Upon Vicki's release, a modest car awaited her, leading to her outrage. “What kind of junk car is this? How dare they send this to pick me up?"

The driver responded wearily, “Miss Hampton, you might not know, but all your luxury vehicles, along with your brother's, have been sold by your father."

Shocked, Vicki exclaimed, "What? Why were all the cars sold?"

The driver, reflecting on Vicki's recent detention, realized she was likely unaware of the latest developments. He informed her, “You probably haven't heard yet, but the Hampton Group's project faced some issues. To cover the financial shortfall, your fancy cars and your brother's were sold. Also, your father has fallen ill recently and is currently hospitalized."

Vicki was stunned to learn about the significant changes that had unfolded within the Hampton family during her absence. She had initially planned to confront Nicole immediately upon her release, but now, she felt compelled to first grasp the full extent of the family crisis.

Vicki asked the driver to take her straight to the hospital to visit Wayne. There, she found Wayne looking significantly aged, his face etched with deeper Lines.

Upon seeing Vicki, Wayne lowered his head. "Vicki, our family has been destroyed by Jarrod," he said, sighing.

Vicki, perplexed and upset, pressed for details. "How could this happen?"

Wayne shared the distressing events that occurred during Vicki's absence and then sighed heavily. "I once believed Jarrod harbored some affection for you, but I was mistaken. He exploited our family and then discarded us. Now, I'm just an old man, wrestling with the failure to sustain the Hampton legacy. I dread thinking about how I'll face our ancestors."

Vicki clenched her fists, resolved. "I won't let Jarrod escape responsibility for this."

Wayne tried to temper her anger. "Let it go. What can you really do? He no longer cares about you. His focus now is solely on that woman and his ailing son."

Wayne added bitterly, “It's absurd that Jarrod would consider a vasectomy for a sick child. Clearly, that boy means everything to him. Yet, with the delicate heart condition and no donor, coupled with the lack of a seasoned surgeon, the boy won't live long."

Wayne found a cold comfort in this thought. Despite the disarray within the Hampton family, the idea of Jarrod facing the potential loss of his son, and thereby his lineage, provided Wayne with a dark reassurance.

“Heart surgery?" Vicki queried suddenly, sparking an idea. She looked at Wayne seriously. “Have you forgotten? There's someone who can perform the surgery."

"Who?" Wayne was puzzled, failing to remember.

“Don't you remember your old friend who was a top heart specialist? He retired after his wife's death," Vicki said.

Wayne then recalled the individual in question as a renowned heart specialist and a long-time family friend who chose to retire after his wife's accidental death.

Now, reminded by Vicki, Wayne's memory came back.

"This is our chance to reverse our fortunes," Vicki said solemnly.

Wayne's demeanor brightened considerably at Vicki's resolve. “It's good to see how quickly you've taken control of the situation," he commented, clearly impressed.