Morning sunlight spread slowly across the city skyline, touching the glass towers of the financial district with warm golden light. It was a beautiful day outside, but inside Zhao Group headquarters, the atmosphere was unusually tense. Employees moved quietly through the corridors, speaking in low voices as if afraid to disturb something unseen. The air was thick with anticipation and fear.
In the chairman's office, Lina Zhao stood beside the large conference table, reviewing investor communication reports displayed on her tablet. The screen glowed softly against her focused expression. Director Chen stood nearby, holding a stack of papers tightly against his chest.
"Miss Zhao," Director Chen said cautiously, breaking the silence. "Several investors have requested emergency financial performance clarification meetings."
Lina did not look up immediately. Her eyes scanned the data. "How many?" she asked calmly.
"Eight major investment partners," Director Chen replied.
Silence followed. The number was not unexpected. Victor Han was beginning the second stage of his attack: financial confidence pressure. Corporate warfare was rarely about visible destruction. It was about making stakeholders afraid. It was about shaking the foundation until the building collapsed on its own.
"Schedule the meetings," Lina said quietly.
Director Chen blinked slightly. "Miss Zhao… should we prepare defensive financial projections?"
"No," Lina replied.
Director Chen frowned, confusion evident on his face. "Then… what should we present?"
Lina closed the tablet screen slowly. The click echoed in the quiet room. "Truth."
Director Chen was silent for a moment. He studied her face, searching for any sign of uncertainty, but found none. Then he bowed slightly. "I understand."
He turned to leave, but Lina spoke again. "Director Chen."
"Yes, Miss Zhao?"
"Observe employee behavioral patterns today."
Director Chen's expression tightened slightly. He understood the implication immediately. "Yes, Miss Zhao."
The door closed. Lina walked slowly toward the window. The city looked peaceful below. Too peaceful. Victor Han was planning something deeper, something that wouldn't show up on a financial report.
Her phone suddenly vibrated on the table. The screen lit up.
Unknown number.
Again.
She answered, bringing the device to her ear. "Hello."
Adrian Lu's voice came calmly through the line. "Good morning, Miss Zhao."
"You call early," Lina said.
"Business people do not sleep long," Adrian replied lightly.
Silence stretched briefly between them, filled only by the faint hum of the connection. Then Adrian spoke. "Investor pressure campaign has begun."
"Yes," Lina answered.
"You are still calm."
"Should I be panicking?" Lina asked.
"No," Adrian said. "Panic reduces strategic thinking."
Lina's eyes darkened slightly as she looked out at the skyline. "Why are you helping me?" she asked.
There was a long pause. The silence was heavy, weighted with unspoken meanings. Then Adrian answered slowly. "Because I want to see whether you can defeat Victor Han."
Lina frowned slightly. "That is not a reason."
Adrian chuckled softly. "You are very suspicious."
"Trust is expensive," Lina said.
Adrian did not reply immediately. After a few seconds, he spoke quietly. "Victor Han is preparing something tonight."
"What?" Lina asked.
"I cannot confirm yet," Adrian said. "But it is not financial."
Lina's fingers tightened slightly around her phone. Not financial. Then it must be operational sabotage. Or an internal exposure strategy. He was moving pieces on the board that couldn't be seen on a spreadsheet.
"Thank you for the information," Lina said.
"You are welcome," Adrian replied. Before ending the call, he added one sentence. "Be careful of people who suddenly become loyal today."
The call ended. Lina lowered her phone slowly.
Traitor.
Victor Han wanted the traitor to reveal themselves. But Lina had another strategy. Let them believe they were safe. Let them think the net wasn't closing. Then catch them when they moved.
***
Inside the Han Corporation penthouse, Victor Han stood quietly beside the window. The city lay beneath him, a kingdom waiting to be conquered. His assistant spoke behind him, voice hesitant.
"Sir, investor pressure signals have been initiated."
Victor smiled faintly. "Good."
"Should we increase psychological pressure?" the assistant asked.
"No," Victor replied.
"Why?" the assistant asked, confused by the restraint.
Victor's eyes darkened. "Because Lina Zhao is waiting for the traitor to move."
The assistant felt cold sweat form on his back. He hadn't considered that angle. "Then…"
Victor turned slowly. His silhouette was sharp against the light. "Tonight," Victor said quietly, "we will force the traitor to make a choice."
***
Night arrived. Zhao Group headquarters was almost empty. Only the security monitoring team remained active, their screens glowing in the dark control room. Inside Lina's office, the lights were still on.
Lina stood alone near the window. The city lights shimmered below, distant and cold. Her phone vibrated once more.
Unknown number.
She answered. "Hello."
A nervous male voice spoke from the other end. "Miss Zhao…"
Lina's eyes sharpened instantly. She recognized the tone. Fear. Guilt. "Yes?" she said calmly.
"I… I need protection," the man said.
Silence. Then Lina asked quietly, "Who are you afraid of?"
"Victor Han," the man replied. His breathing was uneven, ragged.
Lina's expression became very cold. "What do you know?"
The man hesitated. "I know the logistics route encryption key was leaked from internal database access."
Lina closed her eyes briefly. Found it. The traitor. The leak. But she did not reveal it. She did not scream. She did not accuse. Instead, she asked calmly, "Why are you calling me now?"
"I don't want to be destroyed," the man said.
Lina's voice was very quiet. "Then continue acting normally."
The man froze. "Act… normally?"
"Yes. Until tomorrow."
The man swallowed nervously. "Will you protect me?"
Lina answered slowly. "I will decide after you prove your usefulness."
The call ended. Lina looked out at the night city. The lights blurred slightly in the distance.
Victor Han. You are forcing the traitor to move. But I am also waiting.
Because the moment you believe you are hunting someone… you are already inside another hunter's trap.
***
Far away, inside the Han Corporation building, Victor Han received a message. A confirmation signal. The traitor had spoken. The corner of his lips curved slightly.
"Good," Victor whispered. "Now the game begins."