Before getting into the car, Dave put his hand on Bianca’s waist and smiled. “When will you come back and shower me with your affection? It’s really hard to be alone.”
Bianca blushed and squeezed Dave’s hand gently. “I’ll talk to my mother about it tonight. How about we plan for next week?”
Just as Dave was about to get into his car, Stacey rushed over to the door.
She took out her phone to take a photo of him and Bianca, but as she was about to snap the picture, she bumped into someone and dropped her phone.
Looking up, she saw a man in black standing in front of her.
He said coldly, “Sorry about that,” and quickly walked away.
Despite her frustration, Stacey couldn’t argue with the man and quickly picked up her phone. By the time she looked up, Dave had disappeared.
Bianca walked over and asked, “Stacey, why are you here alone?”
Feeling guilty, Stacey quickly put her phone back in her bag and looked at Bianca. “Oh, nothing much. I just needed a break. Were you saying goodbye to your boyfriend?”
Bianca wasn’t in the mood to chat. “Yes,” she said, then headed inside.
Stacey hurried to catch up and smiled. “You’ve been with your boyfriend for a while now. Why don’t you bring him home for dinner? We’re family, and I wouldn’t want any tension between us.”
Bianca stopped and gave Stacey a sharp look. “Stacey, it’s just the two of us here. You don’t need to pretend. Instead of playing games, maybe you should focus on your own situation. It would be awkward for any guy if his current partner seems less impressive than his ex.”
Stacey’s face went blank.
As they entered the banquet hall, they saw Madison standing nearby while Peter looked at her with admiration.
Bianca raised an eyebrow and glanced at Stacey.
Stacey stopped, clearly fuming with anger.
On the drive home from the banquet, Stacey sat in the passenger seat, her lips pressed together. She turned to Peter and asked softly, “Peter, I have a prenatal check-up tomorrow. Can you come with me?”
Peter, looking straight ahead with a cold expression, replied, “I have something else planned tomorrow. I’ll have the maid take you.”
Stacey nervously twisted the hem of her dress. Normally, Peter would drop everything to attend her check-ups, but things had changed after his meeting with Madison.
Stacey felt a strong sense of urgency.
She knew she needed to do something.
****
After a refreshing shower at home, Bianca changed into her comfy loungewear and went to the living room, where Madison and Leonel were already waiting.
“Mom,” Bianca said as she sat down beside Madison, her lips slightly pursed. “I’ve been with you for a while now. I’m thinking of going back home for a few days next week…”
Upon hearing about Bianca’s plans, Madison couldn’t help but think it had something to do with the man from earlier.
Rubbing her temples and leaning back on the sofa, Madison said, “Bianc, I’ve had headaches since I lost track of you. Now, with you leaving… it’s just causing more trouble…”
Bianca looked at Madison, unsure of what to say.
“Mom…”
She tried to say more, but Madison quickly turned to Leonel. “Leonel, remember what you told me about helping with my headache?”
Leonel looked at his mother with a hint of irritation, then turned to Bianca. “Bianc, Mom usually needs a gentle massage on her temples to help with her headaches. It usually works in about ten minutes. I’ve been busy with work and couldn’t be there. Can you stay and take care of her?”
Bianca knew what she had to do. After all, Madison was her mother, and she needed to take care of her.
“Leonel, it’s my responsibility to take care of Mom. I’ll stay here for now.”
Bianca helped Madison get up from the sofa, and she massaged her temples.
Madison, watching her son, secretly gave him a thumbs up.
The next day at the office, Bianca was greeted with several collaboration offers for Blake from different record labels and film companies.
At the LMH Group banquet, Madison had already made Blake a favorite among investors before he even made his debut.
However, Bianca needed to be more cautious about such quick success. She believed that relying on industry praise only led to short-lived fame. For long-term success, one needs to work hard and gain public admiration through real talent.
So, Bianca decided that Blake should first compete in a major talent show.
While Bianca was busy researching potential shows, a commotion broke out outside her office.
Then, there was a knock at the door.
“Bianca, Reese fainted.”
Bianca jumped up from her chair, quickly opened the door, and stepped out.
The sight shocked her.
Reese was lying on the ground by her desk, foaming at the mouth.
“Call an ambulance right now,” Bianca ordered.
Bianca quickly reached for her phone to call for an ambulance without wasting any time. But Blake gently stopped her, saying, “It will take too long for an ambulance. It’s faster if we drive her in my car.”
His calm voice helped soothe Bianca.
Blake handed the car keys to Bianca, then carefully lifted Reese, who was still on the floor.
Reese was heavy, making it hard for Blake to carry her, but he managed, gritting his teeth as he placed her in the back seat of the car.
Bianca handed over her office duties to Diana and then got into the car.
The car raced to the nearest hospital.
Bianca held Reese’s hand the entire way, staying with her until Reese was taken into the emergency room.
When the door finally closed, Bianca sank onto a bench outside the resuscitation room, her hands tightly clenched.
Blake sat next to her, wanting to comfort her with a pat on the back, but he hesitated, his hand hovering in the air.
After a moment, he pulled his hand back, looked at Bianca, and said gently, “Don’t worry too much. She’ll be okay.”
Bianca bit her lips hard, feeling anxious.
After two hours, the light in the emergency room went off, and the door slowly opened.
Bianca jumped up from her seat, hurried to the doctor, and asked nervously, “How is Reese?”
The doctor looked at Bianca and asked, “Has the patient been taking any medication on her own recently?”
“Medication on her own?” Bianca immediately thought of the weight-loss drugs she had given to Reese.
Bianca opened her mouth to speak but closed it, unsure of what to say.
Just then, the elevator doors dinged open, and a group of reporters rushed out, heading straight for Bianca.