Gu Xiangyun clenched her teeth, a cold snort escaping her lips. That little sheep I raised for over ten years… has finally grown fangs.
What infuriated her even more was the old lady's reaction. One incident, and all those years of keeping up appearances were wiped clean.
That damned old woman. She actually dared to humiliate me like this today…
Her face darkened.
After a moment of silent brooding, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number. Her voice was low and laced with venom:
"Do it ahead of schedule."
She had originally planned to let the old hag live out her remaining days peacefully. But since she didn't care about old ties, then there was no need to show mercy.
---
Meanwhile, back at the villa—
After the guests had dispersed and the noise had faded, the old lady sat on the antique wooden chair, her eyes sharp and heavy with meaning.
She fixed her gaze on Su Jin and spoke sternly:
"Jin girl, you've grown bolder."
Su Jin lowered her head, not daring to argue. She knew nothing escaped her grandmother's eyes.
Her silence was enough to confirm everything.
A breath later, Su Jin slowly knelt down and said softly,
"Grandmother, I'm sorry. Your granddaughter acted on her own and overstepped… I accept whatever punishment you give."
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and her voice trembled with guilt.
In her previous life, this woman—the one who had shielded her with silent strength—had lost her life while Su Jin remained weak and afraid. She hadn't even been able to protect the only one who ever truly loved her.
This time, she would not let that happen again.
After Gu Xiangyun took control of the household in her previous life, she had the old lady thrown into a remote nursing home. There, the once-proud matriarch was left to rot, lying unattended on a hospital bed—alone, unloved, and eventually dying a tragic death.
But not in this life.
This time, Su Jin would guard her grandmother with everything she had.
The old lady sat upright, her gaze sharp and filled with confusion.
"Speak. Why did you do all this?"
She studied Su Jin intently. This child has always been timid and obedient. How could she suddenly act with such decisiveness—humiliating Gu Xiangyun in front of everyone, no less?
Su Jin didn't respond with words right away. Instead, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone.
She tapped on the screen, and a familiar voice echoed through the quiet room.
It was Gu Xiangyun's voice—sinister, cold, and dripping with malice.
The recording laid everything bare: the schemes, the framing, the cruelty veiled behind a motherly smile.
Previously, the old lady had only heard a small fragment of the recording.
But this... this was the entire truth.
As the old woman listened, her expression darkened. When the recording ended, she sat there frozen for a moment, her hands clenching into fists on the armrest.
Then, her eyes softened with pain and sorrow as she looked at Su Jin.
"She... she treated you like this all along?"
Su Jin gave a small nod, her voice quiet but steady.
Then she rolled up her sleeves.
One by one, the faded bruises and lingering scars were exposed under the soft lamplight.
"Light punishment was beatings and scolding. Heavy ones were worse. All these injuries were thanks to her."
The old lady's hands trembled. Her lips parted, but no words came out.
In that moment, she wasn't a matriarch of a wealthy family—she was just a grandmother, furious and heartbroken for the granddaughter she had failed to protect.
Su Jin's white and tender arms were covered in bruises—green and purple marks scattered across her skin. Some had already scarred, while others were fresh, still healing. The sight was shocking.
The old lady's expression grew solemn, her chest rising and falling with emotion.
"Gu Xiangyun… she's become more and more outrageous."
She had always known Gu Xiangyun's ambitions. Ever since the woman married into the Su family, she'd been scheming to seize control—trying to push the old lady aside and take power for herself.
That's why today's incident had been such a timely opportunity to strike. The old lady had no intention of letting Gu Xiangyun continue unchecked.
She turned back to Su Jin, her voice softer, more affectionate now.
"What do you plan to do next?"
Su Jin hesitated.
In truth, she wanted to stay by her grandmother's side. But after waiting for a long time and hearing nothing from the old lady, her heart quietly sank.
She doesn't trust me anymore, Su Jin thought bitterly. After all, in my past life, it was my weakness that failed to protect her. She must have given up hope on me long ago.
After all, she was just an adopted daughter.
Clearing her throat gently, Su Jin replied,
"I plan to move out. Father has already agreed."
The old lady's eyes widened in surprise.
"Move out?" Her tone turned serious. "Child, do you know what that means? Once you leave the Su household, you'll no longer have its protection. You'll be facing everything alone out there."
Although the Su family had never treated her kindly, they had at least provided her with food and shelter.
Once she stepped out of that house, Su Jin would be no different from a stray dog on the street—vulnerable and alone. It wasn't hard to imagine what kind of life awaited her.
But Su Jin's eyes were clear and firm as she met the old lady's gaze.
"Grandmother, don't worry. Your granddaughter can support herself."
Her voice was full of quiet confidence.
The old lady looked at her for a long moment, then slowly smiled. Her eyes softened, the wrinkles at the corners deepening with approval.
"Good. That backbone is what I've always wanted to see from you."
She nodded with satisfaction and added,
"It's getting late, and other guests will be arriving soon. Today, I'll leave the task of greeting them to you."
Su Jin blinked, surprised at the honor—but quickly composed herself.
"Yes, Grandmother. I'll make sure they're welcomed well."
She knew this was the old lady's way of testing her. And she was determined not to disappoint.
Just then, a servant stepped briskly into the room and bowed.
"Old Madam, the Fu family has arrived."
The Fu family?
Su Jin's heart skipped a beat.
Fu Siyan… he came too or?