Chapter 176

Chapter 176

Hans nodded. "The latest CAR-T cell immunotherapy developed by Professor Perez's team is specifically designed for this type of relapsed leukemia with multi-organ failure in patients who can't tolerate chemotherapy. The clinical data so far show an extremely high remission rate. However, this treatment is still in the clinical trial stage, the spots are extremely limited, and given Angela's current condition, the risks of international transfer are enormous. We'd need a top-tier air ICU and medical team."

"Money is not an issue!" Alan's red eyes burned with desperation.

"Whatever it costs, I'll pay it to save my sister!"

Frances sobbed and pleaded, "That's right, Professor Cooper, please, Angela is still so young. She doesn't deserve to end like this..."

Hans raised his hand to calm them down. "I've already had my secretary compile Angela's medical records. I'll submit everything to Professor Perez. As a favor to me, he'll prioritize the evaluation. But I need you to prepare for both outcomes. If the application goes through, the transfer needs to happen as fast as possible."

"I'll handle the funding and paperwork for the transfer." Edward adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. "I'm a lawyer. I know exactly how to fast-track an international medical emergency visa. Alan, you and your family focus on convincing Angela."

"Got it. Thank you, Edward!" Alan looked at him with eyes full of gratitude.

Meanwhile, in the president's office at The Conway Group.

Lucas was screaming into his phone.

"I pay you the highest salaries in the entire industry, and you come back to me saying there's nothing you can do? Contact every top hematology research institute in the world! I don't care what they want — money, technology, equity, anything — just name it! As long as they can cure Angela!"

He slammed the phone down.

Evan rushed in through the door, his face lit up with excitement.

"Mr. Conway, we just got word that Professor Perez at Harborview Medical Center has a cutting-edge targeted therapy in clinical trials for relapsed leukemia. This might be Mrs. Conway's only hope..."

Lucas's eyes sharpened instantly. "Professor Perez? Contact him right now! Buy out his lab, or charter a flight and bring him here as fast as possible!"

"Mr. Conway, Professor Perez is one of the most respected figures in academia. He's never been interested in money or fame, and he doesn't accept corporate sponsorships or private invitations. On top of that, Mrs. Conway's condition can't afford any delays. She needs to get to Novaria as soon as possible..."

Evan hesitated before continuing. "Also, our people found out that someone has already submitted Mrs. Conway's medical records to Professor Perez through high-level academic channels. They're already applying for the one available clinical trial spot..."

Lucas froze, then it hit him.

It must be someone close to Angela.

In that moment, Lucas felt a kind of panic and helplessness he had never felt before.

All his wealth and power, the things he had always been so proud of — they meant nothing here.

But right now, none of that mattered to him.

All that mattered was saving Angela.

On the other side of the city, Cora had been trying to reach Lucas for days with no luck. After asking around, she found out he had been at the hospital the whole time.

She couldn't accept it. She was the one who could stand beside him as an equal in business. So why was Angela the only one who filled his eyes and his heart?

Just then, her phone buzzed on the table.

It was a message from Lila.

[Cora, found out. Angela lost the baby. She's in the ICU now. Doctors say the leukemia is back — multi-organ failure. They're saying she only has a few days left.]

Cora stared at the message for a moment, then let out a cold laugh, her eyes full of contempt.

"What a performance, Angela."

As far as Cora was concerned, this was nothing but a desperate last move. Angela was just using illness and a miscarriage to play on Lucas's sympathy — using her own life as a weapon to hold his guilt hostage.

All so she could keep him for herself.

"You think if you play dying, Lucas will stay by your side forever?" Cora clenched her jaw, a flash of cold determination crossing her eyes. "Since you love putting on a show so much, I'll make sure you watch from that hospital bed as Lucas becomes mine for good."

She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

Tonight was the celebration dinner for The Conway Group and The Beaufort Group's joint project.

The event was originally organized by The Conway Group to showcase its dominance in the tech industry. They had invited every major figure from business and politics, and it had drawn a crowd of mainstream media and financial journalists.

The Beaufort Group, as a partner, was naturally on the guest list.

And she just happened to be going with Samuel.

If she could corner Lucas tonight at the dinner, in front of all those cameras and reporters, and force him to publicly acknowledge their relationship — to make it an undeniable public fact — then no matter how hard Angela fought, she would have nothing left but to crawl back into the shadows and disappear.

As night fell, the grand ballroom of Emerald City's most luxurious hotel blazed with light. Elegantly dressed guests mingled and clinked glasses. The air was thick with perfume and wine. Media photographers had already lined both sides of the red carpet, their shutters clicking nonstop.

"Isn't that Cora? She's stunning. No wonder she's considered such a standout in the tech world."

"Word is Ms. Hayworth played a big part in making The Conway Group's new project a success. Everyone knows about her history with Mr. Conway."

"Exactly. Mr. Conway has never been seen with anyone else. If you ask me, it's only a matter of time before Ms. Hayworth takes the title of Mrs. Conway."

The whispers drifted into Cora's ears as she made her entrance, and her vanity soaked up every word.

She wore a silver-white backless couture gown that showed off every curve. She moved through the room with a champagne glass in hand, gracefully accepting compliments from every direction, looking every bit like the hostess of the evening.

A group of entertainment and financial reporters immediately swarmed her, microphones practically in her face.

"Ms. Hayworth, rumor has it you and Mr. Conway were the couple everyone envied back in college. Now that this project has been such a success, does that mean a wedding announcement is coming soon?"

"Yes, Ms. Hayworth — we've heard Mr. Conway holds you in very high regard. When are you two planning to get married?"

Facing the cameras, Cora lowered her eyes slightly and let a soft, perfectly timed smile spread across her face. She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and spoke in a tone that was deliberately suggestive.

"Thank you all for your concern. Lucas has been very busy lately. He's the kind of man who takes both his work and his relationships seriously. We've been through our share of ups and downs over the years, but through it all, our hearts have always stayed close. As for the good news everyone's waiting for — I don't think you'll have to wait much longer."

Without ever saying it outright, she had all but confirmed their relationship and hinted that a wedding was on the horizon.

The reporters erupted with excitement, their cameras flashing like wildfire.

"Congratulations, Ms. Hayworth!"

"Looks like The Conway family will be celebrating a wedding soon!"

Just as the energy in the room hit its peak and Cora was basking in the moment, the doors of the ballroom were suddenly pushed wide open by two black-suited bodyguards.

The noise in the room died instantly.

A cold, suffocating pressure swept through the entire hall.

Lucas had arrived.