Chapter 154

Exhausted, Cheryl dragged her feet back to her rented apartment. It was a small, simple room that could only fit a single bed. She heated some instant pasta. Who would have thought that more than a year ago, she was still a celebrity with a promising future? Because she refused to sleep with the company's shareholders, she was essentially blacklisted. She'd signed a ten-year contract with them, the terms of which were incredibly harsh, preventing her from taking any acting work outside the company.

Now, the company wasn't offering Cheryl any work. She had no income. They'd stopped providing her with an apartment; she could only afford a small rental and relied on various part-time jobs to survive.

Sometimes, Cheryl felt she couldn't go on. When her phone rang, she shivered with fear. It was the company. She didn't want to answer, but she had no choice; she couldn't afford the exorbitant penalty.

As soon as Cheryl picked up, the company executive launched into a torrent of harsh and mean words. She felt numb, enduring the humiliation and scolding. Cheryl had contemplated suicide countless times. Only her family kept her going.

“How dare you offend Cindy? Listen up. You have to come to the company tomorrow to apologize to Cindy. Otherwise, you'll be doomed!” The executive finally stopped and hung up.

Cheryl stared at the phone in a daze. Her pasta was ready. After quickly eating it, she stared at the fruit knife beside her—she'd bought it for self-defense. She picked up the knife and placed it on her wrist. A voice in her mind whispered that a small cut could end this painful life. She'd lost all hope. She'd signed a ten-year contract, but less than three years in, she couldn't bear it anymore.

The moment the knife broke her skin, a clear, pleasant voice sounded in her ear. The beautiful girl, Elvira, said that Cheryl was destined for riches and would become a top celebrity. Cheryl suddenly loosened her grip, and the knife fell. She lay back weakly on the bed, feeling utterly drained.

Elvira returned to the company after dinner. She knew Cheryl's situation couldn't wait. She called Cole, who informed her that Cheryl and Morris hadn't signed their contracts. Their respective companies deemed them unsuitable for work and suggested alternative actors.

Elvira found some information her staff had been investigating. She gave it to Cole, saying, “Take this to the person in charge! I want Cheryl and Morris. There’s no rush on Morris. Talk to Cheryl’s company first.”

Cole curiously examined the information. Upon realizing it was a reality show video, his face flushed, and he visibly recoiled.

Elvira, oblivious to his discomfort, said, “Do it now. Send it to the person in charge of Cheryl’s company and tell him I want to sign Cheryl tomorrow. Otherwise, I’ll leak this.”

“Okay. I’m on it.” Cole took the information and quickly left, looking like he was fleeing.

Elvira was puzzled by Cole’s reaction.

Zach called Elvira after finishing work. Elvira answered as she exited the building. “Hello?”

Zach heard the elevator and asked, “Are you not home yet?”

“I had to work overtime today,” Elvira answered honestly.

10:38 Wed, Chapter 154

“Elvira, I miss you.” Zach had only been separated from Elvira for a day, but he already missed her terribly.

Elvira smiled. “I miss you too. Focus on your work and come home as soon as possible.”

Zach replied, “Okay.”

“I’ll have to hang up now. The signal in the elevator is not good.” Elvira hung up after saying that. Zach was a little disappointed to hear the busy tone. He thought for a moment and immediately called his staff to continue the meeting to solve the problem. He needed to go home early; he missed Elvira too much.

When Elvira arrived outside the company, she took a taxi home. On the way, she received a call from the Gilbert family saying Tracy had suddenly felt unwell and had been rushed to the hospital. Zach was on a business trip, so they hadn't dared to call him; they could only call Elvira.

Elvira immediately asked the driver to rush to the hospital.

When Elvira arrived, Tracy was already out of danger, resting in her hospital bed. Elvira entered the ward and saw Leonard talking to Tracy.

“Grandma, how do you feel?” Elvira quickly went to the bed and took Tracy’s hand.

Leonard stepped aside upon her arrival.

“Elvira, hey. Were you worried? I’m fine. It’s just a trivial matter. They’re just making a fuss,” Tracy comforted Elvira with a smile.

“How can it be a trivial matter? Grandma, you just had heart surgery. You can’t be careless. You have to come to the hospital for a small matter.” Elvira held Tracy’s hand tightly, her eyes red with worry.

“You’re such a nice girl, and Zach married you. I can rest in peace even if I die now.” Actually, Tracy’s situation wasn't as simple as she let on. She didn't want Elvira to worry.

Elvira said, “Grandma, you’re talking nonsense again. Don’t say such inauspicious things.”

“You and Zach should have a baby. If I get to hold my great-grandchild, I will definitely live long,” Tracy teased, trying to lighten the mood.

Elvira couldn't help but laugh and let Tracy rest.

After Elvira stayed with Tracy for a while, Tracy insisted she go home and rest. She said there were servants to look after her and told Elvira not to worry. Tracy asked Leonard to see Elvira home safely.

Elvira saw that Tracy insisted, so she complied. She planned to return to the hospital tomorrow morning.

When Leonard and Elvira left the hospital, they saw Nina. A servant was wheeling a woman in. Nina greeted Leonard enthusiastically, “Leonard, when did you come back? Why didn’t you come home?”

“Nina, I just returned home. Why are you at the hospital in the middle of the night?” Leonard stopped to greet her.

Elvira also stopped and looked at the woman in the wheelchair. The woman frowned, looking uncomfortable. Elvira’s intuition told her this woman was Carmen, the one Mandy said had saved Zach’s life.

Elvira felt Mandy was definitely mistaken. There was no resemblance between her and Carmen. Moreover, Carmen looked quite mature, appearing to be over thirty.

Chapter 154

“Leonard, do you still remember Carmen? She’s Carmen. She suddenly felt unwell. That’s why I brought her to the hospital for a checkup.” Nina looked at Elvira as she spoke.

Leonard was very surprised. “Wasn’t Carmen missing?”

“That’s right. We just found her a while ago. Carmen isn’t in good health. Zach went to hire a specialist to treat her,” Nina said with a smile.

Leonard didn’t say anything.