The revelation struck like a thunderbolt, leaving both Qian Yi and Zhao Ziyu stunned.
"You're lying!" Qian Yi's voice trembled. "Ziyu is Mufeng's daughter!"
"Oh?" Jian Dan tossed the apple peel into the trash and set the fruit neatly on a plate. "But Zhao Mufeng already received the DNA report. I'm sure he privately ran another test to confirm."
She sighed. "The truth is, Ziyu and Zihan were a match from the start—siblings usually are. But you panicked. You falsified the reports, delayed Zihan's treatment, and even tried to use me as a donor."
A cold smile. "How... thoroughly selfish. Your children were never more than tools to you."
"Mom... is this true?" Ziyu's voice was hoarse, her eyes bloodshot.
Qian Yi didn't answer.
"What's real can't be faked," Jian Dan murmured. "And your dear mother did sacrifice you. One of your kidneys is already inside Zihan."
"WHAT? MOM!!!"
"SHUT UP!"
This time, Qian Yi broke past Zhou Bing's guard, lunging for Jian Dan's throat—only to be yanked back by her hair and thrown onto the sofa. Jian Dan watched her flail, then covered her mouth in mock surprise.
"Wait, did I get the order wrong?"
Her tone turned icy.
"First, your daughter had her accident. Then Zhao Mufeng showed proof of your affair. To keep your position, you had to ensure your son lived... even if it meant butchering your daughter. Tell me, Qian Yi—was that crash really an accident?"
"AAAAAAAAH—!"
Ziyu screamed, a raw, guttural sound of betrayal. Qian Yi rushed to her bedside, clutching her shoulders.
"Ziyu! Ziyu, calm down—"
"WHY? WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?!"
Jian Dan didn't interfere. She turned, walking to the door before pausing.
"Oh, Qian Yi... does Zihan know?"
The woman froze.
Without looking back, Jian Dan left. To the nurse outside, she said politely:
"Miss Zhao is distressed. She may need sedation."
Room 1308 opened almost instantly when she knocked.
Zhao Zihan stood there in his hospital gown, leaning on an IV pole. His expression flickered with unease.
"You were... visiting Ziyu? I heard shouting."
"Mm. She's having a difficult time." Jian Dan smiled. "I heard your surgery went well. Thought I'd check on you too."
Reluctantly, he let her in. Zhou Bing remained outside, flanked by Zhao Mufeng's guards—a stark contrast to Ziyu's neglected room.
Jian Dan took a seat, unbothered. "You look better."
"...Thanks." He hesitated. "Why are you really here?"
"No gratitude for the intel I provided? That report cost me 10% of Zhao Corp's shares."
His head snapped up.
"Don't look so shocked. Zhao Mufeng hinted I should investigate. He just didn't expect the results." Her smile turned razor-thin. "Though his fatherly love for you is touching. Pity Ziyu didn't get the same."
Zihan stared at his pale, translucent hands.
"I told you Ziyu wasn't his. But she is your half-sister—just not the way you thought. Did you know she's your uncle's daughter?"
"What?"
"You assumed she was some stranger's child? Really, Zihan. You know your mother better than that."
Beads of sweat dotted his forehead. Emotions flashed across his face—shame, fury, confusion—before he schooled his features.
Jian Dan left without another word.
As she left, Zhou Bing fell into step beside her. "Back to the Zhao residence?"
"Yes."
The elevator doors opened—revealing a boy in gray athletic wear.
Their eyes met.
"...You?" he breathed.
The bodyguard beside him (the same one from before) nodded stiffly. Jian Dan returned the gesture, aloof.
The boy—Gu Zhongqiu—flinched.
No one had ever dismissed him so coldly.