Chapter 220: Tyson, Don’t Go

Chapter 220: Chapter 220: Tyson, Don’t Go

Vesper Grayson slowly withdrew her fingertips, her expression grave and serious.

"I can’t give you a one-hundred-percent guarantee. I’ve never treated a case as complex as this, where residual poison has caused such damage to the mind. The human brain’s pathways are intricate, mysterious, and incredibly delicate, leaving no room for the slightest error. The poison has eroded the very core of his consciousness. Even if I were to treat him, I could only give it my all and try. I dare not predict the final outcome."

’She wasn’t an omnipotent goddess, just a physician skilled in Chinese medicine. She couldn’t promise a complete recovery.’

Renee Rhodes gently took her hand, her tone gentle. "Silly child, the fact that you’re willing to help is more than enough. Just do your best. Even if he can’t fully recover, that’s his fate. No one will blame you."

Sebastian Kensington nodded. "Miss Rhodes is right. As long as Miss Grayson is willing to put in the effort to treat him, we will have no complaints, regardless of the outcome!"

’As long as he’s alive and safe, that’s more important than anything.’

’He had previously thought that if Julian remained like this, carefree and unaware, it might be fine. At least Sean would be there to take care of his daily needs, so the rest of his life wouldn’t be too difficult.’

’But now, if Julian couldn’t return to normal, they had to find a way to make other arrangements for him. They absolutely could not let Sean continue to care for him.’

’It was less like care and more like a disguised form of ’torture’!’

Vesper Grayson pondered for a moment before speaking slowly. "First, let’s completely remove the toxins from Miss Sterling and Silas Sterling’s bodies. Then we can discuss Julian Sterling’s treatment."

’After all, she only had so much energy!’

...

「Inside the Sterling Group, an undercurrent of turmoil was brewing.」

Sean Sterling was determined to seize control of the company’s core authority, but the group’s senior executives and a number of shareholders remained vehemently opposed. During high-level meetings, they expressed their dissatisfaction with him in countless ways and made things difficult for him at every turn.

Even with Silas Sterling personally present to back him up, the senior executives refused to yield.

"Silas, Julian Sterling is still alive. How can you let an adopted son with no Sterling blood take his place?"

"What if Julian’s condition improves and he fully awakens one day? How will you accommodate him then?"

"Sean Sterling may have grown up in the Sterling Family, but he doesn’t have a single drop of true Sterling blood in his veins. If you hand the company’s authority over to him, it will sooner or later fall into the hands of an outsider!"

Silas Sterling couldn’t help but cough softly a few times, his face weary. He scanned the room of hard-line executives and spoke slowly.

"I understand your concerns, but everyone has seen Julian’s current condition with their own eyes. Miss Sterling and I are old, our health is failing, and we no longer have the energy to manage the company’s affairs."

"Sean may not be my biological son, but he was raised by Miss Sterling and me. His character, his abilities, and his contributions to the company are plain for all to see and are beyond doubt."

"The Sterling Family has long since accepted his identity. He is my son, Silas Sterling’s son, and a part of the Sterling Family. I hope that all of you can support him with the same dedication you showed Julian Sterling."

Even though Silas Sterling humbled himself and tried to persuade them repeatedly, the senior executives wouldn’t budge an inch.

A highly respected executive, Chester Underwood, tapped his cane and spoke in a low, heavy voice.

"Miss Sterling is still with us. This matter requires her to come forward personally and give us an explanation!"

’He had followed Miss Sterling for half his life, building the business from the ground up. He had always recognized only the true Sterling bloodline. If someone with no blood relation could take control of the Sterling Group, then wouldn’t his own sons and grandsons also have a chance?’

Silas Sterling coughed twice more. "This is my mother’s wish as well."

"If it is Miss Sterling’s wish, then let’s wait until she’s feeling better and have her come to the company to announce it herself!"

As soon as the words were spoken, Chester Underwood turned and left the conference room with his cane, without a single look back.

Seeing this, the other shareholders also rose and left one after another. The once-lively conference room was instantly empty.

Sean Sterling sat to the side, his fingertips clenched tightly, his eyes filled with a sinister gloom.

’These old fossils. They look down on him just because they’ve been around longer.’

’He had joined the Sterling Group without a second thought right after graduating from college. He poured his heart and soul into working for the company, dedicating countless hours of effort and energy. But to these people, their eyes were only ever on Julian Sterling; they only recognized the Sterling bloodline. Even though he took the Sterling family name, he was still treated as an outsider and looked down upon.’

Silas Sterling sighed and comforted him softly, "Sean, don’t take it to heart. They just can’t accept it at the moment. You don’t need to worry about it. Once you secure the city’s new key policy project, they will surely see you in a new light and accept you completely."

Sean Sterling slowly lowered his gaze, hiding the darkness in his eyes. His tone was respectful and obedient.

"Dad, please rest assured. I will do everything in my power. I won’t disappoint your expectations."

...

Two hours later, Jared Hawthorne slowly woke up. He pressed his fingertips to his throbbing temples and opened his eyes, looking around. When he didn’t see the person he was longing for, he got up to search for her.

"President Hawthorne, you’re awake."

Leon Quillan, who was standing guard at the door, immediately bowed.

"Where is my wife?"

"She’s in the downstairs hall with her friends."

"What about the guests?"

"They have all been seen off. The old master has also returned to The Hawthorne Estate."

Jared Hawthorne said no more and strode straight downstairs. He didn’t see anyone in the hall, but finally found them by the sea.

Vesper Grayson was lounging on a recliner in the shade of a tree, holding a glass of fresh-squeezed juice and taking small sips. The gentle afternoon sun spilled over her, creating a serene and graceful picture.

Not far away at the water’s edge, Shiloh Sloan, Elena, Dolly Hughes, Bella Thorne, Justine Hughes, Zane Rivers, Noah Nash, Tristan Forrester, and others were dressed in swimsuits, splashing and playing in the sea. Laughter echoed continuously. The gentle afternoon sea breeze made for a pleasant and harmonious atmosphere.

Vesper Grayson had just leaned back lazily when a tall, imposing shadow suddenly fell over her from above, enveloping her completely.

Meeting the man’s deep, dark eyes, she raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Why didn’t you sleep a little longer?"

Jared Hawthorne leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"I can’t sleep soundly when you’re not by my side."

Vesper Grayson reached out, caressed the man’s face, and teased him with a light laugh.

"President Hawthorne, when did you become so clingy?"

Jared Hawthorne sat down beside her, captured her hand, and brought it to his lips for a kiss.

"Why are you calling me President Hawthorne? Call me ’husband’."

Her face flushed. She pulled her hand back and slapped him lightly. "So many people are around. Keep your hands to yourself."

Jared Hawthorne picked up her juice, took a sip, and said with an innocent look, "Weren’t you the one who just seduced me by touching my face?"

"..."

’There’s really no reasoning with a drunk man.’

"Help... help!"

A terrified cry for help rang out.

Bella Thorne had no time to react. The seemingly calm sea surface suddenly churned, and a hidden rip current, wrapped in the waves, violently surged, instantly pulling her away from the shallows and dragging her straight out into the deep sea.

Wave after wave crashed over her. She struggled in a panic, trying to swim back, but the more she thrashed, the farther the current pulled her. Her body bobbed precariously in the surging waves.

Everyone turned at the sound, their faces tightening. They wanted to rush in to help, but seeing the dangerous rip current, no one dared to venture into the water recklessly.

Zane Rivers immediately shouted, his voice urgent yet steady.

"Don’t fight it and swim toward the shore! It’s a rip current! The more you struggle against it, the farther it will drag you out!"

"Relax your body immediately! Don’t thrash around! Lie on your back, float, and steady your breathing! Swim parallel to the shoreline to get out of the current’s range first!"

"Don’t waste your energy fighting the waves head-on! Conserve your strength! Once you float out of the rip current, swim diagonally back to the shore!"

But when someone is deep in panic, how can they listen to instructions? Bella Thorne could only focus on struggling and thrashing desperately. Salty seawater continuously flooded her nose and mouth, and she gradually began to lose strength.

She looked in Tristan Forrester’s direction, her eyes filled with deep fear and despair. She reached her arm out toward him, only to be slammed down by a wave.

Tristan Forrester’s brows knitted tightly. Seeing that she was about to go under, he cast aside all caution, and his body tensed as he prepared to leap into the sea.

Justine Hughes rushed forward, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist and stopping him with an urgent cry.

"Tyson, you can’t go! The rip current is too dangerous! If you go in recklessly, you’ll just get swept away too!"