Chapter 1083


    Patric relentlessly hammered the same narrative into Holden''s ears repeatedly.


    "Grandpa, your favored grandson was treated like ab animal, strapped onto an experimental table.


    He wasn''t seen as the golden boy anymore but as a rabbit waiting to be dissected. All because you


    agreed to let him take on that mission years ago. Grandpa, howe Ian is so lucky? He''s now the


    heir, enjoying your love and protection, while I''m the one facing the brunt of it all. Would I still have to


    protect him if I weren''t his brother?"


    Holden, already frail with age, could hardly bear to hear these words.


    The mere thought of Eric, such a promising individual, being treated as ab rat made Holden vomit


    blood.


    In his younger days, Holden was known for his iron will, but now, in his twilight years, family was all that


    mattered.


    His two most cherished grandsons were Ian and Eric.


    Over the years, believing that Eric had died, he had peacefully handed over the reins of the Raymond


    Corporation. But just as he was on the brink of death, he found out that his beloved grandson was used


    for live experiments.


    These experiments must have been excruciating, stripping Eric of his dignity. This was not what Eric


    should have endured.


    Eric, a true gentleman, should not have had to go through such an ordeal.


    Patric ryed these stories time and again to Holden. The shock of it all left Holden unconscious for a


    long time. When he woke, he had lost a significant amount of weight.


    Eric couldn''t stop Patric. He was feeling increasingly powerless as Patric''s influence grew, and he


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    gradually lost control of his body.


    This time, Patric had manipted the older man by exploiting their kinship.


    In his lifetime, Holden had always been honorable and upright. Yet, in his final years, he found himself


    being dragged into a plot against his own flesh and blood.


    The way Maja looked at him, her care and concern, they all gnawed at his conscience like poison.


    But what really weighed on him was the fact that he had to help Patric carry out this farce.


    Patric''s demand was simple: he wanted Maja.


    He told Holden, "Grandpa, didn''t you know? Maja was my first love. My desperation to escape their


    control was all for Maja. That''s why I eagerly agreed to go undercover at the research facility overseas.


    I brought back crucial research data, all at the expense of my health and dignity. All I want is Maja, so


    you must help me separate Ian and Maja. During my days at the research facility, subjected to brutal


    treatment, it was my longing for Maja that kept me going."


    Patric was telling the truth, but these were Eric''s experiences.


    Eric had barely made it back. All he wanted was to fulfill a promise.


    Yet now, he had lost both Maja and the promise.


    Regretting his decision to match Ian and Maja and learning about Eric’s ordeal, Holden was filled with


    remorse and anguish.


    So when he was in the ICU, he said that Ian and Maja should part ways.


    Before any of this had happened, Holden had already been through a lot with the Raymond family. His


    two sons had left Greenfield, his granddaughter was admitted into a mental institution, and then he


    found out his beloved grandson was used for experiments. He was at his wits'' end.


    He was forced into such a distasteful act even on the brink of death.


    Meeting Maja was part of Holden''s coboration with Patric''s scheme. Handing the ck box to Maja


    was also part of the n, all with the aim of separating Maja and Ian.


    Holden loved Maja like a granddaughter and cherished Ian.


    Now, he was deceiving Maja and hurting Ian.


    Holden was in more pain than anyone, but he couldn''t utter a word lying in the ICU.


    When Ian received the critical condition notice, he couldn''t believe it. The doctors had said that Holden


    had half a month left, but only two days had passed.


    "Mr. Raymond, I''m truly sorry. Your grandfather''s will to live is very low, and his vital signs are


    deteriorating."


    The man lying in the ICU had no will to live. Even with the best medical efforts, what good could it do?


    Pale as a ghost, Ian donned the protective suit and entered the ICU again.


    Holden could no longer speak. He only stared at the ceiling with cloudy eyes.


    Ian felt a pang of sadness, remembering how, during his military days, whenever he messed up and


    was punished, Holden would whip him while his eyes filled with pride.


    Holden, skinny as a twig, had gone through a lot during this time. The fact that a mentally strong man


    like him could lose his will to live indicated a significant amount of psychological torment.