The morning news cycle exploded.
Business analysts.
Social media commentators.
Market observers.
Everyone was talking about the same topic.
Zhao Group's sudden international supplier cooperation.
Headlines flashed across screens.
Zhao Group Defies Expectations.
New Partnerships Secured.
Han Corporation Pressure Failing?
Inside Han Corporation headquarters, Victor Han sat quietly in his office.
The room was vast.
Silent.
Cold.
The television screen across the room played a financial news report.
The reporter spoke in a professional, polished tone.
"Zhao Group has secured partnerships with three international manufacturing and logistics companies."
"The market reaction is currently positive."
"Investors are showing renewed interest."
Victor did not move.
Not a muscle.
His expression was very calm.
Too calm.
Like the surface of a frozen lake before the ice cracks.
His assistant stood beside him nervously.
Hands clasped.
Breath held.
"Sir… online public opinion is starting to shift."
Victor asked quietly.
His voice was smooth.
Dangerous.
"Toward which side?"
"Some investors are saying Zhao Group might survive the pressure strategy."
"They think… Lina Zhao has a backup plan."
Silence.
Victor's fingers tapped once against the desk.
Tap.
Slow.
Measured.
Like a countdown.
Then he spoke.
"Good."
The assistant was stunned.
"Sir?"
Victor continued calmly.
He did not look away from the screen.
"Fear works best when the opponent believes they are winning."
His eyes darkened slightly.
A shadow passing over them.
"Let them feel hope first."
"Let them taste it."
"Just before the fall."
***
Meanwhile, inside Zhao Mansion.
Melissa Zhao stood in front of a computer screen.
The blue light reflected off her face.
Her eyes were cold.
Hard.
The share transfer document she attempted earlier had failed.
Someone blocked it.
Someone powerful.
She clenched her fingers slightly.
Her nails dug into her palm.
"Adrian Lu…" she whispered.
The name tasted like bitterness.
Her mother, Reina Zhao, entered the room quietly.
The door clicked shut.
"Are you planning something?" Reina asked.
Her voice was low.
Cautious.
Melissa turned around slowly.
"Yes."
Reina walked closer.
Her heels sank into the carpet.
"Be careful. Lina is different now."
"She is not the same girl who cried over engagement rings."
Melissa scoffed softly.
A sharp, brittle sound.
"She is still Lina Zhao."
"She just learned how to act cold."
"Acting is not power."
Reina said nothing.
But her eyes carried concern.
Deep concern.
Because she could feel it.
The Zhao family internal balance was already shifting.
The ground beneath them was moving.
***
At 11:30 AM.
Zhao Group headquarters.
Executive meeting room.
The air was tense.
Directors whispered among themselves.
Director Chen spoke nervously.
He wiped sweat from his forehead.
"Miss Zhao… there is a problem."
"What problem?" Lina asked calmly.
She sat at the head of the table.
Perfect posture.
Chen placed several printed reports on the table.
The papers slid across the wood.
"Online reputation manipulation."
Lina's eyes narrowed slightly.
She picked up one report.
The headline was clearly targeted.
Bold.
Aggressive.
"Zhao Group's International Suppliers May Be High-Risk Partnership Choices."
Below it were several anonymous comments questioning product safety.
Fake quality.
Dangerous materials.
Scam.
Director Huang spoke angrily.
His face was flushed.
"This is obviously paid rumor manipulation!"
"It's Han Corporation!"
Lina said nothing for a moment.
She scanned the comments.
Predictable.
Cheap.
Then she spoke quietly.
"Victor Han is testing public opinion pressure."
The directors were shocked.
Director Chen asked quickly.
"What should we do?"
"Should we issue a statement?"
"Should we sue?"
Lina placed the reports down.
The sound was soft.
Final.
"Do nothing."
The directors were stunned.
"Miss Zhao?"
Lina continued calmly.
Her voice did not waver.
"Responding immediately will validate the rumor."
"It shows weakness."
"It shows fear."
She looked at each of them.
"Let it spread for twenty-four hours."
Director Huang protested.
"But reputation damage—"
Lina interrupted.
Her voice was sharp.
"I know."
Her eyes were very cold.
Like ice.
"But panic is exactly what they want."
"Do not give it to them."
Silence filled the meeting room.
Heavy.
Uncertain.
But no one dared to argue.
***
At the same time.
Inside Han Corporation.
Victor received a message from his assistant.
"Sir, the rumor campaign has started."
"Negative comments are trending."
Victor nodded slowly.
"Good."
He stood up and walked toward the window.
The city below moved like a living organism.
Unaware of the war being waged above them.
Victor whispered softly.
"Pressure builds when hope and fear coexist."
"Wait for them to panic."
"Then strike."
***
Evening.
Lu Corporation Tower.
Adrian Lu stood beside the panoramic glass window.
The city lights reflected in his eyes.
Bright.
Sharp.
His assistant spoke quietly.
"Sir, reputation rumor attacks against Zhao Group have begun."
"Social media sentiment is dropping."
Adrian's expression remained unchanged.
Stoic.
Unreadable.
"Monitor social media influence flow."
"Track the source."
"Yes, sir."
The assistant hesitated slightly.
"Sir… should we intervene if public pressure becomes too strong?"
"Should we release a statement supporting Zhao Group?"
Adrian did not answer immediately.
His eyes were dark.
Deep.
After several seconds, he said one sentence.
"If Victor crosses the line…"
His voice was very low.
A promise of violence.
"Destroy his reputation strategy network."
"Leave no trace."
"Yes, sir."
***
Night arrived.
Zhao Mansion balcony.
Lina stood alone under the city lights.
The wind lifted her hair.
Cool.
Refreshing.
Her phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
She answered.
"Who is this?"
Adrian's voice came quietly.
Smooth.
Low.
"It's me."
Lina said nothing.
She listened to the silence on the other end.
After a moment, Adrian spoke again.
"Public rumor pressure will increase tomorrow."
"It will peak at noon."
"Yes," Lina replied calmly.
"I know."
"Are you afraid?" he asked.
The question was direct.
Personal.
Lina smiled faintly.
The wind caught the sound.
"No."
Silence.
Wind moved gently across the balcony.
Distant traffic hummed below.
Then Adrian said quietly.
"Good."
Because fear would make people make mistakes.
And Lina Zhao could not afford mistakes.
"Sleep well, Lina."
The line went dead.
***
Inside Han Corporation.
Victor received another report.
"Sir… Zhao Group is not responding to public rumor attacks."
"No statement."
"No denial."
Victor's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Interesting."
The assistant asked cautiously.
"Should we escalate pressure?"
"Release more negative stories?"
Victor did not answer immediately.
He looked at the city lights.
Twinkling.
Fragile.
Then whispered softly.
"Not yet."
Because the best moment…
Was when the opponent believed they were safe.
When they thought the storm had passed.
***
The next morning.
Zhao Group headquarters.
Director Chen rushed into the meeting room.
He looked panicked.
"Miss Zhao!"
"What is it?"
"The public rumor article view count suddenly increased!"
"It's viral!"
"Stock price is fluctuating!"
Director Huang looked nervous.
His hands were shaking.
"What should we do?!"
"We're losing control!"
Lina stood slowly.
She adjusted her jacket.
Her eyes were very calm.
Unshaken.
Then she spoke one sentence.
"Release the supplier safety certification reports."
The directors froze.
"What?"
Lina repeated calmly.
Her voice carried authority.
"Release international quality certification documents."
"And publish them publicly."
"Everywhere."
Director Chen's eyes widened.
"Now?!"
"Yes."
Because she had been waiting.
Waiting for the rumor to reach maximum spread.
Waiting for Victor to commit.
Outside, the business world began reacting.
Minutes passed.
Then hours.
Investors reviewed the documents.
The certifications were flawless.
International standards.
Verified.
Public comments shifted.
Wait, these are legitimate.
Han Corporation lied?
Zhao Group is actually stronger than before.
Rumor credibility began collapsing.
Like a house of cards.
***
Inside Han Corporation.
Victor read the new reports silently.
The screen glowed against his face.
Then he suddenly laughed softly.
A dry sound.
Devoid of humor.
"She waited for the pressure peak."
"She let the fire burn… before drowning it."
His assistant felt cold sweat.
"Sir… should we stop?"
Victor whispered quietly.
His eyes were dark.
Respectful.
Dangerous.
"She is learning how to hunt."
***
At Zhao Mansion balcony that night.
Lina closed her eyes briefly.
The wind felt colder.
Sharp.
But inside her chest…
Something felt lighter.
A weight lifted.
She had won the first battle.
Not with force.
But with patience.
Far away.
Inside Lu Corporation Tower.
Adrian stood alone.
The room was dark.
His phone screen showed Lina's public announcement success.
The stock price stabilizing.
The rumors dying.
He whispered quietly.
"Very good."
Because tonight…
The woman he was watching…
Had taken the first step into becoming a true predator.
And the hunt had just begun.