Chapter 10 - 9: Something Happened to Joy Lyle

"Put me down." Elliana turned her face away and coughed lightly, Norman gently set her down, and then held her hand as they walked out. They walked all the way to the CEO’s office, but Elliana didn’t say a word. Her thoughts were all jumbled up. Would Norman think she was... Coincidentally, Norman hadn’t said a word either. As soon as they stepped into the office, she pointed to several bags on the sofa and said, "Norman, I bought you gifts. Do you want to take a look?" "Okay." Elliana took out all the items, which couldn’t be considered expensive. Altogether, they were not even worth the cufflinks Norman was wearing. Those were masterpieces by a famous French designer, and compared to what she bought, Elliana felt a bit embarrassed. "Help me change," Norman’s tone was light yet carried a slight command. Elliana was momentarily stunned, then proceeded to remove all the suit accessories Norman was wearing and replaced them with the ones she bought. Watching Elliana seriously exchanging his cufflinks, Norman was a bit dazed. She had changed so much; he couldn’t believe it was a sudden transformation. "Done! What do you think?" Elliana smiled as she looked up at him, hoping for his approval. "Very good." The remark was indifferent, but Elliana sighed in relief, fearing Norman might not like them. She then added, "Norman, thank you for sending money to my cousin; otherwise, I would definitely have forgotten." Norman lowered his gaze, focusing on the cufflinks. His cold eyes seemed somewhat disappointed as he said, "So, you’re thanking me?" "Yeah... well, not entirely; I just wanted to give you a gift," Elliana spoke cautiously, afraid Norman would overthink it. The two shared a lingering gaze. Norman reached out to gently brush her bangs and said, "If you’re tired, go inside and rest for a while. I’ll accompany you home later." Norman glanced at the rest area, signaling her to go in. "Okay." ―――Dusk. A person sleeping vaguely awoke suddenly from the large bed, noticing the time was exactly 6 o’clock. What could Norman be doing now? With curiosity, she cautiously approached the door without wearing shoes; having not locked it upon entering, a gentle push would create a crack. Then the sound from the office wafted through. This door really had good soundproofing! "CEO, aside from that, I also found that George was at the overpass of South Gate at 9 o’clock on the 20th, reverse driving with two men who collided with Mrs. Lyle," Raymond said. "Continue." "Yes." Raymond continued, "And coincide that day Elliana and Norman walked into the company together. So... does Elliana know anything?" After a moment of silence without anyone speaking, Elliana was shocked. Norman was investigating this matter too? Could it be that he noticed her unusual look at George that day? "Have someone closely monitor George," Norman said. "Yes." Footsteps and the sound of a door closing were heard next; presumably, Raymond left. Norman helping monitor George—does this mean she can do other things? The person sitting in the office chair looked toward the rest room, then stood up and walked over slowly. When the door was opened, Elliana hadn’t yet reacted. Then. "Ah!!" "Wear shoes." Norman didn’t say anything else, lifting her up and with his long legs stepping inside, gently placing her by the bed. There he patiently helped her put on sneakers, each movement extraordinarily gentle. "Let’s go home." ――― That night. Elliana nestled on the bed scrolling through Weibo; sleepy feelings surged up, but a message startled her, sitting up with no trace of sleepiness left, instantly awake! "Actress Joy Lyle to play South Wind Song’s leading female role, but investment was withdrawn due to dissatisfaction with pure actress Eleanor Llyod!" That was just the headline, yet Elliana knew, Eleanor certainly stirred up trouble again! In the previous life, Joy never faced such matters, and South Wind Song’s leading role was also Eleanor! Clicking on the headline, the content inside indeed supported Eleanor! Also a video segment of Eleanor speaking. In the video, Eleanor said: I just didn’t want to see Sister Joy being taken advantage of, hence offended the investors; I now only hope Sister Joy won’t blame me. This pitiful look, Elliana found it sickening to even glance at. The comments below were infuriating! Username [Spring Snow]: Request to change the lead role; Eleanor is more suitable as the female lead. What trash is this Joy, still blaming my dear Eleanor. Username [Brother Always Loves Me]: I think Eleanor isn’t necessarily innocent; she seems quite cunning. Of course, Joy is no good either, likes being exploited, why not just be a hooker? ... The more Elliana read, the angrier she became, wishing to argue with these people, she quickly went to Joy’s Weibo comments. Sure enough, just as expected, filled with curses! Yet Joy hadn’t posted anything. Uncertain how her sister was doing now, all she could do was hurriedly inquire. Kitty: Sis, how are you? Okay? Half an hour later, still no reply, not answering the phone call either. Lack of investors leading to an inability to film, Elliana thought long and hard and decided to be an investor herself, promptly calling Mr. Lyle. After listening to Elliana, Mr. Lyle immediately rejected: "Elliana, you know your grandmother forbids us to intervene with Joy, and your dad I have never involved in the entertainment industry." "Oh~" Elliana responded quietly, somewhat disappointed. She knew Mr. Lyle listened most to grandmother, and her grandmother disliked Joy, saying Joy was disgraceful and had tarnished the Lyle family name. Yet, Mr. Lyle thought likewise. "Elliana, don’t meddle with those messy things; stay well, you hear?" Mr. Lyle’s voice advised from the phone. "Understood." Elliana hung up, leaning against the bedhead, feeling a bit disheartened. Why couldn’t they care for her, she was family too. Still remembered the year Joy debuted, earning only three thousand or so a month, high living costs in North City, coincidentally no film, her agency neglecting her, no film meant no money. Eventually, Joy was found under an overpass, nearly starving to death, taken to the hospital demanding medical fees from family, none from the Lyle family cared, only Elliana using allowance money to support her. These years, Elliana had been secretly assisting her cousin, providing funds, Joy worked hard and made it to A-list celebrity status; indeed, part was Mr. Lyle’s silent approval. Thinking of this, Elliana felt her dad was pretty good; he was just pressured by grandmother. Now Joy was likely having a hard time, Roland belonged to Shane’s family, and Roland surely supported Eleanor more. "So frustrating!" Elliana couldn’t help but scratch her head; she should find a job, but there was still a year until college graduation. Buzz Buzz. Sis: I’m fine, just received a company notice that South Wind Song’s lead role was reallocated to Eleanor. Speed truly quick, Elliana couldn’t help but think of Eleanor’s tactics. Kitty: Sis, what is exactly happening? Elliana wanted to know the truth, not trusting online information fully, how much truth is there? Sis: Indeed, it was the investors trying to make moves, but I’m the one who refused and offended them, unaware how it became Eleanor; I’m too lazy to explain. Elliana pursed her lips, unable to swallow this anger, why should someone like Eleanor be the female lead.