The Final Chase

Guo Bao was on the run.

Zi Yan sat on the couch, her fingers tapping against the armrest as she watched the news. The police had stormed the Guo family mansion early that morning, only to find it empty. The once-mighty Guo family was collapsing, their reputation destroyed, their businesses frozen, and now, their heir had disappeared like a rat hiding in the dark.

A slow smirk curled on Zi Yan's lips.

"He ran," she murmured. "Just like a coward."

Lu Yichen stood near the window, his sharp eyes scanning the city below. "He didn't just run. He planned this. He knew the moment we released that recording that he had no way out."

Chen Wei, who had just finished making a call, walked over and tossed his phone on the table. "Guo Bao isn't just running to hide. He's running to fight back."

Zi Yan's gaze sharpened. "What do you mean?"

Chen Wei crossed his arms. "He managed to withdraw a large sum of money before his family's accounts were completely frozen. He's using that money to buy protection. He's not just hiding—he's looking for a way to strike back at us."

Lu Yichen's expression darkened. "Where is he now?"

Chen Wei sat down, pulling up a map on his phone. "According to my sources, he boarded a private plane last night. Destination—South Asia. He's trying to disappear."

Zi Yan's fingers curled into a fist. "Then we make sure he doesn't."

By noon, Lu Yichen had already made arrangements. His people were spread out, using every connection they had to track Guo Bao's movements.

"The moment he lands, we'll know," Lu Yichen said. "He thinks he's safe in a foreign country, but he doesn't understand—there is nowhere in this world where he can hide from me."

Zi Yan turned to Chen Wei. "Who is he working with?"

Chen Wei hesitated for a moment before answering. "There's a powerful underground force operating in South Asia. They specialize in protecting criminals, offering them new identities and safety. If Guo Bao reaches them, he'll disappear forever."

Zi Yan's heart turned cold. That cannot happen.

She stood up. "Then we have to stop him before he gets there."

Lu Yichen gave her a firm look. "Are you sure you want to be involved in this part?"

Zi Yan's eyes flashed with determination. "This isn't just about revenge anymore. He tried to kill me. He won't stop unless we end him first."

Lu Yichen's lips curled into a small smile. "Alright. Then let's make sure he never has a second chance."

Later that evening, a call came through.

Chen Wei picked up, listened for a few seconds, and then turned to them. "Guo Bao landed."

Zi Yan's heartbeat quickened. "Where?"

"Bangkok," Chen Wei answered. "He's meeting someone at a private estate outside the city."

Lu Yichen didn't waste a second. "We move now."

Zi Yan watched as Lu Yichen made the necessary calls. Private jets, armed escorts, everything was arranged in less than an hour. Lu Yichen was a man who controlled power like a king, and tonight, he would use that power to crush Guo Bao once and for all.

Before they boarded the plane, Lu Yichen glanced at Zi Yan. "This won't be like before. Once we find him, there will be no law, no police. Only us."

Zi Yan met his gaze without hesitation. "That's exactly what I want."

The estate Guo Bao had chosen was deep in the countryside, surrounded by dense forests. It was the perfect hiding spot.

Inside a luxurious room, Guo Bao sat on a couch, swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand. Across from him sat a man dressed in all black, his face shadowed by the dim light.

"The deal is simple," the man said in a deep voice. "We give you a new identity, a safe place to stay, and protection. But in exchange, you hand over the remaining money and any secrets you have."

Guo Bao sneered. "And what if I refuse?"

The man smiled coldly. "Then you can take your chances with the people hunting you."

Guo Bao clenched his jaw. He knew he had no other choice. Zi Yan and Lu Yichen had destroyed him. His family was useless now. His only option was to disappear and rebuild in the shadows.

He pushed a briefcase across the table. "This is the first payment. Get me out of here."

The man reached for the briefcase—but before he could open it, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and frowned.

"Problem?" Guo Bao asked.

The man's face turned grim. He stood up abruptly. "We need to leave. Now."

Guo Bao's stomach dropped. "What happened?"

The man grabbed his gun and motioned to his guards. "Lu Yichen's men just landed in Bangkok."

Panic flashed in Guo Bao's eyes. He shot to his feet. "Impossible! How did they—"

A loud explosion suddenly rocked the estate.

Boom!

The windows shattered. The guards rushed to the doors, but gunfire erupted from outside.

Guo Bao's breathing turned rapid. They found me.

His hands trembled as he reached for his gun.

The door burst open. A figure stepped inside, calm and terrifying.

Lu Yichen.

Behind him, Zi Yan followed, her expression ice cold.

Guo Bao staggered backward. "Y-You…"

Lu Yichen raised his gun. "You ran all this way, but you still couldn't escape."

Guo Bao's eyes darted around. His men were either dead or running. He was completely cornered.

"You think you can just kill me?!" Guo Bao hissed. "Even if you do, the world will know! My family—"

"Your family is finished," Zi Yan cut in sharply. She took a step forward, her eyes filled with hatred. "And so are you."

Guo Bao clenched his teeth. He raised his gun—

Bang!

A shot rang out.

Guo Bao gasped, clutching his stomach as blood spread across his shirt. He dropped to his knees, eyes wide with shock.

Zi Yan lowered her gun, her hands steady.

Guo Bao looked up at her, coughing weakly. "Y-You… actually shot me…"

Zi Yan's lips curled into a smirk. "Did you really think I wouldn't?"

His vision blurred. His body felt weaker.

As he collapsed, the last thing he saw was Zi Yan turning away, her back straight, her expression cold.

Lu Yichen stepped beside her. "It's over."

Zi Yan exhaled. For the first time in years, she felt free.

"Let's go," she said. "There's nothing left here."

And with that, they walked away, leaving Guo Bao to his fate.