Chapter 196 

Sunset painted the hospital comidors in orange as Irene rolled her stiff shoulders. Three back–to–back surgeries had left her running on Tumes, her body begging for & horizontal surface. 

Matthew intercepted her with a clipboard. “Charts are done. Go home before you collapse, he said, eyeing the shadows under her 

eyes. 

“Just a quick stop at Brandon’s room first,” she replied, stifling a yawn. 

She dragged herself toward her brother’s wing, footsteps echoing in the emptying hallway. Through the half–open door, she caught Brandon’s voice. 

“Anything but another bowl of that bland mush they call soup,” he was telling Henry. 

Irene pushed the door open. Brandon’s face lit up instantly. 

“There she is!” His smile cracked through her fatigue. “Perfect timing“,.. 

She crossed to his bed, her doctor’s eyes automatically scanning his injured leg. The swelling had gone down since yesterday. 

Brandon checked his watch. “Haven’t eaten yet, have you? Henry was just ordering dinner.” 

I should get back to the kids-” 

“They’ve got Grandpa. You’ve got nothing at home except that sad excuse for a fridge.” Brandon waved Henry toward the door. “Get enough for all of us, something with actual flavor.” 

Henry vanished with impressive speed while Irene sank into the visitor’s chair. With Brandon, she could drop the walls that stayed firmly in place around the rest of the family. His bluntness was oddly comforting after years of navigating family politics. 

Henry returned in record time with takeout bags that smelled like heaven. Irene had barely taken two bites when the door banged 

open. 

Rose swept in like a storm cloud, handbag swinging from her wrist. Her gaze locked onto Irene, lips thinning to a hard line. 

“Well, isn’t this cozy?” Her voice dripped acid. “The prodigal daughter stuffing her face while the family falls apart. Got enough appetite after everything you’ve caused?” 

Irene’s fork froze halfway to her mouth. She set it down carefully, appetite evaporating. 

Rose turned to Brandon, nostrils flaring. “Sterling Group is circling the drain, and here you are, breaking bread with the person responsible! What’s she done, brainwashed you too?” 

Irene’s knuckles went white around her napkin as memories flooded back–Rose’s palm connecting with Alex’s cheek, her voice spitting “bastards at three five–year–olds who’d done nothing wrong 

“You threw the first punch,” Irene said, voice dangerously quiet. “You slapped my child. Called my kids names no grandmother should ever use. I wasn’t even there, and you’re surprised I’m upset? And if the company is tanking, maybe check who’s been driving it into the ground for years.” 

Rose’s face turned red. “You come back and suddenly everything goes to hell! The stress you’ve caused–you’re trying to kill me!” 

Irene grabbed her bag and stood. Without another word, she brushed past Rose, the door clicking shut behind her. Through the wall, she heard Henry gathering the barely–touched food, another family moment ruined. 

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Chapter 196. 

Brandon stared at his mother, Jaw tight. The silence stretched between them like a wire about to snap. 

“Every d 

time,” he finally said, more tired than angry. “You couldn’t let it go for one dinner?” 

Rose’s hand fluttered to her chest. After everything I’ve sacrificed, is is the thanks I get? My own son turning against me! 

“She wasn’t even there when you went ballistic on those kids, Brandon shot back. ‘What kind of grandmother slaps a five–year–old? All she wanted was a simple I’m sorry. But no–you never apologize 

He leaned forward, eyes boring into hers. “Your pride cost us the Haven partnership. We’re selling property just to keep afloat. Nice work, Mom.” 

Tears spilled down Rose’s face. “I gave you everything,” she sobbed, breath coming in ragged gasps. “And this is how you repay me!” 

Brandon sighed. “Save the waterworks. It’s not working.” 

Rose’s sobs intensified, her chest heaving. Her face flushed as she gasped for air. Her hand clutched at her chest, fingers clawing at her blouse. Then–nothing. Her eyes rolled back, legs buckling as she crumpled to the floor. 

Mon Brandon called, skepticism coloring his voice. “Seriously? This is low even for you.” 

When she remained motionless, the first flicker of real concern broke through. “Mom?” He tried shifting toward her, his injured leg refusing to cooperate. “Henry! Get in here now!” 

Henry burst through the door, freezing at the sight of Rose on the floor. “What happened?” 

“She was crying, then just… dropped,” Brandon said, worry creeping into his voice. “Get a doctor–fast!” 

Henry bolted out, leaving Brandon staring at his mother’s still form, the realization dawning that this wasn’t one of her performances. 

Outside, Irene gulped the cool evening air, willing her heart rate to slow. Every encounter with Rose left her feeling scraped raw, old wounds reopened. 

Her phone buzzed. She nearly ignored it until Adam’s name flashed on the screen. 

“Hey,” she answered, surprised by how quickly tension drained from her shoulders at the sound of his voice. 

“Still at the hospital?” Adam asked. “Need a lift? I’m nearby.” 

She hesitated only a second. “Actually, yeah. That would be great.” 

“Five minutes, he replied before hanging up. 

True to his word, Adam’s car glided to the curb minutes later. Thomas hopped out to get the door, and Irene slid in beside Adam. 

She glanced around the interior. “You really were in the area?” 

“Had some things to handle,” he replied, not quite meeting her eyes. 

In the front seat, Thomas suppressed a smile. Yeah, ‘things‘ like specifically driving here to pick her up. 

Adam studied her face. “Rough day?” he asked, voice dropping slightly. 

“Just tired,” she deflected, not wanting to rehash the Rose situation. 

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Chapter 196 

“Sterling drama again,” he said, less a question than a statement. 

After a beat of silence, Irene asked, “Is it true? Is Sterling Group really in trouble?” 

Adam’s face gave nothing away. “Nothing Nathan can’t handle. They e stabilized for now.” 

“Good.” The relief in her voice was genuine. Whatever had happened with the family, her grandfather’s legacy still mattered. “That would crush Grandpa Joseph.” 

As they pulled away, neither noticed the ambulance lights flashing a the hospital’s emergency entrance, or the medical team rushing equipment toward Brandon’s wing.