My sister, whom I raised, has turned evil after faking her death for three years.

Shortly after, there was a knock on the office door.

"Come in."

Jiang Ran withdrew her hand from the screen, and the expression on her face returned to that cold and distant calm the moment the door opened.

Lin Zhi pushed open the door and came in, holding a thick stack of documents in her hand.

She wore a smart, dark black suit dress, her hair was neatly styled in a bun, her makeup was exquisite, and her steps were steady. She still looked like that professional and composed assistant.

But if you look closely, you'll notice that her complexion isn't very good.

There's a faint bluish-gray ring around my eyes, a mark that even layers of foundation couldn't completely cover.

Her walking posture was also slightly unnatural. She walked very steadily and properly, but when she sat down, she still couldn't completely suppress that very subtle, almost instinctive pause.

She placed the documents in front of Jiang Ran.

"Miss, the cooperation agreement from Biaosheng Group has arrived. These are their preliminary terms, and the legal department has marked several key areas that require further negotiation."

Jiang Ran reached out and took the documents, flipped to the first page, and quickly scanned the densely packed clauses.

Her expression was calm and focused, a stark contrast to when she was caressing her sister's face in front of the screen just moments before.

"Furthermore," Lin Zhi continued, her tone professional and efficient, "Gu Lei is also preparing to intervene in this South City project. His people have already started contacting several key locations in South City, seemingly trying to seize the land first. Should we take some measures?"

Jiang Ran closed the document and gently placed it on the table.

  

Her lips twitched slightly, but the curve wasn't exactly a smile; it was more like a confident and assured expression.

"No."

Lin Zhi was slightly taken aback.

"Let him fight if he wants to," Jiang Ran leaned back in her chair, her eyes flashing with a calm yet sharp light. "Anyway, Biao Sheng's final cooperation intention will only fall on our side."

Her tone was calm and unhurried, as if she were stating a fact that had already been established.

"Since he's so eager to be a tool, let him be one. We can take over after he's finished dealing with the tough parts in the early stages."

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhi silently reviewed the entire situation in her mind and then nodded.

She had worked for the young lady for quite some time and knew that the young lady never made decisions without being sure of them.

She said that if Biao Sheng would eventually fall to their side, then she must have her reasons and methods.

Gu Lei has probably really fallen into a huge pit this time, and he even thinks he has found a treasure.

"Okay, I understand. I'll go now."

Lin Zhi stood up, turned around, and prepared to leave.

"Lin Zhi".

Jiang Ran called out to her.

Lin Zhi stopped and turned to look at Jiang Ran.

Jiang Ran was looking at her with concern, her eyes quiet yet sharp, as if scanning some details.

"You don't look too well," Jiang Ran said, her tone still calm but with a hint of concern. "Didn't you sleep well last night?"

Lin Zhi's lips twitched very slightly.

It happened so fast that most people wouldn't even notice.

But certain images were already flashing through her mind involuntarily... a dimly lit bedroom, her begging for mercy but the other person still... and that person who was doing the worst things, yet still had a cold expression like an ascetic scholar.

The discomfort there became exceptionally clear in an instant.

"It's alright..." Lin Zhi's expression remained unchanged, her voice steady without a single flaw. "I'm probably just a little tired lately, it's nothing serious."

"Also, your walking posture doesn't seem quite right," Jiang Ran frowned slightly, her tone becoming more concerned. "Is your leg or foot uncomfortable? If anything is bothering you, remember to see Wen Liang. She's the chief physician; let her give you a thorough check-up."

Lin Zhi's lips twitched again.

This time the bleeding was even more obvious than before, and I almost couldn't control it.

Should we get Wen Liang to check? Every inch of her body is now covered in wounds inflicted by Wen Liang.

The young lady could never have imagined what that woman did to her under the guise of an examination.

"No need," Lin Zhi quickly composed herself, bowed slightly, and tried to keep her tone calm. "Thank you for your concern, Miss. It's nothing serious; I'll be fine after a rest."

Jiang Ran glanced at her, said nothing more, and simply nodded.

Lin Zhi turned and walked out of the office. The moment she closed the door, she leaned against the wall in the corridor, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.

The corridor was empty, and she could finally let herself reveal the expression she had been suppressing for so long—a complex expression mixed with shame, anger, and some other indescribable emotion.

Gentle and kind.

She gritted her teeth, forcing herself to shake the name out of her mind, then straightened her back and walked step by step toward her workstation in her high heels.

Every step hurts.

But she walked without leaving a trace... perhaps...

In the office, Jiang Ran watched Lin Zhi close the door and leave, remained silent for a few seconds, then picked up her phone and dialed a number.

The call was answered quickly.

"Miss?" A gentle voice came from the receiver, cool yet warm, still with that professional tone that made people feel like they were bathed in a spring breeze.

"Wenliang," Jiang Ran got straight to the point, "Lin Zhi came to me to report on her work just now. She looked unwell and walked unsteadily. She must be feeling unwell. Could you take her to get checked out later?"

On the other end of the phone, Wen Liang raised his eyebrows slightly.

She was sitting in her office, an open medical journal in front of her, her phone in her left hand, and the touch of last night still lingering on the fingertips of her right hand.

When she heard Jiang Ran say "walking a little unnaturally," the corners of her mouth curved into a meaningful arc.

"Yes, Miss, I'll go see her in a bit." Wenliang's voice was still the same gentle and proper one that no one could find fault with.

"She said no," Jiang Ran added, "but I think she might be too focused on her work. She doesn't want to get checked even when she's not feeling well, so you should tell her that I asked her to go. If it were me, she would have to go, and she would have to let me know if anything happened."

Wen Liang's smile deepened even more.

"Okay, I understand. Don't worry, Miss, I will definitely give Secretary Lin a thorough 'inspection'."

"Yes, thank you for your hard work."

"It's not hard work, it's my job."

The phone hangs up.

Wen Liang placed his phone on the table and lightly tapped the pages of the journal twice with his right hand, the rhythm quick and pleasant.

Then she stood up, took a portable medical kit from the drawer, checked the instruments inside, closed the lid, picked it up, and walked out of the office at a leisurely pace.

She walked with a calm and elegant gait, the hem of her white coat swaying gently behind her, and a warm and professional smile on her face.

When a passing nurse greeted her, she nodded in response, her expression as dignified as a true angel in white.

But no one noticed the fleeting glint in the depths of her eyes, the kind of light a hunter shows when he locks onto his prey.