Chapter 1570

Gina let out a ragged sigh and gently squeezed Magdalen's hand. "Mom, don't think about things so far down the line. We have Evelyn, and that's more than enough. lan and Eleanor will raise her to be extraordinary."

A brief flash of clarity cut through the haze in Magdalen's eyes. She slowly closed them. "Let it be, then. I won't push. I only pray those two find their way back to each other."

Seeing that Magdalen had finally found some measure of peace in her final

moments, Gina whispered, "Rest easy, Mom. With lan at the helm, this family will always be safe."

Magdalen thought of her brilliant, fiercely capable grandson. He was the absolute pride of the Goodwins. Yet, her heart ached terribly for him. He had lost his father so young, single-handedly carrying the terrifying weight of the entire empire, never knowing a single day of true peace.

Out in the silent corridor, Eleanor stood with her back pressed against the wall. Magdalen's words 'It would be wonderful if it were a boy'-dropped like a heavy stone into her heart.

She understood the older woman's fears. The Goodwin empire was unimaginably vast. If Evelyn were left to shoulder it entirely on her own, the pressure would be catastrophic. Magdalen was a woman of the old-school legacy mindset-she craved a thriving family, a continuation of bloodlines, and ideally, a male heir to solidify the succession.

It was a wish born out of a fierce sense of duty and a profound, protective love for her descendants.

But Eleanor had already mapped out the rest of her life. Evelyn was, and always would be, her only child.

Her future belonged entirely to her career and her daughter. She simply could not fulfill the traditional expectations of the Goodwin elders.

She suspected this wasn't just Magdalen's secret wish, but likely Gina's as well. Gina had gently pressured them for a second child in the past, back when Evelyn was just a baby, and Eleanor had always deflected.

A moment of sharp clarity and unwavering resolve flashed in Eleanor's tear-filled eyes. A definitive decision finally clicked into place within her heart.

Just then, Gina stepped out of the room, wiping her eyes. "Where are lan and Serena?"

"They're with the doctor. I'll go get them."

Eleanor hurried down the hall and

pushed open the door to the

êt

doctor's office just in time to hear the grim verdict. Even if we resuscitate, it will merely prolong the inevitable. She will likely lose all cognitive function. It would just be

making her suffer."

Seeing Eleanor appear, lan immediately stepped away from the desk. "What's wrong?"

"She's looking for you," Eleanor said, her voice trembling with grief.

lan sprinted down the hallway. Serena clamped a hand over her mouth, sobbing hysterically as she ran after him.

lan threw open the door to the hospital room. Eleanor lingered by the doorway, her heart twisting at the sight. Magdalen looked even smaller the fast fragile threads of life visibly draining from her body.

Eleanor didn't step inside. She knew this was their time to say goodbye.

Ten minutes later, lan suddenly rushed out, desperately calling for Serena. As he passed, Eleanor

caught a glimpse of the heavy tears rolling down his face once again She was watching the unbreakable titan weep.

The last time she had seen him cry was the day his father died. He had stood in a hospital corridor just like this one, his spine rigidly straight, weeping silently like a lost, terrified little boy.

That had been the very first time she witnessed his vulnerability.

Now, his eyes were bloodshot, fighting a losing battle against a tidal wave of grief. The sharp, predatory gaze that normally commanded boardrooms was entirely hollowed out by agony.

"Serena, go in," his voice was so wrecked it was barely a whisper.

Serena stumbled into the room, wailing. Ian didn't follow her. Gina had stayed inside.

Ian leaned heavily against the wall outside the room, tilted his head back, and squeezed his eyes shut.

Eleanor pulled out a folded tissue and walked over to him. Ian opened his eyes. The moment he saw her, he reached out, pulling her into a desperate, crushing embrace as he buried his face in her shoulder.