Chapter 87

Chapter 87 – Storm Warnings

Morning dawned gray and sullen over City A, the storm clouds hanging low as if reflecting the tension settling over Bai Corp. Xueqing paced in her office, her mind a whirl of questions. She knew Su Weilan was only a piece of the puzzle—but the message last night confirmed a more dangerous hand was guiding events.

Mo Chen entered with two cups of coffee, placing one on her desk. "You didn't sleep," he noted quietly.

"Neither did you," she shot back with a faint smile.

He shrugged. "Someone has to keep an eye on the queen."

She took a grateful sip, savoring the warmth. "I need a list of everyone who stood to gain if Bai Corp fell apart," she said, voice crisp. "Every competitor, every investor with a grudge. Cross-reference it with recent financial movements."

"I already started," Mo Chen replied, handing her a thin stack of preliminary reports. His eyes met hers. "But there's something else. Surveillance picked up a man near the company's data center last night. He avoided cameras, but one feed caught a glimpse—a tall figure in a dark coat and gloves."

Xueqing's pulse quickened. "The same gloved man who threatened Qiao Lan."

She grabbed the reports, scanning quickly. "We need to find him."

Just then, Lin Nuo burst in, nearly tripping over his own feet. "Miss Bai! Someone leaked to the press that you falsified the evidence against Su Weilan. The story's spreading like wildfire!"

Xueqing's eyes turned to steel. "Which outlet?"

"Urban News," Lin panted. "And they claim to have an anonymous source."

Mo Chen's jaw clenched. "The same person pulling the strings wants to destroy your credibility."

Xueqing slammed her hand on the desk. "Then we strike first."

She grabbed her phone, dialing a direct line. "Yanshang? Leak our surveillance footage to the reputable media. Show them Qiao Lan confessing, show Su Weilan's deals. And trace whoever fed the lie to Urban News."

Lightning flashed outside, illuminating her determined face.

Mo Chen stepped closer. "This storm—they think it will break you."

Her gaze lifted, fierce. "They'll learn I am the storm."