Chapter 246 - 244: Have You Considered Getting Nearsightedness Surgery?

Surrounded by several assistants, she nodded to people in the company as she passed. Lily Sterling watched from afar as she walked in her direction, completely transfixed.

She had just seen her on the New Year’s Gala not long ago, but she was even more stunning in person. Every gesture exuded pure star power.

"Connie."

As she drew near, Heather Keaton warmly greeted Connie, her eyes naturally falling on Lily Sterling standing beside her.

"Lily!"

To Lily’s shock, Heather blurted out her name the very next second, causing her to stare with wide, surprised eyes.

"Heather... you know who I am?"

Seeing her incredulous reaction, Heather Keaton’s lips curved into a flawless smile. "Of course. Connie has sung your praises to me many times. I’m so glad I finally get to meet you. You’re even cuter in person than in your photos!"

Lily was thrilled. "Heather, you’re even more beautiful in person, too."

Seeing the exchange, Connie smiled. "You two will have plenty of chances to see each other. Lily is joining her film’s cast soon, so you should go and get ready. Heather, come with me. The outfit from the brand has arrived. Go try it on. If it doesn’t fit, we need to get it altered right away. It’s for the Golden Goblet Award next month."

Heather Keaton nodded and waved goodbye to Lily. "Break a leg on the new show. See you next time, Lily."

"Thanks, Heather! And I hope you win Best Actress at the Golden Goblet Awards for a second time," Lily said sweetly, feeling positively giddy.

’The living, breathing Heather Keaton! It was no exaggeration to call her the number one female star in showbiz today. And not only had Lily seen her in the flesh, but Heather actually knew her name!’

The next day, Cecilia Sterling drove her sister to the airport.

Yuna and Finn had already arrived early and were waiting to meet up with Lily Sterling.

"Sis, I’ll let you know when I get there, but the reception might be bad."

"Good or not, you find a way to message me. Otherwise, I’ll worry," Cecilia said.

She had known the script was about human trafficking, but she hadn’t realized they would be filming deep in the mountains. Cecilia was genuinely worried.

"If you run into any trouble, you have to tell me!"

Lily nodded obediently. "I know, Sis. You’ve told me a few times already."

"You’d better take it to heart. It’s not like a film set. There will be a lot of unpredictable and unstable factors, both on and off the set. If you run into anything you can’t handle, tell me right away. Don’t try to act tough by yourself."

"Okay, I promise."

Cecilia walked her all the way to the security gate. As they parted, she shot Yuna and Finn a meaningful look, and they both nodded in understanding.

As she watched her sister pass through security, Cecilia couldn’t shake a nagging sense of unease. She could only hope everything would go smoothly for Lily.

After leaving the airport, Cecilia went straight to the hospital. She happened to run into Charles Jennings right by the elevators.

He was wearing a different blue puffer jacket and carrying a lunch box.

"Cecilia Sterling!"

Charles Jennings greeted her in his usual manner. Cecilia smiled faintly. "What did you bring for Estelle?"

"Pig’s trotters with soybeans and stir-fried Chinese yam."

"Did your mom make it?"

"I made it."

He answered directly, without a hint of bashfulness.

Cecilia understood the situation perfectly, but it wasn’t her place to point it out. Estelle was clueless, and Charles was willing to dote on her without complaint. In a way, it was almost enviable.

As she sized up Charles Jennings, she noted his tall, slender frame, his naturally red lips and white teeth, and his impossibly clear skin. Combined with his serious, almost wooden personality, he actually had a unique charm and presence.

It was just the thick-lensed glasses on his nose that made him seem a bit stiff and hid his best features.

"Charles Jennings."

"Hm?"

"Have you ever considered getting corrective eye surgery? Or wearing contacts?"

"Why?" Charles Jennings looked at Cecilia, confused.

Cecilia didn’t beat around the bush. "Honestly, you’re very handsome," she said bluntly. "It’s just that those big glasses are a real eyesore. If you got rid of them, it would be a huge improvement. The glasses are... kind of ugly."

Charles Jennings: "..."

"It’s just a friendly suggestion! You’ve probably worn them for so long you’re used to them, but an outsider’s perspective is clearer. I really think you’d be a total heartthrob without them!"

Charles Jennings: "..."

In the hospital room, Estelle Goodman was lying all alone in her bed. Cecilia was surprised when she walked in. "Didn’t Blair say she was coming to keep you company this morning? Where is she?"

Estelle pouted. "I don’t know. I messaged her, but she hasn’t replied. You don’t think something happened, do you? Try giving her a call!"

Cecilia nodded and took out her phone to contact Blair. Charles silently stepped forward and opened the lunch box. Estelle sniffed the air appreciatively. "That smells amazing."

"Charles, can you go ask the doctor if I can be discharged? I don’t want to lie around in the hospital anymore."

Charles ladled a bowl of the pig’s trotters and soybeans and handed it to her. "The doctor said you need to be observed for three days. This is only day two."

"I’m not dizzy or nauseous, I can eat and drink just fine. There’s nothing wrong with me. I want to go home..."

Her voice trailed off into a coquettish whine.

Charles let out an almost imperceptible sigh. "Fine, I’ll go ask for you."

Estelle grinned. "Hee hee, thanks! The pig’s trotters are amazing!"

Charles watched her dig in, his expression gradually softening.

「The Doctor’s Office.」

"Of course, you can have it done. Just register at the ophthalmology department and schedule a time for the procedure with the doctor," the doctor told Charles Jennings.

Charles nodded slowly. "And after it’s done, I won’t need to wear glasses at all?"

"That’s right. But you’ll still need to be careful with your eyes in the future, or your vision could worsen again."

"Thank you, Doctor."

Charles stood up and was at the door when he remembered his actual reason for being there. He quickly turned back. "Doctor, can the patient in Room 7 be discharged today? She isn’t showing any symptoms of discomfort."

"It’s best to observe her for the full three days. It’s already the second day, what’s one more?" the doctor said.

But when he returned to the room, Estelle was already dressed and in a frantic hurry to leave.

"Where are you going? The doctor said you need to be observed for three days!" Charles lunged forward to block her path.

Estelle’s face was a mask of urgency as she forcefully pushed Charles aside. "Handle my discharge papers for me! It’s an emergency!"

He could see she was truly in a panic. Charles followed her out of the room, asking, "What’s wrong? What happened? Where are you going?"

"Blair’s mother passed away! I have to go be with Blair!" Estelle cried, rushing straight into an elevator and heading down.

Charles didn’t follow. He knew he couldn’t stop her after something like this had happened. He watched until she was gone, then turned and quietly went back to her room to pack her things.

At another hospital, Cecilia had already arrived.

In the hallway outside the morgue, Blair sat on the floor by a bench, curled into a tight ball. Her eyes were lifeless as she stared at the white wall in front of her.