"Oh my gosh, it's really Dr. Serena! Mr. Langford, hold that phone steady!"
"Miss Serena, it's an honor of a lifetime to see you work! It was worth me, Ken, clearing my entire schedule for this!"
"Miss Serena, if we have any questions later, we'd be grateful for your guidance!"
The voices from the video were so excited they were practically shouting, their words filled with a fanatical admiration for Serena.
At the sight, Isabella felt her vision swim.
It was fake!
All of it was fake!
Had Mr. Langford been fooled by that witch, Serena, too?
Or was Serena... was she really...
No!
Isabella didn't dare think any further.
She couldn't bear the thought that the "miracle worker" she had gone to such lengths to bring in, thinking she could humiliate Serena, was actually a useless fraud!
She had placed all her hopes on Mr. Langford exposing Serena's true colors, only to see him leading a group of titans of the field in showing Serena such respect and admiration. They wanted to observe and learn from her acupuncture?
Isabella's whole body trembled, her skin growing cold and stiff.
Serena... wasn't she just some hick from the countryside?
Wasn't she just a high school dropout?
Why... why did Serena know so much?
Could the story about her saving someone at Starlight Royal Medical Center be true?
No!
Absolutely not!
"Isabella."
Suddenly, Julian's gentle voice cut in.
Startled, Isabella looked over at her older brother in a panic.
Julian adjusted his glasses, his voice mild. "Why don't you escort Dr. Marcus Doyle out first."
Isabella's heart leaped into her throat.
Meeting Julian's scrutinizing gaze, she clenched her fists, her eyes turning red.
Her face was pale as she stumbled a few steps and fell to her knees beside Old Mr. Lancaster's bed. "I-I'm sorry... Grandpa. I... I was tricked by him too. I honestly just wanted what was best for you, but........ but.....”
Her voice was thick with sobs, trembling uncontrollably. She looked utterly pitiful.
Old Mr. Lancaster gave her a long
look, his expression heavy as he sighed. "Serena was right. If you can't even tell right from wrong in a simple matter like this, how can ever trust you to handle things on your own?"
Isabella's hands rested on the treatment table, her face ashen, her eyes wide.
Handle things on her own?
What did Grandpa mean by that?
Was he saying that because he wanted to... kick her out of the Lancaster family? "Grandpa..."
But Old Mr. Lancaster had lost interest in talking to her. He raised a hand and gave a dismissive wave. "That's enough. You meant well, so I'm not blaming you. Since you were up all night you should go back to your room and get some rest.
Isabella's face grew even paler. She opened her mouth, wanting to say more.
But she saw Old Mr. Lancaster close his eyes.
She knew that if she kept pressing the issue, she would only annoy him further.
But she didn't want to leave.
"It's okay, Isabella. Just go back to your room for now," Catherine said, pulling her out of the pavilion. “Serena needs quiet while she's treating Grandpa. Don't disturb her."
The tone was gentle.
But to Isabella's ears, it sounded like her mother was saying, "You're bothering Serena, so get lost."
Isabella's eyes burned red with anger, and tears began to stream down her face. Meanwhile, in the pavilion.
Serena's expression was serene. Her focus returned to Old Mr. Lancaster, unconcerned with Mr. Langford's video call She simply said "It's fine We're all here to advance the art of Elyndorian medicine. You can ask me anything."
"Let's begin."