She rushed back downstairs and picked up the phone. "Sir, I''ve looked through everything carefully. The medical report you''re looking for isn''t here. Could you have left it somewhere else?"


    The line went silent.


    After a moment, the housekeeper asked softly, "Sir, are you still there?"


    "Don''t worry about it,"n''s voice came back, raspy and low. "Just take good care of my grandmother and my sister."


    "Of course," she replied, and the line went dead.


    It was early morning in Drexford. Ian stood outside a room in the Smith Lab, gazing at his mother, who was sleeping peacefully after taking her medication. He closed his eyes and let out a soft breath. The morning sun cast a pale light on his weary face, his eyes swirling withplex emotions.


    Someone came up behind him with a cup of coffee. "Mr. Goodwin. This should help."


    It was Dr. Smith.


    Smith looked at him, surprised. The secret had been kept for so long. Yet, inn''splex, dark eyes, Smith read an unexpected emotion.


    Relief.


    He pattedn on the shoulder. "Mr. Goodwin, I believe that in this entire world, you and Eleanor are the two people most capable and most likely to secure a future for your daughter and your family."


    "But we''re divorced,"n murmured.


    "I may not know Miss Sutton well, but I''m confident that when faced with matters of life, responsibility, and family she will stand with you Smith said before turning to leave.


    Just then, an assistant approached. "Mr. Goodwin, your mother''stest test


    results are in. Dr. Smith would like to see you."


    Smith''s office. He found the doctor frowning, his expression grim as he


    studied the data. Ian sat down beside him How is my mother Condition this time?"


    Dr. Smith looked up. "Mr. Goodwin, I think we need to move forward with the proposal I mentioned before. Your mother''s condition is more serious than we anticipated."


    "Has the previous treatment n stopped working?"n asked, his brow furrowing.


    "It hasn''t failed, but its efficacy has greatly diminished. Coupled with your mother''s age, her regenerative capabilities and hematopoietic functions are weakening."


    "You also need to consider the future for your sister and your daughter," Smith added gravely. "While I hope it neveres to this, you know that some things are unpredictable."


    Smith sawn''s hand, resting on the desk, clench into a fist. He knew this proposal was a difficult one for him.


    "Are there any other options?"


    "We discussed two alternatives with


    Miss Sutton previously. The other


    one is still in its experimental stages.b attempted,


    As far as know on


    it, but the test subject ultimately died. Our technology simply isn''t


    safe enough yet." <pn closed his eyes, a muscle twitching in his cheek as he wrestled with his emotions.