CHAPTER 146: CHAPTER 146: IN THE END, I STILL LOST

"No way! Absolutely not!"

Peter Sawyer jumped up suddenly, his voice full of opposition, "Doing this, aren’t we just exposing ourselves? How will we ever stand in the industry again? The reputation I’ve built all my life will be completely ruined!"

Serena sounded as if she heard a joke, suddenly raising her voice, her eyes filled with insane hatred, "My brother’s reputation was already ruined by those two sluts Zoe Ellison and Victoria Monroe! As for your reputation, it was turned into a Judas Cohen for profit and fame by Zoe! Your reputation has long been tarnished!"

Faye Warren, listening on the side, nodded quickly in agreement: "Serena is right! If Timothy Xavier doesn’t want to help us, then don’t blame us for saving ourselves! Anyway, we have nothing left to lose, it’s better to fight it out than to sit here being humiliated, like mice crossing the street!"

Saying this, she turned to her hesitant husband, her tone full of dissatisfaction and blame: "It’s all because of you, useless thing! Over the years, all you’ve done is compromise and concede, what else can you do? Letting me and our daughter be despised and humiliated because of you! A coward like you shouldn’t be anyone’s father!"

Peter Sawyer’s face turned various shades of blue and white at his wife’s scolding.

He looked at his daughter’s ruthlessness and his wife’s resentment, and then thought of the humiliation of having filth thrown at him, and a sense of powerless anger flooded his heart.

He opened his mouth to retort but found himself unable to speak.

At this point, it seemed there really was only one path left.

...

At The Sinclair Estate, with the end of Timothy Xavier’s press conference, things seemed to have come to a close.

But I know, as long as I’m not divorced, I am still shackled.

However, the continuous tension finally reached its limit, even though it was just two short days, I was already exhausted.

No energy to think about anything else.

After showering at night, I went to the children’s room to tuck in Doris and Sharon, said goodnight, then collapsed onto the bed, falling into a deep sleep without even drying my hair.

Since the incident, this was the first time I slept so soundly, no nightmares, no noisy public opinion, just a rare silence.

The next morning, I was woken by the continual buzzing of my phone notifications.

Half-awake, I unlocked the screen, a glaring headline news instantaneously piercing my vision, causing my blood to almost freeze:

"Urgent Report! Core designer of the cardiopulmonary support device, Peter Sawyer, issued a statement early this morning admitting to substantial data fabrication during the development phase of the device. Long-term use may lead to serious medical accidents. The Health and Wellness Commission has issued a notice overnight, demanding immediate checks on patients using this device at hospitals, and suspension and recall of the equipment upon discovery!"

My fingers trembled uncontrollably.

Opening the news details, it included the statement signed by Peter Sawyer and Miles, along with a screenshot of the official notice from the Health Commission.

I immediately understood—this was aimed at me!

This cardiopulmonary support device is the only hope to sustain my mother’s life.

The Sawyers knew this, yet they still chose a scorched-earth approach, willing to let Peter Sawyer’s career be destroyed and future ruined, just to cut off my mother’s lifeline!

A chill surged from my feet to my head,

Serena was driven to a dead end, so she didn’t hesitate to drag me to hell with her!

I hastily washed, grabbed my car keys, and dashed out the door.

When starting the car, my hands were still shaking, almost unable to hold onto the steering wheel properly.

There was only one thought in my mind: faster, faster, I must save my mother’s device before the hospital takes action!

The car sped along, street scenes flashing past quickly, but still, it felt too slow.

My heart was clenched as if by an invisible hand, every beat carrying searing pain.

...

In the President Xavier’s office at the Xavier Group.

Timothy Xavier stared at the news on the computer screen about "Peter Sawyer admitting to data fabrication on the device," his complexion instantly turned dark.

The surprise in his eyes only lingered for a second before being replaced by intense anger.

Have the Sawyers gone mad? They’re not just targeting Zoe Ellison’s mother, they’re also dragging the Xavier Group into deeper turmoil!

This device is the core product of Xavier’s medical sector, and Peter Sawyer is the lead designer on the project, now with this scandal exposed, the already precarious Xavier Group is only going to get more chaotic.

He almost immediately grabbed the phone, sternly instructing his secretary, "Get Peter Sawyer up here right now!"

The phone had just been hung up, and the office door was pushed open, Douglas Xavier walked in.

Before Timothy Xavier could speak, Douglas Xavier started, "Timothy, the shareholders’ meeting is already in an uproar, many are proposing to revoke your position as president."

Timothy Xavier clenched his fists.

He was just about to speak when Douglas Xavier shifted tones, "But rest assured, I still have some prestige among the shareholders, I can help calm them down. But I have one condition—let Ethan join the company."

Timothy Xavier raised his eyes, full of mockery, "Since you want to support Ethan Xavier, why not seize this opportunity to let the shareholders directly remove me, wouldn’t it be more efficient? Why bother making a transaction with me!"

Douglas Xavier gazed at him deeply, his tone softened a bit, "Regardless of the conflicts your mother and I had, you and Ethan are both my sons. I don’t want to see you brothers become enemies, the Xavier Family cannot withstand such internal conflict. You should stand united, this Xavier Group rightfully belongs to both of you. I give you the chance to secure your position, and hope you can give Ethan a chance too, to work for the Xavier Family."

"Brothers united?"

Timothy Xavier sneered, his voice full of disdain, "Don’t make it sound so noble! You’re just afraid that if Ethan Xavier suddenly takes over, he won’t be able to handle the company veterans and manage such a vast business! That’s why you want me to stay in this position, to pave the way for him. Once he’s gained a stable foothold, he’ll just kick me out!"

Douglas Xavier sighed, did not deny it, just said, "Think as you wish. But you must know, as your father, I won’t harm you. Right now, the Xavier Group needs the three of us as father and sons working together to get through this crisis."

Timothy Xavier fell silent.

He was well aware that currently, both internal and external crises, the shareholders’ doubts, public opinion pressure, and the insane actions of the Sawyers, any single one could crush him.

He must first stabilize his position to even discuss what’s next.

As for Douglas Xavier and Ethan Xavier, once this storm passes, he’ll have plenty of ways to deal with them.

"Alright, I agree." Timothy Xavier finally spoke, his voice as cold as ice, "But once Ethan is in, he must behave himself, if he dares to interfere in matters that don’t concern him, don’t blame me for being ungracious."

Douglas Xavier let out a sigh of relief, nodding: "Don’t worry, I will restrain him. I’ll have him join tomorrow, starting as vice president, assisting you in handling affairs. As for the matters with the Sawyers, you need to sort them out quickly, cannot let them run amok any longer."

Not long after Douglas Xavier left, Peter Sawyer appeared hesitantly at the office door.

Timothy Xavier’s eyes instantly turned red.

He rarely resorted to physical action, usually maintaining a composed and refined demeanor, but this time, he truly couldn’t hold back any longer.

"Bang!"

Timothy Xavier stepped forward and kicked Peter Sawyer to the ground, the office floor emitting a dull thud.

He quickly advanced, grabbing Peter Sawyer by the collar, pulling him up harshly, and gritting his teeth: "Tell me, what exactly do you Sawyer Family want to do? Do you think the situation isn’t chaotic enough? Are you tired of living by meddling at this time!"

Peter Sawyer, hurting all over from the fall, instead showed a wry smile, looking at Timothy Xavier with a mocking expression: "Serena is my daughter. You once promised her the world, but now that something happened, you just abandoned her. As her father, I naturally have to stand up for her."

He paused deliberately, lowering his voice: "President Xavier, instead of wasting time here losing your temper with me, why not visit your mother-in-law at the hospital. Now all the hospitals are responding to the Health Commission’s call, recalling those pieces of equipment. Tell me, if Zoe Ellison’s mother dies, how will she view you?"

This sentence pierced through Timothy Xavier’s defenses instantly.

He dared not imagine, if Zoe Ellison’s mother really had an accident because of the equipment being stopped, how desperate would she be, and how much would she hate him?

Their relationship could no longer withstand any misunderstandings or harm!

Timothy Xavier suddenly released his grip, shoving Peter Sawyer harshly to the ground, and turned to rush outside.

All the way, he kept calling his contacts at the hospital and the Health Commission.

His voice carried unprecedented urgency: "Listen carefully, the equipment used by Zoe Ellison’s mother must not be withdrawn! Even if there’s indeed a problem, I, Timothy Xavier, will take full responsibility, and will bear the consequences!"

He gripped the steering wheel tightly, knuckles turning white, muttering to himself: "Zoe, wait for me. This time, I will definitely protect you and mom, and never let you down again!"

...

The air in the hospital ward was like frozen ice, and Jenna and I stood vigilantly by the bedside, blocking the doctors and nurses.

But our obstruction seemed particularly powerless in face of the system.

The doctor soon called for security, making it impossible for us to refuse.

"Miss Ellison, please don’t make it difficult for us."

The attending doctor’s face was full of helplessness, with a hint of a weary sigh in his voice, "The equipment designer has publicly admitted to data falsification, and long-term use will cause severe complications, continuing to use it is detrimental to your mother’s condition. Besides, this is a mandatory order from the Health Commission, our hospital cannot defy it!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the security guards stepped forward, pinning Jenna and me by the arms on either side.

We struggled and screamed, but could only watch as the doctors and nurses bent down, carefully removing one tube after another inserted in mom.

Mom lay peacefully on the bed, eyes closed, face void of any expression.

She had no idea that her lifeline, her "hope," was being pulled out, and death was already standing by her bedside.

Timothy Xavier, it must be Timothy Xavier!

This thought snaked into my mind like a venomous serpent; he had finally acted, severing my last hope in the most ruthless way!

When the equipment was completely removed, the security guards finally let go.

I stumbled over, crouching by the bedside, gripping mom’s hand tightly.

"I’m sorry, mom, I’m sorry..."

I choked, tears falling like broken beads onto mom’s hand, "It’s all my fault, I couldn’t protect you..."

Just then, the ward door was pushed open, and Mr. and Mrs. Ellison hurried in.

Mrs. Ellison saw my lifeless mom on the bed, and could no longer hold back, leaning into Mr. Ellison’s arms, quietly sobbing.

Her voice was full of regret and despair: "It’s not just Zoe... We’ve been holding on for over twenty years too! For over twenty years, we’ve all been doing our utmost to maintain Eleanor’s life. But Timothy Xavier says withdraw and just like that, everything’s gone..."

"Enough!" Mr. Ellison chided softly, his eyes red too, though he tried to remain calm, "What’s the use of saying this now? Do you want to make Zoe even more distressed?"

As soon as he finished speaking, an ear-piercing alarm sounded in the ward.

It was the heart monitor.

I quickly looked up to see all the vital signs on the screen bouncing crazily, the color turning to glaring red, the numbers dropping steadily as if counting down.

"Quick! Prepare for resuscitation!"

The medical staff rushed in, pushing in the resuscitation cart, carrying various instruments and medications.

"Family members, please step outside for a moment!" a nurse shouted at us.

"Outside? Why should we go outside!" Jenna was trembling with anger, rushing forward wanting to argue with the doctor, "You have the nerve to talk about resuscitation? You personally removed the equipment, watching the patient die! And now you’re pretending to save her? You’re not fit to be doctors, you’re murderers!"

"Jenna, calm down!"

Mr. Ellison quickly stepped forward to hold her back, his voice hoarse, "Uncle knows you and Zoe are hurt too, but this is the Health Commission’s order, the hospital is also helpless. Let’s let the doctors try, maybe there is still hope..."

I said nothing, only watching silently as the doctors busied themselves.

They put an oxygen mask on mom, prepared to administer drugs, even took out a blood-drawing needle.

The cold, slender needle tip gleamed under the light, inching toward mom’s arm, while my heart felt like it was being fiercely gripped by something, a surge of profound helplessness washed over me.

Enough, it’s really enough.

Over twenty years of perseverance, over twenty years of anticipation, in the end, it still couldn’t escape this outcome.

What they wanted was nothing more than to see me in pain, right?

Now, they’ve won.

Just as the needle was about to pierce mom’s skin, I suddenly spoke, my voice hoarse yet extraordinarily firm: "We give up."

The entire ward instantly fell silent, all movements came to a halt.

The attending doctor was stunned, looking at me in disbelief: "Miss Ellison, are you sure?"

He knew that mom had been treated here for so long, and I had never uttered the words "give up."

But this time, I tightly held mom’s increasingly cold hand, feeling the warmth in her palm slowly vanish.

Tears blurred my vision: "Don’t try anymore."

Though I had long been prepared to fight them to the bitter end, and anticipated the possibility of mom leaving.

But when the day truly came, as I watched her lose her vital signs in front of me, I realized this was their most savage revenge against me.

In terms of cruelty, I ultimately lost.