Chapter 26: Broken Trust

The city skyline shimmered in the distance as Wang Li stood by his office window, fists clenched. The revelation of Dr. Emily Thompson's betrayal and Lin Hong's scheme had sent ripples of chaos through his organization. Time was running out. If Lin Hong succeeded in framing him, the empire he had built—and the future he had promised his son—would crumble.

He turned back to Chen, who was poring over the latest intel. **"What do we have on Lin Hong?"**

Chen's expression was grim. **"Enough to know he's several steps ahead. He's planted fabricated evidence linking you to financial crimes—money laundering, embezzlement, even tax fraud. And he's got powerful allies backing him."**

Dr. Emily Thompson sat across the room, her head lowered in guilt. **"I didn't know the full extent of his plan,"** she admitted. **"But I do know one thing—he's moving fast. If we don't strike first, the authorities will freeze your assets within the week."**

Wang Li exhaled sharply. **"Then we turn the game around."**

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## **The Clash Begins**

Wang Li's first move was to gather his allies. He arranged a secret meeting at an underground tech lab, a place free from corporate surveillance. A dozen trusted executives, cybersecurity experts, and private investigators sat around the dimly lit table.

**"Lin Hong wants to bury me,"** Wang Li began, his voice calm but edged with steel. **"But we won't let him."**

A strategist named Zhou tapped on his tablet. **"We've been digging into Lin Hong's records. The man has dirt on almost everyone—politicians, business leaders, even law enforcement. That's how he's getting away with this."**

Chen nodded. **"We need to expose him before he can pin anything on you. If we can leak proof of his real financial crimes, we can turn the tide."**

Dr. Thompson shifted uncomfortably. **"Lin Hong doesn't leave loose ends. If we go after him, he'll retaliate hard."**

Wang Li's gaze darkened. **"Let him try."**

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## **A Dangerous Proposition**

That night, Wang Li received an unexpected call. The voice on the other end was laced with amusement.

**"Wang Li,"** Lin Hong greeted smoothly. **"I was wondering when you'd come knocking."**

Wang Li remained silent.

**"You should know by now that fighting me is futile. You built something great, but empires fall, and yours is next."**

Wang Li's grip tightened around his phone. **"You went too far this time, Lin Hong."**

**"No, Wang Li,"** Lin Hong said, his voice a whisper. **"I went just far enough."**

Then he made an offer. **"Step down. Walk away from the smart city project, from your empire, from everything. Do that, and I'll make this all disappear."**

For a split second, Wang Li considered it—not for himself, but for his son. If he walked away, Xiao Li wouldn't have to grow up watching his father fight endless battles.

But then he thought of the sacrifices he had made, the people who had placed their trust in him, and the future he was building.

He refused.

**"I won't run,"** Wang Li said coldly. **"You'll be the one to fall."**

Lin Hong chuckled. **"Then I hope you're ready for war."**

The call ended.

Chen, who had been listening, exhaled sharply. **"That was a declaration of battle if I've ever heard one."**

Wang Li's eyes burned with determination. **"Then we fight."**