Behind the flowers appeared Annabelle Winters’s pure, lovely face.
Diana Ning was momentarily awkward; she hadn’t met the shop owner when ordering the flowers and didn’t realize Annabelle Winters would deliver them herself.
She didn’t think much of meeting another pretty woman.
But judging by Olivia Young’s reaction just now, things didn’t seem so simple.
“Miss Young!”
Annabelle Winters clearly hadn’t expected to run into her either.
“You’re working here now?”
“Yes, today’s my first day.”
“That’s amazing!” Annabelle Winters handed over the large bouquet. “Hope you have a great day at work.”
Olivia Young hugged the flowers and smiled gently. “Thanks, your flowers are beautiful too.”
They were polite, almost overly so.
Diana Ning’s gaze darted between them, sensing something odd.
Could she ask?
Or should she slip out first?
“Uh, I’ll get back to work!”
Annabelle Winters reacted first and turned to leave.
After she left, Diana Ning quickly shut the door. “What’s going on? You two actually know each other!”
“Just a coincidence. She used to be Grace Gordon’s secretary.”
“Grace Gordon? Rings a bell. Isn’t that your childhood friend—the one who’s never visited you abroad? So she was his secretary, and… a stand-in? Wow! That’s some rich family drama! So did you dump him?”
“There was no dumping. I never dated him in the first place.” Olivia Young set the bouquet aside.
The protagonist makes such beautiful bouquets—
No wonder she’s the leading lady; even without the male lead, she shines on her own.
“So does the flower boutique owner have something with your CEO childhood friend?”
“Lawyer Ning, you sure love your gossip.”
No answer?
Then Diana Ning would just investigate herself.
What lawyer isn’t nosy? Besides, it’s practically part of the job!
Bursting with curiosity, Diana Ning went to the window and peered across the street.
“Lily! Lily!”
“Looks like the flower boutique owner is in a hurry—she seems anxious about something!”
Olivia Young had just snapped a photo of the bouquet and, phone in hand, also went to the window.
The cherry tree blocked part of her view, but through the gap, she saw Annabelle Winters’s anxious face as she tried and failed to hail a cab by the curb.
No doubt about it.
This was a textbook novel scenario.
The heroine would never get a ride at this rate—she’s supposed to wait for the male lead or his rival to show up and help. Then she’d be moved by their kindness.
Well.
Why let the guys have all the glory? She could help too.
Who said other women couldn’t play the hero for the heroine?
Grabbing her car keys, Olivia Young dashed out of the office.
She ran downstairs and shouted across the street, “Annabelle Winters! Get in!”
Annabelle Winters hesitated for a moment as Olivia Young got in the car and opened the passenger door.
She came over.
Olivia Young flashed a subtle smile. “Where to?”
“People’s Hospital.”
And just like that, they sped away.
Annabelle Winters’s heart pounded. “I think… You don’t need to rush. We’re downtown—it’s really okay to slow down!”
Such a kind heroine.
“Okay.”
Huh?
She’s really that easygoing?
Annabelle Winters felt almost crazy—she should be worried about her mother, but she kept sneaking glances at Olivia Young.
She’s got thicker hair.
Fairer skin.
Better complexion.
Sharper features.
A longer neck.
More elegance in every way.
No matter how she looked at it, Olivia Young had her beat.
No wonder Grace Gordon couldn’t let go of his first love.
Ever since she’d left Gu Corporation, Annabelle Winters hadn’t seen Grace Gordon—and honestly had no idea how he was doing.
No news is good news, she thought.
At the hospital, Olivia Young stayed by Annabelle Winters’s side.
Annabelle Winters’s mother was in critical condition; she needed a family member’s signature for surgery.
Tears streaming down her face, Annabelle Winters signed the papers and trailed the gurney to the operating room.
“Mom…”
Olivia Young stood off to the side. She’d stepped out of the original plotline by now—and actually found herself feeling sympathy for the protagonist.
In the novel, Annabelle Winters’s mother wouldn’t last much longer.
Poor leading lady, burdened with a family like this.
Gazing at her, tearful, Annabelle Winters murmured, “Miss Young, thank you for bringing me here.”
“There’s no need to thank me.”
Annabelle Winters stared at the surgery doors. “Mom, please hold on.”
If her mother didn’t make it, what would she do?
Her father and grandfather were hopeless, her younger brother still in school.
Her mother was all she had left.
She never should have given her dad that money.
A gambler only ever thinks their luck’s just temporarily bad.
He’d quit gambling—when he was in the grave, maybe.
Sigh.
With such a good opportunity, should she contact Grace Gordon?
She really didn’t want to pull him off her blacklist.
But if she didn’t set something up, when would the male and female lead ever get together?
I’ve got it.
Pick a “lapdog”—no, just a friend—and tell him all about this.
She trusted this friend would be happy to pass the news along to Grace Gordon.
Then her job here would be done.
Perfect.
The waiting area outside the OR felt cold and lonely.
Sitting there was heavy enough for the mood.
Annabelle Winters sat with her head bowed. Olivia Young had left for other matters, so she was alone.
At some point, a shadow fell across her lap.
She looked up—to see Grace Gordon’s handsome, striking face.
“Why are you here?”
“I didn’t come for you—I came for your mother.”
Grace Gordon sat beside her and fell silent.
Visiting her mother? That was even stranger.
When did they get so close?
How did he even know?
Was it Olivia Young who told him?
Was she trying to set them up?
What an odd thought.
Two hours later, doctors rolled her mother out—still unconscious, anesthesia yet to wear off.
Focused on her worry, Annabelle Winters didn’t notice the doctor confiding in Grace Gordon about the details—even though she was the patient’s family.
In the hospital room, Fu Zhu came in with a lunchbox. “Executive Assistant An, you should eat something.”
“I don’t work for you anymore.”
“Miss An,” Fu Zhu quickly corrected himself, “you need to eat something.”
He set the food down and left quietly.
Grace Gordon opened the lunchbox. “How can you look after your mother on an empty stomach? Come, eat something.”
Annabelle Winters sat by the bed. “Mr. Gu, please leave.”
“What did you call me?”
“Mr. Gordon, I don’t work for your company anymore, and I don’t need your concern. Please go.” Annabelle Winters didn’t even look his way.
She’d already taken the money; it was only right to keep her word.
Grace Gordon stared at her lonely figure. “Annabelle Winters, your temper’s flaring up, isn’t it?”
So she dared speak to him like that now.
Was it the money that gave her courage?
Annabelle Winters gripped her mother’s hand. “This isn’t about temper. Right now, all I want is to stay with my mom and take care of her. Mr. Gordon, you have your own business to attend to. We don’t need to see each other again.”
Footsteps drew nearer in the quiet room.
She didn’t dare turn around.
But she could feel Grace Gordon right behind her.
“Annabelle Winters, is this the condition you agreed to for my mother’s five million?”
Annabelle Winters’s heart clenched—so he’d known all along.
And still he showed up?
“That’s right!”
Annabelle Winters turned, her eyes red and wet with tears. “I am the kind of woman who loves money and status. How much could I make just working? Five million, just for resigning—who’d refuse that, except an idiot?”
She was just a regular person. How could she compete with the powerful?