Defying Fate: The Unstoppable Eileen

Chapter 101

The moment Eileen stepped out of the airport, she turned around, her curiosity pushing her to look for her fans, to see if they had turned up yet. But before she could see anyone, Egbert had already pulled her into a black business car.

Eileen was plastered against the car window, still looking back.

The car started rolling. Watching the airport entrance get farther and farther away, Eileen sighed and turned her head in disappointment.

The assistant driving the car laughed and said, “Eileen, you’re so popular now. How could your agency let you go back alone instead of sending a car?”

Eileen looked at the assistant curiously, then said, “They probably didn’t think anyone would pick me up.”

Just then, her phone rang. It was a call from Ophelia.

Eileen answered the phone, and Ophelia’s voice came through immediately, “Where are you? Whose car is that?”

Eileen turned around in surprise. She saw a white sedan following them. And driving it was Ophelia.

Eileen told Egbert, “Can you pull over? My agent is here to pick me up.”

Egbert was silent for a moment, then waved to the assistant to pull over,

Eileen switched cars.

Ophelia scanned the departing black business car, then turned to Eileen, “Was that Egbert’s car?”

Eileen buckled her seatbelt in the passenger seat and said, “Yes.”

“Are you and Egbert on good terms?”

“Very good.”

Ophelia frowned, started the car, and said, “I saw your live stream. You’ve attracted a lot of attention. You’re famous now.”

Eileen beamed at the news. She absentmindedly twirled a lock of hair and quipped, “Am I famous now? But I do have fans coming to pick me up. Maybe that means I’m famous.”

Ophelia glanced at her, “Don’t get too cocky. How long can this kind of attention last? Remember, just last year, so many newcomers rose to fame out of nowhere. But just after a year, they’ve all faded into obscurity.”

Eileen lowered her head, deflated, “Can’t I be happy for a bit?” Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“You can be happy, but don’t get complacent,” Ophelia said sternly. “I’ll drop you home today. Rest well, and we’ll discuss work at the company tomorrow. And I’ve arranged an assistant named Janice for you. She’s experienced. She’ll pick you up tomorrow, and the company’s arranged a car for you. Janice will also double up as your driver.”

Hearing the good news, Eileen perked up, “A car to pick me up? I’m flattered.”

Ophelia retorted, “Since when did you start feeling embarrassed?”

Eileen immediately asked, “Will the company cover the gas expenses?”

Ophelia drew a deep breath, “You’ll have to cover the gas yourself.”

After saying that, Ophelia added, “About your relationship with Egbert, I need to remind you. I understand that your interactions on the show were part of the program. But in private, it’s best to reduce contact.”

Eileen turned to look at Ophelia.

Ophelia said, “Netizens are joking that you guys are comrades and friends. Egbert’s fans are also grateful to you for always protecting him. But after the show ends, things will change. If you continue to be close, fans might resent it.”

Eileen fell into deep thought.

Ophelia pressed, “Did you hear what I said?”

Eileen nodded, “I heard. But I have something going on with him. It might be hard to keep my distance unless you can help me.” Ophelia paused, “How can help?”

Eileen said, “I owe him money. Not a lot, about over a hundred dollars. I’ve paid back some, but still owe him a hundred and twenty.”

As she said this Eileen pulled out her phone, opened Paypal, and placed the QR code for payment in front of Ophelia, saying, “Thank you, Ophelia.”

In the end, when Ophelia dropped Eileen home, she did transfer money to her. A grand total of ten thousand.

Eileen was overjoyed when she received the money. She immediately transferred a hundred and twenty dollars to Egbert.

Egbert might have been busy and didn’t accept the money. Eileen didn’t mind. She invited Ophelia for dinner and made a sandwich with just eggs and veggies. One for her, and one for Ophelia.

On seeing the sandwich, Ophelia rolled her eyes. Eileen laughed, “I’ve been filming and on variety shows. I haven’t been home for over two months. This is all I have.”

Ophelia stayed at Eileen’s for over an hour, talked about some work stuff, and was about to leave when Eileen’s phone rang. It was the property management informing her of a delivery.

“What did you buy?” Ophelia asked casually.

Eileen replied with confusion, “I didn’t buy anything. I was not even in the country. How could I have time to shop?”

On hearing this, Ophelia immediately tensed up. Cases of malicious fans sending threatening packages were not uncommon. “I’ll help you get it.”

Eileen also worried about what might happen. In the end, she and Ophelia went to get the parcel together. They opened the box right there in the property management office.

After opening the box.

Eileen saw the owl clock inside and froze.

“A clock?” Ophelia asked in confusion, “Does this mean something?”

Eileen pursed her lips. She reached out, gently tracing the clock’s pattern. Although it wasn’t the owl clock her father used to have, it was very similar, probably made by the same manufacturer..

Her father’s old clock was an antique. Judging from the traces, this one was also an antique, but not as high quality as her father’s.

Eileen noticed a folded card in the box. She took out the card, flipped it open, and a cash register receipt flew out.

The receipt was in German, reading: Sale price, thirty thousand euros..

Thirty thousand euros?

Just then, Eileen’s phone rang again. She took a look and saw that Egbert had accepted the $120 she had transferred to him earlier, and he had sent her

a message.

Egbert: [While I was on my business trip, I saw a clock that you might like, so I brought it for you. Make sure to check it.]

Eileen stared at the message, lost in silence. After a while, she handed her phone and the receipt to Ophelia. She asked tentatively, “Ophelia, could you help me pay off this? Thirty thousand euros. Once it’s paid, I’ll cut off all contact with Egbert.”

Ophelia remained silent.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Reed Mansion.

Egbert put down his phone, a smile playing on his lips. When he looked up, he saw his father on the phone in the living room.

Egbert walked in.

As soon as he walked in, he heard his father on the phone saying, “Things sure do change in a heartbeat. Eiléen turned out to be the missing kid from the Lopez family…

“Yes, of course I know her. I even held her when she was a child. She was adorable. I met her at the hospital. When I was leaving, she held onto my sleeve, didn’t want to let me go…

“I have no reason to lie to you. I told her I was leaving and she cried. She clearly was very fond of me and couldn’t bear to let me go… Hello, hello? Ms. Lopez? Why did you hang up?”