After an entire day of meetings and strategic discussions, the shareholders gradually left the building to carry out their assigned tasks.
The executive floor finally grew quiet.
Inside the conference hall, Zhi Lia turned off the tablet in her hands, her expression unreadable. The exhaustion in her eyes was faint—but present.
Shen Hiro stepped forward.
"Boss, your elder brother has returned. He's waiting in your office."
Zhi Lia immediately rose from her seat.
The sudden movement made her vision blur. She swayed slightly, nearly losing her balance—but Shen Hiro was already beside her, steadying her arm.
"Boss, your body isn't well. You just—"
"It's fine," she cut him off calmly. "I'm only tired. Take me to him."
She straightened her posture as if nothing had happened.
Shen Hiro could only sigh inwardly before escorting her out of the conference hall.
⸻
CEO Office – Zhi Corporation
The new CEO's office was decorated in shades of gray with sleek, modern aesthetics. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city skyline, giving the space an imposing presence befitting its occupant.
Yet the sight inside the room was anything but dignified.
A young man in ragged clothes lay sprawled across the sofa. Dirt smudged his face, and his hair was messy as if he had been sleeping outdoors for days.
No one would have guessed he was Zhi Shun—the Young Master of the Zhi Family and Zhi Lia's elder brother.
The moment Zhi Lia entered, her sharp eyes swept over him. Shen Haru and Shen Hao stood silently nearby, not daring to speak.
Without hesitation, Zhi Lia walked forward and kicked the sofa lightly.
Zhi Shun tumbled off with a loud thud.
"Who dares kick this Young Master?! I'll see who—" He sprang up furiously, ready to lash out.
Then he froze.
"Oh… my baby sister!"
His murderous expression instantly melted into exaggerated affection. He rushed toward her, eyes sparkling.
"My baby sister is finally home! When did you come back?" he exclaimed, attempting to hug her tightly.
Zhi Lia stiffened slightly, speechless at his childish behavior.
She glanced briefly at Shen Haru and Shen Hao.
They shook their heads subtly—they hadn't told him anything.
Zhi Shun continued rubbing his head against her shoulder dramatically.
"Where have you been for the past three months?" Zhi Lia asked coldly, pushing him away slightly. "Do you even know what has happened to the Zhi Family?"
Her gaze was probing.
No matter how carefree he acted, she knew her brother well. He might be reckless and unpredictable, but he would never disappear without reason.
Hearing the seriousness in her voice, Zhi Shun sighed deeply and dropped onto the sofa beside her.
"A year ago, Father wanted me to take over the company—and marry the Second Daughter of the Ping Family," he said with visible annoyance. "But your brother refused!"
He puffed up his chest dramatically.
"I still want to travel the world and enjoy my passionate youth! How could I bury myself under piles of documents and tie myself to a political marriage? I'd go crazy!"
Zhi Lia's expression didn't soften.
"That doesn't explain your disappearance."
He ran a hand through his messy hair.
"Just let me finish. Three months after Father brought it up, he suddenly withdrew the proposal. That's when I sensed something was wrong—especially with the branch family."
His tone shifted.
"Even if I look crazy, I'm not stupid. I accidentally discovered Third Uncle dealing with the Yao Family. I didn't run away to avoid responsibility—I went to investigate and gather evidence."
He gestured to his filthy clothes.
"I was spying on Yao Louting. That's why I look like this! But then these two suddenly appeared and ruined my cover."
He glared at Shen Haru and Shen Hao, who remained completely unmoved.
Zhi Lia silently pieced everything together.
Knowing how her brother's mind worked, his explanation made sense.
Zhi Shun suddenly grinned again.
"Anyway, now that you're the new CEO, that's perfect! I'm free! Father won't nag me about the company or marriage anymore!"
He laughed loudly, completely unaware.
Zhi Lia's eyes darkened.
"Do you know what happened to Father… and Zhi Lei?"
Her voice was steady—but restrained.
Zhi Shun blinked.
"I've been busy investigating. Did something happen? Why would anything happen to Zhi Lei? She's in Spain with you… wait, did she come back too?"
Zhi Lia held his gaze.
"After you left, Father fell gravely ill. He is now in a coma."
Her fingers tightened slightly.
"And Zhi Lei… she passed away."
Silence.
Zhi Shun stared at her blankly.
"W-what? I must have misheard. What did you just say?"
His usual playfulness was gone.
"Zhi Lia, you're not good at jokes. Don't mess with me."
A cold edge surfaced in his voice.
"Shun-ge," she said quietly, "do I look like I'm joking?"
Their eyes met.
For the first time, Zhi Shun saw no trace of teasing—only grief.
Without another word, he turned and strode out of the office abruptly.
"Boss," Shen Hao asked cautiously, "Young Master won't run away again… right?"
"No," Zhi Lia replied calmly. "He's heading back to the ancestral home."
She stood.
"Shen Hiro, finish settling the company matters. I'll return home."
She walked toward the door, her expression unreadable.
Knowing her brother, she could already imagine the storm raging in his mind.
If she hadn't stopped him, he might truly have stormed into the branch family's residence and started a massacre.
And tonight—
The real confrontation within the Zhi Family would begin.