The morning sun cast long shadows over Qiong City's financial district, where the gleaming Xin Corporation tower stood as a monument to power. Inside her corner office on the 78th floor, Qiao Zhi sipped her jasmine tea while reviewing security feeds showing a growing crowd at the building's entrance. Her thumb brushed the platinum engagement band on her left hand-a silent reminder of what she fought to protect.
"Vice President Xin?" Her assistant Ling tapped the doorframe, tablet clutched to her chest. "They've brought megaphones. The livestream viewers just passed two million."
Qiao Zhi didn't look up from the surveillance monitor where Xing Jiancen's florid face filled the screen, spittle flying as he shouted, "My own flesh and blood sold herself to this corporate whore! The Xins corrupted her!" Behind him, stepsiblings Xing Qing and the twins waved printed spreadsheets-crude forgeries claiming Gu Yangjin embezzled family funds.
"Tell maintenance to disable the exterior sprinklers," Qiao Zhi said calmly. "We wouldn't want our guests getting... drenched before the main event."
Three Hours Earlier - Xing Family Compound
Xing Qing slammed her designer purse onto the marble breakfast bar. "Twenty-seven million social media mentions about their bridal portraits, and we're not even tagged? I'm her sister!"
"Half-sister," corrected her mother, applying lipstick in a compact mirror. "Though given how that ungrateful wretch denies us, you might as well be strangers."
Xing Jiancen crushed a financial newspaper beneath his fist, the front page showing Gu Yangjin and Qiao Zhi at a charity gala. "The Chengrui merger would've been ours if she'd introduced me to Xin Luo! Now the Zhous are snickering at the club about my 'failed investment'!" His face purpled as he watched a viral video of Madam Xin hand-feeding Gu Yangjin dumplings during a live interview. "MY daughter! MY connections!"
The youngest twin scrolled through Gu Yangjin's verified social account, where fans praised her "#RelationshipGoals" with Qiao Zhi. "We should sue for emotional distress. Maybe get a cut of her influencer earnings-"
CRASH
Xing Jiancen's favorite Ming vase exploded against the wall. "Earnings? She's engaged to a billionaire heiress! We're entitled to wedding gifts! Dowry! Corporate shares!" He seized his wife's arm, wedding ring digging into her flesh. "You said the orphanage papers were airtight! That she'd come crawling back!"
Madam Xing winced but kept her voice sweet. "Darling, we'll make her regret this. Remember the photos from her university days? The ones where she-"
"Fuck subtlety." Xing Qing snatched car keys from the bowl. "Let's give those lovebirds a reality check."
Xin Corporation Plaza - Present Time
Qiao Zhi watched from her panoramic window as Xing Qing mounted a makeshift stage, crocodile tears gleaming under camera lights. "My sister Huanming changed after meeting Vice President Xin! They've brainwashed her with money and... and unnatural influences!"
Xing Jiancen, the patriarch, red-faced and trembling with rage, stood at the center of the crowd, shouting into a megaphone, his voice hoarse but venomous. "My daughter! Gu Yangjin! She's a money-hungry traitor! She abandoned her family, sold herself to the Xin family for wealth and power!"
Beside him, his stepsister Xing Qing sobbed dramatically, clutching a stack of forged documents accusing Gu Yangjin of embezzlement and betrayal. The stepbrothers shouted insults, while Madam Xing tried to maintain some semblance of dignity, but her eyes darted nervously as cameras flashed and reporters jostled for position.
The crowd murmured-a mix of curious office workers and hired protesters waving "FAMILY FIRST" banners. Reporters shoved microphones forward, hungry for scandal.
Gu Yangjin's voice came through Qiao Zhi's earpiece, steady but laced with tension. "Zhizhi... the backup servers in Switzerland just verified the last transaction records. We're ready."
Qiao Zhi touched her comm piece. "Wait for my signal, love."
As the Xing family's protest escalated outside the company headquarters, Qiao Zhi's phone buzzed.
"Vice President Xin," her assistant Ling whispered, "The media is swarming. Reporters are live-streaming, and netizens are already reacting online. The hashtag #XingFamilyDrama is trending worldwide. Should we...?"
Qiao Zhi's lips curved into a confident smile. She had been expecting this. Her gaze hardened as two simple words escaped her mouth which contained the power to turn the whole Xing family upside down, "Release it."
Below, Xing Jiancen snatched a microphone, veins bulging. "The Xins think they can buy my daughter's silence? Well I-"
SPLASH
The rooftop sprinklers erupted, dousing the Xing entourage in recycled pond water. As they sputtered, the giant LED screen behind them flickered to life, projecting a montage of documents:
The screen displayed a barrage of documents, photos, and audio clips:
Tax Evasion: Detailed financial records showing the Xing family's deliberate underreporting of income, falsification of invoices, and illegal offshore accounts. The government had been investigating for years, but the family's influence had kept the case under wraps-until now.
Fraud and Embezzlement: Proof that Xing Jiancen siphoned millions from family businesses, including funds meant for Gu Yangjin's education and medical care.
Child Abuse: Hospital records and testimonies revealing that Gu Yangjin was physically and emotionally abused as a child, with injuries untreated and neglected.
Murder and Cover-up: Audio recordings of Madam Xing's voice ordering the "removal" of Gu Yangjin's mother, who died under suspicious circumstances after a mysterious car accident.
Human Trafficking Links: Evidence connecting Xing Qing and the stepbrothers to an international trafficking ring, using their business fronts as cover.
Forgery and Identity Fraud: Documents proving the family illegally altered Gu Yangjin's birth records to erase her from the family registry.
Sexual Harassment and Exploitation: Testimonies from former employees accusing the stepbrothers of abusing their positions to exploit vulnerable staff.
The crowd's gasp echoed through the plaza. Qiao Zhi pressed a button, flooding every major news outlet with evidence packets tagged #XingFamilyCrimes.
Within moments, the narrative flipped. The Xing family went from victims to villains in the eyes of the public.
Social media exploded with hashtags like #JusticeForXingHuanming, #ExposeXingFamily, and #ToxicLegacy. Influencers, celebrities, and ordinary users joined the chorus, sharing stories of abuse, corruption, and greed.
A viral video montage compiled by netizens showed headlines from past scandals linked to the Xing family, including:
Fake charity events used as fronts for money laundering
Illegal gambling dens operated by the stepbrothers
Bribery of local officials to avoid prosecution
Illegal prescription drug distribution networks run by family associates
The public outrage was palpable.
Across social media platforms, the public was captivated. The Xing family's public outburst was quickly dissected by millions.
Comments flooded in:
"Typical toxic family drama. But wait, why are they calling her a 'money-loving slut'? That's disgusting."
"I did some digging-Xing Jiancen's name popped up in a tax evasion scandal last year. Could this be payback?"
"The stepbrothers look like spoiled brats who never worked a day in their lives."
"Madam Xing's Instagram shows luxury cars and designer bags, but no charity work. Wonder where their money really comes from."
"Xing Huanming deserves so much better. She's brave for standing up to these monsters."
The online community rallied behind Gu Yangjin and Qiao Zhi, calling for justice and exposing the Xing family's dark secrets.
Back outside, the Xing family's faces drained of color as police officers and government officials arrived.
"Xing Jiancen, you are under arrest for tax evasion, fraud, child abuse, and obstruction of justice," an officer read aloud, holding up a warrant.
Xing Qing's voice cracked as she pleaded, "This is a setup! We demand a fair trial!"
But the crowd jeered, and cameras caught every moment.
Inside the Vice president's office,
Xin Luo walked up beside Qiao Zhi, crisp navy suit untouched by the chaos below. "Mother wants them arrested before lunch. The Prime Minister's office just called-apparently Xing Jiancen's tax fraud involves three cabinet members."
Qiao Zhi nodded, eyes fixed on the screen where police cars now peeled into the plaza. "Tell mother we'll need extra seats at Sunday dinner. Xingxing is inviting her old nanny-the one who hid her from Xing's debt collectors."
A smile ghosted over Xin Luo's lips. "You've grown ruthless, little sister."
"Protective," Qiao Zhi corrected as the live feed showed Xing Qing and Xing Jiancen screaming while officers cuffed her wrists. "She gave them every chance to walk away."
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