novelxo Chapter 17
Chapter 17
"Hang on!"
Cecilia stopped Juliana, who was opening the door.
Juliana tightened her grip on the door handle and turned around with a faint smile. "What's up, Ceci?"
"I heard that Quilton Central Hospital has gotten themselves a professor who's an expert in all kinds of blood disorders. I think you should get him to see you. It must be torturous for you to chase after those mobile blood banks for blood transfusions!"
By the sound of it, Juliana could tell that Cecilia was the one who scouted out the so-called professor.
"Did she notice I'm just pretending to be ill?" she wondered.
Juliana beamed and expressed her gratitude, "Thank you, Ceci. I'll think about it."
After saying that, she pulled open the door and was all ready to leave. Never would she wish for Sophia to learn about the
matter.
Bam!
Right when she opened it just a crack, Cecilia shut it back with all her might.
Sophia, who had long hopped into the car, was so incandescent that she opened the door and got off.
She did not hear what Cecilia had said, hence assuming that the latter was deliberately causing Juliana trouble.
"Was it actually you, Cecilia, who lured Julia and me to school? You deserved everything for offending other people, yet you tried to frame Julia! How could you be this vicious?" Sophia could not even be bothered to conceal the disgust on
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her face. All she wanted was for Cecilia to disappear from the face of the earth.
A grin spread over Cecilia's face as she bobbed her head. "Our brains weren't in our heads just for show, Mrs. Yancey. Using it can prevent Alzheimer's disease, you know."
She could never fathom how the Yancey family were fooled by Juliana like that. That family was not dumb, after all.
The second Sophia was jeered at, her chest heaved with fury. "Go see a doctor if you've lost your mind, Cecilia!" Juliana, in turn, hurriedly stroked Sophia's back to calm the lady down.
"Don't get mad, Mom. Ceci must feel hurt for leaving the Yancey family. Just let her vent her anger."
"She deserves to be hurt for being ungrateful!"
The two of them singing the same tune only served to amuse Cecilia.
"Mrs. Yancey, since all those scandals of mine have been
clarified, don't you think you owe me an apology for wronging and humiliating me?"
Despite knowing Cecilia's past scandals were nothing less than rumors, Sophia bore no sense of guilt, let alone feel remorseful about her actions.
"It's your inappropriate behavior that brought about the
scandals. You have only yourself to blame! Didn't you see why Julia has never gotten entangled with such a mess? It's all because she's decent and graceful!"
Cecilia guffawed heartily upon hearing those remarks. "I've seen blind people, but this is my very first time witnessing someone blind despite having perfect eyesight. I've learned a lot today." After dropping that comment, she had not the slightest intention of continuing their pointless exchange. The next
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thing she did was spill her motive.
"Mrs. Yancey, I stopped Juliana to save her life. Professor Foster has come to Quilton Central Hospital. There'll be a case analysis of blood disorders tomorrow. He may very well be Juliana's savior."
In fact, Sophia knew about Philip. Prior to that day, she even implored that man to treat Juliana, but she was turned away. Hearing that Philip was in Quilton, she held Juliana's hand, the joy on her face unabating.
"I'll make sure to have an appointment with Professor Foster ready for you, Julia. You'll be fine in no time." "Thanks, Mom."
Juliana's smile froze altogether. Yet, Sophia failed to notice that, for she was immersed in her own elation.
It was then that Cecilia arched a brow and uttered deliberately, "Isn't me the one you should be thanking?" "Thank you, Ceci."
As Cecilia listened to Juliana showing her appreciation through gritted teeth, her mood was lifted.
"You're welcome. I love doing good the most. You guys can come find me if you can't get Professor Foster."
With that, she waved and walked off.
Sophia merely stared at Cecilia's back with an inscrutable visage.
"I seem to have a prejudice too deep against Ceci, Julia. Not only did I not trust her, but I always thought of her badly. Now that the truth has come to light, I feel kind of sorry."
When those words reached Juliana's ears, they pressed on her chest akin to massive boulders.
"You were just misled by those rumors, Mom. Don't beat yourself up too much. If you feel guilty, then let Ceci return to
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the family. After all, she's your biological daughter. I can bear with such grievances like what happened today."
Sophia smiled and patted Juliana on the hand. "You're always the thoughtful one, Julia. We'll talk about that after you have your illness cured."
Just when the duo was about to alight the car and hit the road, someone called out to Juliana and stopped her.
"Wait up!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Juliana turned to look at the source of the sound.
Sure enough, it was Francis Jimenez, a sound engineer arranged by Yates Corporation at Quilton University.
She wheeled around and asked respectfully, "Mr. Jimenez, do you need something?"
Francis caught his breath and nodded. "It's about the movie interlude I told you before. Do you have time now? Let's talk about the details."
Juliana had been turned into a laughingstock in everyone's eyes because of William. What she needed at that time was to shut everyone's mouth with a showcase of her talent. Of course, she would not miss such an opportunity that came knocking on her door.
She inclined her head politely on that note. "I do have some time at the moment, Mr. Jimenez. How long will it take?"
"If you're in a hurry, we'll gloss over it today. I say for about ten minutes."
Juliana then directed her gaze toward Sophia. "Mom, do you want to go back first or wait for me?"
"I'll wait. I have nothing on, anyway. I could use the time to contact Professor Foster."
"Okay, I'll be back soon."
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Francis chose to go to a crowded park on purpose and sat down on a bench in the shade.
"Since Mrs. Yancey will be waiting for, Juliana, let's go over it here."
Nothing would matter more to Juliana at that juncture.
Considering that Francis was willing to come to her to discuss the case publicly, that implied that she must have been chosen to be the lead singer of the interlude.
"Mr. Jimenez, the song's confidential before the film goes public. Is it appropriate for us to talk about it right here?" questioned Juliana, feigning a worried mien.
"It's okay. We won't be too specific. The film has been
publicized ever since it goes into shooting, so it's a secret no more."
Only after hearing that affirmation did Juliana take a seat beside Francis. "What do you want to talk about, Mr. Jimenez?" "The shooting is halfway finished, and the promotional footage is already done. Only the background music we have yet to decide to go for either the theme song or the interlude."
"Do you mean we have to record the song as soon as possible so that the director can make the final call?"
"Yes. A week is all we have. Can you make it?"
Time was running short. Juliana hesitated before she eventually agreed through gritted teeth.
"I can."
"All right. I'll let Mr. Yates know later. Come to the school tomorrow and sign the contract."
"Okay, thank you, Mr. Jimenez, for this opportunity."
Francis rose to his feet and said with a smile, "Opportunities are always meant for the talented bunch. Before signing the contract, you'll need to go through an audition. You should get
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ready."
He might have requested so, but it would usually be nothing more than formalities.
Juliana hurriedly responded, "Rest assured, Mr. Jimenez. I'll give it my best shot."
The film was a major motion picture, a big production. Even if the interlude did not make it to the promotional footage, it would still be featured at the end of the film. By then, the song could stand a chance at shooting itself to fame.
"It'll be mine!" she exclaimed in her heart.
The minute she stepped out of the park, Juliana happened to glimpse a police car heading toward the teacher's building.
It was none of her business, so she hurried into the car with an indifferent look.
"Mom, I sealed the deal to sing the interlude. Tomorrow, I'll be signing the contract with them."
A broad smile appeared on Sophia's face. "A double blessing, indeed! I also secured an appointment with Professor Foster. I'll accompany you to see him tomorrow."
"But, Mom, the recording time is very tight this time around. I might not have time tomorrow."
Juliana had been brooding over an excuse to turn down seeing the doctor, but at that moment, she had a valid reason to do so. "Health is more important than work, Julia. I know you're busy, so I talked to Professor Foster and scheduled it on your lunch break."
"The recording is pressing, so there won't be any lunch break, Mom. I'll need to set things right after the Yancey family name was sullied because of my marriage with William."
"We'll do it at night, then. I'll talk to Professor Foster and pay him more. I bet he'll give the nod. Worse comes to worst, we'll
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drop the song recording altogether."
When Juliana heard that, her eyes reddened. "I also want to cure my sickness, Mom, but I want more to salvage the Yancey family reputation and, at the same time, tone down the scandal caused by William's cheating."
Sophia felt sorry for her sensible daughter.
"It's our fault, Julia. We shouldn't have got you such an
unreliable fiancé for you. You have to call off the engagement with William!"
As long as the engagement was canceled, William's scandal would not affect the Yancey family.
That was what Juliana was hoping for. To be honest, she had a new goal in mind.
"Mom, I'll speak to William after this to bring an end to this damned relationship between us."
"Not only should you talk to him, but you must settle the score with him. He ought to give you a satisfactory answer after wronging you like that. Why don't we go meet him up together?"
Sophia was concerned that William might get aggressive and do something drastic.
Juliana shook her head. "I'll solve my relationship problems myself, Mom."
"Fine. Call me if you need anything."
Not long after they left Quilton University, they went their separate ways.
Juliana removed William's phone number from the blacklist and asked him to meet at a nearby café.
Soon enough, William showed up.
With his unkempt beard and haggard face, the man tried to apologize the second he caught sight of Juliana.
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"Sorry, Julia. Those bitches were the ones who seduced me. I couldn't control myself. I promised you that I would never look at another woman in the future. "As long as you are willing to forgive me, I'll give you one percent of the shares in Forte Group,"
Juliana looked at the all-humble William, lowering her gaze slightly and hiding the sarcasm brimming in her eyes. Instead of responding to William, she unlocked her phone. There was a man's photo on the screen. Even though that picture was shot secretly, the man's face was clear and stunning.
William's countenance changed slightly when he saw it. "Why do you have my uncle's photo?"
That was what Juliana had been waiting for.
She called William there only to ascertain Christopher's identity.
"It's all over between us, William. As long as you help me make Christopher mine, I'll give you 5% of the shares of Yancey Corporation."
William regarded Juliana with abject astonishment. "Do you hear yourself right now?"
"Of course, I do. It's a win-win cooperation. Don't you think?"
"My uncle isn't into women. Don't waste your time."
From the day Christopher made the return to the Forte family to the moment he came into power, a plethora of people had sent countless women to climb into his bed.
That ultimately resulted in Christopher sending the women back right to the other party's doorstep and even arranging for someone to watch them share the bed the entire day instead.
Since then, no one dared to pull the same trick on Christopher.
Never in a million years would William have the gall to offer
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Juliana to Christopher.
Juliana, for one, was not convinced that Christopher had no interest in women, or he would not have stood up for Cecilia.
"Says you. We won't know until we try it."
Needless to say, she could not compare to Cecilia's beauty.
However, when it came to temperament and talent, what Cecilia possessed was a far cry from hers.
She believed that if she was given a chance, Christopher would definitely see something in her.
Seeing that Juliana was serious, William slammed the table and sprang up furiously.
"Juliana! Even if I didn't cheat on you, you'd still break off the engagement with me because of my uncle, right?"
At that point, he finally figured out that the woman before him did not love him at all. If anything, she more eyeing his status and the fortune of the Forte family.
Observing William getting all worked up, Juliana took a sip of coffee.
"Given the monument*l scandal you've gotten yourself,
William, it's impossible for us to walk down the aisle. Isn't it better if we part ways on good terms and work closely with each other to get what we both desire?"
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