Chapter Eleven: Web of Lies

The corridor was drenched in pale moonlight as Bai Lianhua's heels clicked softly on the marble floor. She'd slipped away from the gala's dying embers with her heart pounding—and her mind spinning. The revelation echoed in her ears: Bai Ziyu was linked to the Phoenix Consortium, the very organization that had orchestrated her downfall in her last life.

Her breaths came in shallow bursts. How could her brother—the same brother who had sworn to protect her—be involved in the conspiracy that had shattered her? Betrayal cut deeper than any blade.

1. Confrontation in the Study

She found Ziyu in the family study, pacing before the grand oak desk. He looked up at her entrance, his expression unreadable—until she spoke.

"Why?" Lianhua's voice trembled with controlled fury. "Why were you working with Yu Shulan's people? With the Phoenix Consortium?"

Ziyu's jaw clenched. For a moment, he was silent. Then: "You're stirring up ghosts, Lianhua. Poisonous ghosts from a life we all thought dead."

"Poisonous?" she echoed. "That consortium destroyed me once before. It nearly killed me. And you… you were there."

Ziyu flinched, as though struck. He ran a hand through his hair. "I have my reasons. All for this family."

"You call it family?" Lianhua stepped closer, tears brimming. "Your 'reasons' forced me into a hell I barely survived!"

He closed his eyes. When he spoke, his voice was low, haunted. "I wanted to protect you—from the moment I learned the truth."

"Protect me?" Lianhua's laugh was hollow. "By colluding with the very people who hurt me?"

Ziyu's shoulders sagged. "I was desperate. After Mother died, I tried to keep everything from falling apart. The Consortium offered leverage—money, influence. I thought… I thought by placating them, I could safeguard Grandfather's empire. And you."

Shock and disbelief mingled in Lianhua's chest. "You traded my safety for your power games?"

He looked up, eyes glistening. "I'm sorry. I never wanted you to know."

Her heart cracked. She had always sought his approval—felt safest beside him. Now, she felt only cold distance.

2. A New Arrival: Zhang Feiyan

Before Lianhua could respond, the study doors glided open. Zhang Feiyan entered, heels clicking, her composed features lit by lantern light. Clutched in her hand was a leather-bound file.

"I apologize for the intrusion," Zhang said, voice smooth. "But I have evidence that ties Li Qian of the Tian Group, Yu Shulan, and Ziyu himself into the Consortium's latest plot."

Lianhua's eyes flicked to the file; Ziyu tensed.

"Go on," he muttered.

Zhang placed the dossier on the desk. Photographs, bank transfers, meeting minutes—every page bore the seal of the Phoenix Consortium. And there, in bold, was Ziyu's signature, authorizing funding to Yu Shulan's network.

"You see," Zhang continued, "they aim to weaken the Bai family from within. Financial sabotage, fake scandals, strategic alliances—each move orchestrated to fracture your unity. Your brother's agreement with them was the spark."

Lianhua sank onto a nearby chair, her mind reeling. She looked at Ziyu. "You knew."

He could only nod.

3. A Twist of Fate: Li Qian's Proposition

Before anyone could speak, another figure appeared—Li Qian of the rival Tian Group, stepping through the doorway unannounced. His sharp features curved into a polite smile.

"Such a lovely family reunion," he said, voice courteous. "But I presume you're missing one guest: me."

Ziyu glared. "What do you want, Li Qian?"

"I come with an offer," Li Qian said, removing his glove and laying it on the desk. "An alliance. You all know the Consortium's shadow looms large. But the Tian Group can secure your family's assets—if you're willing to admit me as partner."

Behind him, two of his aides produced a contract sealed with the Tian emblem.

Lianhua glanced at Ziyu, whose face was ashen. "You'd betray us again?" she hissed.

Li Qian bowed. "I simply propose shifting loyalties—away from traitors and toward a company that values honor."

Ziyu looked torn. But Lianhua stood.

"No," she said firmly, "we don't need another alliance born of fear."

Li Qian's smile faltered. "Then consider this a warning: the Consortium will strike if the Bai family refuses me."

With that, he swept out, leaving the heavy doors to slam behind him.

4. Bonds Forged in Crisis

Silence engulfed the room. Ziyu sank into a chair, his head in his hands.

Lianhua took a deep breath. The betrayal cut deep, but the family still stood—shaken, but united in crisis.

She crossed the room and knelt beside him. "I may never understand why you made those choices, Ziyu. But right now, we have common enemies. We need to fight together."

He looked up, tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry."

She reached out and touched his hand. "Just… don't hide things from me again."

He nodded. "No more lies."

5. An Unexpected Ally: Liang Yushen

A knock sounded. Liang Yushen entered, his warm smile a stark contrast to the tension. "I heard the Consortium was meddling in Bai affairs. I came as soon as I could."

Lianhua rose. "Yushen. You're back."

He bowed his head respectfully. "I returned because… I care about you. And because I have information the Consortium doesn't want you to know."

He opened his coat to reveal a flash drive. "They've been monitoring your phone, your emails—everything. But they overlooked one channel: my private network. This contains encrypted logs of all Consortium communications over the past year."

Ziyu's brow knit. "How did you get this?"

Yushen smiled ruefully. "I've been under the radar. Working in cyber for a friend's firm. I intercepted their data."

Lianhua took the drive. Relief and gratitude washed through her. "Thank you."

He bowed. "Call me when you need me. Always."

6. A Moment of Vulnerability

Later, on the estate's moonlit terrace, Lianhua and Mo Chen found each other again.

She held the flash drive gently. "We have proof now. We can strike back."

He nodded. "You did well with your brother. You led the family when they were lost."

Her eyes glistened. "I'm scared, Chen. Every turn reveals another lie. I feel like the ground can disappear beneath me at any moment."

He reached out and took her hand. "You're not alone. I lost you once—I won't lose you again."

Her breath caught. "Why? Why do you stay?"

He met her gaze, earnest. "Because you're worth fighting for. Today, tonight… and every night to come."

A tremor of warmth spread through her.

7. The First Strike

At dawn, the Bai siblings gathered in the war room—a private chamber lined with monitors and documents. Lianhua, Ziyu, Yushen, and Mo Chen pored over the Consortium files together.

Using the flash drive's data, they pinpointed the Consortium's regional head—one Madam Xu. She had resurfaced after faking her own death. Her network remained the Consortium's linchpin within the household.

Lianhua's eyes hardened. "We confront her. Expose her. And cut the Consortium's head off at the root."

Ziyu nodded, resolve shining through. "I'll handle her assets—freeze them legally. She'll have nowhere to run."

Mo Chen added, "I'll dismantle her criminal network. I know her lawyers, her bankers."

Yushen grinned. "And I'll broadcast every incriminating communication—make sure the world sees her for who she is."

In that moment, battered but unbroken, the alliance formed in crisis solidified. The Bai family—once fractured by lies—now stood united under Lianhua's leadership, ready to reclaim their legacy.