Chapter 1423:

“His legs…” he began carefully. “We will attempt aggressive treatment and rehabilitation, but… he may face a lifetime in a wheelchair.”

Brandon’s grandparents nearly collapsed, their knees buckling under the weight of the news. Babette and Eugene caught them just in time.

“Grandpa… Grandma… at least he is alive,” Babette said, her voice trembling yet firm. “There is still hope for recovery.”

Earlier, at the factory, she had feared the worst, seeing Brandon’s leg bent at an unnatural angle.

Derek, already frail, swayed dangerously, the news threatening to topple him.

“Move them somewhere they can rest quickly!” Napier barked, urgency cutting through the tension. “We cannot afford another emergency!”

Eugene and Babette hurried to steady the elderly couple, while Napier shook his head, exchanging a grim look with Wade and Brea.

“Derek’s health really isn’t what it used to be,” Wade said, his tone heavy.

The others nodded, sharing the same worry.

After all, Millie and Brandon’s marriage had first been arranged to lift Derek’s spirits, hoping the joy of the wedding of his favorite grandchild would steady his heart.

And yet, despite their intentions, tragedy had struck instead. Brandon was still alive, yes, but everyone present understood the grim truth—his leg might never recover.

No one could bring themselves to leave the hospital. They stayed, anchored by fear and hope in equal measure.

After some time, Babette returned.

“My grandparents and my cousin are being cared for by Eugene,” she said quietly.

Charles acknowledged her with a gentle nod.

At this point, waiting for news about Millie was all any of them could do.

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Time crept forward at a painfully slow pace.

Meanwhile, the massive fire at the factory on the outskirts of the city had finally been extinguished.

All that remained were charred ruins and a field of smoldering debris.

Lynda was still at the scene, personally overseeing the cleanup efforts.

Before long, a portion of the wreckage was cleared away.

“Over here!” someone suddenly shouted.

Lynda and the others rushed over at once.

The bodies lying there were burned beyond recognition, reduced almost to shadows of themselves—yet everyone sensed they could only be Vivian and Macauley.

The corpses lay apart from one another. Macauley had been crushed under a fallen column, while Vivian’s remains were found farther away. Beside Vivian’s body, a knife was also discovered.

Someone coughed into their sleeve, asking in a low voice, “How do we proceed now?”

“Even though we likely know who they are, we must confirm their identities,” Lynda instructed. “Where is the ME?”

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