Chapter 399

Her words sounded truly heartbreaking.

Anyone else hearing them would likely be moved to tears.

Linda White dabbed her red, tearful eyes with a tissue.

No one noticed the final flicker of mockery in the corner of her eyes.

The plane landed at the White family estate at ten in the evening.

Linda was still in the kitchen, watching over a simmering pot of soup.

"Mom, why are you still up? The servants can handle this."

"No, the servants' cooking doesn't suit your father's taste. I want it ready by morning so you can bring it to the hospital."

Linda spoke while stirring the pot with a ladle.

The rich aroma filled the air, indicating the soup had been simmering for a long time.

Brandon White sighed softly and gently pulled his mother away from the stove.

"Mom, go rest. I'll watch the soup. You've lost weight taking care of Dad these past few days. You look so pale."

"I'm fine. But you, you've been working yourself to death for the White Group. Has the company's situation improved at all?"

Brandon shook his head, unable to hide his exhaustion.

He forced a smile and held his mother's arm. "Don't worry about that. Just take care of yourself. Dad has nurses. You don't need to stay by his side every day."

"Yes, I know." Linda turned back to tend to the soup.

Brandon wanted to persuade her further, but seeing the new crow's feet at the corners of her eyes, he fell silent.

As he turned to leave the kitchen, Linda called out to him.

"I went to see Vivian Bennett this morning."

"Why would you see her? Are you hoping she'll save the White Group, or that she'll let me off the hook?" Brandon's emotions flared at the mention of her name.

Vivian was riding high now, having attached herself to Liam Sullivan.

Her wings had hardened, making her difficult to deal with.

Previous threats and incentives had all failed.

Worse, despite the White Group's internal and external troubles, she hadn't even tried to persuade Liam to help.

Seeing her son's agitation, Linda quickly put down the ladle and soothingly patted his back.

"Calm down, listen to me. I didn't go to her for company matters."

"Then what for?"

"For your father. And for you." Linda paused, her eyes reddening again. "Dr. Smith spoke with me yesterday. Your father's relapse is very serious. Even if we find a matching liver donor for a second transplant, the outlook isn't good. He's older now. Two major surgeries so close together... he might not withstand it."

This was the truth. Linda's tears fell freely.

But Brandon was confused. "What does that have to do with you seeing Vivian?"

"I asked her to get tested for compatibility behind your father's back."

"Mom!" Brandon's barely calm emotions surged again. "Are you crazy? Why have her tested? Even if it's successful, if Dad uses her liver, he'll feel indebted afterward. We worked so hard to kick her out of the White family. What if he softens and lets her come back?"

Brandon's concerns were not unreasonable.

Linda, however, smiled through her tears, a cold edge to her expression. "He won't. Your father would never allow her return. I asked her to do the test secretly for your sake. In his condition, he's already started considering revising his will. I know, even though Vivian's birth mother has been gone for years, he's never truly let her go."

Linda's eyes were moist as she spoke.

Her gaze held loneliness, and a chilling clarity born of bitter realization.