Lu Corporation Tower pierced the clouds, a monolith of steel and glass dominating the city skyline.
The building's surface reflected the sunlight coldly, like a silent observer watching the city breathe, move, and struggle below.
It was a fortress of power.
And today, Lina Zhao was walking into the lion's den.
Inside the elevator, Lina stood quietly.
Her expression was calm.
Too calm.
Like the surface of a frozen lake hiding a deadly current beneath.
The digital numbers on the panel slowly increased.
Twenty-eight.
Twenty-nine.
Thirty.
Each floor felt heavier than the last.
The air pressure changed.
Because she knew who she was going to meet.
Adrian Lu.
Victor Han's greatest business rival.
The man who had stood beside her hospital bed in her previous life and said she was a waste.
The man who might become her only ally.
Or her greatest danger.
The elevator stopped with a soft chime.
The doors opened silently.
The corridor outside was long, empty, and carpeted in deep charcoal.
Only a single man stood at the end, near the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Black suit.
Perfect posture.
A cold aura that felt naturally dangerous, like the stillness before a storm.
Adrian Lu.
He did not move when she walked closer.
His gaze studied her quietly.
Like evaluating a business investment.
Or a weapon.
"You came alone," Adrian said.
His voice was low.
Measured.
Without emotional warmth.
"Yes," Lina replied.
Her voice did not tremble.
"Why?"
Lina placed a black document folder on the table beside him.
The sound of the folder hitting the wood echoed in the vast room.
"I want to make a deal."
Adrian did not touch the folder.
His hands remained in his pockets.
"What kind of deal?"
The wind from the open office window moved faintly through the room, stirring the curtains.
City traffic noises were far below, insignificant murmurs against the silence between them.
Lina's eyes were calm.
Cold.
"I want you to help me destroy Han Corporation."
Silence.
Heavy silence.
Adrian's expression did not change.
But something faintly shifted in his eyes.
A spark of interest.
"And in return?" he asked.
"Break my engagement."
Adrian finally looked directly at her.
His gaze was sharp.
Like he could see memories hidden inside her soul.
Like he knew she was carrying secrets too heavy for one lifetime.
"Victor Han is your fiancé."
"Yes."
"You are asking me to help destroy him."
"Yes."
"Why?"
Lina smiled faintly.
Because she knew the truth.
In her previous life, Victor had already planned everything.
The car accident.
The company takeover.
The slow isolation of her family.
But Adrian Lu…
Was someone Victor feared.
Someone Victor could not control.
"Because I don't want to die again," Lina said quietly.
The words were simple.
But they carried something heavy.
Something final.
Adrian's fingers slowly tapped once on the table.
Tap.
Then he opened the document folder.
Inside were business intelligence reports.
Han Corporation financial weaknesses.
Board member vulnerabilities.
Market pressure points.
Detailed.
Prepared.
Like someone who had studied the enemy for years.
Like someone who had lived through the betrayal already.
Adrian closed the folder.
"You prepared this before coming here."
"Yes."
"Interesting."
He leaned slightly back against the chair.
"What makes you think I will help you?"
Lina met his gaze.
"Because you hate Victor Han."
Adrian did not deny it.
The silence confirmed it.
After a long moment, he spoke.
"What do you want me to do exactly?"
"Protect my family."
"Help me control Zhao Group."
"And cooperate in destroying Han Corporation."
Adrian's eyes darkened slightly.
"You are ambitious."
Lina smiled faintly.
"I am already dead once."
The words were quiet.
But they carried weight.
Outside, clouds slowly moved across the sky, casting shadows over the city.
Adrian looked at her for a long time.
Then he said one sentence.
"Sign a contract."
Lina was not surprised.
She nodded.
Adrian pulled out a blank black contract document from his drawer.
The paper was thick.
Expensive.
Like something used in high-level business alliances.
He placed it in front of her.
"The terms are simple."
"First, you must not betray me."
"Second, you must follow strategic decisions regarding Han Corporation."
"Third…"
He paused slightly.
His eyes became deeper.
"You must not form secret alliances against me."
Lina picked up the pen.
But before signing, she asked one question.
"What do you gain from helping me?"
Adrian did not answer immediately.
His fingers slowly touched the edge of the document.
Then he spoke.
"Han Corporation destroyed something important to me in the past."
"Revenge is convenient when someone offers it."
Lina nodded.
She signed.
The pen moved smoothly across the paper.
Her name appeared beside his.
Like two people sealing fate.
Like two souls binding themselves to a path of destruction.
Adrian took the contract.
"You are not afraid I will use you?"
Lina smiled faintly.
"If you wanted to use me…"
She paused.
"You wouldn't have let me reach this office alive."
Something flickered briefly in Adrian's eyes.
Amusement.
Or perhaps something deeper.
Respect.
He stood up.
"From today, our cooperation begins."
Lina nodded.
But before she could leave—
Adrian spoke again.
"Victor Han will soon realize something is wrong."
"Let him realize," Lina said calmly.
Because in her past life…
She had been too obedient.
Too trusting.
Too weak.
This time…
She would be the one pulling the strings.
As she reached the elevator, Adrian's voice suddenly came from behind her.
"Lina Zhao."
She stopped.
"Yes?"
His next words were very quiet.
Almost inaudible.
"Don't die again."
The elevator doors slowly closed.
Lina closed her eyes briefly.
The city lights reflected against the glass walls.
Inside her chest, something strange stirred.
A warmth she hadn't expected.
She did not answer.
Because she did not know why Adrian Lu would say such words.
But she knew one thing.
She would not fail.
***
Far away.
Victor Han stood inside his luxury office.
His phone was on the table.
The screen showed a report.
Zhao Family Car – Destination: Lu Corporation.
Victor's expression darkened slowly.
"Interesting," he murmured.
"Did she finally decide to rebel?"
He smiled.
But the smile was cold.
Like someone who had already prepared a trap.
"Let her play," he said to the empty room.
"It will make breaking her much more satisfying."
He turned toward the window.
The sun was setting.
The shadows were lengthening.
And the game had begun.