The room fell into dead silence in an instant.
Nan Muchen and Nan Siya widened their eyes in disbelief—how could Nan Sangning dare to say something so audacious?!
Nan Zhenming jumped to his feet. "Nan Sangning! With Grandpa still here, you have the nerve to demand majority shares and absolute control of the company?! Have you lost your mind? How did I raise such an unfilial daughter!"
Wen Meiling joined in the scolding. "Sangning, apologize now! Are you trying to kill your father and grandfather with anger? As a granddaughter of the Nan family, everything you do for the family is your duty! How dare you ask for such things!"
Grandpa's gaze, initially shocked, turned to disappointment as he looked at Nan Sangning.
"Sangning, I always thought you were the most sensible child. I never imagined you harbored such ambition. You've let me down!"
Meanwhile, Nan Wenyue and Nan Zhenxing, who had long seen through Nan Sangning's true nature, kept their mouths shut, pretending to be invisible.
The more they said, the more mistakes they’d make—and if this girl held a grudge, they’d be finished.
Sangning's expression remained unreadable as she calmly met Grandpa's gaze. "You say you're disappointed in me, Grandpa, but have you ever considered how disappointed I am in the Nan family?"
Grandpa's face stiffened, his cloudy eyes flickering with a trace of guilt.
"W-what are you talking about?!"
Sangning's voice turned colder. "I've devoted myself to the Nan family, leading Nan Corporation to greater heights, only for you to dismiss me with a single word. I brought prestige and connections to the family through my relationship with Young Master He, but when the Nans got drunk on success and suffered the backlash, I was the one blamed."
The guilt on the Nan family's faces became increasingly obvious, and Grandpa's eyes darted around uneasily.
"Even when I was in danger multiple times, the Nan family stood by and watched, indifferent."
Her gaze turned icy as she stared at Grandpa. "Tell me, Grandpa, whose disappointment runs deeper—yours or mine?"
Grandpa's face twisted between pale and livid. "You're still holding onto these petty grudges?!"
Sangning had always been obedient, never complaining, enduring hardship silently, solving every problem herself while bringing endless benefits to the Nan family. In his eyes, she was the perfect granddaughter.
He had assumed she never minded being taken advantage of.
The undisguised mockery in Sangning's eyes made his guilt swell even more.
But she had no patience to argue over empty sentiments. She didn’t need the Nan family's remorse or their apologies.
All she wanted was her inheritance.
Sangning said indifferently, "Grandpa, you're getting old. Focus on recovering. I won’t disturb your rest any longer."
With that, she turned and walked out.
Just as she pulled open the door, Grandpa roared, "If the Nan family goes bankrupt, what good will it do you?! Without the status of a Nan heiress, do you think you’ll have an easy life?!"
Sangning paused but didn’t turn back, her tone detached. "Then let’s all suffer together."
She stepped out and closed the door behind her without another glance.
"You—!"
Grandpa clutched his chest, his anger flaring his heart pain again. Wen Meiling rushed to call the doctor.
"Dad, calm down! You must take care of your health!" Nan Zhenming was frantic.
If Grandpa collapsed from rage at this critical moment, the Nan family would truly be doomed!
He didn’t have the ability to turn things around.
Grandpa glared at his useless son, gritting his teeth.
"What are you standing around for?! Go beg for help, pull some strings! Are you just going to watch the Nan family go bankrupt?!"
"But—who can I beg…?"
This mess was too big—ordinary connections wouldn’t be enough to pacify the partners ready to tear Nan Corporation apart.
Grandpa took a deep breath. "Go to Young Master He."
Nan Zhenming paled. "Him? But he’s already—"
"He was with Sangning once. Even if it’s just for old times’ sake, he might be willing to help the Nan family this once."
Nan Zhenming thought of He Siyu and felt a chill. "But didn’t he warn us that if we bothered him again, he’d—"
Grandpa snapped, "That was just anger talking! Sangning’s too proud to beg properly, but you’re her father. Show sincerity, and he won’t drive us to ruin."
Surely he wouldn’t be cruel enough to watch his ex-girlfriend’s family go bankrupt and end up on the streets!
Nan Zhenming stammered, "Alright…"
"Do it now!" Grandpa’s face darkened. "The Nan family must not fall!"
---
Sangning walked out of the hospital to find the Land Rover still parked across the street.
She opened the car door. "Why are you still here?"
He Siyu glanced at her. "I was handling some work. You finished already?"
She got in. "Not really. Just didn’t feel like wasting time."
"Are you upset?"
"Not really." It was expected. The Nan family wasn’t worth her emotions.
He reached over and took her hand. "Did your grandfather agree?"
"Not that fast." She scoffed. "They’ll struggle a bit before giving in."
She had patience. The question was whether Nan Corporation could afford to wait.
He noticed the sharpness in her eyes, the usually soft features now edged with cold determination.
His grip on her hand tightened.
How could he not love this?
He adored every version of her—the way she curled obediently in his arms, the fire in her gaze, even her spoiled side.
"Why are you staring?" She turned, puzzled.
He lowered his lashes, changing the subject. "Grandma He called earlier."
Sangning stiffened. "She knows? What did she say?"
"That she’s disowning me."
"..."
"And that she cursed me out."
"..."
He Siyu gave her a sidelong look. "Nan Sangning, you’ve ruined my reputation."
Sangning stared blankly. What reputation did he even have?
Dissatisfied with her distraction, he pinched her palm, pulling her attention back.
His gaze locked onto hers. "How are you going to make it up to me?"
A twinge of guilt pricked her—after all, he’d taken the scolding for her.
After a moment’s thought, she leaned in and kissed his cheek.
He Siyu allowed it but remained unimpressed. "After all my losses, this is how you repay me?"
Sangning frowned. "Then what do you want?"
He was getting harder to please.
His dark eyes held hers. "Tonight, you’re on top."
"..."
Her mind buzzed, her face burning at his shameless words.
"He Siyu!"