Chapter 40 In a daze , I felt myself carried on someone's back , heart - wrenching sobs choking beside me . " " Susan , you have to hang on . Dad and I can't lose you . " Aidan was so heartbroken that he was nearly suffocating . " Susan , you said you'd always be with me . You can't leave me behind . " I stopped struggling , letting myself sink into the darkness . " When I woke again , my entire body was swathed in bandages . My brother was watching over me and as soon as he saw I was awake , his eyes turned red . " " Susan , you're finally awake ! Are you still in pain ? Are you hungry ? Do you want some water ? " As he spoke , he carefully brought a cup of water to my lips . I said nothing , silently drinking it all . Everything I endured was their doing . Why were they now putting on this false show ? My brother chattered on beside me , his eyes brimming with guilt . When my father saw I was awake , he embraced me so tightly his tears soaked my hair . " Susan , my darling , you're finally awake . I knew you'd never abandon me and your brother . " Their grief in that moment was real , but even so , when danger came before , they had chosen Sally without hesitation . With this thought in mind , I pulled the corners of my mouth into a slight smile and said in a raspy voice , " I want to be discharged . " Aidan's expression stiffened instantly when he heard me . " Susan , you're not well right now . How about you get discharged in a few days ? I will find the best doctors in the world to help you recover . " He spoke carefully and leaned his head closer to my hand , just like he did when we were little . I didn't move and continued to say expressionlessly , " I want to be discharged . " My father's face also showed a look of reluctance . For the next three days , they took great care of me . I spoke no words to them except to say I wanted to be discharged . Yet my family didn't seem to mind at all . " One was the chairman of the Sherman Corporation and the other was the CEO , yet now they served me like servants- bringing tea and water . " Whatever I craved , they'd procure it within seconds . Anything I desired , they'd provide . Still , I knew it was all an illusion . \ They would never show up in front of me at the same time , because when my father was with me , my brother would be with Sally . Their kindness to me was all leftover , something Sally didn't want . Thinking of this , I gave a wry smile . My father stroked my head with a pained expression and sighed , " Susan , if you're so eager to leave the hospital , then go . I'll arrange for people to care for you at the villa . " After he finished speaking , he had someone send me back to the villa . Meanwhile , he himself hurried away . Minutes later , my phone received another video call from Sally . " Susan , our family's having dinner . Why aren't you joining us ? Or is it that you're crippled now and can't come ? How pitiful , being ruined like this by your own father and brother . You're both stubborn and worthless , sis . Even this couldn't kill you . Oh , and that villa you designed earlier ? It's really nice . I'm living very comfortably there . " She sent the message with a mocking emoji attached . The video showed my father , brother , Sally and Connor enjoying a harmonious meal . I quickly recognized the location as the villa I had designed . When it ended , I turned off my phone expressionlessly . Ever since that wedding incident , nothing my father or brother did could move me anymore . " 1 began cleaning out the villa . After living here for 20 years , it was filled with my family's traces : the toys my father gave me since I was just a year old , the birthday presents from him and Aidan , the thousand paper cranes Aidan once folded by hand and the lucky charms my father brought me year after year . " I took them all down . After I ran my fingers lightly over these items , I realized that at some point , they had become covered in dust . Just like the love between my father , my brother and me . " After carefully wiping them clean , I tossed them all into the fireplace without hesitation . The roaring flames instantly consumed everything . % I didn't watch as they burned . Instead , I turned and entered my father's study . I logged into my father's computer using Sally's birthday , staring at the wallpaper showing the three of them smiling brightly . I opened their chat history and scrolled through the endless messages that stretched before me , reading them bit by bit.N When I reached the year 2023 and saw that contract , my eyes widened in disbelief . Back in 2023 , when the Sherman Corporation faced a major crisis , I had secretly sold thirty patents I held without telling my family . To ensure safety , I sought help from Jack , who ultimately secured this contract and saved the company . Yet in their chat history , they credited Sally alone for it . " Back when the Sherman Corporation faced a crisis , it was Sally who knelt and begged those people to step in at all costs , saving the company . Her health suffered because of it . I will take full responsibility for Sally and find her the best possible future . " Soon , messages began flashing across the computer screen . I mechanically clicked through them . [ Mr. Sherman , the contract you requested is ready . In three days , once you sign it , 15 % of Sherman Corporation shares will transfer to Miss Sally . But weren't these shares originally intended for Miss Susan ? ] } The next second , my father's reply popped up . " [ Forget about Susan . I'll take care of her for the rest of her life . She's crippled now ; she doesn't need shares . Sally , on the other hand , requires some shares to protect herself while she's with the Ladners . ] I stared at the messages , snapping photos of each one . Later , I went back to my room , lay on the bed and laughed until tears streamed down my face . So it had all been so simple- Sally had stolen my credit , while my family remained blind and heartless . fears drenched the pillow without my knowing . After a long moment , I finally calmed down and took out my phone to text Jack . [ About our plan , we need to change the location . In 3 days , my dad and brother will host Sally's birthday party at the company and transfer shares . I'll send you more evidence . On her birthday , you must reclaim all the patents I gave the Shermans and cancel all their contracts . I want them to lose everything that day ! ]