:
The temperature inside the boardroom seemed to drop to freezing point.
On the massive projector screen, a cartoon image glowed brightly—
Zain Yan, drawn with sharp horns, a devil's tail, and a trident in his hand.
Beneath it, bold letters screamed:
"THE COLD-BLOODED wolf."
Time stopped.
Anya Lu's world collapsed into silence.
Her pupils dilated in shock, her breath caught painfully in her throat, and her body stiffened as if someone had turned her into stone. The file in her hands trembled uncontrollably. Her fingers felt numb, almost lifeless.
Slowly—terrified—she lifted her gaze toward Zain.
His jaw was clenched so tightly that the muscles along his neck bulged visibly. The veins near his temples throbbed with restrained fury. And yet… his face was terrifyingly calm.
That calm was far more frightening than anger.
It was the kind of stillness that arrived just before a storm destroyed everything in its path.
Around the table, whispers spread like wildfire. Investors exchanged glances, confusion and amusement flickering across their faces.
Then—
Qian moved.
📉 Qian's Masterstroke
Understanding the severity of the situation instantly, Qian stood up from his chair with practiced composure. A professional smile appeared on his face as he clapped his hands lightly, drawing everyone's attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he announced smoothly, "what you're seeing is actually part of our latest marketing research."
The room quieted.
"We're analyzing how the Gen-Z audience perceives authority figures—especially powerful CEOs. This humor-based approach gives us insight into emotional branding. It's a bold and innovative step for our upcoming app."
The investors' expressions shifted. Curiosity replaced shock.
Before doubts could resurface, Zain spoke.
His voice was deep, cold, and commanding.
"Exactly. We don't believe in boring presentations," he said calmly.
"But… the main file will be displayed shortly."
As he spoke, his eyes slowly moved—locking directly onto Anya.
Without lifting his hand above the table, he subtly raised two fingers and gestured toward the exit.
The message was unmistakable.
Leave. Now. Bring the real file. Or don't expect mercy.
Anya swallowed hard.
Her head lowered in shame as she turned and stumbled out of the room, her legs weak beneath her.
🏃♀️ Anya's Desperate Run
She ran.
Her sandals echoed sharply against the marble floor—tap, tap, tap—each sound amplifying her panic in the otherwise silent office.
Her chest burned as she gasped for breath. Sweat formed along her hairline, sliding down her temples.
"How could I be so stupid?" she whispered, her voice breaking.
When she reached her desk, her heart nearly stopped.
There it was.
The real file.
The complete 500-page project lay exactly where she had left it.
She grabbed it desperately and sprinted back toward the elevator—then stopped.
The wait would take too long.
Without hesitation, she turned and rushed toward the stairwell.
Down she ran, clutching the file to her chest, her grip slipping again and again as her hands trembled. Fear chased her with every step.
By the time she reached the boardroom again, her lungs felt like they were on fire.
She handed the file to Qian with shaking hands.
Qian gave her a brief, reassuring glance.
Zain?
He didn't look at her even once.
🌩️ After the Storm — Zain's True Face
The meeting ended successfully.
Investors left impressed, conversations buzzing with excitement. Qian released a quiet breath of relief and gently patted Anya's shoulder before exiting.
The door closed.
Now, only two people remained.
Zain Yan…
and Anya Lu, standing as if awaiting her execution.
Zain rose slowly from his chair and walked toward the door.
Click.
He locked it.
An icy chill ran straight down Anya's spine. Her back pressed against the wall instinctively, her body shaking violently.
"Come here," Zain said softly.
His tone was disturbingly gentle—sweet in a way that made her heart pound with terror.
Step by step, Anya moved closer.
Zain stood so near that she could feel the warmth of his body, smell the familiar expensive cologne that once confused her heart.
He slammed the file onto the desk.
"Do you think this is a joke?" Zain roared.
His voice echoed through the room, forcing Anya to stumble back.
"I stayed awake all night fixing those five hundred pages," he continued coldly, "just so you could walk in here and turn me into a laughingstock?"
His eyes burned.
"Careless people like you are the filth of this company."
Anya's face drained of color. Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Her fingers twisted the fabric of her dress desperately.
"Sir… I thought—"
"You don't need to think!" Zain snapped, stepping closer.
"You only need to follow instructions—something you're clearly incapable of!"
He leaned down, his eyes piercing straight into hers.
And behind the anger…
there was something darker.
Hatred.
He lowered his voice near her ear.
"Do you know something, Anya Lu?" he whispered.
"If you weren't an employee of this company, I would've thrown you out onto the street."
Each word struck her heart like a blade.
"Your single mistake put Zain Yan's name at risk. You're a failure. And perhaps that's why you don't even deserve to be the dust beneath my feet."
Anya didn't cry.
She didn't scream.
But her lips trembled violently.
Zain glared at her one last time—then turned and stormed out.
😭 Anya's Loneliness and the Hidden Truth
The moment the door shut, Anya collapsed to the floor.
The silence crushed her.
Tears finally spilled from her eyes, soaking her cheeks as she hugged herself tightly.
"How could I ruin everything?" she sobbed.
"Twice… twice he saved me. And twice I humiliated him."
She wiped her face, trembling.
"If it happens again… I won't survive here."
She didn't know—
That Zain Yan wasn't looking at her as just an employee.
Zain's Flashback
Inside his cabin, Zain opened a locked drawer and pulled out an old photograph.
A man stared back at him.
Lu Kang.
The man who had destroyed his family years ago.
Zain didn't yet know that Anya was Lu Kang's niece.
He only knew one thing—
Her surname was Lu.
His fist tightened around the photograph.
"Lu Kang…" he muttered darkly.
"You took everything from me."
His eyes hardened.
"I'll start with your family this time. Anya Lu is just a pawn."
He crushed the photo.
"She must fall… before I erase her completely."
Outside, Anya stood up, wiping her tears.
Unaware—
That the monster she feared wasn't trying to destroy her career.
He was preparing to destroy her entire world.