Gavin, standing nearby, rushed over in concern. "Mr. Goodwin."

lan's greatest fear had come to pass. The truth had dealt his mother a nearly fatal blow.

An hour later, the doctor emerged from the room, his expression grave. "Mr. Goodwin, your mother's emotional distress caused damage to her cardiopulmonary function. We've administered medication and stabilized her for now, but she cannot handle any more stress."

lan nodded and watched the doctor leave before stepping back into the room.

Outside the window, Gavin sighed. The weight on Mr. Goodwin's shoulders was immense. Anyone else would have crumbled long ago.

Back at the lab, Dr. Smith immediately called a meeting. He brought up Eleanor's theory again. "El, we can't wait any longer. We have to make a decision, and soon."

Eleanor's expression was serious. "Doctor, I ran an in-vitro experiment. The results were far better than I anticipated. I think we can try it, but we'll need lan's approval."

Dr. Smith sighed. "Given the circumstances, we have no other choice. Mrs. Goodwin might not have much time left."

Eleanor nodded and returned to her workstation, with Dr. Smith following to conduct a final safety assessment. The decade of data Smith had accumulated provided invaluable reference points, greatly aiding her research.

As Smith looked at the data displayed on Eleanor's screen, he pushed his glasses up in disbelief. "El, this is nothing short of a miracle. You've actually found the target for immune regulation. The toxicity to normal cells is far lower than expected-it's almost completely suppressed. This is incredible."

Eleanor nodded but kept her excitement in check. A lab experiment was just that —an experiment.

"Is Miss Goodwin ready to begin the trial?" Smith asked.

Serena was now the optimal test subject. Eleanor sighed. This was something they would have to discuss carefully with her. When a life was on the line, there was no room for error.

At four that afternoon, lan arrived at the lab. Smith explained the proposed experimental treatment to him.

"I approve," lan said, his voice low but perfectly clear, without a hint of hesitation. "Whatever documents you need me to sign, whatever support you require, just ask."

His gaze moved past Smith and settled on Eleanor. The usual complexity was gone from his eyes, replaced by a single, unwavering emotion: absolute trust.

Eleanor hadn't wanted to meet his eyes, but at this critical juncture, she understood what he was conveying. She met his gaze and saw the fierce desperation of a son trying to save his mother in moment, authen tha personal history fell away They were united in their goal.

"But there are risks," she stated. "Even with optimistic data, human application is still an unknown."

"I know," lan nodded. "But I trust you, and I trust this team. This is our only hope now." His a e then took on pleading quality. "Do wha

have to do. I will take full

responsibility for any and allo

YOU

consequences."

Just then, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and stepped out to take the call.

Dr. Smith let out a sigh, his expression a mixture of respect and awe. "El, you may not know this, but ten years ago, when Mrs. Goodwin first fell into a coma, the price Mr. Goodwin paid was staggering."

Eleanor's grip on her pen tightened. She looked at Smith.

"At the time, there wasn't a single suitable donor. It was a hopeless situation. But Mr. Goodwin searched relentlessly, spending a fortune on matching services. It wasn't just about money he met with countless, top experts and heads of

institutions. He was the one who

ultimately found Miss Shannon,

seizing that one sliver of hope that

has kept his mother alive for the last decade."