CHAPTER 8: CHAPTER 8: TREATMENT GUIDELINES

Melody Mercer could only grit her teeth and deny on Weibo any relationship with Seth Shaw.

"Mr. Shaw and I are merely colleagues at the same company. Our frequent interactions are because of work. I’m also good friends with Teacher Sterling, and we can all see Teacher Sterling’s feelings for Mr. Shaw. She’s even leaving the industry for him, and I truly bless them."

Leaving the circle is easy; getting back in is hard. Paige Sterling might as well forget about re-entering this industry in her lifetime.

Plus, by suddenly pulling such a stunt, she pissed Seth Shaw off as well. Without his stardom, Paige Sterling will soon be abandoned by Seth Shaw.

Paige Sterling has blocked off all her paths; she’s just sitting tight waiting to see Paige Sterling’s downfall.

Meanwhile, Paige checked her phone once, saw Melody Mercer’s Weibo post, chuckled, and posted on Weibo herself.

"Thank you for your blessings. Before leaving this circle, I’ve helped Stellar bring you out, so I have no regrets. Also, I hope fans remain rational and stop calling Melody a third wheel. She and I are indeed good friends. By the way, my dear friend, I’ve been short on cash lately—when are you going to return that ten million you borrowed from me a year ago?"

She added a joking emoji but was earnestly urging her debt payment.

And she attached screenshots of Melody Mercer borrowing money and her transfer records to Melody Mercer.

This money was borrowed two years ago. With Melody Mercer’s current status, she should be able to repay it.

Melody Mercer felt like she’d swallowed a fly when she saw Paige Sterling’s Weibo post.

Paige Sterling’s post indicated that she was brought out by her, and if people knew about her relationship with Seth Shaw, it would make her seem ungrateful.

And it also showed that she really owed Paige Sterling money and hadn’t paid it back. While Paige isn’t in a hurry, fans are likely to stage a debt collection show soon.

Melody Mercer wanted to call Paige Sterling but found that Paige Sterling was already playing dead.

Melody Mercer posted on Weibo, laughing it off by saying Paige Sterling is just direct because their relationship is solid, which is why her words are so straightforward.

Paige Sterling instantly replied on Weibo, mentioning her.

"About the debt, I’ve thought for a long time before finally speaking up today. It’s unrelated to being direct; when do you plan to repay it?"

Melody Mercer was speechless.

Paige Sterling wouldn’t take the steps Melody Mercer offered her, so what could Melody Mercer do? She could only grit her teeth and transfer over the ten million she initially didn’t plan to return to Paige Sterling.

Then she posted the transfer record on Weibo, saying in a joking tone: "I’ve been so busy I almost forgot. Thanks for reminding me, Teacher Sterling. I’ve transferred it; please check it, Teacher Sterling."

Finally, when Paige Sterling finished her robot, it was already two days later.

The appearance of the intelligent robot was quite off-putting; you might even find it terrifying if you looked at it late at night.

Paige Sterling had bought a realistic fake abs suit earlier and found it even more off-putting after putting it on.

But considering the limited funds and conditions, achieving this was already pretty good.

After powering it on, Paige Sterling connected her phone to the robot, which began filtering useful information and reporting to her.

Over the past few days, a ton of people had called her.

Among them was Julian Hawthorne.

Then there was Weibo. Her video of beating Julian Hawthorne in the underground parking lot was circulating. Now, there’s a rumor online that she has violent tendencies, which is getting increasingly exaggerated, obviously with some hired trolls steering the conversation.

It’s easy to guess that this matter is inseparable from Stellar, Seth Shaw, and Melody Mercer.

So what if there are hired trolls?

I have a robot that doesn’t drain human or material resources; one robot against your thousand-strong army.

Paige Sterling issued commands to the robot.

In a childlike voice, the robot said, "Rest assured, master, I guarantee to clear the air for you and give you a clean online environment."

Just then, the phone rang—Julian Hawthorne was calling.

Paige Sterling hesitated for a moment before answering, "What’s up?"

"Hawthorne Group, Chairman’s office."

Then the call disconnected.

Paige Sterling was left confused.

One must be responsible for one’s actions; the contract was signed, so there’s no avoiding it.

Paige Sterling thought again of Julian Hawthorne’s deep and restrained voice, imagining what it would be like if her home robot had such a voice.

Why not give it a try?

Fortunately, she had answered Julian Hawthorne’s call; the robot’s intelligent system stored the archive, immediately extracting Julian Hawthorne’s sound waves, and switched to his voice.

Normally, Julian Hawthorne’s voice sounded as emotionless as a robot.

But when it’s truly delivered by a robot, it seems to lack some flavor.

Paige Sterling also instructed the robot to cook.

The food cooked by the robot tasted ordinary, akin to the legendary soulless meal.

After Paige Sterling finished eating, she had some leftovers, and as she was about to leave, the robot diligently packed up the meal and handed it to her.

"Master, thrift is a fine traditional virtue of the Chinese people. It might also help Mr. Hawthorne recover better if you pay more attention to him in daily life."

Does taking care in daily life mean giving someone leftovers?

Paige Sterling suddenly doubted if there wasn’t a flaw in the robot’s intelligence.

...

Shaun Jones personally waited for Paige Sterling at the front desk, leading her to the Chairman’s office, then wisely left.

Julian Hawthorne sat behind the desk, wearing a plain white shirt that was understated in style but with gold lotus-shaped buttons. Such a small detail heightened the restrained aura around him, giving off an invitingly dangerous vibe.

Paige Sterling placed the lunch box on the table and sat boldly on the sofa, "This is for you, it’s lunch."

Julian Hawthorne set down his pen and asked, "Did you... make it yourself?"

I made it myself... the robot made it, which is also equivalent to me making it.

Paige Sterling’s vanity was strong, and she immediately nodded.

"Of course." Her tone seemed to have a touch of pride, paired with her cool expression, it was undeniably adorable.

Yet, Paige Sterling herself didn’t realize it.

Julian Hawthorne slightly lowered his head and said nothing more, focusing on the meal.

Paige Sterling wandered around the office, feeling bored after a while, and asked Julian Hawthorne.

"Julian Hawthorne, how are you planning to treat this illness?"

Julian Hawthorne glanced at her and tossed her treatment guidelines.

Paige Sterling took them, flipped through a bit, then looked towards Julian Hawthorne.

As the perpetrator, she must avoid having anyone physically contact Julian Hawthorne, while keeping a close eye on Julian Hawthorne’s emotional well-being. Why doesn’t Julian Hawthorne hire a bodyguard and therapist?

As if sensing what Paige Sterling was thinking, Julian Hawthorne suddenly interrupted her thoughts.

"I’m finished."

Paige Sterling looked over, surprised that Julian Hawthorne had finished all the food she brought?

"Did it taste good?"

"The taste was alright."

If "alright" means he’s able to eat it all? Are his tastes so casual?

Paige Sterling twitched her mouth, about to say something, when there was a knock on the door.

Julian Hawthorne didn’t seem to mind her presence and let people in.