Chapter 6

The outside of Eterspring Pharmaceutical was quickly surrounded.

Reporters, content creators, company employees, and onlookers packed the plaza.

Hundreds of phones were aimed at the building's main entrance.

By the time I arrived, Jessica had already taken Tanya to the rooftop.

The screen on the building's exterior wall was broadcasting a live feed from the rooftop.

Jessica stood by the railing, holding Tanya.

The girl was still wearing her hospital gown, wrapped only in a thin coat on top of that.

A portable oxygen mask covered most of her face.

The wind was strong.

The needle marks from the IV were still visible on the back of her hand, and her arms hung limply in her mother's embrace.

When my mother saw me, she rushed over in tears.

"Here you are! Hurry up and get up there! Give her whatever she wants! She's already agreed to everything you asked. Save Tanya first!"

Police and firefighters had already sealed off the entrances.

A negotiator quickly walked up to me.

"Mr. Holland, your wife is currently extremely emotional. She's refusing to let anyone approach her. We would like you to agree to do the compatibility tests first to calm her down."

I looked up at the rooftop.

"Tell her to sign the share transfer agreement."

The negotiator thought he'd misheard.

"At a time like this, you're still talking about that?"

"That's my condition."

The people around heard those words and immediately erupted in curses.

"Scumbag!"

"His wife and daughter are about to die, but all he's thinking about is money!"

"Someone like him deserves to go to hell!"

Several company employees tried to rush past the police line but were held back by police officers.

My mother suddenly fell to her knees and grabbed my leg desperately.

"Kevin, I'm begging you. Tanya's my only granddaughter. Go do the tests. Once they come down, I'll do anything you ask."

I helped her up.

"This isn't something you can interfere with."

On the big screen, Jessica's phone rang.

The negotiator handed me the phone.

"She'll only talk to you."

The call connected.

The wind almost drowned out Jessica's voice.

"Kevin, are you downstairs?"

"Yes."

"Look up."

I looked toward the edge of the rooftop.

Jessica took a step forward, holding Tanya.

The crowd below gasped.

"You want the shares, right?"

Her voice came through both the phone and the live broadcast speakers.

"After you do the compatibility tests, I'll sign immediately."

"No. Complete the transfer procedures first."

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds.

Then, Jessica suddenly laughed.

"Even now, you still don't trust me."

"Why should I trust you?"

"What if you still won't do the tests even after I sign?"

"You have no room to bargain."

She lowered her head and gently touched Tanya's forehead.

Tanya didn't react at all.

Inside the oxygen mask, the white mist was faint.

Jessica asked through tears, "She's your own daughter. Are you really going to watch her die?"

I signaled to the lawyer, who stepped forward and opened a folder containing a new share transfer agreement.

"Have someone send the document up."

The negotiator was livid.

"You should be trying to save their lives!"

"Once she signs, I will."

A few minutes later, the folder with the agreement was sent up to the rooftop.

Jessica told the negotiator to back off and picked up the document herself.

With one arm holding Tanya, she struggled to flip to the last page.

The pen touched the paper.

She signed.

The live camera captured the entire process clearly.

Jessica held up the signed agreement in front of the lens.

"I've signed the divorce agreement.

"I've given up all the assets.

"Now, I'm also giving him all the shares I earned from spending eight years building the business with him."

She looked down at me from above.

"Kevin, I've given you everything you wanted."

The lawyer was about to go upstairs to retrieve the document when Jessica suddenly let go.

The share transfer agreement was swept away by the wind.

The white pages scattered in the air like a flock of birds with broken wings.

The crowd below screamed again.

Jessica held Tanya tighter and stepped onto the edge of the rooftop.

My mother collapsed to the ground, screaming Tanya's name over and over.

The negotiator shouted into his earpiece, ordering the firefighters to prepare for immediate action.

I stared at the rooftop.

"Jessica, come down."

She looked at me from dozens of floors above.

A desperate smile slowly spread across her face.

"If Tanya dies, I don't want to live either."

She lowered her head and kissed her daughter's forehead.

"Kevin, from now on, no one will be in your way."

I rushed forward.

On the rooftop, Jessica, holding Tanya, took that final step.