Chapter 144
Elliot said there was nothing else, so I took a few bites and left, using the excuse that something came up at home.
He and I weren't close enough for me to make decisions for him.
And we weren't close enough for him to settle personal scores on my behalf.
As for whether WR would choose Jessa, I think the power is in Elliot's hands.
In my view, Jessa isn't the right choice. She's fine for endorsing some local brands, but she's not suitable for a global endorsement yet.
If Levi's previous sponsorship of her tour had worked out, maybe she'd be more famous now, which would be more convincing.
But she's so desperate that she even worked with someone like Michael. Anyone who knows the truth wouldn't buy it.
Of course, Jessa's endorsement was arranged by her agent. There's nothing wrong with her wanting to make money quickly.
After I got home, I washed up and went to bed. With Celestia not home, I felt much more relaxed.
The next day, the weather was warm.
I kept reminding myself to be careful. This is a special time, and I shouldn't be distracted by other things.
The marketing director praised me in front of Nola. She just kept going on in my office about how I know how to win people over, saying I should get closer to my colleagues so when my identity is revealed, they won't reject me.
Actually, I don't need to consider their feelings since I'm the big boss.
But Nola has my best interests at heart. Being able to win everyone over means they'll follow me wholeheartedly.
My phone vibrated. It was Nola calling.
"What's wrong, forgot tissues?"
"Blair, I'm bleeding. Come quick."
Nola's voice was shaking. She must be scared.
Why would she suddenly be bleeding?
I rushed to the bathroom. Luckily only one stall door was closed, so I found her right away.
"Nola, are you okay?"
Nola pushed the door open from inside and pointed at the red blood in the toilet. "Blair, what do I do? There's blood..."
I grabbed her hand and rubbed the back of it. "Don't panic. I'll take you to the hospital right now."
"Blair, did I lose the baby?"
Nola's eyes were red from crying. She must have been terrified just now.
"No, the baby's fine. Let's go to the hospital and get checked out."
I helped her out, my heart racing too.
"Does it hurt?"
Nola shook her head. "My lower abdomen felt uncomfortable earlier, but not now."
"I'll get your bag. Wait here for me."
I helped her to the break room and had her sit down.
On the way, my heart was pounding. Nola covered her lower abdomen, worried about the baby.
"Nola, call John now and tell him to come to the hospital."
Nola started crying. "Blair, if I lost the baby, will he be angry?"
"Your health is most important. Stop overthinking. You and the baby will both be fine."
I comforted her with my words, but I was panicking inside too. I didn't know what was going on. I had no experience with this kind of thing.
We got to the hospital quickly, and I took Nola to the examination room.
When John arrived, she was being examined.
I said a few words to calm him down, then found a chair to sit in.
My heart kept racing. I covered my chest, trying to calm myself.
When the door opened, I went over again.
"Blair, don't worry. The doctor said the baby and I are both fine. He prescribed some medicine to prevent miscarriage. We're going to get it now."
John kept thanking me. "I really appreciate this, Blair. If you hadn't been there, I'm afraid she would have lost it."
"I'm glad you're both okay. Go ahead. And don't let Nola come to the office anymore. Take these days off too and take good care of her at home."
"Blair, I'm sorry. You'll have to handle everything alone again."
My nose stung. "What are you talking about? You've contributed the most to the company. I'm the one who should be thanking you and apologizing."
"Okay, you two stop being so modest. I'll take her now. Drive safely on your way back."
I waved. "Go on."
Watching them leave, my heart gradually calmed down.
"Maybe I should get checked too?"
I was a bit scared now. My next prenatal checkup was still a few days away, but I wanted to know if my baby was developing well.
I was about to register when I ran into Jessa.
"Blair, what are you doing at the OB-GYN?"
Jessa looked me up and down, counting on her fingers. "Don't tell me you're pregnant?"
"No."
I quickly denied it. I couldn't let her know I was pregnant. I wouldn't tell anyone about this for now.
She rolled her eyes at me. "Right, you two don't get along. Otherwise you'd already have a second child."
I saw she was holding test results. She must be here for a follow-up. She had her miscarriage just days ago and is still working. She never stops.
"Cat got your tongue?"
Seeing her makes me not want to talk, but I still have to listen to her nonsense.
"I don't need to talk to you."
Jessa sneered. "Right, you're so high and mighty. Your husband's about to be stolen and you're not even worried."
I really can't with her. This is the third time she's brought up Ava and Levi.
"Elliot and Ava have a good relationship. They seem to be friends. I saw Ava go to his company the other day."
They're friends?
Why didn't Elliot mention it at all?
Jessa threw her test results in the trash and turned around with a smile. "I see him always trying to get close to you, but I guess you're not that close. He didn't give you any intel."
"Who he's friends with has nothing to do with me."
I was about to leave. Hearing her annoying words made me feel blocked up inside.
"You want it to matter but it can't, right? They probably met when they were studying abroad."
Jessa cleared her throat and continued, "Blair, you know what? Elliot is so interesting. He even asked me about you."
Indeed, if he wanted to know about me, Jessa would be the last person he should ask. We've always been at odds and wouldn't give objective information.
Yesterday Elliot asked me to lunch and brought up the endorsement. Today I run into Jessa and she brings up Ava. Those two have been together a lot lately. It feels like they're attacking each other.
I lowered my head, feeling uneasy.
"I'm done wasting time with you. I have important things to do. I'll pay you back all the money next week."
She's been doing all the talking. I'm so frustrated I can't say a word.
And now she tells me about Elliot and Ava being close. I feel like there's something bigger waiting for me.
Every time I meet with Elliot, he mentions Levi at least a little. But yesterday, he didn't say a word.
"Blair, what are you doing here?"
I turned around and saw Aiden.
He was leaning on a crutch, holding a package of medicine in his other hand.
"Grandpa, what are you doing here?"
Aiden shook the medicine package. "The director said my medicine was ready, so I came to pick it up and discuss some things with him."
"Oh, Nola wasn't feeling well, so I came with her."