The executives, unable to get any useful information, still refused to give up. “So can we see him now?”

The nurse shook her head. “Sorry, visiting hours are in the afternoon.”

A hint of displeasure flickered across their faces, but this wasn’t the office, and the nurse wasn’t a subordinate who would anxiously apologize at the first sign of their frowns. Even if they were unwilling, the executives could only let the nurse leave and continue waiting in place.

These people, who usually prided themselves on every second being worth a fortune, now couldn’t bear to leave. Even if it meant wasting time just waiting, they insisted on staying outside the hospital room.

After all, the person lying in that room was the chairman of Taiping Group, Gavin Parker.

He still held the largest share of Taiping’s stock.

Gavin Parker had no children, and his relatives had never been involved in the company’s operations. He had always kept the matter of his successor shrouded in secrecy, and even after being hospitalized with a sudden cerebral thrombosis, he still hadn’t made any moves regarding the transfer of shares.

As Gavin Parker’s health visibly declined day by day, those with vested interests grew increasingly anxious. Yet until the very last moment, no one knew into whose hands this immense fortune would ultimately fall.

All they could do was wait in agony, while outwardly maintaining friendly smiles, setting aside their usual conflicts, and exchanging greetings with old rivals they’d once fought tooth and nail.

The undercurrents hidden beneath this façade of harmony were colder and sharper than the smell of disinfectant in the air.

In the afternoon, after a long wait for visiting hours to approach, Mrs. Parker, who had been sitting silently on a bench by the wall, suddenly stood up and went downstairs.

Everyone’s eyes silently followed her, speculating about what she intended to do.

Although the ICU allowed only two fifteen-minute visits per day, because emergencies could arise at any time, family members were required to wait outside even during non-visiting hours.

Gavin Parker had no descendants; the only family members keeping vigil at the hospital were his sister and his wife. His sister was an honest, taciturn country woman, completely ignorant of Taiping’s affairs. If the executives wanted to gather information, their only option was to approach Mrs. Parker.

But Mrs. Parker came from a scholarly family and was known for her pride and dignity. All the executives’ overt and covert attempts to approach her were firmly rebuffed, leaving them empty-handed.

Their only consolation was that Mrs. Parker treated everyone equally, refusing to divulge anything to anyone, so no one could gain an advantage.

But this delicate psychological balance was shattered when Mrs. Parker returned—

No one could have imagined that Mrs. Parker had gone downstairs to personally bring someone up.

The moment that cold-faced man appeared, the expressions of all the executives changed.

Why was Nathaniel Grant here?

He had been acting as CEO these past two days, making plenty of moves at Taiping—could it be that now he wanted to get involved in the matter of the shares as well? But by age and seniority, there was no way it should be his turn…

Everyone was full of questions, but just as they wanted to probe further, visiting hours arrived.

The executives could only watch as Mrs. Parker led Nathaniel Grant into the special care ward.

The visiting privilege they had waited so long for was snatched away by Nathaniel Grant.

Inside the special care ward, it was very quiet, and the furnishings were quite refined. If not for the tangle of medical tubes and equipment, it could almost be called warm and comfortable.

On the blue hospital bed, an elderly man with graying hair was resting with his eyes closed. Deep lines marked his brow, and even through the oxygen mask, his natural air of authority was unmistakable.

Mrs. Parker stepped forward and softly called his name.

The old man slowly opened his eyes, his expression calm, but when he saw Nathaniel Grant at the bedside, a trace of emotion finally appeared.

“You…”

As soon as he spoke, he couldn’t stop coughing, his breath coming in labored, broken gasps.

“Cough… you finally came…”

Heavy, distorted breathing came from within the oxygen mask, making his voice sound different, mixed with coughing and increasingly indistinct.

But the old man forced himself to speak: “The share transfer documents, I’ve already prepared them. Go find the lawyer and sign directly…”

He coughed violently, almost gasping out each word. Nathaniel Grant said softly, “Please rest.”

But the old man insisted on continuing. He even struggled to lift his hand, pushing aside the oxygen mask so his voice could be clearer.

“From now on… Taiping is yours. This was always meant to be… what Big Brother Grant left for you…”

At the mention of Hugh Grant, Gavin Parker’s eyes reddened, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes gradually moistened with tears.

“Back then, I could barely read a word. Even my name was given to me by him… Gao Yi, Gao Yi, I can’t let my big brother down…”

His arm trembled slightly, his wrinkled hand gripping Nathaniel Grant’s tightly, as if entrusting his last lingering concern.

“Little Jun, do you know… you and your father are exactly the same, born for this. Uncle Parker trusts you…”

The old man was already short of breath, and after saying so much, it was even harder for him. But even so, his tone did not weaken in the slightest—if anything, it grew more resolute.

“Taiping is yours… it can only be yours.”