Winston was wheeled into the ICU once again.


    Through the massive window, Alyssa studied her beloved father, lying unconscious in bed, looking as fragile as butterfly wings.


    Tears streamed down her face uncontrobly, and her body trembled.


    In the past, she had stubbornly gone her own way, ignoring everyone else in pursuit of love. Yet, Winston had always tolerated her withoutint.


    For a long time, she had been an ungrateful daughter.


    And now, in this very moment, she felt like she truly deserved to die.


    "Don''t worry, Lyse. All of us-your brothers are here with you. Cyrus and the others are rushing back as we speak."


    Watching Alyssa cry broke Ss'' heart. "Lyse, don''t cry! Dad was already ill to begin with. This was something that''s been a long timeing. It''s not your fault. Don''t take it so hard. Don''t me yourself."


    "Ss is right, Lyse. This isn''t because of you." Jonah gently ced his suit jacket over Alyssa''s trembling shoulders. His voice was hoarse and deep. He continued, "You know Dad. He''s never truly been angry with you.


    "He''s just a hot-tempered man, easily agitated and emotional. ording to the doctor, that''s part of what made his illness worse. It''s his own nature that pushed him to this point. What he needs now is proper treatment, medication, and rest."


    Alyssa rubbed her swollen eyes. Sobbing softly, she stammered, "I know... but I''m still... Dad''s most troublesome child."


    Jonah stifled augh. Pinching her damp cheeks, he said gently, "But you''re also the one Dad loves most."


    Alyssa pouted, her lips trembling. Deep down, the guilt gnawed at her even more.


    "Lyse, to be honest... I understand what you''re thinking. You wanted to be part of Beckett Group''s core because you were trying to uncover Justin''s schemes. To defeat the darkness, you first have to step into it. I understand your reasons."


    Jonah wiped her tears away with his necktie. "When Dad wakes up, exin it to him patiently. If you can''t bring yourself to say it, I will. He''ll understand you."


    Jonah had wiped her tears with his necktie, and Jasper used to do the same. He would never mind no matter how messy she got with tears and snot. He''d always clean her up, even if she ruined his tidy clothes.


    Thinking of this only made her tears flow harder.


    Just then, their father''s primary physician, Abel, approached them with a grave expression. "Mr. Jonah, Mr. Ss, Ms. Alyssa-the results are out."


    "How''s our father?" the Taylor siblings asked in unison.


    Abel sighed and held up the imaging scans. "It''s not good. His condition is deteriorating faster than I anticipated. It''s more dangerous than I imagined."


    Alyssa was the first to take the scans. She studied them carefully, her heart sinking with every passing second.


    Abel said, "Ms. Alyssa, even with your advanced medical skills, the location of Mr. Winston''s thrombosis makes this extremely difficult. One wrong move, and he may never wake up again."


    Alyssa''s heart clenched. In other words, it was a massive gamble. If they took the risk and failed, she might lose her father forever. She didn''t have the courage to make that call.


    Burning with anxiety, Ss asked, "Is there no other way besides surgery?"


    Before Abel could fully decide, a distinct and appealing voice said, "There is."


    Alyssa felt a stab through her chest and froze instantly. Her eyes drifted slowly to where Justin and his secretary were leisurely making their way toward them, with him in his wheelchair.


    For once, Sheryl-his ever-presentpdog-wasn''t at his side. Justin must''ve told


    her to stay away to avoid ruining the atmosphere. After all, she and Alyssa had never gotten along.


    "What are you doing here?" Ss demanded, fury rising in his chest.


    Jonah tensed but held himself back, his guard instantly up.


    "I heard about Mr. Winston''s condition."


    Justin let out a dry cough. Gripping the armrests of his wheelchair, he pushed himself to his feet, rising slowly but gracefully. His


    gaze fierce and


    unwavering-locked onto Alyssa''s cold expression. He added. "If I said I have a way to ease Mr. Winston''s illness... would you trust me this time, Ms. Alyssa?"