Panicked, he dialed Kian Jennings.
[Hey! What are you doing?]
Kian was in Seaport City, stuck managing his struggling health supplements company. He gave a half-hearted reply.
Preston's voice was frantic: [Have you heard Iris talk about how Iris-Adams Biopharma is doing lately?]
[What's wrong with you? Why are you screaming?]
[Kian, be serious. I was with Holden today, and he completely lost it. He's acting suicidal.]
Kian paused: [Are you saying the company ran into financial trouble?]
[It's possible.]
Kian had also backed Iris, taking out a 1.2 billion loan to help her out.
He thought for a moment.
He said: [That shouldn't be it. The company was just founded and the momentum was great.]
Preston was terrified: [I'm still worried. I've never seen Holden this broken. He's acting like he doesn't want to live anymore. He tried to drink himself to death, and when that failed, he bashed his head into a wall. He's got a massive lump on his forehead. Right before he left, I told him I was worried he'd die on the street. He just laughed and said if he did, I could have his inheritance.]
Kian tried to calm him down: [You're overthinking it. Holden is a tough guy. He can handle anything.]
Preston: [Listen to me—]
Kian cut him off: [Iris is the person we vowed to protect with everything we have. Her problems are our problems. Worst-case scenario, if she can't pay back the bank loans, we can't blame her. She's suffered enough over the years. Far more than anyone her age should have to endure.]
[Damn, Kian, you must have money to burn.]
[I'm just being objective with you. If we're going to care for Iris, we have to see it through to the end. You don't abandon someone halfway.]
Preston thought about it.
[You're right. Iris has had it too hard. She's been endlessly hurt by Winifred. Now that her entertainment career is stalled, making the biopharma company a success is crucial for her. We shouldn't add to her stress. Let's just... keep supporting her.]
Meanwhile, Holden arrived at the police station to see Iris.
He found her in a cramped interrogation room.


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