Chapter 85 — "Whatever You Want"
The morning sun had barely climbed above the roofs when Bai Xia stepped out of the car, her figure wrapped in calm lethality. She hadn't bothered dressing for school; instead she wore a simple, neat white blouse and a dark skirt — the kind of clean, unassuming outfit that contrasted sharply with the storm simmering beneath her skin.
She had left home early, leaving behind the warm chaos of her relieved family. Bai Xin had clung to her all morning, Bai Xuan refused to leave her side, and Bai Yan and Bai Sung had nearly crushed her with gratitude. Her mother had cried when Stella returned with the three siblings last night, while her father and brother arrived breathless, half-furious, half-relieved after searching every corner of the city.
But Bai Xia had only smiled faintly, hugged each of them, and told them gently but firmly:
"Don't worry. I'll take care of this."
Now, as she entered the XB Corporation building, the air hardened around her. Employees straightened unconsciously. Something cold walked beside her.
Stella was already waiting, a stack of carefully arranged folders in hand. "Everything you requested is ready, Miss."
"Good." Bai Xia's voice was low, controlled. "Let's review it."
They went to her office. Stella placed the folders on the table and opened the first one. Unlike modern digital trails, these were all physical proofs — the kind that existed in 1995:
Handwritten records from former employees
Old ledger books with bribes recorded in crooked handwriting
Photographs taken with film cameras
Newspaper clippings about "accidents" linked to Chilly Fashion
Signed testimonies from girls who had been coerced
A small tape recorder containing audio of the boss threatening one of his models
No computers. No USB drives. No hacking. Just paper, ink, film, and fear.
Bai Xia flipped through the documents with delicate fingers, her expression unreadable. "This is enough to break him."
"Yes. Every detail is authentic." Stella bowed her head slightly. "He won't expect an attack this clean."
"He won't expect anything," Bai Xia murmured.
Because the man still believed his subordinates had fallen to a rival gang. He still thought Bai Xia was a naive little girl who didn't know what he had tried to do. He still thought his world was intact.
He had no idea she had ripped it apart in one night.
---
Inside Chilly Fashion Headquarters
At that same moment, the atmosphere inside the Chilly Fashion top office was… revolting.
The old man, the boss, over sixty years old and bloated with self-indulgence, was leaning over Bài Aì. Their mouths were locked together in a sloppy, nauseating kiss. His hands roamed her body with eager greed while she giggled and clung to him, pretending to enjoy every second.
She whispered fake praise into his ear, playing the role he expected — acting like he was some irresistible man rather than a wrinkled pervert drowning in cologne.
He was so absorbed in her that he didn't hear the first knock.
The second knock finally tore him away, irritated.
"What!" he snapped.
His secretary entered, face stiff. "Sir… the boss of XB Corporation is here to see you."
That froze him.
XB Corporation?
Why would the young boss come here personally?
"Did my men report back?" the boss asked sharply.
"Yes," the secretary said nervously. "They… they failed. They said another gang interfered."
The man clicked his tongue, but relief washed over him. Good. If they had been attacked by another gang, then it had nothing to do with his target. His little secret plan remained safe.
He straightened his rumpled clothes, wiped his mouth, and patted Bài Aì's cheek. "Stay here, baby. I'll be back."
She nodded obediently.
But when the door closed, her smile vanished.
---
The Meeting Room
The boss walked into the waiting room with a wide, greasy smile. "Boss Xia, Miss Stella! What an honor."
Bai Xia and Stella stood.
Both bowed politely.
Their movements were elegant, controlled.
Their expressions mild.
The boss relaxed, thinking this would be an easy conversation. He sat down opposite them, still wearing the self-important smile of a man who believed he was untouchable.
Then — clack.
Stella placed the stack of folders on the table.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
They hit the surface like hammer blows.
The boss blinked. "What… what is this?"
Bai Xia didn't speak.
She simply nodded.
Stella opened the first folder.
Ledger entries. Bribes. Money laundering. Names. Dates. Stamped receipts.
The boss frowned.
The second folder.
Photographs — blurry but undeniable — of girls in compromising situations, injuries hidden beneath makeup, the old man himself smiling with a cigar.
His pulse quickened.
The third folder.
Newspaper clippings. Reports. Accidents involving young models. Disappearances.
His breath shortened.
The fourth folder.
A tape recorder.
Stella pressed play.
"If you don't obey, I'll make sure you disappear like the last girl."
His own voice filled the room.
The color drained from his face. His hands trembled violently as he grabbed the papers, flipping through them with increasing panic.
Impossible.
Impossible!
How did they get this?
These records were hidden… locked away… burned…
Who were these people?
By the time he lifted his head, sweat was sliding down his temples.
His voice cracked.
"W-Who… who exactly are you?"
Bai Xia leaned back, crossing her legs. Her expression remained calm, almost gentle — but it was the gentleness of a sharp blade resting against one's throat.
The boss swallowed hard.
His face hardened in desperation. "Fine. Fine. Tell me what you want."
The room fell silent.
Bai Xia tilted her head, lips curving into a small, almost amused smile.
"I have an interest," she said softly, "in your new little plaything."
The boss stiffened.
"Bài Aì?"
Her smile widened — but it was not a smile. It was the smile of something cold and ancient creeping into the room.
The boss felt the hair on his arms stand.
He didn't understand her.
He didn't understand anything right now.
He only understood one thing:
This girl could destroy him.
Completely.
And so, when he finally managed to speak, his voice was barely a whisper.
"…Whatever you want."