His Secret Spoiled Wife (Lily and Alexander) novel Chapter 809

Stephanie was furious and pointed toward the hospital ward. "Your uncle is still under emergency procedures, and we're unsure what will happen to him next, yet you're already rushing to seize control of the company? Ari, you’re not our daughter, but we've watched you grow up. Don’t you have the slightest bit of respect for your uncle? You can wait to do this later, can’t you?”

“The company’s the one that can’t wait any longer, not me.” Sighing, Arianna put the papers back into the folder. “Aunt Stephanie, you don’t work for the company, so you might be unclear about the things going on there. Now that the company is in such a dire situation, I want to get through it as quickly as possible, but... I can’t make any decisions when I lack the authority to do so. I can wait, but I may not be the only one to disturb Uncle Derrick then.

“Rather than having that happen, why don’t you let me handle this? You and Uncle Derrick watched me grow up, so how could I not look after you two? Don’t worry. I’ll treat the two of you well even when I take over the company.”

After a pause, she continued earnestly, “Now that Benedict is not around, just consider me as your daughter, and I’ll take care of the both of you in the future.”

Stephanie just kept staring at Arianna while fighting back her tears. After a moment, she took a deep breath and said, “I don’t have Derrick’s seal and the company’s keys on me all the time. If Derrick gets through this, I’ll pass those things to you in a few days.”

“Really?” Arianna’s eyes brightened, and she wasn't sure she was getting it right. She suppressed her emotions when she asked, afraid that Stephanie would go back on her words.

“You’re right. Benny isn’t around anymore, and both Derrick's and my health are declining. We don’t know how much time we have left to live, so we can’t ruin the future of Tanner Corporation. We’re still family, after all, and we consider you our daughter. Who else could we hand the company over to other than you?” Stephanie sighed deeply as though she were reluctant to do so but knew this was her best option.

“Yeah, we’re family, and we can’t let outsiders take over Tanner Corporation!” Arianna’s eyes were beaming with excitement. “Well… I need to get back to work. Take good care of Uncle Derrick. I’ll visit the both of you again in a couple of days.”

Stephanie said nothing in response, while Arianna just turned around and looked toward the hospital ward. Her gaze shifted to Stephanie, then back to the closed door. ‘Everything will belong to me regardless if Uncle Derrick can make it through this alive!’

When she left, she called out to a bodyguard. “Watch over them closely and do not allow anyone to visit them. Inform me immediately should there be anything urgent.”

“Yes, Ms. Tanner!” the bodyguard replied.

Soon after she left, the door of the ward opened. The doctor came out, removed his mask, and looked at Stephanie.

“Thanks.” She thanked him and entered the room without further inquiry. She looked haggard and even slightly disappointed.

Derrick, who had apparently just been rescued, sat up in bed, looking healthier and more energetic than ever.

“She left?”

Stephanie nodded. “I didn’t expect that. I've always considered her our daughter and treated her like one.

She was upset. She had heard countless stories about the rivalry and self-interest among the members of wealthy families, but it was still shocking to experience it firsthand.

“Humans should never be tested.” Derrick sighed, lifted his blanket, and got down from the bed.

Stephanie rushed forward to help her husband after she saw him stand up, but he waved her away. “Do you really think I’m so old that I can’t move by myself?”