She had already conducted the examination the day before, so only some pre-surgery checks remained.

Carol smiled and nodded.

“Okay, thank you.” She then sat down in a nearby chair, waiting for the nurses.

Neil observed Hades carefully. She looked distinctly different from Katelyn, yet there was a sense of familiarity about her. He had tried probing her numerous times before, but it always yielded nothing.

But today, Neil’s mind was focused on a different concern.

“Hades, you mentioned yesterday that the Spring Snow Herb was damaged. How can we proceed with the surgery today?”

Could it be that Lise was truly not guilty? If that were the case, everything that had transpired the previous day would have been a complete farce.

Neil was seething with anger but managed to control it, his eyes fixed on Hades as he waited for her response.

Katelyn had anticipated that Neil would ask such a question, so she had already prepared her answer. In a composed tone, she replied, “Yes, the Spring Snow Herb was tampered with, but what was destroyed was the substitute I had prepared. Do you really think I’d let that happen again without taking preventive measures?”

Neil was caught off guard. Her explanation was flawless, yet doubts still lingered in his mind. He asked with a serious expression, “Hades, did someone truly break into your clinic yesterday to steal the Spring Snow Herb?” His gaze remained fixed on Katelyn, searching for any sign of panic.

But Katelyn showed no signs of unease. Instead, a faint, cold smile appeared on her lips.

“And what would be the purpose of me lying to you?”

Katelyn had no desire to prolong the conversation with Neil, but she needed him to be convinced by her explanation. If not, he would keep questioning her, creating unnecessary trouble.

She spoke again, her tone sharp.

“Mr. Wheeler, if you don’t trust me, you can find another doctor. Your doubts irritate me.”

Neil realized that if the conversation continued like this, his grandmother’s surgery could be delayed. He controlled his emotions and said in a measured tone, “I am sorry. I crossed a boundary.”

Katelyn gave him a cold, brief glance before moving away. She walked directly to the operating room to prepare for the surgery.

Carol glanced at Neil and let out a deep sigh.

“Neil, if you had trusted people a little more, maybe your marriage with Katelyn wouldn’t have ended.”

Having watched Neil grow up, she knew him well. If only he had been more patient with Katelyn, things might not have turned out this way.

Neil remained silent.

Then a nurse approached Carol and politely said, “Ma’am, it’s time for your examination.”

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