Lise’s expression froze.

Damn it! It didn’t work this time.

Behind her back, Lise clenched her fists tightly. No, she had to think of another way fast. She couldn’t afford to lose Neil; he was her only lifeline.

Just then, the doors to the operating room swung open.

Katelyn emerged from the operating room. Neil quickly wheeled himself toward her, his voice laced with urgency as he asked, “Hades, how did it go?”

Katelyn glanced at Lise. Her expression tightened, and she remained silent, her frown deepening.

Instantly, Neil’s face hardened. He glared at Lise, his voice sharp.

“Why are you still here?”

Lise had been the one to send someone to steal from Hades’ clinic. No wonder Katelyn couldn’t stand her.

A weight settled in Lise’s chest. Frustration bubbled up, but she couldn’t show it. Her voice cracked as she said, “I’m sorry. I’ll go now. But I swear I had nothing to do with stealing the Spring Snow Herb.”

Tears streamed down her face, more uncontrollable than before. Without waiting for a response from Katelyn or Neil, she turned away, casting a pitiful look over her shoulder.

As she rounded the corner, however, her expression darkened.

Damn, Hades. That wretched woman!

Lise had hoped this moment might mend things with Neil, but everything had fallen apart. She forced herself to conceal the coldness in her gaze. Once she fixed things with Neil, she’d take care of anyone who tried to stand in her way.

? ? .

Neil turned his focus back to Katelyn, his voice filled with concern.

“Hades, did the surgery go well?”

Katelyn nodded reassuringly.

“Yes, the surgery went very well. Once the patient wakes up, she can be moved to a regular ward. For now, she needs to avoid stress and manage her emotions.”

Any emotional turmoil could hinder recovery, even making things worse.

She didn’t stay on the topic with Neil.

“The nurse will explain the patient’s care later.” Without another word, Katelyn turned and walked away, eager to leave.

Neil opened his mouth to ask more, but Katelyn had already disappeared. His forehead creased, and a coldness spread across his face.

Just as Lise stepped into her room, her phone buzzed with a new message.

The message came from the mysterious person: “Zoey is missing.”

Lise’s hand struck the cabinet beside her, her mind spinning.

“What?”

How could Zoey just vanish like that? She was just a disabled bitch. How could she disappear in such a busy hospital? Damn, that wretched woman!

Once she found Zoey, Lise would make sure Zoey regretted ever being born.

Lise quickly replied, “Find her, no matter what!”

No one hurt her and got away with it. She wouldn’t let that happen.

The mysterious person responded, “If the reward’s enough, I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Lise’s face hardened. Her grip on the phone tightened as if she could crush it.

Elsewhere, Katelyn had just completed Carol’s surgery and was heading back to the lounge to take off her disguise. She longed to return to her true self and get some rest in the ward. The day’s events had completely drained her, leaving her exhausted.

Just as she reached for the lounge door, Katelyn stopped. Something didn’t feel right. A menacing presence drew nearer.

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