Just then, an elderly man in a long robe, with a prominent nose and a long face, stepped into the Stevens family home. He barked impatiently, "Don't waste my time! Where's the patient? I have other matters to attend to!"

Irene rushed to greet him with a fawning smile, saying, "You must be the renowned Dr. Cedric Aicker from Jayrodale! Please, Dr. Aicker, have a seat and enjoy some tea before we begin!"

She intended to flatter him, but Cedric merely shot her dismissively as if looking at a