After they went back to the hospital, Richard led a team to investigate the yellow powder. As professionals, encountering such a substance excited them.
Inside the ward, seeing Valentin return, Karen and Brian eagerly asked, "Valentin, how is it?"
Zain also approached with concern, asking, "Is Ashley's situation related to Tyler?"
Valentin's tone was cold. "Yes. Andrew just interrogated him. Tyler took advantage of the drowning incident and used a specially crafted micro-needle to puncture Ashley's arm. The needle contained a dangerous drug he privately developed..." After a pause, he continued, "Richard has already led a team to study those yellow drugs, and results will be available soon."
Karen's face was filled with sorrow as if she had aged ten years in an instant. "Andrew is here too? But Ashley..."
Watching her daughter in a coma on the hospital bed, Karen was consumed by profound anxiety.
George pondered for a moment, his voice unusually deep. "Does Tyler have more to say?"
His meticulous thoughts seemed to have guessed something.
Valentin paused, nodding slightly. "Tyler uses Ashley's safety in exchange for the Pliskin family's assets."
Upon hearing this, Brian was furious and scolded loudly, "How dare he take advantage of Ashley? If he's got the guts, he should come for me instead!"
Lester looked at the unconscious Ashley on the hospital bed without saying a word, his eyes deep and serious. If his sister couldn't wake up, not to mention Tyler wanting the Pliskin family's assets, even if he wanted his life...
After Andrew arrived at the hospital, he didn't enter the ward but waited outside the corridor.
Colby silently accompanied him, wisely refraining from too much speech.
Now, Tyler was clinging to life with barely a breath left. However, he refused to reveal how to wake Ashley up. Did this mean that only by surrendering the Pliskin family's assets could she be revived?
A gloomy and depressive atmosphere pervaded the entire ward.
Finally, in the evening, Richard walked over, a bit fatigued but still vigilant. He looked at Valentin and said, "I collaborated with dozens of senior professors and conducted professional analysis using specialized instruments. The yellow substance does indeed contain dangerous components. Even a small dose can cause extremely hazardous reactions. If the human body comes into contact and absorbs it, dizziness will occur, followed by a coma. Then comes persistent high fever until organ failure, and eventually, death."
Upon hearing the word "death," Karen's face turned pale instantly, stumbling back several steps.
Lester immediately supported his mother.
Brian asked anxiously, "Richard, is there any medicine to control this condition?"
Richard sighed and shook his head slightly. "The medication to control the condition requires long-term experimental research. It's not something that can be developed overnight. But Ms. Ramos is already in a coma, and time is very tight. I am afraid there will be no time to wait for the drug to be developed, and Ms. Ramos may..."
Karen's heart tightened, and tears welled up in her eyes. Holding her daughter's hand tightly, she felt a sudden stabbing pain. Panicking, she said, "It's so hot. Ashley has started to have a fever."
Valentin's eyes darkened suddenly. Holding Ashley's delicate wrist, he could clearly feel her elevated body temperature.
George immediately called the doctor. Whether it was physical cooling or intravenous treatment, they had to bring down her high fever.
However, after three hours, there was still no improvement.
Just as Richard mentioned, it started with a continuous high fever. Next would be organ failure, no recovery, and eventual death.
Andrew, who had been waiting outside the ward, saw this scene. The emotions in his eyes were more profound than the night outside. Suddenly, he turned and walked away.
Colby was stunned and wondered where Andrew was going.
Without much thought, Colby quickly followed.
Inside the ward, Karen held Ashley's hand tightly with one hand and gently touched her quiet, lifeless brows with the other. Her heart ached.
The words Richard said kept lingering in her ears. "Dizziness, followed by a coma, then comes persistent high fever until organ failure, and eventually, death."
Karen's eyes turned red, her throat felt blocked, and tears silently flowed from the corners of her eyes.
She cried to herself. 'Ashley... My daughter... Why must you endure so much suffering from the very beginning? It's been a challenging journey for me to find you. Why must we face this hardship once again?
'If only you hadn't been lost initially... If you had grown up by my side from the start... It's all my fault. I failed to take care of you. I owe you an apology.'
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