Chapter 809

Stephanie, furious, pointed toward the hospital ward. "Your uncle is still undergoing emergency procedures; we don't know what will happen. Yet you're rushing to seize control of the company? Ari, you're not our daughter, but we've raised you. Don't you have any respect for your uncle? Can't you wait?"

"The company can't wait, not me," Arianna replied, sighing as she returned the papers to their folder. "Aunt Stephanie, you don't work for the company, so you may not understand the situation. It's dire, and I need to act quickly. But I can't make decisions without authority. I can wait, but others might try to undermine Uncle Derrick."

"Let me handle it," Arianna continued. "You and Uncle Derrick raised me; how could I not care for you? Don't worry, I'll take good care of you both, even after I take over the company. Now that Benedict is gone, consider me your daughter. I'll look after you both."

Stephanie stared at Arianna, fighting back tears. After a moment, she took a deep breath. "I don't always have Derrick's seal and the company keys. If Derrick pulls through, I'll give them to you in a few days."

"Really?" Arianna's eyes brightened, but she cautiously asked, suppressing her excitement, "You're sure?"

"Yes," Stephanie said. "Benny's gone, and Derrick and I are aging. We don't know how much time we have. We can't ruin Tanner Corporation's future. We're family; you're like our daughter. Who else could we trust?" Stephanie sighed, clearly reluctant but resigned. "We're family. We can't let outsiders take over Tanner Corporation!"

Arianna beamed. "I need to get back to work. Take care of Uncle Derrick. I'll visit in a couple of days."

Arianna turned toward the ward, her gaze shifting between Stephanie and the closed door. As she left, she muttered, "Everything will be mine, regardless of whether Uncle Derrick survives!" She then called to a bodyguard, "Watch them closely. Don't allow visitors. Inform me immediately if anything urgent arises."

"Yes, Ms. Tanner," the bodyguard replied.

Soon after Arianna left, the ward door opened. The doctor emerged, removed his mask, and looked at Stephanie.

"Thank you," Stephanie said, entering the room without further questions. She looked exhausted and slightly disappointed. Derrick, seemingly recovered, sat up in bed, looking healthier than ever.

"She left?"

Stephanie nodded. "I didn't expect that. I always considered her our daughter. She was upset. She’s heard stories about family rivalries, but to experience it… it’s shocking. Humans shouldn't be tested."

Derrick sighed, lifted his blanket, and got out of bed. Stephanie rushed to help, but he waved her off. "Do you really think I'm too old to move myself?"