When Sarah arrived, Samuel, Reuben, and several Smith family elders were already waiting outside the emergency room, along with Nicola and a group of lawyers.
Seeing that Sarah had come alone, a middle-aged man standing next to Reuben sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Where’s Holden? His grandfather’s on death’s door, and he’s not even here? What kind of grandson does that?”
Sarah narrowed her eyes slightly. She had no idea who this man was.
“And you are…?”
Reuben answered, “You should address him as Uncle Bruno. He’s the second son of father’s ninth cousin.”
Sarah, “…”
This family is unreal.
The Smith family was massive-so many people, including illegitimate children and distant relatives, popping out of nowhere claiming some sort of uncle or elder status.
With a polite yet obviously fake smile, Sarah replied, “I see. Such distant family, yet Uncle Bruno made the effort to visit. I’m impressed. But you know, someone has to run the family business. If Holden stayed by Grandpa’s bedside all day, leaving the company unattended, I’m sure Grandpa would be furious.”
Uncle Bruno’s face darkened. “Who do you think you are to speak here? What makes you think you have a say?”
“I’m Holden’s wife and Grandpa’s legitimate granddaughter-in-law,” Sarah replied coolly. “That gives me a lot more right to speak than some random distant relative.”
Uncle Bruno’s face turned an ugly shade of purple. “You-!”
Before things could escalate, Reuben, who despite his young age seemed steady, intervened. “Sarah, these are elders. You shouldn’t be so arrogant.”
If Sarah had been alone, she wouldn’t have bothered provoking these rich and powerful second-generation heirs. In fact, she would’ve stayed as far away from them as possible to avoid trouble.
But with Holden absent, it was her duty as his wife to hold the line. If she didn’t push back, these jerks would only become more arrogant-and that would end up being an embarrassment for both her and Holden.
Sarah raised a brow. “I’m just telling the truth, Uncle Reuben. Do you think with Holden gone, you guys are suddenly running the Smith family? As long as I’m here, that’s not happening.” She turned to Butler Ted. “Take all those distant relatives with him to rest. The Smith family knows how to take care of its guests. It’s too late at night to let anyone stay up.”
Butler Ted smiled warmly as he escorted the men around Reuben out of the room.
A cold gleam flashed in Reuben’s eyes. He had underestimated Sarah.
At first, he thought Sarah was just a pretty face-Holden’s little plaything. But not only was she sharp-tongued, but she could also command Butler Ted. And Butler Ted only listened to Holden. Even if Old Mr. Smith gave him orders, Butler Ted would find a way to refuse.
As Holden’s trusted confidant, even the company’s top executives showed Ted some respect. There was no way those freeloading distant relatives would get anywhere with him.
Reuben knew Holden wouldn’t be able to come back anytime soon. If his father died before Holden arrived, they could paint him as an ungrateful grandson who missed his last chance to say goodbye. That way, they’d have a reason to block Holden from claiming anything in the family estate.
While the Smith family’s mansion wasn’t as valuable as the company itself, the antiques and rare collectibles inside, along with the property, could easily fetch billions at auction.
Nicola, already frustrated by her family’s financial troubles, had been taking heat from her two sons lately. Now, with Holden gone and only his wife present, she saw a chance to assert herself as the “mother-in-law.”
Nicola gave Sarah a disapproving look. “Do you really think you’re the lady of the Smith family? You should know your place-just look at where you come from-”
Without saying a word, Sarah pulled out two earplugs from her bag and popped them into her ears. They were the same ones she had used during an outdoor shoot, where the wind and wolves howling outside the tent had kept her awake.
Nicola’s face turned pale with anger, but Sarah couldn’t have cared less.
Meanwhile, Samuel sat quietly in the corner, too cowardly to say anything. Normally sly and scheming, Samuel kept his head down this time. He and Reuben used to be close, but now they were at each other’s throats over inheritance.
It was just like those novels where brothers turned against each other over the throne. Except the Smiths didn’t even have a throne-just some assets Old Mr. Smith was planning to leave behind. Yet here they were, two brothers who couldn’t stand the sight of each other.
Samuel’s relationship with Nicola had also soured. He couldn’t believe their mother treated her brother better than her own son.
She even had the nerve to suggest Samuel should cover her brother’s debts-which amounted to billions! Did she think he had “Sucker” written on his forehead?
If Samuel actually had that kind of money, he’d spend it living large, not paying off some deadbeat uncle’s debts.
He still hadn’t forgiven Linda, either. If she hadn’t lost her mind in public last time, he might’ve had a shot at claiming the Smith family estate.
Unlike Reuben, Samuel wasn’t great at charming influential people. While Reuben had relatives backing him, Samuel’s social circle was full of drinking buddies and gamblers.
Ever since Holden beat him senseless, Samuel had been wary. Even with Holden out of the country, he didn’t dare mess with Holden’s wife.
Holden wasn’t dead-just away. What if he came back and Sarah whispered in his ear, convincing him to ruin Samuel’s life? Without their father around to protect him, Samuel would be helpless-nothing more than a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.
So, everyone kept quiet, sitting outside the emergency room for hours, waiting.
Sarah was starting to feel really tired, so she headed to the restroom and splashed some cold water on her face.
As always, Butler Ted followed closely behind. Even while she was in the restroom, he waited right outside.
When Samuel tried to head over, Butler Ted blocked him. “Mr. Samuel, this is the ladies’ room.”
Samuel shrugged with a smirk. “Oh, right. I forgot to mention-I had gender reassignment surgery in Thailand last month. I’m Miss Samuel now. Let me in, I just want to chat with my dear niece-in-law.”
Butler Ted’s expression stayed dead serious.
Samuel chuckled awkwardly. “Fine, fine. I just want to talk to your lady.”
Sarah emerged from the restroom, still drying her face. Seeing Samuel-the guy who was always up to no good-made her immediately suspicious. “What do you want? Butler Ted, do you think you can take him in a fight?”
Butler Ted answered with complete confidence. “Eight-degree black belt in Muay Thai. I’d have no trouble with Miss Samuel.”
Samuel rolled his eyes. “Relax, I’m just here to give you a heads-up. My father won’t make it past the next couple of days. If Holden doesn’t show up in time, Reuben will guilt-trip him by rallying the family against him. Everything in the old mansion will end up in Reuben’s hands, and he’ll share some of it with the relatives supporting him. You guys better prepare.”
Sarah narrowed her eyes. “You’re Reuben’s brother-why should we trust you?”
Samuel grinned slyly. “Look, I’m just giving you a warning. Maybe Holden can toss me a bone now and then, you know, take care of his poor old uncle.”
Samuel knew the family mansion wasn’t important to Holden. If Holden refused to leave it to them, it was purely out of spite. But to Reuben, that estate was everything. Since he couldn’t get a piece of the company, the inheritance was all he had left to grab.
And once Reuben got his hands on it, there was no way Samuel would see a dime. So, instead of fighting with his brother over scraps, Samuel figured it was smarter to butter up his nephew for a favor.
Sarah turned to Butler Ted. “Where exactly is Mr. Holden? Will he make it back today?”
Butler Ted hesitated for a moment. “Mr. Holden’s maternal grandfather passed away from cancer. He’s overseas handling the funeral arrangements and signing some inheritance contracts.”
Holden’s maternal grandfather only had one daughter and Holden was his sole grandson, but there were plenty of distant relatives circling the inheritance like vultures. The fallout had caused a serious rift between Holden’s maternal family and the Smiths in recent years, and Holden was now facing challenges to his right to the estate.
Even Butler Ted wasn’t sure when Holden could return. Both Samuel and Reuben knew that. That was exactly why Reuben chose this moment to act.
Samuel shrugged. “Even if Holden comes back, Reuben’s gonna do everything he can to provoke him. Holden hasn’t exactly been in a good headspace lately, has he?”
Sarah’s expression remained calm. “He’s perfectly fine.”
She thought back to the stern, aloof old man she’d met a few months ago. At the time, she didn’t sense anything unusual. It was hard to believe that such a short time later, he was gone.
Holden was juggling way more than she’d realized. The burdens he carried were far heavier than anything she could have imagined. In an environment like this, almost everything was a cold transaction-true emotions were rare.
She remembered the first time she’d met Holden, how he’d greeted her with a warm and gentle smile, like someone who had breezed through life without a care in the world.
Samuel snorted in disbelief. “Everyone knows his mental state isn’t right.”
Sarah smiled confidently. “I’m his wife. I know him better than anyone. He’s fine-his emotions are a hundred times more stable than yours. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with him.”
Samuel stared at her, suddenly doubting his own memory.
Had he really been mistaken?