The assistant drove, and Pei Ke Xin remained silent the entire way.
Soon, they arrived at the hospital, took the elevator, went upstairs, and reached the floor where the old man resided. Just as they rounded the corridor corner, they saw a crowd of people standing by the patient room door.
They were all people she recognized.
Every member of the Pei family, big or small, who should be there, was present.
Everyone was silently bowing their heads. Hearing the hurried footsteps, they all turned their gazes back.
Upon seeing Pei Ke Xin, for a moment, the expressions on everyone's faces were wonderfully varied.
There was surprise, numbness, disgust, and resentment…
Pei Ke Xin didn't have the time to interpret each one. After exchanging glances with the crowd, she stepped forward.
But just as she took a step, her eldest sister rushed out from the crowd and reprimanded her sternly, "Stop!"
Pei Ke Xin halted abruptly and looked at her in confusion, "What's wrong, Eldest Sister?"
"What's wrong? You still have the audacity to ask what's wrong?"
Her eldest sister pointed at the room, her emotions running high.
"You ungrateful wretch, how have we wronged you? Hmm? You brought some savage from who knows where to take care of Dad, and then you ran off halfway, causing Dad… You're not human!"
"You dumped him here, and then went off to live your life. Even if you just went through the motions of fulfilling your duty, you should have said so earlier if you didn't want to take care of him! Dad's condition today is all your fault!"
"And what sly moves have you been making behind our backs recently? Hmm? Are you afraid you won't get anything after Dad passes away, and you've been scheming every step of the way?"
"You still have the nerve to ask me what's wrong? Did you think no one would know about your good deeds after Dad is gone!"
"And you dare to come here and shed crocodile tears? Do you think we'll be grateful to you? That all Pei family members are fools who are easily fooled?"
"Let me tell you! Dream on! You think we can still tolerate you with all your calculations clattering away?"
It seemed the old man was gone.
She hadn't expected that just as he left, and she had just returned from outside, a scene of direct confrontation would unfold.
They were already tearing each other apart in front of his body. Thinking about how she had been a part of the Pei family for so many years, it was truly laughable.
Pei Ke Xin had already come to terms with the old man's death on the road and had prepared for the worst, so her emotions were relatively stable.
"If you're going to speak carelessly, at least draft your words. Eldest Sister, what exactly have I done that's wronged the family that you're arguing with me about at this time?"
Eldest Sister: "Pah! I'm speaking carelessly? You shameless thing!"
"You rely on your youth and a bit of charm to manipulate Dad everywhere. Haven't you profited enough from the company over the years? Do I have to expose all your ugly deeds one by one? Don't you have any self-awareness? You call me careless? You're truly shameless!"
The group behind watched, and not a single one had a good expression.
Pei Ke Xin looked them over.
"So, what Eldest Sister says represents all of you?"
"All these years, you've all seen me this way? Just waiting for Dad to be gone so you can settle scores with me properly, right?"
No one responded. After a pause, her eldest sister-in-law took over.
"Eldest Sister is right. Ke Xin, you came to our family when you were young. The Pei family gave you a name, a surname, food and drink, sent you to school, and cultivated your abilities. Even a dog, after being treated this well, should know to repay its owner, shouldn't it? But what about you?"
"To think you're so greedy. Taking such a high salary every month and still coveting our property, isn't that too heartless?"
Pei Ke Xin: "I don't know where you're getting this from, Sister-in-law. I'm coveting your property? Did I embezzle, misappropriate, or do anything to you? Even if I die, I need to understand why, right? Please clarify, how exactly have I schemed against you?"
Eldest Sister interjected again.
"Don't be stubborn! Don't forget we have people in finance!"
"You've been secretly misappropriating a little here and there. Given your solitary state, we didn't make an issue of it. But to think you'd set your sights on Dad's inheritance!"
"You think you're safe just because he left something for you in his will? Let me tell you! No way!"
"We can't possibly agree to you so brazenly trying to take what doesn't belong to you!"
After arguing this far, Pei Ke Xin finally understood.
It was likely that the old man had announced his will before he passed, and it contained something they had prearranged.
As long as she guaranteed her lifelong loyalty to the Pei Corporation and diligently supported Pei Zong Rui and the work of others, she would be given a five percent stake in the Pei Corporation.
The will was made in front of Pei Ke Xin at the time, in the presence of the company's legal counsel, Lawyer Zhou, as well as the attending physician and vice president. It held legal effect.
As soon as the old man passed, the will would take effect, which was why they were so anxious.
Pei Ke Xin was aware of this, but she completely disagreed with her eldest sister's statement about her having "misappropriated a little" in the past.
Apart from what was necessary for her work, and the salary she was entitled to after normal approval processes, she had not taken a single cent more from the Pei Corporation.
Where did this talk of misappropriation come from?
Could it be that in order to make her leave empty-handed, they intended to fabricate charges against her?
Misappropriating public funds using her position was no small matter.
If the amount was significant enough, she could ruin the rest of her life.
She could anticipate the Pei family jumping up and down, opposing her continued management of the company, but she never imagined they would be so despicable in their efforts to get rid of her.
Pei Ke Xin was not someone who lacked foresight.
Having survived in the Pei family for so many years, no one knew better than her what kind of reaction was appropriate and how to protect herself in different situations.
Therefore, at this moment, she couldn't stand there and argue with everyone, escalating the conflict. Instead, she…
"I have never entertained the thought of dividing the Pei family's assets, nor did I know that I would have a place in Dad's will."
"I deeply understand that the Pei family's upbringing of me is as immense as the sky. Even working diligently for the Pei Corporation my entire life would be unable to repay it, which is why I have always worked hard."
"Eldest Sister, Eldest Sister-in-law, you must have misunderstood me. My position was given to me by Dad, and the work is done by all of us. Everything I've done is to repay Dad. I shouldn't and won't ask for more."
"If you feel uneasy, after Dad's funeral is over, I can immediately submit my resignation…"
"I don't want anything that doesn't belong to me from the inheritance either. I can sign to voluntarily waive it. Please rest assured."
Pei Ke Xin had been decisive in the company for several years, and a significant number of people in the company respected her. She also had a say in most of the family's affairs.
They had expected her to become arrogant and be very difficult to deal with, which was why they had collectively devised this plan to counter her.
To their surprise, she yielded so easily…
It felt like a strong fist hitting soft cotton, leaving them quite unaccustomed to it.
Hearing her words, Eldest Sister was stunned and looked back at the others. The others were clearly also taken aback.
After a few seconds, someone squeezed out from behind.
It was Pei Zong Rui, whom she hadn't seen for a few days.
With the old man gone, he seemed quite happy, even managing a smile.