''You speak so eloquently. You don't even know anything about that girl. I know everything about her. Isn't the scandal about her enough to make her stop working here? But just as thick-skinned as she is, she still worked here. I am telling you this, William. I am your mother's best friend and I watched you grow; I won't allow you to be fooled by that pretentious bitch.''
''What do you know about her, apart from what you heard from people? Are you saying that I should also judge her based on what the papers or internet says without giving her a chance to prove herself?'' William stood up furiously.
''That girl is Solace Arnold Song's estranged daughter. That girl has no ounce of good in her. She threw mud on the Song family, left the Song residence to follow rich men and got married without the Song family's knowledge and blessings. That kind of girl is not qualified to work at Janice.'' Eunice yelled.
William and Jason looked at each other shocked.
''What do you mean she is the daughter of Solace Song?'' William asked.
''You didn't even know about that?'' Eunice laughed sarcastically.
''Eunice, background doesn't matter when we're employing people. Is the talent that matters and she is talented.'' Jason spoke this time around.
''Why are you being stubborn about this, William? What did that vixen do to you?'' Eunice believed in her heart that Natalie was a bad person and hence, wanted to help Solace deal with her.
''Eunice, I appreciate that you're doing this for the company's good but, I don't like the way you're speaking about Natalie. She is still my junior and I've not seen her act in any disgraceful or disrespectful manner to me or anyone.'' Jason defended Natalie.
''Jason? I can't believe that girl has got you two wrapped around her little finger. Fire her immediately!'' She commanded.
''Eunice, this is my company and I will make the final decisions. I can't fire her based on what you've said. She might be the estranged daughter of the Song family but she is talented. She has eyes for good things and her brain works like magic. She is talented and I don't care about her personal life.'' William said sternly.
''What? Are you in love with that little vixen?''
''Eunice!! I won't allow you to call her names!'' William hated the words Eunice kept using on Natalie.
''Wow. I can't believe this. You're even shouting at me because of her?''
''In any case, Natalie is staying and you already resigned from the position of the company's spokesperson so you don't have the right to question my decisions.'' William walked to the door and opened it, banging it angrily after leaving.
Jason passed his hand through his hair in frustration as Eunice lamented.
''What is wrong with this kid? Jason, you people don't know her character. I know that girl too well and I'm warning you people, sooner or later she is going to bring trouble to Janice.''
...
Dr. Andrea walked out of Natalie's room and closed the door. When she got to the hall, Alice and Xia stood up and walked closer to her.
''How is she, Dr. Andrea?'' Alice was the first to ask. She clasped her hands together anxiously.
''Alice, relax. She is fine. I gave her some injections and she is asleep now.''
''Will she be alright?'' Xia asked. The state she saw Natalie in was worse than what she had seen her become before. This was the first acute relapse since a few years ago.
''Is difficult to tell. It all depends on her willpower. She has been having relapses lately and it has affected her psychologically. She is under a lot of stress. Do you by chance know what kind of words was exchanged between them?'' Dr. Andrea asked.
Alice shook her head. ''A lot! Even I standing outside was horrified by Eunice's words, much less Natalie whom was at the direct receiving end of it. My sister, was so hurt and defenceless.'' Alice said and wiped her tears.
It hurt her that she couldn't do anything to help her sister and only family.
''What kind of grudge does Eunice Gardener have with Natalie for her to be this harsh to her? They have never met before from what I know.'' Xia furrowed her brows as she spoke.
''Is Mimi. Mimi must have told Eunice something bad about Natalie. Eunice and Mimi came in together. That woman bullied Alice in the elevator. Ohh, how I wished I could just pull all the air off her head and turn her into a bald woman. You should have seen how smug she acted.'' Niania said.
''So in the end, it was that white lotus that caused everything.'' Xia felt irritated.
''Keep an eye on Natalie and call me right away if anything happens. You have to be prepared because getting her out of the darkness she is in now is going to be a little difficult. Is best she doesn't go to work immediately and remain at home for a while.'' Dr. Andrea advised.
Alice sighed. ''She was so happy about getting a job finally in 5 years and this had happened.'' She turned and hugged Xia.
''I can't even do anything to help her while she is lying there powerless. When I saw her shrinking and begging me not to hurt her in the washroom, I felt like dying. My sister was finally getting herself out and suddenly this happened. I will write a letter of absence and have Niania deliver it to Lucy tomorrow.''
''Alice, is okay. Natalie is strong and she will be able to pull through. Let's have faith in her. She was in a worse state than this when we first found her and she was able to get through it. She will get through this safely too'' Xia comforted Alice.
''This is all my fault. If I hadn't pressured her so much that day, if she hadn't left the house that day…''
Anytime she thought of that day, Alice would blame herself for what happened. She always asked herself, if she didn't pressure her to come to her audition. If she didn't tell Natalie to get her a gift. She wouldn't have gone out and then gotten kidnapped.
''Alice, stop it!! For the last time, this is not your fault. It was meant to happen. Let's be glad that in the end, we have her here with us.'' Xia said and sighed
''Xia is right. Blaming yourself for something that happened already is not going to solve anything. Natalie needs you now more than ever and you have to be strong for her." Dr. Andrea added.
The door of the villa opened and Mikael walked inside. He stopped and looked at the three ladies and asked. ''What is going on here?''
Alice quickly wiped away her tears and turned to look at him with an indifferent gaze. 'What do you think? We are here to spend time with my sister."
Mikael changed out of his shoes and entered the hall. He looked at Dr. Andrea and asked. ''I know Miss Kim and Alice, but who are you?''
Dr. Andrea smiled and stretched forth her hand saying. ''Hi Mr. Sun. I am Dr. Andrea. I was your brother's personal physician and Natalie's psychiatrist.''
''I see. Did something happen to Natalie?'' He asked, looking around suspiciously.
''No. Nothing that you should care about.'' Alice spoke.
''Andrea and I are University mates. She came to visit. Let's go, Andrea.'' Xia said and picked up Andrea's bag.
''Sure. See you around Mr. Sun.''
When Xia and Andrea left, Mikael looked at Alice and asked, ''are you not going?''
''No. I'm sleeping here tonight. Let's see if you have the guts to bully my sister in front of me.'' Alice threatened Mikael. ''I'm watching you''
Mikael shook his head and went into his room. When he got there, he removed his phone and made a call.
''I want you to find out what happened at Janice today and how is related to my sister in law. ''
.....
Alice finished taking her bath and changed into one of Natalie's clothes since they were almost the same size.
She picked up a comb and brushed Natalie's hair gently. As she did, Natalie opened her eyes and stared at her.
''Sis, you're awake?'' Alice asked and and Natalie nodded her head.
''What? Are you thirsty? Or maybe hungry?"
"Both! '' Natalie replied softly.
"Okay, I bought meat and kept in the fridge. I will quickly heat it up for you.'' Alice stood up and rushed out to the kitchen.
As she prepared to heat the meat in the microwave, Mikael came out of his room.
''What are you doing?'' He asked and looked at the bowl.
''Can't you tell? Are you blind?'' Alice asked back.
She held a grudge against him because he was the one who asked Natalie to get a job.
''What happened to Natalie today?'' Mikael asked.