No Second Chances Apocalypse

| September 24, 2023 - 3:45 PM

Lin parked outside Lucas's apartment complex, a mid-range building on the quieter side of town. Secure. Functional. Nothing fancy.

She grabbed the two bags of food and headed up, knocking twice on his door.

Footsteps. A brief pause. Then the lock clicked.

The door opened just enough for Lucas to narrow his eyes at her.

"…Zhang?"

Lin smirked. "Fang."

Lucas leaned against the frame, arms crossed. "Did I forget I owed you money or something?"

Lin shoved the grocery bags into his hands. "Nope. Just making sure you and your kid eat something decent."

Lucas blinked. Actually blinked. Like his brain needed a second to process that.

"…What?"

Before he could argue, a small voice piped up from inside.

"Auntie Lin?"

Lin looked past him just in time to see Jake Fang peeking around his dad's leg, his dark eyes bright with recognition.

Lin grinned. "Hey, kid."

Jake stared at the bags. "Is that… food?"

Lucas sighed, stepping back to let her in. "Yeah, kid. Looks like Zhang's decided to start donating to us."

Lin walked past him, completely unbothered. "I prefer 'strategic investment.'"

| September 24, 2023 - 3:50 PM

Lucas set the bags on the kitchen counter and started unpacking. His expression stayed flat, but Lin noticed the way his movements slowed slightly when he pulled out the fresh produce.

Jake, meanwhile, gasped dramatically when he saw the milk jar. "Real milk!"

Lin chuckled. "What have you been drinking? Powdered stuff?"

Jake nodded vigorously, grabbing the jar like it was a rare treasure.

Lucas ran a hand down his face. "Kid, we're not cavemen. We have regular milk."

Jake ignored him completely.

Lin crossed her arms, smirking. "You're welcome, by the way."

Lucas gave her a long look. "Why are you actually doing this?"

Lin shrugged. "Told you. Investment."

Lucas arched an eyebrow. "In what?"

Lin met his gaze, her smirk fading just slightly.

"…The future."

Lucas studied her for a moment, then sighed. "You are so damn weird, Zhang."

Lin grinned. "Get used to it."

| September 24, 2023 - 4:05 PM

She left them with a well-stocked kitchen and a very confused Lucas Fang.

| September 24, 2023 - 5:12 PM

Lin parked a block away from The Ember Club, a small, upscale lounge tucked between a luxury hotel and a private spa. The kind of place where discretion was expected—and secrets were made.

And Vivian Zhao had plenty of them.

Lin had never cared before.

But now?

Now, she needed leverage.

| September 24, 2023 - 5:15 PM

She stepped inside, heels clicking softly against polished floors. The scent of expensive perfume and aged whiskey filled the air.

Dim lighting. Red velvet booths. Soft jazz playing in the background.

A waiter approached, eyeing her outfit—casual but sharp, a businesswoman who didn't quite belong but had money to spend.

"Table for one?" he asked smoothly.

Lin smiled. "Actually, I'm meeting someone."

She wasn't.

But she was here to watch.

She scanned the room, taking in the crowd. Corporate executives. Wealthy businessmen. A few politicians. And, of course—

Pretty young men.

Men in designer suits, men with sharp cheekbones and easy smiles. The kind Vivian Zhao liked to collect.

And there she was.

Vivian sat in a private corner booth, wine glass in hand, laughing at something a tall, golden-haired model was whispering in her ear.

Lin took a seat at the bar, her position perfectly angled to watch without being obvious.

Vivian leaned closer to the man, fingers trailing over his wrist, her lips painted deep red. The man smirked, clearly used to being admired.

Lin tapped a finger against the bar. So predictable.

Vivian wasn't just cheating on William Zhao. She was a serial offender.

And Lucas Fang? He had just been an easy scapegoat.

Lin exhaled slowly. That was fine.

Because now?

She had exactly what she needed.

| September 24, 2023 - 5:50 PM

She finished her drink, pulled out her phone, and snapped a single, clear photo.

Then, without a sound, she slipped out of the club.

Vivian Zhao had ruined Lucas's career.

Now?

Lin was going to ruin hers.

| September 24, 2023 - 6:22 PM

Lin didn't leave.

Not yet.

She had a photo, but a photo could be denied. Excuses could be made—"It's just a friendly conversation," "That's an old acquaintance."

No.

She needed something undeniable.

So she walked around the block, found a back entrance to the Ember Club, and waited.

| September 24, 2023 - 6:45 PM

The VIP exit was predictable.

Discreet. No security cameras. Used by people who didn't want to be seen coming and going together.

Vivian Zhao stumbled out first, laughing, her heels clicking against the pavement.

She wasn't drunk—just flushed with excitement.

And right behind her?

The blond model, grinning like a man who had already won.

Lin watched from the shadow of a nearby alley, her phone already recording.

| September 24, 2023 - 6:47 PM

Vivian turned, grabbing the man's tie, pulling him closer.

He chuckled. "Getting impatient?"

Vivian smirked. "I hate waiting."

And then—she kissed him.

Not a polite kiss. Not a casual brush of lips.

A full, deep, hands-gripping-his-shirt kind of kiss.

Lin zoomed in slightly, making sure she got the angle, the lighting, the unmistakable face of William Zhao's wife wrapped around another man.

| September 24, 2023 - 6:50 PM

They finally broke apart, Vivian whispering something against his lips before pulling him toward a waiting car.

Lin stopped recording.

She glanced at the crystal-clear video on her screen.

Perfect.

She pocketed her phone and walked away.

Vivian Zhao had framed Lucas, cost him everything.

Now?

Lin had the ammunition to burn her world down.