Chapter 664 I’m Through
Elise immediately rushed over to massage the few acupuncture points that would help alleviate Garreth’s weakness. Only then did the pained expression slowly fade from his face, although his breathing was still quite labored.
“Is there a need for that? There will always be money to make. Can’t you spare a moment to care for your own body?” Elise couldn’t help but ask.
He weakly stared up at her with half-lidded eyes, but he had no strength to explain.
For the past week, he had been unable to sleep properly. Every day was packed to the brim with job after job that kept him working constantly. Even in between jobs, he still had to focus on memorizing his scripts. There was no personal time at all.
Everyone knew health was important, but his body no longer belonged to him after signing his contract. If he went against the agreement, he would be bankrupt for life.
“Ignore him,” Jenny coldly said, folding her arms before her chest. “He just loves to gain sympathy using this trick. This isn’t his first time. Anyway, he’ll still finish the job afterward. Garreth, get up now, or I’ll be forced to be rude before an outsider.”
Those words dealt a painful blow to Garreth’s dignity. Even though everyone in the industry knew just how bad Jenny could be, he didn’t want Elise, the person he respected and looked up to, to see him cower before such humiliation.
He gritted his teeth and pushed himself to his feet as his knuckles turned a stark white color. He swayed where he stood for a few moments before eventually regaining his balance.
“I’m fine now, Jenny. I can continue,” he said as he forced a smile.
It was evident that Jenny enjoyed the satisfaction of forcing others to do what she wanted as she proudly smiled and bragged, “See? What did I just say? He’s a good kid. He wouldn’t want to cause any trouble for me.”
In Elise’s eyes, how Jenny looked at Garreth was the same as an owner looking at an obedient pet.
Even so, Garreth had to smile through it all, which further satisfied Jenny’s twisted desire to subjugate him.
This whole time, Elise had been watching with a frown on her face. Finally, she kicked her seat away and sat down on the couch. “I’m through here.”
Celebrities were also human. Were they lesser just because they had signed a contract?
Today, she would have Jenny face the evils of the world.
“What did you say?” Jenny froze before saying with a fake smile on her lips, “Miss Sinclair, Nebula TV’s prime time doesn’t host programs where just anyone can appear on. Even though you are H, the ‘National Goddess’, you won’t be famous without television. I suggest you work with us. Do not ruin your future.”
Garreth, who also knew how much power Jenny held, spoke up as he supported himself with a chair, “Elise, I’m really fine. Don’t do this for my sake. Let’s go on with the show.”
“No, this has nothing to do with you now,” Elise stubbornly said, raising a hand to stop him from saying more. “I don’t want to work now because my mood has been ruined.”
“Elise Sinclair, don’t be so full of yourself! There is a penalty to breaking off contracts!” If gentle persuasion didn’t work on her, then Jenny would use threats.
“Oh, I have money. I can do whatever I want,” Elise innocently blinked back at her.
“You!” Jenny’s chest heaved with anger. Then, when she saw Garreth was watching her being humiliated, she flew into a rage and stomped to Elise. “Wench, you will learn what humility is today!”
However, Garreth’s roar stopped her before she could even do anything to Elise. “Enough!”
She turned around to find his beautiful, soulful eyes glaring at her while his broad hands were covered with bulging veins as he held onto the chair tightly.
She just stood there stunned for a moment. Then, she let out a scoff. “Oh, okay. Do you think you’re all that now, Garreth? You’ve learned to side with outsiders. Good. So, you want to help her? Come.”
At this instant, he had no more energy left in him to fight with her. So, instead, he picked up the knife on the table and held it up to his face. “Continue with your bullying if you wish to ruin the company’s cash cow.”
After all, a kind gesture from a stranger was always enough for a desperate man to cling onto.
Elise was what he was clinging onto. There was no way he would allow Jenny to harm someone who had been so nice to him.
Meanwhile, Jenny was scared stiff. She had never thought the docile little lamb would one day learn to bite, let alone imagine him threatening her with the most valuable asset he had—his face.
Even though she could do as she pleased in Nebula Corporation, no one in the company dared to harm the cash cow. As of right now, Garreth Dowrick brought in nearly half of the company’s profits. If he ruined his face, her future would be doomed.
At that thought, Jenny reeled herself back in. “Fine. Don’t ever say that I’m cruel to you now. You’ll have today off. As for how you’ll make up for the losses caused by your recovery, that’s your business.”
“Thank you, Jenny. I’ll handle it,” he said, utterly miserable.
After shooting one last disdainful look at Elise, Jenny turned and left.
Now, the only people left in the room were Elise and Garreth.
As he threw the knife on the table, causing it to clatter loudly, he collapsed against the couch as all strength fled him.
“You didn’t have to step in,” she said, and her heart ached at seeing him like this. “After all, she can’t do anything since it’s me. But you work under her. Now that you’ve embarrassed her, there’s no telling what torments await you.”
“Don’t worry, Elise,” he replied with a bright smile. “I may be younger, but I’m still a man. I can’t let a woman defend me while I cower in a corner.”
The sentiment made her feel warm on the inside. She was beginning to realize just how considerate and responsible this boy could be.
“Alright, let’s not talk about that for now. I’ll send you home for some rest,” she said.
He agreed as he selfishly wanted more time with her.
Just as they were waiting at the studio doors for Winona to drive the car, two handsome and fit young men walked out of the studio.
When they saw Garreth being supported by Elise, one of them asked, “Garreth, are you okay?”
However, before he could respond, the other young man nudged his companion away. “Oh, shut up. He doesn’t need your concern. Look closely. He’s standing beside the ‘National Goddess’. We’re not the same now. Don’t bother getting close.”
After saying that, the second young man dragged his companion away.
The encounter left an unpleasant look on Garreth’s already pale and sickly face as disappointment sparkled in his eyes.
“Who are they? Friends? Did you guys fight?” Elise softly asked.
“They were my partners,” he glumly muttered. “We were child actors and best friends. Then, the company wanted me to go solo, and I was given priority in everything. Slowly, we drifted apart.”
