Neil had an oxygen tube in his nose. When he noticed Katelyn, a faint smile flickered on his pale face. He tried to sit up but failed, his body too weak to support him. After several attempts, he gave up, sinking back into the pillows, his smile bittersweet.

“Katelyn, you came.” His eyes sparkled faintly, filled with a quiet joy at seeing her.

Katelyn pulled up a chair beside his bed. Her gaze was cold as she studied him.

“The Wheeler Group is under attack by a mysterious consortium. Did you offend someone?”

She had only recently taken over the company and hadn’t had time to make enemies. She hadn’t attended any major corporate events or initiated risky ventures—she’d simply been continuing with existing operations. The odds of her offending someone were slim.

Neil’s face shifted into one of confusion.

“The company? Attacked by a consortium? What are you talking about?” His breathing quickened, and his brows furrowed deeply.

Katelyn couldn’t shake the feeling that without the oxygen, he might collapse entirely.

All of a sudden, Neil reached out and grabbed her hand, his expression desperate.

“Katelyn, you have to protect the Wheeler Group. It’s my only wish.” Neil’s coughing worsened, his face turning a deep red and swelling from the strain.

Katelyn’s frown deepened as she watched Neil struggle. She couldn’t understand why his health had declined so drastically. Her voice remained calm, despite the questions swirling in her mind.

“That’s none of your concern. The Wheeler Group belongs to me now—not you.”

Neil’s body went rigid, and the faint energy he had seemed to drain away. He slumped back onto the hospital bed, his face marked with resignation.

“I understand. Do as you wish. I won’t interfere anymore.” But the moment passed, and another violent fit of coughing overtook him, his chest heaving as though he might cough up a lung.

Katelyn didn’t linger. She turned on her heel and left the room, heading straight for Neil’s attending doctor’s office.

The doctor, Brayan Wallace, stood as soon as she entered, greeting her warmly.

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“Hades, what brings you here?”

In this hospital, Katelyn was respected as a brilliant surgeon. Though her identity was kept discreet, those who had worked with her during operations easily recognized her. They had learned so many things from her during those operations and held her in high regard.

Without preamble, Katelyn got straight to the point.

“I need to see Neil’s medical records.” She felt something wasn’t right.

On hearing Neil’s name, Brayan hesitated, then sighed deeply.

“Mr. Wheeler specifically instructed us not to share them with you.” He met her gaze, conflicted, but continued, “If you insist, I’ll show them to you. But you need to be prepared.”

Brayan knew of her past with Neil and was concerned about how she’d react. Despite their messy divorce, he doubted she’d be indifferent to Neil’s current state, given how close Neil was to death. After all, Neil was someone she had once loved.

Katelyn’s expression didn’t waver.

“That’s fine. Show me.”

Her curiosity was piqued. Why would Neil deliberately keep her in the dark? What was he hiding?

Brayan handed over the file, and Katelyn quickly flipped through the pages. The test results and data were undeniable: Neil was dying. Her hands froze momentarily as she processed the information.

How could this be? The last time she’d examined him, he showed no signs of major health issues. But now, his blood was riddled with multiple viruses—an onslaught no human body could endure. He was going to die. Could his blood have deteriorated so drastically in just a few days?

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