CHAPTER 107: CHAPTER 107: I WILL ALWAYS BE BY YOUR SIDE

"Are you okay?" Ann Vaughn steadied the woman, instinctively reaching out to her wrist to check her pulse.

"Janelle!" The assistant in the elevator was so frightened by the scene that she nearly stopped breathing, and once she regained her senses, she immediately stepped forward to support Juliana Jacobs while pulling out her phone to make a call.

Juliana Jacobs felt slightly less dizzy after hearing the assistant’s voice. Once she steadied herself leaning against Ann Vaughn, she immediately took the phone from the assistant’s hand, "I’m fine, just dizzy, it’s not life-threatening."

In her line of work, minor illnesses and pains are a commonplace affair, as long as it’s not a serious illness, there’s no need to see a doctor.

Besides, she already had this chronic condition, seeing a doctor would just mean taking a bunch of useless medication, better off not going.

"If you continue to ignore your health, it could be fatal." Ann Vaughn withdrew her hand, seriously advising Juliana Jacobs, "While the condition is still benign, it’s best to seek medical attention soon."

"This weakness and fatigue have been a long-standing issue, it’s not that serious." Juliana Jacobs saw the seriousness in Ann Vaughn’s eyes reminding her, but responded with an elegant smile, not taking it to heart.

Juliana Jacobs?!

Ann Vaughn finally got a clear look at her face, leaving her momentarily stunned.

That memory was so distant.

To the point where Ann Vaughn later became a fan of other celebrities, yet still remembered watching Juliana Jacobs’ movie "Empty City" with Cian during childhood.

The protagonists struggled through much adversity, but in the end, the male lead married another woman, failing to uphold the promise made to the female lead.

She was sobbing back then, and young Cyrus Hawthorne, whose vocal cords hadn’t fully recovered, held her hand and mouthed words to her.

At the time, she couldn’t understand even a word.

It was only later she found out he was saying those eight words, "I will always be by your side."

Ann Vaughn stepped into the elevator, with a gentle smile on her lips, as if reminiscing about something.

"Seems like my charm isn’t what it used to be, no longer enamoring young girls. Perhaps it’ll be easier to discuss a contract termination with President Hawthorne." Juliana Jacobs hung her sunglasses on her collar, speaking half-jokingly.

"How could that be, I’ve adored you since I was little, especially your debut work ’Empty City’." Ann Vaughn snapped back to reality, hurriedly explaining.

Juliana Jacobs looked surprised then smiled, "I thought none of my fans liked ’Empty City,’ after all, that piece is a bit of a dark history for me."

Ann Vaughn recalled that shortly after the film’s release, Juliana Jacobs faced a marital crisis, followed by her husband’s infidelity and a series of scandals.

And it caused her to miss out on numerous awards.

As for the theme of "Empty City," it wasn’t as popular as Juliana Jacobs’ other works.

Not to mention recently, her film "Window Flowers" topped a billion in box office sales on its release day, with total sales reaching 1.8 billion, reportedly winning numerous awards at international film festivals.

Ann Vaughn also thought about how Juliana Jacobs had just mentioned wanting to discuss contract termination with Cyrus Hawthorne, feeling somewhat puzzled.

No wonder there hasn’t been much news about Juliana Jacobs online recently; she’s preparing to terminate her contract with Imperial Entertainment.

"Miss Giles, I still hope you can go to the hospital for a check-up, once your health is compromised, regretting will be too late."

After speaking, Ann Vaughn nodded slightly at her and exited the elevator.

"Nowadays fans will do anything to get noticed by their idols." The assistant couldn’t help rolling her eyes, thinking such words sounded like a curse.

Juliana Jacobs didn’t believe that a girl with such clear eyes would say something just for attention, but she still didn’t take those words to heart.

The two walked out of the elevator together and headed towards the president’s office.

Nearing noon, Ann Vaughn received a notification from the restaurant, and upon entering the office, she was about to inform Cyrus Hawthorne when she heard arguing inside.

"President Hawthorne, although I know the termination request is sudden, I honestly have no choice." Juliana Jacobs’ voice came through, "I hope to spend more time with my daughter after the contract termination, hoping you’ll grant this."

Her words carried a thick layer of pleading and exhaustion.

"Imperial Entertainment signed a ten-year contract with you, if you wish to take a leave for rest, I can approve it, and you can resume work once your daughter is better." Cyrus Hawthorne coolly and calmly stated.

Juliana Jacobs smiled bitterly, "My daughter’s condition has worsened to the point where she doesn’t recognize people anymore, I may not be able to continue working shortly, I deeply appreciate your kindness back then, but I hope you’ll consider this matter seriously."

Before she became an award-winning actress, she had offended a big shot by refusing unwritten rules and was shelved by her previous agency.

She couldn’t get any gigs for several years until Cyrus Hawthorne took up his role as CEO of Hawthorne Corp., and she was recruited to Imperial Entertainment.

She was grateful that President Hawthorne helped her and her daughter when they were almost at the end of the road.

But she never understood why President Hawthorne would choose her, riddled with scandal, from so many talented and untainted actors.

Though now the earnings she brought to Imperial Entertainment are unimaginably huge numbers, proving President Hawthorne didn’t choose wrong.

But Juliana Jacobs certainly wouldn’t be conceited enough to believe back then she had the appeal to warrant President Hawthorne’s special attention.

Moreover, every time President Hawthorne looked at her, it felt like he was looking through her, reminiscing about some memory.

"The company can approve your leave, regardless of the duration, until you are ready to return." Cyrus Hawthorne’s fingers lightly tapped twice on his knee, his peripheral vision catching Ann Vaughn as he signaled her to come over.

Ann Vaughn felt as if she’d been caught eavesdropping, sheepishly walked over, "Cian, the restaurant said your lunch is ready."

"Did you make it with your own hands?" Cyrus Hawthorne nodded indifferently, raising his eyes to look at her.

"... I’m not a chef, right?"

"Isn’t a Food Therapist’s job supposed to include all this?"

"..."

Under their mutual gaze, Ann Vaughn was the first to yield, for as he said, a Food Therapist was responsible for the patient’s food preparation.

Previously, when she provided dietary therapy for Sawyer Jennings, she would personally cook whenever she had the time.

She was just slightly protesting against how Cyrus Hawthorne treated her like a pet locked in a cage.

Ann Vaughn pursed her lips slightly, with barely noticeable bright eyes glancing at Cyrus Hawthorne, before turning to leave.

Though her glance was secretive, Cyrus Hawthorne keenly captured it.

It was like a normally gentle and soft kitten suddenly extended what appeared to be sharp claws and playfully scratched at him.

Cyrus Hawthorne did not show any displeasure, even his brows lifted with a slight smile.

Juliana Jacobs was surprised at the ease between Ann Vaughn and Cyrus Hawthorne in their conversation, because even she, in facing Cyrus Hawthorne, would feel somewhat lacking in confidence due to his commanding aura.