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The elevator hummed softly as it ascended to the VVIP floor.
Old Master Liang stood silently, his expression unreadable, hands folded behind his back.
His posture was still upright despite his age, the quiet aura of authority surrounding him.
Liang Yexuan stood on the opposite side, hands tucked casually into the pockets of his black coat.
His face was impassive, unreadable, but his sharp jawline and intense gaze could have been carved from marble.
That cold, distant expression—calm, but unreadable.
He exuded the kind of presence that made others second guess approaching him.
Su Meilin, standing beside Old Master Liang, kept her head slightly lowered.
Her heart thudded in her chest, betraying the composed mask on her face.
The moment outside was still replaying in her head like a looped nightmare.
But that wasn't the plan.
She had only instructed Lu Anran to contact three harmless reporters.
Just three.
It was supposed to be a small tease, a gentle stir to get the Elva Allure trending.
Instead, it had looked like a full-scale media ambush.
What just happened? she thought, stealing a glance at the reflection of the tall figure behind Yexuan.
Jin Shu.
He stood behind Yexuan like a shadow, tall and silent.
Not once had he looked at her, but that smirk earlier—subtle, mocking—was etched in her mind.
Was it him? she thought. No… was it Yexuan who arranged all those reporters? But why…?
—
Old Master Liang turned slightly to her, his voice low but firm.
"What happened, Meilin?" he asked. "Did you do that?"
Her eyes widened. She shook her head quickly, voice trembling as she tried to sound composed.
"No, Grandpa Liang… I didn't. I don't know what happened. I swear."
The old master's gaze lingered on her for a second longer. Then, he turned away.
He was old, yes—but not a fool. Years in the military and business world had sharpened his instincts beyond ordinary perception.
That little trick outside?
He saw right through it. But he said nothing.
He turned away in silence.
—
The elevator dinged softly and the doors slid open to the pristine, private world of the VVIP floor.
The corridor was wide, spotless, with sleek panels of soft beige and warm lights glowing from the ceiling.
Silence reigned here, only the distant beep of medical equipment faintly audible.
Two bodyguards immediately stepped forward and began walking behind Old Master Liang and Su Meilin.
Jin Shu and the second bodyguard—who doubled as a driver—walked behind Liang Yexuan with silent efficiency.
Doctors and nurses in white coats turned to look. Some slowed down, pausing as they caught sight of the group.
Their expressions held curiosity, but not much surprise—this floor wasn't new to high-profile guests.
A few paused, recognizing Su Meilin as they bowed politely.
"Young Miss Su."
"Young Miss."
—
But when their eyes fell upon Liang Yexuan, the atmosphere changed.
The tall figure in the tailored black coat, face like it had been carved from stone, eyes distant yet striking.
The young nurses nearly forgot to breathe.
One of them, a petite girl with wide brown eyes, elbowed her friend.
"Hey… hey, look! Look at the guy in the black coat."
Her friend followed her gaze and nearly dropped the tablet in her hands. "Oh my God…"
"Is it me or is he literally glowing? Who is that?" another whispered.
"Shhh! That's Liang Yexuan! You don't know? He's the Prince of the country!"
"Oh my God… is that really him? Liang Yexuan?"
"Shh! Don't stare!"
"He's even more handsome in real life…"
"I saw him on the news sometime ago," a wide-eyed nurse said, barely able to keep her voice down. "That's Liang Yexuan. The Liang Yexuan. He's the Crown Prince of Liang Congromerate. And…" she leaned in conspiratorially, "…Su Meilin's fiancé."
The collective disappointment on their faces could've broken hearts.
"Nooo," one of them whispered. "That's not fair. How can someone that fine be taken?"
"Forget it," another sighed, placing a hand over her chest like she'd been shot. "He looks like he walked straight out of a drama. Cold CEO vibes, right?"
"But damn, did you see his jawline?"
"I'd risk getting fired just to deliver him coffee."
One nurse looked visibly heartbroken, clutching her chest.
"It's such a pity," she whispered. "He's taken… and by her…"
"Tall, cold, and insanely rich… my God!"
"I was going to confess to Dr. Li," one of them said dramatically. "But after seeing that face, I'm deleting his number."
The others giggled, stealing glances as the group passed.
—
They were giggling softly, then immediately straightened when Jin Shu glanced toward them.
His eyes were sharp, and the message was clear: keep your voices down.
Behind the scenes, the head nurse of the floor rushed to call the nurse station downstairs.
"Tell the director to send tea and fruit to Ward 888 immediately. And make sure the staff there look sharp — Old Master Liang and Young Master Yexuan just arrived with Young Miss!"
—
The group stopped in front of Ward 888.
Su Meilin hesitated for a moment, then opened the door.
Inside, the room was warm and filled with the evening sunlight streaming in through the curtains. The TV murmured softly in the background.
Li Yan sat on a cream-colored sofa, her legs crossed, talking to a young nurse who was laughing at something she said.
Old Master Su lay on the bed, asleep.
The door clicked open, and Li Yan turned.
Her smile widened when she saw them.
"Old Master Liang, Yexuan," she greeted nervously, standing up and smoothing her skirt.
Liang Yexuan gave her a slight nod.
Behind him, Old Master Liang walked past her to the bed.
He stood beside his old friend, eyes narrowing slightly at the sight of the tubes and IV drip.
"What happened to him?" Old Master Liang asked, voice low but firm.
Li Yan lowered her head. "I don't know exactly. That day, I was at home… then I heard the guards shouting from the study. When I rushed in, he'd already collapsed. We brought him here immediately."
"He was supposed to be discharged yesterday. But then…"
She paused.
"Another heart attack."
Old Master Liang frowned. "Haven't you investigated? What's going on?"
Li Yan hesitated. "Zhenghao is… looking into it."
But deep down, she wasn't so sure. This father and son were hiding something—she could feel it in her bones.
Before Old Master Liang could ask again, the young nurse who had been seated earlier stepped forward. Her hands trembled slightly.
"Um…"
They all turned to look at her.
She bowed deeply. "I'm sorry."
The room stilled.
Su Meilin furrowed her brows. "What is it?"
Li Yan looked confused as well. "What's wrong?"
Even Liang Yexuan's eyebrow rose slightly, a sign of interest.
The nurse lifted her head, guilt plain in her eyes. " I was the one who brought the gift from the front desk."
Everyone stared.
Liang Yexuan's brows lifted slightly.
"What gift?" asked Old Master Liang slowly.
The nurse bowed again. "I… I didn't know what was inside. It was labeled for this ward. I thought it was a congratulatory present."
"What was inside?" Su Meilin asked, stepping forward.
The nurse swallowed. "A… a metronome. When it started ticking loudly, the old master Su panicked. It triggered his condition."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
—
The nurse peeked up from beneath her lashes.
'Why aren't they reacting?' she thought. 'Why are they so calm? Why aren't they questioning me more?'
She bit her lower lip.
That idiotic stupid brother of mine… His plan isn't working…
The silence grew heavier.
She frowned slightly, her eyes lowering further as she forced herself to stay in character.
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