female CEO who doesn't rely on men — that's who we root for!]
Watching the livestream, Shen Sihan's eyes flickered with conflicting emotions.
He had crafted this trap, expecting her to collapse… and come running.
But she didn't.
She turned the crisis into a rallying point — and came out even stronger.
His fists clenched. His throat tightened.
She had changed.
Stronger than ever. More dazzling than ever.
And harder — impossible — to control.
Late that night
Lin Wannian stood alone by her office window, gazing out at the endless lights of the city, a faint smile on her lips.
Ding — her phone lit up with a text.
[You won this round. But the game isn't over.] — Shen Sihan.
She didn't reply.
Just gently set the phone down, her eyes calm and unwavering.
"Shen Sihan," she murmured, "If you want to play—then I'll play to the end."
She was no longer a woman who needed protecting.
She was a player.
And in this game—she had no intention of losing.