- 4.
Ryan told everyone that the CEO Blair Carter
was sick and on medical leave.
L
Without me, Carter Enterprises‘ profits had
been declining for years.
Hazel couldn’t handle it, and after a meeting
with shareholders, she was suspended.
Some shareholders, led by the Chief of
Finances Lin, demanded to see me.
“At least tell us what hospital Blair is in so we
can visit her.”
Ryan was under pressure from the company
and the media.
Finally, Ryan let me go back to the company.
I nodded blankly, like a puppet that he
controlled.
Hundreds of reporters waited at the entrance.
Carter Enterprises was the best company in
Chicago, and everyone in the business world
knew Blair Carter’s name.
Everyone wanted to see me back.
Soon, it was the top story.
But the reporters were surprised when they
saw me.
Everyone said, why had the beautiful CEO
become so ugly?
Everyone was surprised by how scary the
disease could be.
But the reporters were still taking pictures of
my face.
The flashing lights never stopped, and my
body shook.
Only the pain from my nails digging into my
palms could stop my fear.
Ryan held my hand and straightened my dress
in public, showing that he loved me.
Reporters followed us into the company.
The employees who had worked for me were
shocked to see what I was like now.
I lowered my head, and my legs were shaking.
People talked around me.
“Is that Blair? Why is she so thin?”
“Why won’t Blair look up?”
<
“Blair doesn’t look as good as she used to.
Did her disease do that?”
“The disease is scary.”
I bit my lip and raised my head a little. A
camera was recording.
The reporter held up his microphone.
“Mrs. Carter, you took a break for three
years. Are you healthy now?”
“Carter Enterprises isn’t doing well. Do you
think you can fix it?”
I said, “I… I don’t think so…”
The reporter looked surprised.
“Mrs. Carter is too humble. Do you have any
plans for the company? Will you lead it in a
new direction, or something else?”
I shook and shook my head.
Tears came out.
Being in that mental institute for three years
had given me depression.
My head was empty, and I couldn’t think
r
Every time I thought a little, the scary smiles
of the lunatics and director would come to
mind.
I dropped the microphone and started
scratching my head.
I couldn’t stop myself from crying.
The thick make–up on my arm was rubbed
off.
It showed the terrible scars.
The maniacs gave them to me: cuts, burns, drawings in ink…
The cameras were still on me.
Ryan was shocked to see me.
