---
Liang Yexuan's gaze followed Jin Shu's subtle nudge.
Across the street, beneath the harsh glare of the afternoon sun, a familiar silhouette caught his eye.
It was her.
Lin Yue stood by the curb, one hand shielding her eyes as she waved at a casually dressed woman heading into the hospital.
She looked... softer somehow—calmer, quieter.
In her other hand, she clutched a sheet of paper, the edges fluttering in the breeze.
He couldn't see what it was, but the way she held it close to her chest stirred something strange in his chest.
A taxi pulled up.
Without hesitation, she stepped inside.
—
His sharp eyes followed the vehicle as it merged with traffic and disappeared around the corner.
Why was she here? His brows drew together deeper. She looked fine this morning. Was she sick? Was it serious?
His mind ran wild, spiraling with thoughts he didn't want to admit.
Then, as if snapping out of it, he shook his head sharply.
What was he doing?
Why was he worrying so much? Why was his mind running wild at just the sight of her in front of a hospital?
He leaned back, expression darkening. "Let's go," he said coldly. "To the Liang Mansion."
"Yes, Young Master," the driver replied as the car pulled away.
—
From the front seat, Jin Shu watched through the mirror.
That look in his young master's eyes wasn't simple curiosity.
It was concern.
The way his brow had furrowed… the way his gaze had tracked the cab…
He was worried.
Jin Shu nodded slightly to himself.
Lin Yue had clearly gotten under his skin, whether he admitted it or not.
Jin Shu had watched Liang Yexuan long enough to know when something was quietly shaking him.
Miss Lin Yue... she wasn't as ordinary as Liang Yexuan wanted to believe.
She was smart. Fearless.
That morning, in the face of danger, she'd thought to record everything. Who else would have done that?
And beautiful too. She was certainly more of a match for his young master than that vile woman...
Su Meilin.
Jin Shu's expression darkened as his stomach turned at the thought. Disgusting woman…
He still remembered the day they uncovered the surveillance footage.
The nauseating acts she'd tried to keep hidden.
The way she smiled sweetly on the outside while doing things behind closed doors that would shock even the most cold-hearted criminal.
And this was supposed to be the future Princess of the Liang Family?
Princess of the Su family? Ha.
Future Princess of the nation? Ridiculous.
He shuddered.
The moment he'd watched those videos, he'd nearly thrown up last week's dinner.
Su Meilin had the face of an angel and the heart of a snake. She was unworthy of standing beside his Young Master.
But Liang Yexuan hadn't exposed her. Not yet.
Jin Shu wasn't sure why.
He glanced again at Liang Yexuan, who was now staring blankly out the window, lost in thought.
The young master hadn't said a word about what he intended to do with all the evidence.
He didn't know what Liang Yexuan was planning.
He never exposed his cards unless he was ready to destroy the entire board.
For now, Jin Shu could only wait.
But he knew one thing.
The day Su Meilin's secrets were revealed... even hell wouldn't want to keep her.
---
Liang Mansion — One Hour Ago
The garden was silent except for the gentle trickle of the koi pond's waterfall.
Old Master Liang sat beside it, his wrinkled fingers slowly tossing bits of feed into the pond. The koi swam lazily, glinting in the late sunlight.
His weathered hands rested on the armrests, his mind drifting.
"It's been too long since I heard from that old bones," he murmured, referring to his longtime friend, Su Baotian.
He motioned to a nearby bodyguard. "Bring me my phone."
The bodyguard bowed respectfully and quickly handed over the sleek device.
Old Master Liang scrolled through his contacts, a faint frown forming.
Finally, he pressed on Su Baotian's name.
The call connected—but the voice that answered wasn't who he expected.
"Hello? Master Liang, it's me—Su Zhenghao."
Old Master Liang stiffened. "Where's your father?"
—
There was a pause on the other end.
Su Zhenghao, seated in his office, closed his eyes briefly and massaged his temple.
How could I have forgotten to inform him…? he cursed inwardly.
"We… we forgot to tell you," he said sheepishly.
"Tell me what?" Old Master Liang's voice turned cold.
Su Zhenghao hesitated, then said, "My father fainted at home a week ago… He's been hospitalized since then. He was meant to be discharged today, but he collapsed again."
Silence.
Long, cold silence.
"Which hospital?" Old Master Liang finally asked.
"Our private one," Su Zhenghao replied.
"Mm."
There was a beat.
"You think you've grown up now, eh?" Old Master Liang said coldly, before hanging up without another word.
---
The line went dead.
Back at the Su Cooperation, Su Zhenghao exhaled deeply. He dropped the phone onto his desk and leaned back.
He looked at the towering stack of documents on his desk and felt overwhelmed.
Lately, everything's falling apart…
A company in Hangzhou had somehow stolen the tender he'd fought weeks to secure. Another corporation had snatched away a critical partnership he had with a conglomerate in the Capital.
It was as if someone in the shadows was pulling strings.
Everywhere he turned, there was fire to put out.
He didn't know what was happening.
But the timing… it was too coincidental.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he shakes his head.
Reaching for his phone again, he dialed his daughter.
---
At Elva Allure, in Su Meilin's office, Su Meilin sat in her sleek office, overlooking the busy city skyline. She was tapping her manicured fingers on the glass table as she discussed final product releases with her assistant, Lu Anran.
"I want the product launched by tomorrow afternoon," Su Meilin said firmly. "No delays."
"Yes, President Su," Lu Anran nodded. "We've already sent preview packages to the influencers. The official press release will be finalized by tonight."
—
Before she could say more, Su Meilin's phone began to buzz. Her eyes flickered to the caller ID.
"Dad?"
She picked it up. "Hello? Is something wrong? What's going on with Grandpa?"
Su Zhenghao sighed. "Calm down. He's okay. But we forgot to inform Old Master Liang that your grandfather has been in the hospital."
Su Meilin blinked. "I… I didn't even remember…"
Neither did her father, clearly.
"Neither did I," Su Zhenghao instructed. "Go to the Liang Mansion now. Accompany Old Master Liang to visit your grandfather. Maybe it'll smooth things over."
"Okay," she said, standing quickly. She hung up and turned to Lu Anran.
"Push everything to tomorrow morning. Tell Yiren to be at the company early. I have to leave now."
Lu Anran blinked. "Yes, President Su."
Meilin grabbed her handbag and left the office, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.
---