The Amazing Son in Law The Charismatic Charlie Wade

“Oracle Pharmaceutical?” James Smith echoed, a hint of disbelief in his voice. “Why on earth would you be heading

there?”

Hector’s face lit up, a spark of hope evident. “An old friend has pulled some strings for Shiann and me concerning

the Oracle medicine. He has ties with the top brass of Oracle Pharmaceutical. He’s arranged a spot for Jimmy too.

We’re on our way there to meet him, and you should bring Jimmy. Let’s get moving!”

James’s eyebrows furrowed. “Didn’t they blacklist both of you? Jimmy doesn’t meet their criteria. Who is this

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 from Oracle

Pharmaceutical. I’ve no evidence of his claims, but he doesn’t strike me as one to jest about something this

serious.”

James looked stern, “Hector, Oracle Pharmaceutical has deeper secrets than you might think. Liam is just a face for

the real power behind the scenes. Trust me, he wouldn’t dare to bend the rules for anyone.”

“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 Robert Clark?

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 tell me, how’s

Jimmy holding up?”

“It’s grim,” James admitted with a heaviness in his voice. “The doctors here say the cancer has invaded most 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’s with 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’s entrance.”

Making up his mind, James said, “In China, we say it’s better to trust and be disappointed than to doubt and 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 whole operation 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 need assistance?”

James managed a small smile. “I’m fetching Jimmy. Then we’re trying our luck at Oracle Pharmaceutical.”

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’s Hospital.

Their arrival in Aurous Hill had seen them promptly enroll their children at the Aurous Hill People’s Hospital and

adopt the same treatment regimen they had followed in the United States for chemotherapy. Initially, they had

lodged in a hotel nearby, waiting for Jenny. Later, after organizing matters in the States and hastening to Aurous Hill

with their daughter, they secured a rental home near the hospital.

Guided by Anne’s counsel, James Smith dedicated his days to philanthropic pursuits throughout Aurous Hill. Abiding

by the hospital’s guidelines, Jenny ensured their child received chemotherapy and tests as necessary, returning

home to rest each evening.

Young Jimmy’s cancer had entered its advanced stages. The chemotherapy medications currently utilized 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, curable through surgical

excision. If metastasis had occurred, the best outcome was identifying viable targeted drugs.

But the uniqueness of individual genetic makeup played a part. Some individuals, through genetic fortune,

possessed the necessary targets for targeted drugs, which could yield remarkable therapeutic effects.

Others weren’t as fortunate, their genes offering no viable targets, leaving them unable to avail of targeted 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 acutely aware

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 cancer patients

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 gained approval from

Oracle Pharmaceutical, earning a spot in their clinical trials and being transferred to Oracle’s internal laboratory for

treatment.

James had envied the child’s luck, although his hands were tied. Oracle Pharmaceutical’s points system favored

young patients with severe symptoms and challenging circumstances.

At present, Jimmy lay on the hospital bed, his frame wasted, his hair absent. Fragility seemed to emanate 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 you here?

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. He inquired of

her, “Is Jimmy asleep?”

Jenny offered a subtle nod, her voice tinged with distress, “His nausea has escalated. The doctor added anti-

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 scan arrived two

days ago. Jimmy’s cancer cells are still proliferating and spreading. This week’s chemotherapy hasn’t yielded

discernible improvement. The doctor noted that his physical state is deteriorating rapidly—like an uncontrolled

plummeting elevator. Chemotherapy is barely decelerating the descent, extending the fall from two months to

perhaps two and a half, maybe pushing for three… At best…”

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 contemplating halting

Jimmy’s chemotherapy and taking him back to the States for his remaining time. His grandparents—both maternal

and paternal—are waiting to see him. Returning home could at least allow him 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. Having any 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’ve promised not to

reveal anything prematurely, but rest assured, if there’s any development, I’ll inform you

at the earliest opportunity.”

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