As soon as Uncle Frank Fang said this, Ryan Ling's face turned sour.
Sophie Su, anxious, shouted back, "Uncle Frank, what are you talking about? This is my best friend—he's here to help me, okay? Grandpa's life is hanging by a thread, and I believe only he can save him!"
"Miss Sophie, you’ve totally been brainwashed by this kid. Anyway, I don’t have time to argue. I rushed over to tell you—your Second Uncle and his crew are making a move while the old master’s critically ill. The patriarch wants Su Group to go to you; the will’s already written. While he’s still conscious, hurry back and sign it, or else…" Uncle Frank sighed. He’s got a short fuse, but you can tell his heart’s in the right place—he’s clearly trying to help Sophie.
After saying all this, Uncle Frank shook his head and hurried off—clearly, the old master couldn’t do without him.
"Grandpa!" When Sophie heard the will was already set, tears started streaming down her cheeks. Her father, Howard Su, used to be the backbone of Su Group and its future successor, but two years ago, a sudden accident took his life.
The patriarch, Samuel Su, was shattered by grief and seemed to age decades overnight. Still, by some miracle, Sophie had a knack for business since she was little. Even though she’s young, she’s got serious talent. Over the past year, Samuel Su has been grooming her, and she’s secretly masterminded several major deals for the company. Samuel couldn’t be prouder—so for the past six months, he’s been quietly letting it slip that Sophie will inherit Su Group.
But a billion-yuan empire like Su Group is bound to attract greedy eyes. Sophie's Second Uncle—Victor Su, Howard Su’s younger brother—is the prime example.
Even though they’re brothers, Victor Su is the textbook definition of a wastrel. He’s useless at business, but eats, drinks, gambles, and chases women like a pro. He’s done nothing for the family’s medicinal business, but when it comes to looting the company, he’s got real skills. Especially after Howard Su died, Victor went all-in, grabbing every benefit he could. And it’s not just him—his lazy, gluttonous wife and their two so-called ‘British aristocratic school’ kids take whatever they can, steal whatever isn’t nailed down, and don’t even bother hiding it anymore.
That’s exactly why Samuel Su is determined to hand his hard-won family business over to Sophie.
On the way, Sophie spilled all the Su family’s ‘secret history’ to Ryan Ling, holding nothing back.
Before the guard could finish, Sophie didn’t even hesitate—she spun around and slapped him hard across the face.
There was a loud smack, and the guard staggered back several steps.
"Get lost! Are you trying to get yourself killed, blocking me like that? Do you even know who I am? I’m the future CEO of Su Group! Both of you—get out of Su Group this instant!" Sophie’s eyes blazed; she was like a full-on raging lioness.
At that moment, not just the two guards—even Ryan was a little stunned. Sophie always seemed so gentle, but who knew she could be this tough? Then again, if she wasn’t, how could a girl her age hold down a giant company like Su Group?
The guards didn’t dare say another word. Sophie ignored them and dragged Ryan forward—every second counted right now.
Just as they were about to head inside, a flashy, brand-name-clad woman strutted out from the hospital, her voice dripping with sarcasm: "Wow, little sis, you really think you’re hot stuff—dragging trash in off the street and slapping people around. You honestly believe you run Su Group now? Newsflash: when Grandpa kicks the bucket, my dad’s in charge. There won’t be any room for a brat like you!"
The newcomer was none other than Yvonne Su, Victor Su’s daughter—the so-called English aristocrat cousin. She spent her days eating, lazing around, and hooking up with random guys. In the Su family, she was basically a total parasite.
Hearing Yvonne run her mouth, Ryan couldn’t help but get pissed.
But Sophie’s face twisted with rage. She fired right back: "Watch your mouth! Those sleazy guys you hang with are the real trash. This is my friend—if you smear him one more time, I’ll rip your lips off!"
"You wanna hit me? I’m your cousin, and your elder! You’re so disrespectful, I ought to slap you for Grandpa!" Yvonne rolled up her sleeves, ready to smack Sophie. Obviously, those guards were her people—after getting slapped, she had to get her dignity back.
But before she could swing, Sophie spun around and punched Yvonne right in the stomach. Yvonne, spoiled and pampered, couldn’t take a hit—she went sprawling, totally knocked flat.
"Yvonne Su, you seriously think you’re my elder? If you don’t get out of the way, I swear I’ll break your legs!" Ryan was stunned—he hadn’t expected Sophie to be this badass.
Yvonne was freaked out. Faced with Sophie’s rage, she didn’t dare say another word and quickly bowed her head.
"Let’s go, Ryan. With me here, no one’s gonna say a word against you!" Sophie was clearly all in now, but deep down she knew how much Ryan mattered—her grandpa was on the brink, and only Ryan might be able to save him.
After slapping the guards and flooring Yvonne, nobody dared mess with Sophie. The hospital staff quickly parted to let her through.
But as Sophie led Ryan deeper into the hospital, her nerves only got worse. She knew her Second Uncle, Victor Su, was capable of anything shady. The way he was suddenly so "concerned"—it was obvious he knew Grandpa was dying and wanted to swoop in and steal control.
Sophie was on guard for that, but what threw her off was that Uncle Frank Fang—the loyal housekeeper—was nowhere to be seen. He should’ve been here already, handling security and logistics, but now all the familiar staff were gone.
Instead, everyone had been replaced by Victor Su’s people. Something was definitely off.
"Grandpa, are you okay?" The moment she entered the ward and saw Samuel Su’s face—ashen, lips purple—Sophie panicked and cried out.
A bunch of unfamiliar doctors and nurses immediately grabbed Sophie, saying urgently, "Miss Su, the old man’s beyond saving. Please don’t upset him—just let him pass peacefully."
"Let go of me! No way—he was fine this morning! What did you do to my grandpa?" Sophie instantly realized something was wrong and started yelling.
"Miss Su, you’re too emotional. We’re medical professionals—we did everything we could. The old man’s time is up, nobody can save him. Please, calm down!" one gloomy-looking doctor insisted.
"Bullshit! You’re not saving him, you’re killing him! Did Victor Su put you up to this? You heartless bastards—if anyone dares hurt my grandpa, I’ll kill them myself!" Sophie screamed. In a blink, the doctors and nurses turned pale.
Ryan was about to pull Sophie back, but suddenly a cold laugh cut through the chaos: "What a joke—how could a son hurt his own father? You disrespectful brat, you’re getting more and more out of line. Someone ought to slap you!"
As the voice faded, a middle-aged man with a mustache strolled in—it was Victor Su, the Su family’s classic wastrel Second Uncle.
Yvonne Su, face dark, immediately rolled up her sleeves. "Let me do it! I’ll slap this brat and teach her some respect!"
Behind Victor Su, his fat, overdressed wife and his snooty son were all staring at Sophie with cold, predatory looks. Today, it was clear these Su family parasites were ready to wipe her out for good.
But they’d all forgotten one thing—there was still Ryan Ling standing quietly by Sophie’s side!
Ryan Ling couldn’t help but feel a little emotional. Sophie Su always looked so put-together, but who’d have guessed she was carrying this much pressure at her age? Compared to her, he was dirt poor and had nothing, but at least sometimes he could just chill and be carefree.
Just then, the car rolled to a stop. Ryan glanced at the fancy building beside them—this was one of those private hospitals only the super rich could afford.
As soon as they got out, Sophie grabbed Ryan and rushed inside. All the hospital experts had already declared her grandpa beyond saving—he was hanging on by sheer willpower alone.
That morning, before she left, Sophie had kept telling her grandpa she’d find a way to save him and begged him to hang in there until she got back. Now, thinking about his situation—and Victor Su’s power grab—Sophie was practically flying down the hallway, wishing she could sprout wings and land right at his bedside.
But just as she was about to burst in, two guys who looked like security guards suddenly blocked her way. "Miss Su, please wait a moment!"
"Who are you guys? Why are you stopping me?" Sophie looked surprised, but her heart immediately started to race.
One of the guards hurried to explain, "Sorry, Miss Su, we're carrying out Mr. Victor Su's orders. Starting today, the hospital’s on lockdown—no outsiders allowed. So this guy can’t come in!"
As he spoke, the guard pointed straight at Ryan.
"What? Victor Su? Grandpa’s been sick for ages and he never showed up once. Now that Grandpa’s dying, suddenly he’s all hands-on, even bossing me around? Well, guess what—I'm taking my friend in, and I’d like to see who dares stop me!" Sophie gritted her teeth, grabbed Ryan, and marched forward.
The other guard quickly stepped in, trying to block her. "Miss Su, please, don’t make things hard for us, okay? If you break the rules like this, you might have to wait outside too…"