Chapter 242

Chapter 242

Yanny and Ethan headed straight to the hospital as soon as they landed.

The moment Bianca saw them, tears she'd been holding back finally spilled over.

"Thank God you're back. You have no idea what I've been through."

Yanny looked at her with concern.

"Mom, I'm so sorry you had to deal with all this."

Bianca wiped her tears and lowered her voice.

"They've been keeping me stuck here at the hospital, coming up with every excuse to keep me away from the company. They won't even let Grandma get proper treatment—they show up every couple of days to cause a scene. If this keeps up, I'm afraid she won't make it."

Ethan's expression darkened. He hadn't expected things to escalate this far.

"Mom, don't worry. I'll handle this."

Bianca looked at him.

"But you haven't finished your rehab yet. Won't this be too much for you?"

Yanny patted her arm reassuringly.

"Mom, it's okay. I remember everything Dr. Wilson told us. We'll be careful."

Before they could catch up properly, Aubrey arrived. He'd known they were returning to Celestria today—though he couldn't believe they'd actually made it back in one piece after all the assassins he'd sent.

Ethan stepped in front of Bianca and Yanny protectively.

"Mom, take Yanny to see Grandma. I'll be there in a minute."

Bianca didn't hesitate. She pulled Yanny into the hospital room.

"Uncle Aubrey. It's been a while."

Ethan's gaze turned ice-cold as he studied the man before him. During his absence, the Smith Group had been in turmoil—and his so-called uncle had been pulling strings behind every bit of it.

"Ethan, I'm so glad to see you back safe and sound."

Aubrey's eyes narrowed, gleaming with malice.

"While you were away from the company, the stock price kept dropping. I simply couldn't stand by and watch, so I stepped in. Surely you don't hold that against me?"

Ethan let out a cold laugh.

"Why would I? After all, you're only thinking of what's best for the Smith family."

Aubrey moved closer, his tone laced with thinly veiled warning.

"Now that Aunt Cleo is lying unconscious in that bed and Bianca is under so much stress, you've got your hands full with family matters. You just got back—you couldn't possibly have the bandwidth to focus on company business right now, could you?"

Ethan showed no sign of anger at the threat. Instead, he played along.

"You're absolutely right, Uncle Aubrey. Besides, Yanny's finally agreed to give me another chance. I need to make the most of it. I just got back from abroad, my body hasn't fully recovered, and I have to do rehab every day. Running the company would be… exhausting."

Aubrey looked genuinely surprised at how easily he was conceding. But remembering how Ethan had made such a spectacle over Yanny recently—even clashing with Bianca over her—Aubrey's suspicions faded.

"You really mean that?"

Ethan nodded.

"Not only that—I'm going to need you to handle all company matters for the time being."

A smile spread across Aubrey's face.

"Of course. We're family. No need to be so formal."

Ethan glanced toward the hospital room.

"In that case, I won't stand on ceremony. Grandma's condition is critical. If we wait any longer, her life could be at risk. I'm bringing in the best medical team to treat her."

Since Ethan had already backed down and handed over control of the company, Aubrey had no reason to refuse.

Soon the medical team arrived at the hospital. Watching Cleo's condition finally stabilize, Yanny felt a weight lift from her chest.

She looked at the man beside her.

"What did Uncle Aubrey say?"

A glint of amusement flickered in Ethan's eyes.

"Yanny, I'm going to need you to put on a little show with me. After all, Uncle Aubrey currently believes I'm hopelessly lovesick."

Yanny raised an eyebrow.

"Did you run this by me first?"

Ethan looked at her, his eyes softening.

"I'm running it by you now. Come on, sweetheart—you wouldn't leave me hanging, would you?"

Yanny suppressed a smile. "If you cross any lines, I'm pulling out immediately."

A spark of excitement flashed in Ethan's eyes. That very night, using the performance as an excuse, he moved into Yanny's place.

"You could just stay next door. It's close enough."

Ethan shook his head with exaggerated seriousness.

"That won't work. If they find out we're sleeping in separate places, Uncle Aubrey will never buy it."

Thinking of the bigger picture, Yanny didn't argue further.

Still, having someone else in the house felt strange. She retreated to her room early.

The next morning when she came out for work, she found Ethan wearing an apron and making breakfast.

"I'm unemployed now. You'll have to support me."

Yanny didn't know whether to laugh or cry. But looking at the steaming breakfast on the table, warmth spread through her chest.

She moved closer to grab a slice of toast. As she turned, Ethan trapped her against the counter. They were so close that one more step and their bodies would touch.

"Yanny, is it good?"

Meeting those deep, intense eyes, Yanny bit her lip and instinctively stepped back. But Ethan only moved closer.

Just as they were about to touch, Yanny quickly pushed him away, her ears burning red.

"I… I have to get to work. I'm leaving."

Watching Yanny flee in embarrassment, Ethan smiled.

After the door clicked shut, he called Chase.

"I need you to dig into everything that happened at the company while I was gone. Focus especially on Uncle Aubrey."

If he was going to use this opportunity to root out all the bad actors, Ethan needed to know exactly what had been going on.

Chase confirmed he understood.

That evening after work, Yanny remembered the fridge was empty. She'd been about to head to the supermarket when, after a moment's hesitation, she called Ethan instead.

"The supermarket?"

Ethan naturally didn't refuse. He strolled down to her office building, and they walked to the supermarket together.

Neither of them expected to run into an unwelcome guest.

"Well, if it isn't the great Mr. Smith himself. What's the matter—now that someone else is running your company, you can't even afford a car?"

Ethan looked up at him. This was one of Yanny's business partners from when she'd first returned to the country—someone who'd made advances on her because of her looks.

Ethan had dealt with him before. Now, seeing Ethan down on his luck, the man clearly wasn't going to pass up this chance.

"You weren't acting so pathetic when you taught me a lesson. Thought you were some kind of hero, didn't you?"

Yanny frowned.

"If I'm not mistaken, you still have a contract with Skyline Health, don't you? Are you looking to break it?"

The man's expression darkened. He let out a cold snort and left.

Yanny turned back to Ethan.

"From now on, whatever you do, tell me. I can't appreciate what you're doing for me if I don't even know about it."

Ethan's face lit up.

"Deal!"