Female Novel
Chapter 5475
“Oracle Pharmaceutical?” James Smith echoed, a hint of disbelief in his voice. “Why on earth would yoube heading there?”
Hector’s face lit up, a spark of hope evident. “An old friend has pulled some strings for Shiann and meconcerning the Oracle medicine. He has ties with the top brass of Oracle Pharmaceutical. He’s arrangeda spot for Jimmy too. We’re on our way there to meet him, and you should bring Jimmy. Let’s getmoving!”
James’s eyebrows furrowed. “Didn’t they blacklist both of you? Jimmy doesn’t meet their criteria. Who isthis mysterious friend of yours? How can he wield so much influence?”
“I’m not certain about his background,” Hector confessed. “He claims he’s close with Liam Weaver fromOracle Pharmaceutical. I’ve no evidence of his claims, but he doesn’t strike me as one to jest aboutsomething this serious.”
James looked stern, “Hector, Oracle Pharmaceutical has deeper secrets than you might think. Liam isjust a face for the real power behind the scenes. Trust me, he wouldn’t dare to bend the rules foranyone.”novelbin
“But,” Hector insisted, “he seems genuine. You’re already in Aurous Hill and so are we. Just bring Jimmy.Even if things don’t pan out, what do we have to lose?”
James hesitated, then inquired, “Hector, what’s your friend’s name? How did you two meet?”
“His name’s Robert Clark. Met him during a hiking trip.”
“Robert Clark?” James’s surprise was palpable. “If it were Charlie, I might be more optimistic. But RobertClark? Never heard of him. How old is he?”
“In his early 20s, by the looks of him.”
James sighed with a touch of disappointment. “That can’t be Charlie then. He’s pushing thirty. But tellme, how’s Jimmy holding up?”
“It’s grim,” James admitted with a heaviness in his voice. “The doctors here say the cancer has invadedmost of his organs. Chemotherapy isn’t as effective anymore. If there’s no improvement after this round,they’re suggesting palliative care. It’s… it’s basically the end for him.”
Hector’s voice was tinged with urgency. “Where is he? Is he with you in the church?”
“No,” James replied. “He’s getting his chemotherapy at the Aurous Hill People’s Hospital. His mother’swith him.”
Hector raised an eyebrow. “Your wife’s here?”
James nodded, “She sorted out matters in the U.S., sold our home, and then brought our daughter here.She’s handling the kids, while I’m focused on the church.”
Hector took a deep breath. “So, are you bringing Jimmy? We’ll wait for you at Oracle Pharmaceutical’sentrance.”
Making up his mind, James said, “In China, we say it’s better to trust and be disappointed than to doubtand regret. I’ll get Jimmy from the hospital. See you at Oracle.”
Hector nodded. “Perfect. We’ll see you at Oracle’s entrance. And remember, Mr. Smith, this wholeoperation is sensitive. We should keep it under wraps.”
“Understood,” James affirmed.
After hanging up, James addressed his fellow church members, many of whom were fellow expatriates.“Excuse me, I have urgent business. Please carry on.”
One of them, sensing the urgency, voiced his concern. “Anything wrong, James? Do you needassistance?”
James managed a small smile. “I’m fetching Jimmy. Then we’re trying our luck at OraclePharmaceutical.”
The friend patted his shoulder. “If you need anything, let us know.”
“Got it,” James Smith replied, swiftly exiting the church before hailing a taxi bound for the People’sHospital.
Their arrival in Aurous Hill had seen them promptly enroll their children at the Aurous Hill People’sHospital and adopt the same treatment regimen they had followed in the United States forchemotherapy. Initially, they had lodged in a hotel nearby, waiting for Jenny. Later, after organizingmatters in the States and hastening to Aurous Hill with their daughter, they secured a rental home nearthe hospital.
Guided by Anne’s counsel, James Smith dedicated his days to philanthropic pursuits throughout AurousHill. Abiding by the hospital’s guidelines, Jenny ensured their child received chemotherapy and tests asnecessary, returning home to rest each evening.
Young Jimmy’s cancer had entered its advanced stages. The chemotherapy medications currentlyutilized were top-of-the-line and recently developed, yet even so, they couldn’t eliminate the cancer.Their goal was now to slow the spread of the cancer cells as much as possible.
For those grappling with cancer, the optimal scenario was to discover localized carcinoma, curablethrough surgical excision. If metastasis had occurred, the best outcome was identifying viable targeteddrugs.
But the uniqueness of individual genetic makeup played a part. Some individuals, through geneticfortune, possessed the necessary targets for targeted drugs, which could yield remarkable therapeuticeffects.
Others weren’t as fortunate, their genes offering no viable targets, leaving them unable to avail oftargeted drug treatments.
In the absence of targeted drugs, conventional chemotherapy and radiation remained the alternatives.
In little Jimmy’s present circumstances, chemotherapy was the final barrier. Yet James Smith was acutelyaware that this last line of defense was faltering, its remaining time likely just a few short months.
Entering the hospital’s day ward with ease, James observed rows of beds, each occupied by cancerpatients undergoing chemotherapy.
Of these patients, little Jimmy was the youngest.
There was once a 5-year-old with end-stage leukemia here. Some time ago, the child had gainedapproval from Oracle Pharmaceutical, earning a spot in their clinical trials and being transferred toOracle’s internal laboratory for treatment.
James had envied the child’s luck, although his hands were tied. Oracle Pharmaceutical’s points systemfavored young patients with severe symptoms and challenging circumstances.
At present, Jimmy lay on the hospital bed, his frame wasted, his hair absent. Fragility seemed toemanate from him as his eyes rested in a half-closed state, akin to slumber.
Jenny James, James Smith’s wife, sat wearily on a stool near the bed.
Upon noticing her husband’s arrival, Jenny inquired, surprise lacing her words, “James, what brings youhere? Wasn’t the church organizing relief efforts for the homeless this afternoon?”
James refrained from addressing her query directly, his gaze instead fixed on the child in the bed. Heinquired of her, “Is Jimmy asleep?”
Jenny offered a subtle nod, her voice tinged with distress, “His nausea has escalated. The doctor addedanti-emetics to his chemotherapy, but these new drugs are making him drowsy.”
With reddened eyes, Jenny continued in a hushed tone, “James, the results from the enhanced CT scanarrived two days ago. Jimmy’s cancer cells are still proliferating and spreading. This week’schemotherapy hasn’t yielded discernible improvement. The doctor noted that his physical state isdeteriorating rapidly—like an uncontrolled plummeting elevator. Chemotherapy is barely decelerating thedescent, extending the fall from two months to perhaps two and a half, maybe pushing for three… Atbest…”
As she spoke, Jenny covered her face, succumbing to tears.
Swiftly, James moved to embrace her, his voice gentle, “Don’t cry. There might be other opportunities.”
Jenny shook her head, voicing her feelings, “I’m weary of clinging to blind hope. I’m even contemplatinghalting Jimmy’s chemotherapy and taking him back to the States for his remaining time. Hisgrandparents—both maternal and paternal—are waiting to see him. Returning home could at least allowhim to spend his final days with family.”
James countered, “There’s still one last chance, even if we don’t know its likelihood of success. Havingany chance at all is far better than none.”
Turning to Jenny, he added, “Let the nurse remove Jimmy’s IV, I need to take him out.”
Jenny’s surprise was evident as she queried, “Where are you planning to take him?”
Recalling Hector’s injunction to maintain secrecy, James replied, “Don’t inquire further for now. I’vepromised not to reveal anything prematurely, but rest assured, if there’s any development, I’ll inform you
at the earliest opportunity.”