The tension in the air was palpable. Inside the meeting hall, voices clashed in heated exchanges. Shareholders sat around the grand table, their tempers rising as they argued over the news flashing on the massive screen at the front. A top-secret 4-billion-dollar project from BRANDDAY had been leaked, and fear mixed with anger as they discussed its implications. Employees, seated nearby, shifted uneasily in their chairs, unable to calm the storm brewing among the 19 shareholders.
Suddenly, the door to the hall opened.
She walked in, her steps light but deliberate, cutting through the chaos without uttering a word. Her secretary, a man older than her, followed closely behind, his presence equally commanding. He exuded an aura of quiet authority, the kind that turned heads wherever he went. But even his power paled in comparison to hers.
At twenty-three, she had already earned her place in the business world—beautiful, elegant, yet distant. The coldness in her eyes was as sharp as the silence that fell over the room upon her arrival. The shareholders, who moments ago had been at each other's throats, now sat still, their earlier bravado vanishing. No one dared speak out of turn.
She stood at the head of the table, her face unreadable. She didn't smile; she rarely did. Instead, her gaze swept across the room, taking in each shareholder's tension and the employees' anxiety. Her presence alone had silenced them all. The leaked project might have terrified them, but not her. She was the sole heiress of BRANDDAY, the one holding their futures in her hands.
With a single nod to the project manager, the meeting began.
The project manager cleared his throat, his voice barely rising above the tense murmur in the room. He adjusted his glasses and faced the assembled crowd. "Welcome, everyone," he began, his tone strained but controlled. "I appreciate your prompt attendance on such short notice. As you're all aware, we're here to address a serious issue regarding our top-secret project."
He gestured toward the screen, where a headline about the leaked project still flashed ominously. "The project, which was meticulously planned over the past fourteen months, was leaked yesterday. Despite our rigorous checks and controls, the source of the leak remains unknown."
The room's atmosphere grew even more charged as the project manager continued. "This project was set to launch next month, in February, just eight days from now. The premature exposure could have significant repercussions on our market strategy and overall business."
The shareholders, who had been engaged in aggressive exchanges, now sat in stunned silence.
He added "We must address this issue urgently and determine the necessary steps to mitigate the damage. We need to discuss our response and how to move forward."
The shareholder's voice cut through the room, sharp and accusatory. "Who leaked this project?" he demanded, rising from his seat. "Why isn't anyone investigating? Who will bear the loss? Who will cover the costs?" His gaze locked onto Wang Ningli's, his arrogance clear as he sought a response.
"What does our Miss Ningli have to say about this?" he asked with a hint of arrogance, his eyes locked onto her unyielding gaze.
Wang Ningli remained seated, her posture immaculate and unyielding. Her eyes, cold and measured, met his with a piercing calmness. For a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath, waiting for her reaction.
Without breaking eye contact, she slowly stood, her elegant composure unshaken by his aggression. "The leak is under investigation," she began, her voice steady and authoritative. "Rest assured, we are taking every necessary measure to identify the source and address the breach."
Her gaze swept over the room, her silence and poised demeanor commanding respect. "As for the financial impact, it is being assessed. We will ensure that any losses are managed appropriately. My focus is on resolving this matter swiftly and ensuring that such incidents do not recur."
Wang Ningli's response, though calm, held a firm resolve that left no room for further dispute. The shareholder's defiant stance faltered, and he sat back down, the room's tension slightly easing as her words settled in.
The meeting had finally come to an end after an exhaustive round of discussions. The room was still humming with the low murmurs of the remaining participants, but Wang Ningli didn't linger. Rising gracefully from her seat, she straightened her blazer with a composed elegance.
"Thank you for your time," she said, her voice calm but formal. Her gaze swept across the room, acknowledging each individual with a subtle nod. Without waiting for any further exchange, she turned towards the door, her movements smooth and precise. Her secretary followed closely behind, their footsteps the only sound as they exited the conference room, leaving behind the faint air of her quiet authority.The atmosphere in the room had been tense, thick with worry and unease. Aggressive voices had filled the air just moments earlier, driven by fear of the potential project leak. But all that changed when Wang Ningli spoke. Her calm, authoritative tone cut through the tension like a knife, and suddenly the chaotic energy in the room began to settle.
Everyone who had been on edge moments ago, their nerves frayed by uncertainty, now felt a measure of security return. It wasn't total relief, but the way she handled the situation made them feel as though the weight of the problem was at least halved. With Wang Ningli in control, they knew they were in capable hands.For the past two years, Wang Ningli had been the force behind the Wang family empire, ever since her father's tragic accident had left him in a coma. As the sole heiress, she had stepped into her role without hesitation, determined to shoulder the weight of the family name and the company's future on her own.
Now, at twenty-four, she had proven time and again that she was far more than just an heiress. She was a woman of brilliance. From her earliest days in school to her university years, Ningli had been at the top—no challenge too difficult, no problem too complex. And her transition from academic prodigy to business leader had been seamless. Despite inheriting the immense responsibility of over 5,000 employees and one of the country's largest corporations, she never faltered. Not a single loss had stained the company's balance sheets under her watch. Not a penny had slipped through her fingers.
Punctual, dedicated, and sharp as a blade, Ningli embodied every quality a leader should possess. Though she rarely spoke, when she did, her voice carried a weight that silenced rooms. It wasn't just her words; it was the authority behind them. She spoke as though she owned everything—and in truth, she did. She was the boss. The bossiest boss, commanding with a quiet power that left no room for doubt.
Ningli strode into her office, the soft click of her heels echoing off the polished floor. The door closed behind her, sealing the world outside. She paused for a brief moment before addressing her secretary, her voice steady and calm.
"Tell everyone that no one is to leave the office before 8 p.m. today," she ordered, her tone leaving no room for questions. "And call the cyber security team immediately."
Her eyes flicked to the calendar on her desk before she made another decision. "Cancel the rest of the meetings for the next three days."
The secretary nodded and swiftly exited the room, leaving Ningli alone. As soon as the door clicked shut, she leaned back into her chair, the weight of the day pressing down on her shoulders. With a deep sigh, she closed her eyes, allowing herself a brief moment of reprieve before the storm ahead.
After about ten minutes of restless pacing, Ningli finally settled into her chair and turned her attention to her laptop. Her fingers flew over the keyboard as she delved into the details of the breach. Determined to uncover the loophole that allowed their top-secret project to be compromised, she muttered in frustration, "Who could have done this? Does our company really harbor such a loser, a backstabber? I don't recall treating anyone poorly. Who would dare go against us?"
Her mind raced through the list of rival companies that might benefit from their misfortune—Min Group? Jiang Rise? Retro Tech? But she couldn't pinpoint which one was behind the betrayal.
"I need to see who had access to the project file and information first. I had eyes on everything—how did I miss this?" She clenched her fists, her knuckles white with frustration. "Section C was supposed to review the project yesterday, but there was a delay because the head manager didn't receive the data. What kind of ridiculous situation is this?"
Her frustration deepened. "The data was supposed to come from Section B, but before it could be handed over, we got the news that it had already been leaked. Thankfully, only 60% of the project was compromised. We can still make changes, but we need to find the black sheep who backstabbed us."
At that moment, a knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Wangxi entered with a coffee cup in hand. His smile was gentle, clearly intended to lighten Ningli's mood rather than reflect his own emotions.
"Ningli, I brought coffee," Wangxi said softly.
Ningli took the coffee with a nod of thanks. "Wangxi Ge, I found something."
Wangxi's expression shifted to one of seriousness. "Me too. I suspected Section B initially, but after further analysis, it's clear that the issue is more intense. It's not Section B."
Ningli's interest piqued. "Then who could it be? We need to get everyone in the seminar hall. Call a meeting with them immediately."
Wangxi nodded and turned to leave. Just as he was about to announce the meeting, his phone rang, interrupting him. He answered the call and, with a brief look of concern, handed the phone to Ningli.
"It's for you," he said.
Ningli took the phone, her mind already racing with possibilities. "Thank you, Wangxi Ge."
Ningli answered the phone, her gaze fixed on the screen. The voice on the other end belonged to a man in his fifties, exuding warmth and familiarity.
"Ah' Ningli, how are you faring? I imagine you must be quite frustrated."
Ningli's response was calm, though tinged with her underlying stress. "Xiao Uncle, I must admit that I am far from calm or tension-free. However, I appreciate your concern. As for my health, I'm young and in good condition. May I ask how you are doing?"
The man's voice carried a reassuring tone. "An' Ningli, I am well, thank you. I wanted to offer my assistance. Consider me like a father to you; please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything."
Ningli's voice softened with gratitude. "Uncle Xiao, it means a great deal that you've taken the time to reach out despite your busy schedule. If I find myself in need of help, I will certainly let you know. For now, I am managing well."
Uncle Xiao continued, "I understand. However, I called because I intended to visit your father at the hospital but learned that he has been moved to the Mansion. Might I have the opportunity to visit him there?"
Ningli's tone conveyed sincere regret. "I apologize, Uncle Xiao. I should have informed you about the move. Please, come to the Mansion for dinner. You will have the chance to see him. I have some wonderful news as well—he has awakened from the coma and is able to speak a few words, though I had kept it confidential until now."
Uncle Xiao's voice brightened with happiness. "That is indeed joyous news! You are truly thoughtful. How could I possibly refuse your invitation? Just let me know the time and date."
Ningli replied warmly, "Uncle Xiao, there is no need for any delay. Our Mansion is always open to you. Please come today; I would be delighted to pick you up personally."
At 6:30 p.m., Uncle Xiao responded, "Ah' Ningli, that's very kind of you, but my son will be able to drop me off."
Ningli insisted politely, "If you insist, Uncle Xiao. I look forward to your visit."
Both ended the call with cordial farewells, leaving Ningli with a sense of anticipation and reassurance.