Chapter 3: A Glimpse of Icy Beauty
The call with Lin Jie ended, leaving a silence that was louder than any shout. Li Wei sat in the dim glow of the Valkyrie's dashboard, the System's mission objective burning in his vision.
[GOAL 2: Hurt Lin Jie and Zhang Wei.] [STATUS: IN PROGRESS]
The threat against his parents had extinguished the last ember of his old life. What remained was cold, hard purpose. He was no longer just Li Wei; he was the instrument of the System's retribution.
Before he could even process his next move, a new call flashed on the car's screen. It was an unknown number, sleek and professional-looking.
He answered. "Hello?"
A woman's voice, crisp and efficient, filled the cabin. "Mr. Li Wei?"
"Yes."
"Good evening, sir. My name is Evelyn Reed. I am the senior executive assistant assigned to you at OmniStar Global. On behalf of the entire board, welcome. I am calling to schedule a time to go through the handover procedures for your new holdings at your earliest convenience. We are at your complete disposal."
The timing was perfect. The tool he needed had just been delivered.
"Thank you, Ms. Reed. Let's get started. I have some changes I want to make right away."
"Of course, sir. I am ready to note your instructions."
Li Wei's mind, sharpened by anger and the System's clarity, laid out a devastating plan.
"First, I want a full audit of our entire investment portfolio. Every single company."
"A wise first step, sir. I can have that—"
"Specifically," Li Wei cut in, his voice sharp. "Flag any holdings in a small tech firm called Tri-Star Ventures. I want the exact percentage we own, its value, and the name of the fund manager responsible."
The sound of rapid typing came through the speakers. "Noted, sir. Prioritizing that search now."
"Second," he continued, "once you have that, freeze all future funding to Tri-Star Ventures. Any capital they were expecting from any OmniStar fund is now on hold. Indefinitely."
"Understood. A freeze on all funding to Tri-Star Ventures."
"Third, and most important," Li Wei said, his voice dropping to a dangerous calm. "Quietly contact our largest partners and clients who also work with Tri-Star. Strongly suggest they reconsider their partnerships. Hint that Tri-Star's long-term stability is... under review. Make it clear that loyalty to OmniStar will be remembered."
This was the killer blow. It would destroy Tri-Star's reputation, isolating Lin Jie and Zhang Wei completely.
"Sir," Evelyn Reed said, her tone never faltering. "To be clear, you are authorizing a soft blacklisting of Tri-Star within our network?"
"Yes. Make it happen quietly, but make it happen fast."
"It will be done, sir. A preliminary report on our exposure to Tri-Star will be with you within the hour. The other directives will begin immediately."
"Good. That will be all for now, Ms. Reed."
"Very good, sir. Welcome to OmniStar."
The call ended. The commands were now in motion, a silent tsunami moving through the financial world that would soon crash down on his enemies. A grim satisfaction settled over him. This was real power.
He entered the address for the "Celestial Peak Villa" into the navigation. The route led him away from the city's heart and toward the secluded, prestigious Peak area.
The drive was a blur. The vibrant city gave way to quiet, tree-lined streets that ascended into the exclusive roads of The Peak. The air felt different here—heavy with money and privacy. High walls and security cameras flanked the road, each gate guarding a hidden palace.
Finally, the navigation announced his arrival. Ahead stood a magnificent, modern security gate. A uniformed guard stood in a lit booth.
As Li Wei slowed the Valkyrie, his eyes were drawn to the vehicle ahead. A sleek, black, armored Bentley was stopped at the gate, its window lowered for the security check.
But it wasn't the car that captured his attention.
It was the woman in the back seat.
She was turned slightly, speaking to the guard, offering an ID card. Her profile was sharp and elegant, like a masterpiece sculpture. She had jet-black hair that fell like a dark waterfall down her back. Her skin was pale and flawless, glowing under the gate's lights.
Just then, she turned her head slightly, perhaps hearing the low purr of his Aston Martin pulling up behind her.
For a split second, their eyes met.
Hers were a cool, piercing shade of light brown, almost amber, but they held a distance that was glacial. They were the eyes of someone who was used to being looked at and had built walls of ice to keep the world out. There was no curiosity in her gaze, only a brief, impersonal assessment before she looked away, dismissing him as just another rich neighbor.
She was, without a doubt, the most stunning woman he had ever seen. In another life, his heart might have skipped a beat. He might have felt nervous or captivated.
But now, his mind, honed by the System, processed her differently. It was a cold, analytical assessment.
Beautiful. A 99. Not a 100. The 1 point is deducted for the ice. A potential strategic variable. Unnecessary distraction at this time.
The guard nodded, the heavy gate began to swing open, and the Bentley glided through, followed closely by a second, identical black SUV—her security detail.
The scene was over in moments. The gate was now open for him.
He pulled the Valkyrie forward. The guard, having just verified someone of obvious importance, was immediately alert and respectful. "Good evening, sir. Welcome to Celestial Peak. How may I assist you?"
"Li Wei. Villa Number One," he said, his voice flat.
The guard's eyes widened almost imperceptibly. Villa Number One was the crown jewel of the community, a property rumored to be owned by a reclusive foreign tycoon that had never been occupied.
"Of course, Mr. Li. My apologies. You are expected. Your biometrics are already registered. Please proceed straight ahead; your residence is at the very end of the summit road. Welcome home."
The gate opened fully. Li Wei gave a curt nod and accelerated through.
His mind was already moving on from the beautiful stranger. The brief encounter was filed away as data, not a memory. He had a company to break, a mission to complete, and a new fortress to secure