Chapter 0207
Joe’s operation was set for early Friday morning.
Unable to sleep, Candice arrived at the hospital in the middle of the night, choosing to stay by her grandfather’s side.
Dr. Sui had repeatedly warned her about not having unrealistic expectations due to Joe’s deteriorating health and increased risk factors.
Candice was aware of this, yet she also recognized her grandfather’s desire not to live his remaining days in a state of confusion.
She found Joe still asleep upon reaching the ward. Not wanting to disturb his rest, Candice waited
outside the room.
Joe woke up around six in the morning, with his surgery being the first on the schedule.
Due to the anesthesia, he had been fasting since the evening before. Candice, keeping her
composure, moistened his lips with a cotton swab dipped in water.
Looking into her grandfather’s clouded, weary eyes, she offered a soft smile and whispered
reassurances. “Don’t worry. Dr. Sui is highly skilled. Just sleep, and it will all be over soon.”
Her grandfather struggled to speak to her but managed to say with difficulty, “Don’t…worry.”
Stunned, Candice masked the emotions in her eyes. She lowered her eyes, gently squeezed his
hand, and brought out a talisman. “Look, I brought you a talisman,” she said, holding it up to Joe.
Her eyes reddened, but she fought back her emotions, not letting them show.
Joe seemed to sense her emotional state. He gently touched the talisman, and his lips moved
silently.
The surgery was expected to last five to six hours. Candice was taken to the waiting area outside the operating room.
As Joe was being taken into surgery, Candice received a call from Hanley. She stood in the waiting area, fixated on the operating room door as she spoke on the phone.
Hanley’s deep voice came through. “Has Joe entered the operating room?”
He had known about Candice’s overnight vigil and had intended to join her, but work
commitments held him back.
“Just now.” Candice responded.
Hanley avoided empty consolations and asked, “Joe can eat regular food now, right? Should I ask
Mrs. Jenkins to prepare some soup for him post–surgery?”
Candice, momentarily forgetting this detail, replied thoughtfully, “I’ll give Mrs. Jenkins the money.
It’s nice to have her help.”
Their conversation shifted to other matters, providing a distraction for Candice until Hanley had to
attend to his work duties.
Meanwhile, the WhatsApp group was abuzz with everyone worried about Candice’s situation.
After responding briefly, Candice set her phone aside. Her attention returned to the operating
room, a mix of anxiety and apprehension in her heart.
The room felt suffocating, as if devoid of air, intensifying her discomfort.
Fearing that the doctor might need her, Candice dared not leave.
Unexpectedly, she received a call from the nurse center asking her to pack Joe’s belongings as he
would be moved to the ICU post–surgery.
Candice went to pack her grandfather’s things. Afterwards, she walked over to the nurse center
for an update about his condition, and ran into Helen.
Helen appeared to be troubled and occupied with her own paperwork.
It was an inpatient department, and Candice realized that Helene must also be a resident patient.
Candice stopped briefly when she saw Helen, surprised at her presence in the hospital. However,
she quickly dismissed any concern about Helen’s well–being.
Helen’s expression changed to one of disgust when she saw Candice.
“Candice, you’re quite the character,” she said coldly. “I hear your grandfather is also here. What are you trying to do? You see us here, and suddenly have no regard for your grandfather?”
Candice gave Helen a cold glance and chose not to respond. Her focus was on Joe’s surgery, and she had no interest in engaging in futile arguments with Helen.
But Helen’s irritation grew as she saw Candice’s indifference. She slammed down her paperwork,
her eyes filled with scorn as she looked at Candice.
“Why the facade? Didn’t you get Alex to pull strings for you? I have no idea what shady tactics your used, but since you’ve benefited, stop acting like you’re so high and mighty. Are you expecting my praise for playing both sides?”
Helen had always taken pride in being a member of high society and being educated, but her
behavior was vicious.
Candice’s brows twitched as she looked coldly at Helen. “Mrs. Elysian, I suggest you be careful
with your words. Bad mouthing others could bring you misfortune.”
Helen froze when she heard this and grew even more annoyed. “The one who will suffer in the future remains to be seen,” she muttered through clenched teeth and glared at Candice.
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