Miranda lay collapsed on the floor, a picture of utter exhaustion.

Nearby, Brenda lay unconscious in bed, her condition shrouded in uncertainty.

"Dr. Hanson..." Lilah's voice broke the stifling silence. She supported Miranda to the guest room, where she still hadn't regained consciousness.

"How is Brenda?" Seizing the moment while Gerard was distracted, Jameson summoned all his courage and bolted upstairs.

The moment he reached the door, the thick, metallic scent of blood assaulted his nostrils, draining the color from his face.

“Brenda, Brenda..." he cried out as he burst into the room, his voice laced with desperation. He leaned over Brenda, trying in vain to rouse her.

Lilah shot him a disapproving glare.

"Get him out of here," Gerard commanded sternly.

"I'm not going anywhere! I'm going to tell everyone what you've done! You two are responsible for Brenda's death!" Jameson's voice was thick with sorrow and anger, his gaze piercing through them like daggers.

At his accusation, panic surged through Lilah.

“Brenda, Brenda?" She rushed to the bedside in a few quick strides, her hands trembling as she gently shook Brenda's shoulder. There was no response.

Lilah's heart thundered against her ribs, a sense of foreboding enveloping her.

Gritting her teeth, she placed her hand under Brenda's nose, praying for a sign of life.

However, there was none.

Stumbling backward two steps, Lilah nearly collapsed to the floor, her mind reeling with disbelief.

Was Brenda really gone?

How could this happen? Miranda was such a skilled doctor. How had events spiraled so suddenly out of control?

Was it possible that Miranda was simply too exhausted, too physically drained to intervene?

"Gerard?" Lilah's voice cracked as tears welled up in her eyes, her vision blurring as she rushed into Gerard's comforting embrace. His face mirrored her anguish, marked by somber shadows and eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Brenda, the very pillar of their family, could not be replaced.

Without her, the entire family would fall apart.

“Don't worry, I'll consult other doctors for a second opinion. There might still be hope," Gerard whispered, his voice a strained thread of optimism.

Just then, Jameson ushered in the doctor he had brought along.

"Go check on Brenda right now and see what's going on!" Jameson barked his orders sternly.