Chapter 3

On that day, the messages on my phone never stopped coming.

I had to manage a crisis PR situation while also dealing with customers demanding refunds.

I was busy the entire day without pause.

It wasn't until evening that I finally got a moment's respite.

The instant I put down my phone, my mind was filled with a deafening roar.

My head felt as if it had been pierced by a power drill, the pain so intense I could barely breathe.

I staggered to my feet, but my legs gave way, and I nearly collapsed to the floor.

The pill bottle beside me rolled onto the ground due to my movement.

"You're quite the actress, aren't you!"

Vivienne slowly entered my office in her wheelchair.

She reached down to pick up the pill bottle from the floor.

"You'll really stop at nothing to keep Gideon by your side, huh!"

Vivienne's eyes were full of resentment.

I couldn't be bothered to engage with her any further.

I reached out to grab the pill bottle back, but she pulled it away.

"I came here to tell you something."

"No matter what tricks you pull, Gideon's heart belongs only to me!"

A slight smirk appeared on Vivienne's lips.

She caught sight of a familiar figure from the corner of her eye and tossed the pill bottle into the nearby oven.

Before I could stop her, I saw her fall from her wheelchair."Miss Frost, I'm so sorry, it's all my fault!"

"I was careless, I'll pick it up for you right away!"

Vivienne's face was streaked with tears.

She crawled on all fours towards the oven, making as if to reach inside.

"Vivienne!"

Gideon rushed over in two quick strides, stopping Vivienne's actions.

Vivienne slumped, clutching at the hem of Gideon's clothes.

As if she had suffered some terrible injustice.

"Gideon, it's all my fault."

"I just wanted to ask if there was anything I could do to help Miss Frost."

"But Miss Frost got angry and threw the medicine bottle into the oven, telling me to get it!"

I laughed bitterly at the absurdity.

Vivienne had truly mastered the art of turning the tables.

But Gideon, of course, believed her.

He clenched his fists, his face dark with anger.

He turned, about to confront me, but then saw my face was as white as paper, completely drained of color.

"What's wrong with you?"

There was a hint of concern in Gideon's voice.

I shook my head lightly, but as soon as I stood up straight, my vision went black and I collapsed to the floor.

Gideon hurriedly stood up, intending to help me."Gideon, my legs hurt so bad!"

Vivienne reached out and grabbed Gideon's pant leg, her face full of anguish.

She frantically started pounding her own legs with her hands.

Gideon was startled by her behavior.

Without hesitation, he turned and scooped Vivienne up in his arms, rushing out of the studio.

I watched their retreating figures, my chest filled with pain.

My vision slowly blurred.

Finally, it faded into endless darkness.

When I woke up again, I was lying in a hospital bed.

My assistant Myra saw that I was awake and her eyes lit up with joy.

But in just a moment, her joy turned to worry.

"Elise, you're so seriously ill. Does Mr. Sterling know?"

"No, and he doesn't need to know."

Just then, Gideon walked into the hospital room.

Hearing what I said, his brows furrowed in displeasure.

"You're my wife. What could possibly be none of my business?"

I calmed myself before replying.

"It's about PR stuff."

A flash of embarrassment crossed Gideon's eyes.

He made up an excuse to send Myra away.

After she left, he sat down by my bed and took my hand in his."Elise, you both made mistakes in what happened before."

"Vivienne was just looking out for me, you shouldn't have bullied her,"