"Don't ever say such things again," Zhao Mufeng said coldly. "Focus on taking care of Zihan. I'll handle the rest—and rein in your schemes."
He straightened his cuffs, his voice lowering. "I've just received word. The shares under Jian Dan's name can only be transferred with her personal signature. If she's declared missing or dead, the stocks will automatically be sold off at market price through a trust fund. The proceeds? They'll be dumped into an international mercenary account."
Qian Yi, who had just wiped away her tears, looked up in confusion. "What does that mean?"
"Let Zihan explain it to you. Don't be reckless."
With that, he left the room.
Once Zhao Mufeng was gone, Qian Yi turned to her son, her voice sharp with resentment.
"Zihan, why did you defend that wretched girl? If not for Jian Rou and her, we wouldn't have suffered such humiliation back then. You didn't even get registered in the household until you were two!"
Zhao Zihan's calm facade cracked. His eyes darkened, shadows of bitterness seeping through.
"Of course I remember, Mother. Being called a bastard as a child. You fighting tooth and nail for my sake. But none of that was Jian Dan's fault—it was Zhao Mufeng's. And I'll take back everything that's ours."
He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Don't mistake his affection for loyalty. The moment we threaten his interests, he'll discard us without a second thought."
Qian Yi clenched her fists. "Then why not just eliminate her? Your father wouldn't dare oppose us if it's done quietly—"
"Because Jian Rou wasn't a fool," Zihan interrupted. "She clawed those shares from Zhao Mufeng's grip on her way out. Did you really think she wouldn't protect her daughter?"
"What do you mean?"
"Didn't you hear Father? If Jian Dan dies or disappears, those shares flood the market. Twenty percent of Zhao Corporation's stock—gone in an instant. The share price would collapse. And who's waiting to pounce? The Suns. Our rivals. Any major shareholder could team up with them and seize control."
His smile was icy. "But that's not even the worst part. The moment that money hits the mercenary account? We'll have assassins at our throats within the week. This was Jian Rou's revenge fund—activated the second her daughter is harmed. Do you really think Father would risk that?"
Qian Yi paled, her grip on her teacup turning white-knuckled. Her hatred for Jian Rou burned hotter than ever.
Zhao Zihan gently pried the cup from her hands. "We've endured worse, Mother. Now's the time to reap what we've sown. I'm Zhao Mufeng's only son. He's already grooming me to take over. Do you want me inheriting an empty shell?"
"But your health—"
"Which is exactly why we need Jian Dan alive. Let Father play the villain. We'll take the benefits."
The unspoken words hung between them: "And when the time comes, we'll discard him too."
Qian Yi exhaled. "I understand. I'll follow your lead."
Unbeknownst to Jian Dan, she had narrowly escaped a death plot that day. The Zhao family's schemes were unfolding—but even if she knew, she wouldn't care. She was no longer the obedient daughter of her past life.
That evening, Zhao Mufeng condescended to visit her room. He inquired about her well-being and grandly promised to introduce her at the company's annual meeting.
"How ironic," Jian Dan mused. "Neither of us will be attending."
"Jian Dan," Zhao Mufeng began, feigning casualness. "Ziyu mentioned you met Sun Qingguo's daughter while shopping. What did she want?"
"Oh, that?" Jian Dan smiled sweetly. "Sun Kailin offered to buy my Zhao Corporation shares."
Zhao Mufeng's eyebrows rose. Her bluntness surprised him—and pleased him. "But your mother wished for those shares to return to the Zhao family. You haven't forgotten her last request, have you?"
"Of course not." Her voice was syrup-smooth. "Since I'll be studying in the capital long-term, there's no rush. I'll transfer them when convenient. Consider it... returning the treasure to its rightful owner."
Zhao Mufeng stiffened. The phrase was identical to the one he'd used to dismiss her request for her mother's belongings.
Clearing his throat, he shifted tactics. "Jian Dan, don't resent me. The company is struggling, and Zihan's health..." He sighed dramatically. "His kidneys are failing. He needs a transplant."
"How terrible," Jian Dan said, her face the picture of concern. "What can I do to help?"
Zhao Mufeng seized the opening. "Would you... go to the hospital for a compatibility test?"