She's Too Busy Winning to Watch Him Cry novel Chapter 191

Lyra and Caleb went to the attending physician's office to check on their mother. "Dr. Larson, can you give it to me straight about my mother's condition?"

Dr. Larson flipped through the test results, his tone gentle. "Delilah's situation could go either way. Right now, it's severe insomnia, but prolonged sleep deprivation will eventually compromise her other bodily functions."

"So, it's a delicate balance. The most crucial thing is keeping her stress-free and in good spirits," he explained. "We'll do everything we can on the medical side, but we need you to do your part at home."

Lyra gave a slight nod. "Understood. Thank you, Doctor. Whatever medications or treatments she needs, we're fully on board."

In her past life, Delilah Ward had seen countless psychiatrists.

Yet, in the end, her mind had still completely unraveled.

And this insomnia was just the beginning of that descent.

Lyra followed Caleb out of the office, a suffocating wave of despair washing over her as she unconsciously twisted her fingers together.

Caleb, on the other hand, seemed visibly relieved by the doctor's prognosis. Seeing that their mother had finished her soup, he prepared to head to work. "Mom, there's a business luncheon I have to attend today, so I won't be back until this evening. I'll come straight to the hospital afterward."

Delilah offered him a soft smile. "Go take care of the business, honey."

Lyra suddenly snapped out of her daze, her heart sinking. "I'll go."

Caleb looked at her in surprise. "I can handle it. You should stay here with Mom."

"No, I'm going to the luncheon," she insisted.

In her previous life, the business world had entirely written Caleb off after Arthur's sudden death. When he attended this very event, the vicious whispers and mocking insults had destroyed him. He had come home that night blackout drunk, completely broken.

Both Delilah and Caleb were taken aback by her sudden stubbornness, but they ultimately gave in.

At noon, Lyra arrived at the venue. The host hadn't expected her to show up in her brother's place, but as a seasoned socialite, he masked his surprise instantly, plastering on a bright, welcoming smile. "Miss Fairchild! Welcome, welcome."

"Caleb is tied up with matters at Fairchild Holdings right now," Lyra explained smoothly. "He asked me to attend in his stead."

"Business always comes first, completely understandable. We're just thrilled you could make it," the host replied warmly.

She casually scanned the lavishly decorated ballroom.

The Jamesons, the Millers, the Lancasters—none of the city's true elite families had bothered to show up. When it came down to it, this event was strictly second-tier.

So what on earth had pushed Caleb over the edge?

Stepping away from the crowd, she retreated to a quiet corner, intending to call Kayla. Just as she pulled out her phone, she caught the sound of hushed voices drifting from the adjacent alcove—and they were talking about her family.

"I hear the Fairchilds are drowning in problems. With Arthur gone, they're nothing but a hollow shell. Having all that cash with zero real power to back it up? It's a recipe for disaster."

"The Jamesons are the only ones who truly run Seaborne City. They have the wealth and the connections. Rowan Jameson can secure an entire supply chain with a single phone call. Caleb doesn't have a fraction of Rowan's political and corporate leverage. What Rowan gets done with a passing comment, Caleb has to bleed millions of dollars to achieve."

"Exactly. Money isn't a safety net. Against the true power players, wealth means absolutely nothing if you don't have the influence to protect it. They're sitting ducks."

Lyra listened in absolute silence, a heavy lump forming in her throat. This was it. These were the exact venomous words her brother had been forced to endure in her past life.

No wonder he had gone home completely destroyed, spiraling into a depression that only caused Kayla and their mother even more agony.