The morning sun shone through the windows of the Gu mansion.
Li Xinyue stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her earrings.
In her previous life, she never cared much about how others viewed her.
She believed she had everything.
Her family’s wealth.
Her beauty.
Her status.
But after losing everything once, she understood something important.
A person could only protect what they valued if they had enough power.
That was why she was determined to become stronger.
Not only for the Li family.
Not only for Gu Zhen.
But also for herself.
At the Li Group, the atmosphere was strange.
The moment Li Xinyue entered the building, she noticed employees whispering.
Something had happened.
“Chen Wei.”
Her assistant immediately walked over.
“Miss Li.”
“What happened?”
Chen Wei hesitated.
“There are rumors spreading online.”
“What kind of rumors?”
He handed her a tablet.
Li Xinyue looked at the screen.
Her expression slowly became cold.
The headline was everywhere.
Li Family Heiress Accused of Using Her Status to Force Business Cooperation.
Below it were edited pictures and false reports claiming she had threatened business partners.
The comments were filled with criticism.
Many people were attacking her.
Li Xinyue smiled faintly.
A familiar strategy.
In her previous life, this rumor had also appeared.
But back then…
She had panicked.
She had tried to explain herself emotionally.
And her enemies used her reaction against her.
This time, she would not make the same mistake.
“Find the original source of these reports.”
“Yes, Miss Li.”
“And contact our legal department.”
Chen Wei looked at her.
“Miss Li, are you planning to sue?”
Li Xinyue looked at the screen.
“No.”
A calm smile appeared.
Meanwhile, inside a private room.
Lin Meiqi watched the online discussion with satisfaction.
Finally.
She had found a way to hurt Li Xinyue.
“Everyone has a weakness.”
She whispered.
“Li Xinyue cares about her reputation.”
The person beside her asked:
“What if General Gu interferes?”
Lin Meiqi’s expression changed slightly.
Gu Zhen.
That man was always the biggest obstacle.
But she quickly smiled.
“He won’t interfere.”
“Why?”
“Because this time, the problem involves his wife’s own actions.”
She believed Gu Zhen would begin doubting Li Xinyue.
But she did not know…
The trust between Gu Zhen and Li Xinyue was no longer the same as before.
That evening, Gu Zhen returned home.
He immediately noticed something was wrong.
Li Xinyue was sitting in the living room, reading documents.
“You saw the news?”
He asked.
She looked up.
“You already know?”
Gu Zhen nodded.
His expression was calm.
“Yes.”
Li Xinyue studied his face.
She wanted to know.
Would he believe the rumors?
In her previous life, she always feared his judgment.
But now…
She waited.
After a moment, Gu Zhen spoke.
“I don’t believe it.”
Her eyes widened slightly.
“You don’t even ask what happened?”
Gu Zhen looked at her.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I know my wife.”
Those simple words made her heart ache.
In her previous life, she spent years doubting him.
“Gu Zhen…”
He walked closer.
“Xinyue.”
His voice softened.
“Do you need my help?”
She looked at him.
Then she smiled.
“Not this time.”
A small surprise appeared in his eyes.
“I want to solve it myself.”
Gu Zhen nodded.
“Okay.”
No argument.
No doubt.
Only support.
The next day, Li Xinyue held a press conference.
Many reporters arrived, expecting to see a nervous heiress trying to defend herself.
But when Li Xinyue appeared…
Everyone became quiet.
She looked confident.
Calm.
Powerful.
“I know everyone has questions about the recent rumors.”
She stood in front of the cameras.
“Today, I will answer everything.”
She placed several documents on the table.
“These are the complete records of every business cooperation mentioned in the rumors.”
The reporters looked surprised.
“And this…”
She placed another file down.
“Is evidence showing who created these false reports.”
The room exploded with noise.
Everyone turned shocked.
Li Xinyue looked directly at the cameras.
“Trying to destroy someone’s reputation with lies has consequences.”
Her voice became cold.
“And I will make sure those responsible understand that.”
Somewhere far away…
Lin Meiqi watched the live broadcast.
Her face slowly changed.
Impossible.
Li Xinyue had not broken down.
She had not cried.
She had not begged for forgiveness.
Instead…
She had turned the trap against them.
For the first time, Lin Meiqi felt afraid.
The woman who returned from the past was no longer someone she could control.