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00:00I had just donated a $20 million medical research center to Valerius Memorial Hospital when I
00:05received an email from my brother's advisor. Ms. Alera, your brother Leo is exceptionally
00:10outstanding and has secured our hospital's only attending physician residency spot this year.
00:16A smile crossed my face. It seemed this donation hadn't been in vain,
00:20but the next second, I received a call from my brother.
00:23Sis, my spot was taken by someone else.
00:26Hearing the suppressed sobs on the other end of the line, I immediately postponed the board
00:30meeting and rushed to the hospital. Just as I reached the door of the cardiac surgery director's
00:35office, I saw a young man dressed head to toe in designer brands pointing at my brother's nose,
00:40his face full of contempt. Compete with me? My father is the CEO of Vance Group.
00:47He just donated an entire building to this hospital. What the hell are you?
00:54I pushed open the door. A young man with slicked back hair, wearing a royal blue bespoke suit
00:59covered in embossed logos. You actually have the nerve to show up at the director's office
01:06competing with me for the spot? Why don't you take a piece and look at your own pathetic face?
01:14My brother was wearing a white coat washed so many times the cuffs had turned pale and the fabric had
01:19yellowed. His shoulder blades protruded through the thin fabric. His entire body cornered with
01:24nowhere left to retreat. Fluids swirled in his eye sockets.
01:27Leo, what young master Julian says isn't entirely without merit. Think about it. Our hospital has
01:35exactly one residency spot this year, no more, no less. The hospital leadership must take a
01:41comprehensive view of all factors.
01:42All factors?
01:44My icy voice squeezed itself out of my throat. All three turned their heads simultaneously to
01:49stare at me. The second Leo recognized my face, his thin shoulders, which had been tensed for so
01:54long, suddenly collapsed. The moisture welling in his eyes finally broke free, spilling silently down
02:00his pale cheeks. Yet he still made no sound of sobbing, only clenching his hands into such tight fists
02:06that the veins on the backs of his hands bulged one by one, and his knuckles turned so white from
02:10the
02:11pressure that they looked nearly blue.
02:14Yo, the bookworm actually learned to call for backup?
02:19This is your sister? She's not bad looking. A waist like you, who only knows how to bury your head
02:26in
02:26books and can't even afford a decent pair of shoes? You think you deserve to compete with me?
02:33My father is Arthur Thorne, the current CEO of Vance Group.
02:37He deliberately dragged out the final syllable, tilting his chin high and looking down at Leo from
02:42the corner of his eye. He just donated an entire top-tier medical research center to this crappy
02:47hospital. What the hell are you?
02:51Arthur Thorne, the current CEO of Vance Group? I found it utterly laughable. Arthur Thorne was clearly
02:57the vice president under my father, Richard Vance. Since when had he become the CEO? This Julian
03:03actually dared to tell such an outrageous lie in public.
03:09My brother Leo turned his head and looked at me from a few steps away. He didn't speak,
03:14but I read the question in his gaze, sis, what the hell is this guy talking about? I didn't explode
03:19immediately. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath of the cold air laced with disinfectant,
03:25forcibly suppressing the absurdity surging in my chest. Then I slowly retrieved my phone from my
03:30trouser pocket. On the first page of my contacts, my father Richard Vance's private number was
03:36prominently pinned at the very top. The monotonous dial tone echoed through the office, so silent you
03:41could hear a pin drop ringing five full times. A voice prompt came through on the other end.
03:46The number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable. Richard's private number was always on,
03:5124 hours a day year-round. This was the first time in my memory that I couldn't immediately hear his
03:56voice. Pretend! Keep pretending! You dare to put on an act as a wealthy AMRESS here?
04:11Madam, since you can't reach your so-called father, the nature of this matter becomes quite simple.
04:16He pulled open a drawer, took out a document, and slapped it open on the desk.
04:20Leo's residue application materials are still sitting on my desk awaiting final review.
04:25Young Master Julian's father, Mr. Arthur Thorne, as the current CEO of Vance Group,
04:32has already conveyed a clear preference to the dean's office.
04:36Current CEO? Who told you Arthur Thorne is the CEO?
04:42Who the hell are you to question whether my dad is the CEO?
04:48Fine. Since you love making phone calls so much, I'll call my dad right now.
04:53Let him tear that filthy mouth of yours apart in person!
04:57He pressed the speakerphone button, the dial tone sounded, and the call was picked up after just one ring.
05:05Julian? Daddy's in a meeting. What's going on?
05:08I recognized that voice. It was Arthur Thorne, the usually obsequious vice president who worked under my father.
05:15Dad! Someone's bullying me! Right here in the hospital office!
05:19Two broke losers are pretending to be from the Vance family! Get over here and back me up!
05:27I understand. Daddy will be right there.
05:35Once my dad gets here, let's see if you still dare to run your mouth.
05:44The call ended and silence settled over the office.
05:47Leo walked over to me and asked in a lowered voice,
05:50Sis, isn't Arthur Thorne?
05:52I pressed down on the back of his hand and stopped the rest of his sentence with a look.
05:57Dr. Sterling picked up his coffee again, his expression returning to one of ease.
06:02In his view, since Julian's father was about to arrive, this farce would soon be crushed.
06:08In less than ten minutes, the sound of chaotic, heavy leather shoes echoed from the hallway.
06:13The noise didn't sound like one person.
06:15It was more like an entire squad barreling recklessly down the corridor.
06:18The heavy mahogany door of the cardiac surgery director's office was roughly shoved open from outside.
06:24Two bodyguards in black suits and sunglasses stepped over the threshold first.
06:29They positioned themselves on either side of the door,
06:32hands clasped in front of them, striking a posture that screamed keep your distance.
06:37Right after, a middle-aged man in an impeccable suit strode in with a swaggering gait.
06:42This was Arthur Thorne.
06:44Behind him trailed a nervous young secretary, holding a freshly purchased Starbucks.
06:54Dr. Sterling, the disinfectant smell in your office is way too harsh.
07:00I donate so much money to this hospital every year.
07:03Can't you at least upgrade to a better ventilation system?
07:06Dr. Sterling instantly sprang up from behind his desk, his face plastered with an obsequious smile.
07:12CEO Arthur, you're absolutely right.
07:16I'll submit a request to the hospital administration tomorrow to replace the equipment.
07:21Dad!
07:25It's these two broke losers who crawled out of God knows which slum.
07:30Not only are they trying to steal my spot,
07:32but they also had the audacity to pretend to call Richard Vance just now!
07:38Arthur followed his son's pointing finger and shifted his gaze toward us.
07:42His eyes first landed on my brother Leo, his gaze filled with undisguised disgust.
07:47Then, his eyes slowly shifted until they finally rested on my face.
07:55I met his gaze, spined straight as a rod, staring at him coldly.
07:59Over the past three years as the de facto manager of Vance Group, I had seen countless faces.
08:04But I was certain, I had never seen this face at the core executive meeting table.
08:09And the way he looked at me was as if he were looking at a complete stranger.
08:12He didn't recognize me at all.
08:14This wasn't surprising, Vance Group had over a hundred subsidiaries and tens of thousands of
08:19employees. A marginal figure who had crawled to the position of deputy director of logistics
08:24through bootlicking, had no qualifications to enter the top floor boardroom. He didn't even
08:29have the clearance to catch a distant glimpse of me. Arthur looked me up and down, a contemptuous
08:34sneer tugging at the corner of his mouth. He took the coffee from his secretary and took a casual sip.
08:43Young people these days really dare to put on any kind of absurd act.
08:51Impersonating members of the Vance family? You've got a lot of nerve.
08:56Do you have any idea what the Vance family represents in the business world?
09:01It's an entry ticket that low lids like you couldn't lay a finger on in several lifetimes.
09:08Look at this shabby appearance of yours. Does everything on your body add up to more than
09:14$50? With your sorry caliber? You dare to compete with my son for a cardiac surgery spot?
09:21Leo's body instantly tensed beside me, like a bowstring drawn taut. His chest heaved violently,
09:27his hands clenched into such tight fists at his sides that the knuckles went white.
09:31I said nothing, simply standing quietly at Leo's side. I wanted to see just how arrogant this vice
09:36president, who scraped for a living under my father, could truly become.
09:43Seeing us remain silent, Arthur assumed we were intimidated by his presence.
09:48He adjusted his suit tie with even more smugness and lifted his chin.
09:52Julian, tell daddy. What did they say just now?
09:56Dad, that woman threatened me just now. She said she'd call the old CEO to come deal with you.
10:04She also said you're not the group's CEO at all, just a vice president.
10:11Hearing this, Arthur froze for a moment, then burst into an exaggerated, maniacal laugh.
10:18Vice president, your imagination is truly pitifully implorished.
10:26Since you're so eager to know who I am, I'll mercifully tell you.
10:32I, Arthur Thorne, am not only the current CEO of Vance Group,
10:36but also the actual controlling authority of the entire board of directors.
10:45That Richard Vance you keep mentioning is nothing more than a washed up old hazy with one foot in
10:50the grave. He hasn't even had the strength to sign documents for ages. Every flow of funds
10:56throughout the entire group depends entirely on a single word from me. He walked over to Dr.
11:02Sterling's desk, his gaze falling on Leo's thick stack of application materials. Leo's name was
11:07printed on them, the edges neatly bound with staples. Arthur extended two fingers and picked
11:12up the document as if he were pinching a tissue. This is the bargaining chip you're using to compete
11:17with my son for the spot? He flipped open the first page and casually skimmed the clinical data
11:22summary on it. Three thousand hours of clinical observation records? Experience as first assistant
11:30in 120 surgeries? Truly touching effort. I'm almost moved by this desperate, pathetic drive
11:37of yours. But these worthless data in the face of real power aren't even worth a piece of toilet paper!
11:44Leo's breathing instantly turned ragged. He took half a step forward, but I stopped him with an
11:50outstretched hand. I could feel his arm trembling violently. Arthur circled around the desk and walked
11:55up to Leo until the distance between them was less than half a meter. Do you know what I've
11:59sacrificed so Julian could stay in cardiac surgery? He extended his index finger and jabbed it heavily
12:05into Leo's chest. I donated an entire 20 million dollar medical research center to this crappy
12:11hospital! 20 million dollars. Have you ever seen that many zeros in your life? You think medicine is a
12:19noble cause of saving lives and helping the injured? Don't be so naive. Medicine is a game of resources,
12:26a tool for capital to cash in. A poor student like you who can barely afford to eat.
12:32Keeping you here would just be a waste of the hospital's payroll.
12:39Director, wouldn't you say I'm right? The CEO is absolutely right. The current medical environment
12:46cannot function without strong capital backing. A talent like young master Julian, who has both
12:52background and vision is exactly the future star our hospital needs most. As for certain people who
12:59only know how to bury their heads in books. Dr. Sterling glanced at Leo from the corner of his eye
13:06and snorted coldly. They're only fit to take blood pressure readings for the homeless at some community
13:11clinic. Hearing the director chime in, Julian laughed even more wantonly. You hear that? Low fluids like you
13:19don't even deserve to stand here breathing the same air. One word from my dad and you can forget about
13:27ever making it in the medical field for the rest of your life. Weren't you pretty good at putting on
13:31an act?
13:35Where's that fake CEO daddy of yours? Why hasn't he shown up to save the day?
13:47Watching these three people making utter fools of themselves, the sense of absurdity in my heart
13:53had reached its peak. Arthur Thorne, you just said you donated $20 million to the hospital.
14:03As far as I know, any external donation from Vance Group exceeding $5 million
14:09requires the joint signatures of three or more core board members. And your signing authority
14:14doesn't seem to be enough to approve even a reimbursement form for fixing a locky company
14:19restroom. Arthur's face visibly stiffened for an instant. The flesh on his face twitched slightly.
14:25He clearly hadn't expected me to be able to cite the group's internal approval procedures.
14:33But he quickly covered it up with a cold laugh.
14:35You think just because you looked up a few Vance Group press reports online,
14:39you can stand here pretending to be an insider?
14:42The stiffness on Arthur's face vanished in a flash, replaced by an even more exaggerated
14:48arrogance. He strode over to the sofa, sat down with his legs wide apart, and crossed one leg over
14:53the other. Board of directors? Signatures of core members?
14:57As if he had heard the most ridiculous joke in the world, he turned to Dr. Sterling and shook his
15:02head.
15:02Look at this little girl. She really thinks she's some kind of corporate spy even memorizing all
15:07those PR talking points they use online to fool retail investors. Exactly, CEO. These lower class
15:13types nowadays will do any kind of homework to climb the social ladder. Let me tell you the truth
15:19today. Rules are made for those useless wage slaves to see. In this group, I am the rule. When I
15:27say
15:28allocate 20 million, those spinless cowards in the finance department don't dare let out a single
15:33buff. They obediently transfer the money into the hospital's account. As for Richard Vance? As long as I'm
15:41willing, I can kick him out of the board of directors anytime, and he won't even think about getting a
15:45single cent of his pension. I listened quietly to his wild ravings, the anger in my heart instead
15:53suppressed by reason. Just how stupid does a person have to be to fabricate such a whole riddled lie
15:59right in front of the group's true air? I tilted my head slightly and looked at his insufferably
16:04arrogant face. So, that 20 million dollar donation was transferred directly from the group's account
16:09by you, bypassing the board of directors? What the hell are you? You think you're qualified to
16:15question the direction of my funds? I'm warning you, little girl. You've picked on the wrong person
16:22today. I don't care what your name is, and I don't care where you dug up that jumbled mess of
16:27internal
16:27information. Today, you and your worthless brother must pay the price for your arrogance. He raised his
16:34hand and pointed at the office door, bellowing harshly. Right now, get down on your knees,
16:39cow-co three times to Julian, and beg for his forgiveness for your insolence. Otherwise, not only
16:46will I strip this kid of his internship qualification... He slowly advanced toward me, his tone filled with
16:52naked threats. I'll make sure you can't take a single step in this city. You won't
16:57even be able to scavenge leftovers from the trash cans on the street. Leo could no longer endure
17:02this humiliation. If you've got something, come at me! Leo's voice turned hoarse, his eyes bloodshot
17:14as he glared daggers at Arthur. My spot. I earned it fair and square through my own ability, and I
17:21completed every step of the process honorably. A position bought with your dirty money. I don't want it!
17:27But don't you ever think I'll bow my head, and don't even dream of laying a single finger on my
17:33sister! Seeing this, Julian immediately jumped forward and shoved Leo hard on the shoulder.
17:38You still dare to talk back? A beggar like you? What right do you have to shout at my dad
17:45here?
17:46Leo didn't retreat. He grabbed Julian's wrist with a backhand grip and flung it away forcefully.
17:51Julian stumbled and nearly fell to the floor. He's attacking me! Security! Call security!
17:58Julian let out a pig-slaughtering shriek and scrambled frantically to hide behind Arthur.
18:03Fine! Just fine! Refusing a toast only to drink a formid, huh? If I don't break every bone in you
18:13two wretched bastards today, my name's not Arthur Thorne! Are you two dead? Didn't you see the young
18:19master was assaulted? Pin this reckless bat to the ground right now! I want him to lick the dust off
18:26the floor clean with his own tongue! The two burly bodyguards immediately lunged forward like
18:31hunting dogs. One of them stretched out a palm as large as a cattail leaf fan, reaching straight
18:36for Leo's collar. Although Leo was young and full of spirit, his physical disadvantage was fully
18:42exposed in front of these professionally trained thugs. There was no way I could stand by and watch
18:47my brother be humiliated. At this critical moment, I swiftly reached into my trouser pocket.
18:52Stop!
18:56I shouted sternly, simultaneously pulling out a pure black encrypted phone from my trouser pocket.
19:01The two bodyguards instinctively paused for half a second.
19:05Vice President Arthur, I suggest you call off your dogs.
19:09I deliberately emphasized the words Vice President.
19:12If you stop now, all you'll face are criminal charges for embezzlement and misappropriation of
19:18company funds. But if you dare touch a single hair on my brother's head today,
19:26I guarantee that you and your son will not only rot in prison for the rest of your lives,
19:32but also be utterly disgraced, left with nothing at all.
19:36Arthur was momentarily stunned by my sudden commanding presence. The corner of his eye twitched
19:41violently, his gaze locked tightly onto the phone in my hand. In that split second, I saw a flicker of
19:47panic flash through his eyes, barely perceptible. But it was quickly buried again by his own arrogance
19:52and vanity. Trying to scare me? You think you can intimidate me with a crappy phone?
19:58He let out a smile through gritted teeth, the flesh on his face squeezing into a lump.
20:03Embezzlement? Misappropriation of funds?
20:08Look at this little lunatic! She really thinks she's an investigator from the Anti-Corruption Commission.
20:14Let me tell you, even if I did touch the group's money, so what? Who the hell are you to
20:22discipline me?
20:23Honestly, even if I emptied out the entire group, that old fossil could only sit there and glare helplessly!
20:35I watched the audio waveform pulsing on the phone screen, a cold arc curving at the corner of my lips.
20:41Every single word he had just spoken had already become evidence for the court.
20:46Very good, Arthur. You just personally admitted to cooking the books and misappropriating group fines.
20:55This recording is more than enough for Headquarters Audit Committee to open a formal investigation into you.
21:00Arthur's face drained of color in an instant. He suddenly realized he had let his mouth run loose.
21:06Grab her phone. Now!
21:08He pointed at me and shrieked hysterically at the bodyguards.
21:12Smash the phone!
21:14I'll personally reward whoever smashes it with $100,000.
21:20Hearing the massive reward, the two bodyguards' eyes instantly lit up with greed, and they lunged at me once again.
21:28Don't touch my sister!
21:30Leo let out an enraged roar and rushed forward recklessly, trying to block the bodyguard reaching for me.
21:36But how could his slender frame possibly withstand two burly men?
21:40One bodyguard grabbed Leo by the collar and violently flung him to the side.
21:44Leo's body lost balance and crashed heavily into a nearby medical equipment cart.
21:48Stainless steel trays clattered to the floor, the sharp crash of metal piercing my eardrums.
21:55At Leo!
21:59My heart lurched violently.
22:01I could see the other bodyguard's hand was about to grab my wrist.
22:05I didn't dodge.
22:06Instead, I quickly threw the phone behind Dr. Sterling's desk.
22:09The phone slid across the smooth wooden floor into an extremely hidden corner.
22:13The bodyguard grasped at empty air, turned around in irritation, and roughly seized my shoulder.
22:19His grip was strong, squeezing my shoulder blade with a dull ache.
22:22I didn't struggle.
22:23I simply watched coldly as Arthur approached step by step.
22:27CEO, the phone fell under the desk.
22:29Arthur strode over quickly, dropped to the floor without hesitation, and stretched out awkwardly to reach for the phone.
22:35His expensive bespoke suit was covered in dust from the floor.
22:39He stared viciously at the screen and pressed his thumb heavily on the stop recording button.
22:43Then, he raised the phone high and hurled it violently onto the hard tile floor.
22:48With a loud crash, the screen shattered into pieces, black glass shards scattering everywhere.
22:52Only when he was absolutely certain the phone had been reduced to a pile of scrap metal did he straighten
22:57up, panting heavily.
23:07He walked up to me and stretched out a rough finger, intending to tilt my chin up.
23:11I jerked my head aside and evaded his touch.
23:14He snorted coldly, withdrew his hand, and wiped it on his own suit trousers.
23:19Little girl, in the face of absolute power, your petty tricks aren't even worth a fart.
23:28He turned to look at Leo, who was pinned against the equipment cart by the other bodyguard.
23:33A bruise had formed on Leo's forehead, with traces of blood seeping out, but he still stared fixedly at Arthur.
23:39Earlier this kid said he didn't care about the spot I bought.
23:41Director, bring me his application materials.
23:44Dr. Sterling immediately, like an obedient dog, picked up the thick stack of materials with both hands and handed them
23:50over.
23:51Arthur took the materials and weighed them in his hand.
23:54Since you don't care about it, then these worthless papers have no reason to exist anymore.
23:59He walked over to the large commercial shredder in the corner of the office.
24:03He pressed the switch.
24:04The shredder let out a low, dull hum as its sharp steel gears began spinning at high speed.
24:09Don't!
24:10That's two months of my blood, sweat, and tears!
24:12Watching Leo struggle in agony, Arthur's smile grew even more cruel.
24:16Heart and soul?
24:18Let me show you right now just how ite-iterly worthless a poor man's efforts truly are.
24:24He gripped the edges of the materials with both hands and slowly fed the first portion of pages into the
24:29shredder's intake slot.
24:30Stop, you bastard!
24:34Leo's eyes were completely bloodshot, his voice turning hoarse.
24:38He twisted his body desperately, but it was useless.
24:41The two bodyguards pinned him firmly in place, unable to move.
24:45Arthur seemed to take immense pleasure in the thrill of trampling someone else's dignity underfoot.
24:50He didn't shove all the materials in at once.
24:52Instead, he deliberately slowed his movements.
24:55One page, two pages, three pages.
24:58As he fed them in, he savored Leo's crumbling expression with an unbelievably sadistic gaze.
25:03See?
25:05When this data gets shred, the sound is so satisfying.
25:09Isn't it?
25:10You need to learn to accept reality.
25:14Watching the strips of shredded paper piling up inside the machine,
25:17watching the blood seeping from my brother's forehead,
25:20the fury in my chest had burned to its absolute limit.
25:23All right, now your bargaining clip is gone.
25:27Your phone is smashed, too.
25:29Whatever tricks you still have, go ahead and try them.
25:31I watched him coldly.
25:33Amid the bewildered and uncertain gazes of everyone present,
25:37I pulled out a second phone.
25:38It was a silver satellite communication phone,
25:41a model owned by fewer than 50 people in the entire world.
25:44There was only one number stored in it.
25:46Watching Arthur's expression freeze instantly,
25:49I pressed the speakerphone button and dialed that single number.
25:55A deep, steady, middle-aged male voice,
25:57imbued with innate authority,
25:59came through the speaker.
26:01The voice wasn't loud,
26:03yet it carried an irresistible pressure that no one could defy.
26:06I was on the plane just now and had my phone turned off.
26:09What's wrong?
26:10The air in the office completely froze in that single second.
26:13Dr. Sterling's hand holding the coffee cup jerked violently,
26:16spilling brown liquid onto his white coat.
26:18The bodyguards exchanged glances.
26:21Only Arthur, after a brief moment of shock,
26:24erupted into an even more maniacal fit of mocking laughter.
26:27What an absolutely brilliant performance!
26:30He pointed at the satellite phone in my hand.
26:33You smashed one phone and then pulled out another?
26:35Still laughing, Arthur strode toward me.
26:38You randomly find some voice changer software,
26:41or hire a deep-voiced voice actor and think you can pretend to be the old C-Earve to scare
26:45me?
26:45He pointed at the silver satellite phone and shouted rudely at the speaker.
26:49I don't care which extra you've got on the other end, you'd better hang up this instant!
26:54Otherwise, when I trace your IP address, I'll throw you in jail to rot right along with them!
27:03The other end of the line fell into a brief silence.
27:06The coldness contained within that silence was enough to make even the bodyguard standing nearby shiver involuntarily.
27:12But Arthur clearly didn't sense the looming danger.
27:15Instead, he thought his intimidation had worked and became even more smug and carried away.
27:21What's the matter? Afraid to speak now?
27:23He lunged forward, trying to bring his head closer to the speaker.
27:26Who are you?
27:28Arthur snorted coldly, raising his chin high.
27:30You don't even know who I am.
27:32Seems like your homework as a voice actor isn't up to much.
27:35He tugged at his suit collar and declared into the receiver, word by word.
27:40Listen up, old man. I'm Arthur Thorne, the true person in power at Vance Group, the current CEO.
27:47I stood to the side, watching this man, like a clown frantically courting death, and only pity remained in my
27:54eyes.
27:57This phone call not only failed to make him restrain himself, but instead led him to lay all his incriminating
28:03cards completely on the table.
28:04On the other end of the line, my father's breathing remained steady, with no sign of fury whatsoever.
28:10Those who knew him well understood that when Richard Vance started raging, there was still room for things to turn
28:15around.
28:16But when he fell completely silent and spoke in this utterly emotionless tone, it meant that destruction was already inevitable.
28:29Arthur froze for a moment, then burst into manic laughter.
28:34Eloda.
28:34My father's voice sounded again.
28:36I'm listening, father.
28:38The helicopter just landed.
28:40I'll be there in ten minutes.
28:42Before I arrive, protect your brother.
28:45Don't let anyone leave this room.
28:47The words had barely finished when the call was unilaterally cut off.
28:51Arthur stood rooted to the spot, the smile on his face gradually stiffening.
28:56He finally caught a whiff of something wrong from the words.
28:59The helicopter just landed.
29:05The instinctive fear cultivated from years of obsequious servitude under Richard quietly crept up Arthur's spine.
29:12Helicopter?
29:12He repeated the word neurotically, then vigorously shook his head.
29:16Playing tricks.
29:18They must be playing tricks!
29:20He turned his head and bellowed at the security guards.
29:23What are you still standing there for?
29:25Block the door completely!
29:28Nobody is leaving this room today!
29:31Seeing this, the several hospital security guards immediately pulled out their batons and blocked the office door completely.
29:37You pair of frauds.
29:39Think you can scare me off by randomly finding someone to make up a few lines?
29:44I'm going to stand right here and watch what the hell actually flies in here in ten minutes.
29:49He walked back to the sofa and plopped down, but his legs began shaking involuntarily.
29:55Julian might have been arrogant, but he wasn't entirely brainless.
30:01Dad, that voice on the phone, doesn't it sound a bit like the one who spoke at last year's annual
30:09meeting?
30:24Arthur suddenly whipped out his own phone and began dialing numbers frantically.
30:28Hello? Is this President Smith of the Medical Association?
30:31This is Arthur!
30:33Yes. I've run into a bit of trouble at Valeria's hospital.
30:37There's an intern named Leo, suspected of fabricating academic data and maliciously attacking a senior executive of Vance Group.
30:44As he spoke, he stared venomously at Leo, who was still pinned down by the bodyguards.
30:49I demand that you immediately revoke his medical license.
30:52Any hospital in all of the Americas that dares to hire him is making an enemy of me!
30:58After hanging up, he dialed another number.
31:01Hello? Police Department? I want to report a crime.
31:04Two individuals are impersonating direct family members of the Vance family and attempting to extort and blackmail me.
31:10Yes. The amount involved is enormous, and the nature is egregious.
31:15Send Jing Kars and immediately lake them straight to the Tablientory Center.
31:22After finishing this call, Arthur seemed to regain a sliver of security.
31:26Did you hear that? I'm not only going to completely destroy your future,
31:31I'm going to make sure you rot in prison until you grow mold!
31:36Leo's forehead was still bleeding. Blood slid down along his brow bone and dripped onto the floor.
31:42But he didn't look at Arthur. He turned his head and looked at me from a few steps away.
31:46Across the crowd, I gave him a slight nod.
31:49Just then, a deep rumbling roar suddenly came from the sky outside the window.
31:53The roar grew louder and closer, until the office's glass windows began to tremble slightly.
31:58The powerful airflow even swept up the fallen leaves outside and hurled them fiercely against the glass.
32:04The sound ultimately hovered directly above the hospital's rooftop helipad, slowed down, and then landed steadily.
32:11Arthur's face turned deathly pale in that instant.
32:17There really is a helicopter?
32:20Julian was so frightened that he directly hid behind the sofa.
32:23Dad, is it really the old CEO?
32:26Have we gotten ourselves into huge trouble?
32:30Impossible!
32:32Absolutely impossible!
32:34He's on a business trip to Australia. He can't be back.
32:37He frantically straightened his crooked tie, trying to maintain the last shred of his dignity.
32:42This must be other hospital executives.
32:45Yes, definitely some big shot called in by the dean.
32:48He forced himself to squeeze out a smile uglier than a grimace and strode quickly toward the door.
32:53There was a deafening boom.
32:55The heavy mahogany door was kicked open from the outside with an unbelievably brutal force.
33:00The several security guards blocking the doorway didn't even have time to react before they were
33:04knocked staggering by the tremendous impact.
33:07Immediately after, the sound of synchronized, military-like, steady and powerful footsteps marched
33:12into the office.
33:13They weren't wearing sunglasses, but their cold and merciless gazes instantly made the two thugs
33:18previously restraining Leo let go in fright and stumble backward repeatedly.
33:22Through the center of the channel created by the bodyguards,
33:25a silver-haired woman carrying a briefcase entered first.
33:32She was Elena, the chief legal officer of Vance Group.
33:35Her sharp eyes swept across the room, finally resting on the trembling Arthur,
33:39a mocking sneer curling at the corner of her lips.
33:42Then everyone's breath stopped.
33:44Richard Vance, the true powerholder who had built a hundred-billion-dollar business empire
33:48descended with a murderous aura so potent, it could freeze the surrounding air solid.
33:53His gaze first fell upon the thick layer of shredded paper covering the floor.
33:57That was Leo's painstaking effort, ruthlessly crushed into pieces.
34:01Then, his gaze slowly shifted and saw Leo.
34:05Finally, his eyes locked onto me.
34:07Father.
34:08That single word of address was like the final death warrant.
34:12Thoroughly shattering any remaining sliver of hope Arthur still clung to.
34:15Arthur's knees buckled violently.
34:17With a loud thud, he dropped straight onto his knees on the cold tile floor.
34:22His mouth hung open, strange gurgling sounds coming from his throat,
34:25yet he couldn't force out even half a syllable.
34:28My father paid no attention to Arthur kneeling on the floor.
34:31With steady steps, he walked across the floor covered in shredded paper and came to stand before Arthur,
34:36looking down from a great height at this former subordinate.
34:40Arthur.
34:44You said you used the group's money to buy a spot and I didn't even know a damn thing about
34:49it?
34:50Arthur's entire body shook violently, cold sweat cascading down his forehead like a waterfall and instantly soaking his collar.
34:57He desperately kowtowed on the floor.
35:00Mr. Richard, a misunderstanding!
35:03This is all a huge misunderstanding!
35:06I didn't know they were the young miss and young master!
35:09I really didn't know!
35:10I was blind!
35:12I was blinded by greed!
35:15Please, just let me go like a worthless fart!
35:22My father let out a cold laugh.
35:24You didn't know it was my daughter and son standing in front of you?
35:30Or didn't you know that you're just a logistics fursant who only gets thanked the jeepunak of heinous?
35:36He turned around, his gaze piercing like a sharp sword toward Julian, who was hiding behind the sofa.
35:48You said my daughter and my son are broke losers, lowlifes?
35:55Not only did you father and son go around swindling and scamming under my name,
36:01but you even dared to shove Leo's lifeblood into the shredder right in front of me?
36:07Julian was so terrified he wet his pants on the spot.
36:09He crawled out, stumbling and scrambling, and knelt beside Arthur.
36:13I'm sorry, old CEO, I'm sorry.
36:16It was all my dad who taught me.
36:18He said you no longer had any real power in the company.
36:20He said he was the real CEO.
36:24The money was all taken by him.
36:27It's none of my business!
36:29He suddenly erupted and slapped Julian hard across the face.
36:33You unfulfill brat!
36:35What the hell are you spouting?
36:37If it weren't for a waste like you, why would I have ever touched the company's accounts?
36:43Watching this father and son tear into each other like two rabbit dogs,
36:47everyone in the office didn't even dare to breathe loudly.
36:50Dr. Sterling had long since collapsed limply in his chair, without even the strength to stand up.
36:55My father had no interest in enjoying this dog-eat-dog farce.
36:58He raised his hand and signaled for attorney Elena to step forward.
37:05Elena expressionlessly opened her briefcase and pulled out a thick document.
37:09Arthur Thorne, according to the preliminary audit, over the past five years,
37:14you exploited your position to fabricate overseas procurement projects,
37:18cumulatively misappropriating group funds totaling $4,200,000.
37:24She hurled the document heavily onto Arthur's face.
37:27You used this money to my your urs a sports car, rent a villa, and today, to bribele EUN's guanlidation.
37:34The amount involved is particularly enormous, and the evidence is irresputable.
37:38For the rest of your life, you can savor the taste of being a CEO from inside a federal prison.
37:45Hearing the words federal prison, Arthur completely broke down.
37:49He collapsed onto the floor, his eyes rolling back, as if all the life had been drained out of him
37:54in an instant.
37:56My father turned around and walked over to Leo.
37:59He looked at the wound on Leo's forehead, a flicker of imperceptible heartache passing through his eyes.
38:04But he didn't offer words of comfort.
38:06Instead, he pointed at the shredded paper on the floor.
38:09Leo.
38:10My father said in a deep voice,
38:12Pick up what belongs to you, piece by piece.
38:15You will let these people see, that a member of the Vance family, even when trampled into the mud, can
38:23still stand back up.
38:25Leo took a deep breath.
38:26He didn't hesitate.
38:28He crouched down and in the deathly silence, began to silently pick up those shredded fragments of paper.
38:33Watching his bloodstained yet still resolute silhouette, I knew, this farce had finally come to an end.
38:39He declined.
38:41He couldn't do this again.
38:43He really did.
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