Endless Loading on Specific Save

Product: The Sims 4
Platform:PC
Which language are you playing the game in? English
How often does the bug occur? Every time (100%)
What is your current game version number? 1.11.294.1020 DX11
What expansions, game packs, and stuff packs do you have installed?

Steps: How can we find the bug ourselves? Not sure. It's only happening on one save file and started with a specific lot, but now it is happening almost every time I try to load into any lot, premade or not. 
What happens when the bug occurs? - Attempting to load in from build mode on map, live mode, travel mode, or using the "play" button on map results in endless loading screen. The screen is not frozen as the plumbob and tips continuously rotate. Often times, the game will make the "loading complete" noise but still shows the load screen. 
What do you expect to see? The lot working like before.
Have you installed any customization with the game, e.g. Custom Content or Mods? Yes. I have 7 script mods and probably 5k+ cc .pak files. I have tried removing the mod folder, done the "factory reset" method, uninstalled and reinstalled the game to no avail. Removing the mod folder results in the game loading properly a few times but it will randomly start up again on that one save file. I have been successful in loading and playing the game with the FULL mod folder on a new save so I'm not sure that it's a mod issue. (Truly have no clue)  
Did this issue appear after a specific patch or change you made to your system? Yes
Please describe the patch or change you made. I believe it was the most recent Oct 2024 update, right before Life&Death was fully released. Before I started having this issue I also purchased and downloaded a bunch of the game packs and stuff packs that were on sale, downloaded them and when I started the game up that's when I noticed the issues.  

In truth, I'm not too worried about salvaging the save file that's having issues, since I've been good with a new save file. I was just really wanting to go into that old save file and save all of my custom builds to my gallery so that I can just place them in my new save file ☹️ I tried to follow a few threads that seemed to be having similar issues but none of the solutions have worked for me. I did clear the cache on steam and deleted the localthumbnail, I even tried offline play but none of that helped. 

If it makes a difference, I do also have my entire documents folder on an external hard drive (including sims 4 game files, user files, mod folder with all the cc etc) 

I am at a total loss so any help is greatly appreciated