That night, the atmosphere in Danni's apartment felt tense. She had tried to ignore it, but there was a subtle feeling of unease lingering since earlier that day. With Mochi and Happy by her side, she had felt safe, but as darkness fell, the silence became heavy.
Danni stood in the kitchen, preparing tea to calm her nerves, while Mochi curled up in the living room and Happy batted at a stray ribbon on the floor. It was supposed to be an ordinary evening—Chen Ke had told her she'd be home soon. Yet, the sense that something wasn't quite right kept tugging at her thoughts.
Suddenly, there was a faint scratching sound at the door, followed by a low thud against the wall outside. Danni paused, her heart racing. She set her cup down, moving quietly toward the front door. The shadows outside shifted under the hallway light, as if someone was standing just out of view. She took a step back, clutching her phone tightly, unsure of what to do.
Mochi's ears perked up, and he began to growl softly, sensing his owner's apprehension. Even little Happy stopped playing, watching the door with wide eyes.
The sounds outside became more pronounced—soft, unsettling whispers as if someone was speaking just loudly enough for her to hear, without saying anything she could understand. Danni's heart pounded harder, and she felt a surge of fear rise within her.
Gripping her phone, she quickly texted Chen Ke.
Danni: Ke Ke, I think there's someone outside the door... I'm scared.
A response came almost immediately.
Chen Ke: I'm just around the corner, Ny Ny. Lock the door and stay in the kitchen with Mochi and Happy. I'll be there in less than five minutes.
Reassured but still anxious, Danni gathered Mochi and Happy, bringing them into the kitchen and locking the door as Chen Ke had instructed. She could still hear faint noises from outside, and her pulse quickened each time. Moments later, she heard the unmistakable sound of Chen Ke's keys jingling outside, followed by her calm, steady voice.
"It's me, Danni. Open the door."
Danni exhaled in relief, rushing to unlock the door. The moment it swung open, Chen Ke stepped inside, immediately assessing the apartment with sharp eyes. She wrapped an arm protectively around Danni, her expression serious but calm.
"It's okay. I'm here now," Chen Ke whispered, pressing a reassuring kiss to Danni's forehead.
They checked the hallway together, but it was empty; whoever had been lurking outside had vanished as soon as Chen Ke had arrived. Chen Ke's jaw clenched, and she knew this was likely another tactic from her rivals. They were playing with Danni's sense of security, hoping to rattle her.
Once they returned inside, Chen Ke held Danni close, speaking in a soothing voice. "We'll increase security, Ny Ny. I'll make sure this never happens again. They're trying to scare us, but they won't get what they want."
Danni nodded, finally allowing herself to relax in Chen Ke's embrace, comforted by her partner's unwavering strength and resolve.
*********************************************
Chen Ke had been fighting on all fronts to protect her family's business, and her hard work was finally paying off. Over the last few months, she had faced challenge after challenge, and each time, she came out stronger. Her father and cousins stood by her side, and together, they managed to keep their family's reputation intact, even with the constant attacks from rivals.
The backlash started because of the impressive growth of Chen Ke's company, Chen Tech Solutions. Her innovative ideas and modern strategies were pulling in new clients and increasing profits. This success, however, didn't sit well with some of the older businessmen in the industry. These men, stuck in their old ways, couldn't match her speed or her creative approach. They began to resent her for it.
One by one, Chen Ke and her team uncovered who was behind the rumors and sabotage attempts. As it turned out, several of these rivals were indeed older men who struggled to adapt to the fast-paced changes in the business world. Watching Chen Ke's success made them feel left behind, and they resorted to underhanded tactics to try and damage her progress. They saw her as a threat—a young, intelligent woman taking the business world by storm. It threatened their sense of power and control.
But Chen Ke didn't back down. She worked day and night, meeting with her lawyers and board members, analyzing every weak spot in their company's defenses, and reinforcing it. She also focused on staying ahead of the competition, keeping her eyes on what her clients needed and how she could deliver better than anyone else.
With every setback, she found new ways to push forward. She attended meetings with her head held high, answered questions from worried clients with confidence, and took care of each new obstacle with a calm focus that made her even more respected. Her father, watching her handle everything, often looked at her with pride, grateful for the powerful leader she had become.
Eventually, Chen Ke's hard work paid off. The rumors faded, and the rivals' attempts to damage her reputation failed. Clients trusted her more than ever, knowing that she would fight to protect her business and their interests. The rivals were left with nothing but bitterness, forced to watch her rise even higher despite everything they'd thrown her way.
At home, Chen Ke finally had the chance to relax a bit with Danni, Mochi, and their kitten, Happy. The two pets were always by her side, reminding her of the comfort and love she had in her life outside of work. Chen Ke was grateful for the quiet moments with Danni, who had stood by her through every struggle and success.
Chen Ke knew she'd face more challenges in the future, but with her family's support and Danni by her side, she felt ready for anything.
