"Is there a problem? What kind of problem?" Thomas Lee was somewhat surprised. He initially thought Elliana Lyle couldn’t handle spicy food, causing the incident halfway through. However, since Yates Zander mentioned there was an issue, he had to take a look.
He first picked up one of the intact spicy duck heads and carefully licked it.
Everyone watched as Thomas Lee’s face turned beet red, spitting several times on the ground!
Even tasting it a little made his tongue hurt, let alone Elliana Lyle who put the whole thing in her mouth and chewed a few times—the discomfort must have been unimaginable!
Meanwhile, Thomas Lee was also panicking. If something happened to Elliana Lyle, Norman Bennett would get back at him!
He shouted in anger, "Props team, how are you handling things? Who the hell did this?"
A girl with short ear-length hair stepped out, visibly flustered. She had no idea what the problem with the props was either.
She said, "Director Lee, this was prepared yesterday. It was stored in the fridge overnight, so it shouldn’t have any issues. You even ate one this morning, remember?"
Thomas Lee remembered he indeed ate one this morning because he was hungry at the time.
At this moment, the head of the props team, Lewis Wang, spoke, "Director Lee, the props I prepared couldn’t possibly have a problem. Even if they turned a bit sour, it’s not to the point of being unbearable. Most actors have been doing fine with them."
Implying Elliana Lyle might be too sensitive.
Victor King was still feeding Elliana Lyle water. She held the ice water in her mouth, afraid to spit it out or swallow.
She stared intently at Timara Zephyr, who was standing not far away. Timara, who usually loved pointing out faults, was surprisingly silent this time and averted her gaze when meeting Elliana’s eyes.
Director Lee had already handed the spicy duck head to Lewis Wang and angrily said, "You eat it yourself! Don’t come tomorrow! Replace the head of the props team!"
"No! Director Lee! I don’t know what’s going on either. This is..."
"No need to explain! The props had issues, and you’re the main responsibility!" Thomas Lee didn’t give him any chance to defend himself and directly dismissed Lewis Wang.
Helplessly, Elliana Lyle couldn’t speak, just stared blankly.
Lewis Wang was furious, shouting, "Fine then, I quit! This lousy crew—I didn’t want to work here anyway!"
He left without looking back, and nobody attempted to persuade Thomas Lee otherwise, knowing offending Elliana Lyle was equivalent to offending Norman Bennett.
And Thomas Lee saw through it clearly; it was unlikely the props team was at fault. He simply didn’t want to escalate the situation and make it ugly in the end.
"Elliana, try drinking some milk; see if it helps ease the discomfort." Yates Zander thoughtfully brought some whole milk and, with a worried face, said to Victor King, "Sister Wang, it’s best to take Elliana to the hospital."
"Okay." Victor King responded. She hadn’t tried the spicy duck head, but seeing Elliana’s forehead sweat knew it was serious.
Thomas Lee naturally had no objections, hoping Elliana would mention fewer words to Norman Bennett on account of firing the props leader.
"Sister Wang, let me." Yates Zander took Elliana Lyle from Victor King’s arms, carefully lifting her with a gentlemanly hand supporting her waist.
There was quite a distance to her car, and Victor King, along with several members from Elliana’s studio, followed.
In the car, after settling Elliana, Yates Zander stepped out, and Victor King said to those behind, "You have the day off today."
"Cough, cough!" Elliana repeatedly held the ice water; though it eased the pain slightly, it wasn’t very effective.
Despite the pain, it was better than before, at least allowing her to speak.
Victor King had already contacted Norman Bennett, but when he heard the news, he immediately hung up.
Upon arriving at the hospital, the first person she saw was Norman Bennett!
The man said nothing, quickly lifting her up, striding swiftly inside, and soon finding the otorhinolaryngology department.
"Ah, open your mouth, yes." Doctor Claire White carefully examined her, finally applying some medication.
She said to Norman Bennett, "There’s nothing serious. Just need to be careful in the future, and watch your limit with spicy food."
Claire White was a college mate of Norman Bennett and also treated Elliana’s last cold.
He seemed gentle and friendly, with a scholarly ease about him, yet spoke with an air of seasoned warmth.
"Hmm." Norman Bennett profoundly exhaled in relief; receiving Victor King’s call earlier had put him in a panic.
Fortunately, his little girl was alright.
"Lewis, take this prescription and get the medication." Claire White called out to someone outside.
Back at the hotel, Lana was already brewing pear and rock candy syrup. Seeing Elliana Lyle return safely, she too sighed in relief.
"Miss Lyle, you’re back. I made you pear and rock candy syrup; it’ll be ready soon." Lana said.
Elliana Lyle didn’t say anything, just nodded in acknowledgment; she really didn’t feel like speaking.
"Dear, rest well at the hotel. I have some matters; I may return late tonight, but I will be back." Norman Bennett placed Elliana on the couch, earnestly advising her.
Elliana just nodded, gave him a hug, signaling him not to worry.
Norman Bennett soon left in a hurry, and she suddenly realized how busy he seemed, unlike before when she naively thought he had nothing to do.
Now... she felt Norman Bennett was too busy.
Half an hour later, Lana brought the pear and rock candy syrup to her, feeding Elliana spoon by spoon.
"Miss Lyle, do you feel any better?" Lana observed her with hopeful eyes, hoping she was better.
Elliana merely nodded in response. Though she wasn’t hurting as much at the moment, she still felt swollen and uncomfortable, more annoying than when she had a cold.
The phone rang, and Elliana saw it was her mother calling.
So she set the call to speaker and gestured to Lana to take it.
"Hello, Mrs. Lyle. I’m Lana." Lana courteously greeted.
Upon hearing her, Elliana’s mother quickly asked, "Hello, is Elliana there?"
"Here’s the situation, Mrs. Lyle. Ms. Lyle has a sore throat; she’s right next to me." Lana responded.
"Elliana, Joy just got taken by the police, saying something about financial crime! I’ve already asked your dad to figure it out. Can you ask Norman for help? I can’t believe Joy would do anything criminal!"
This news utterly shocked Elliana. She couldn’t process it; how could Joy get taken by the police overnight?
"Mom~ what’s going on~ huh?" Elliana’s voice was hoarse, like a duck.
Elliana’s mother was stunned and quickly asked, "Elliana dear, what’s wrong with your voice? Did you catch a cold? It’s autumn, and the temperature differences in North City are big; take care of yourself, have you seen a doctor?..."
After about ten minutes, Elliana ended the call with her mom.
Despite questioning for so long, her mom didn’t know what exactly transpired.
Seeing it was getting late, Elliana figured Norman Bennett must be busy, so she sent him a couple of messages.
About an hour later, Norman Bennett replied.
Norman Bennett: "Currently detained for suspected financial crimes pending investigation results."
Norman Bennett: "Don’t worry, as long as I’m here, your cousin won’t be in danger."
Despite the man’s assurance, Elliana couldn’t help but worry.
Why did it have to be Joy? She worried Joy might get into trouble. Now in North City, going back wasn’t easy.
She’s feeling anxious and disturbed.
She checked her social media, and the South City Police Department had posted an announcement.
South City Police Department
Concerning the online reports of "Joy Lyle’s overpriced contract suspected financial crimes" and related issues, after police investigation, Joy Lyle (female, 21 years old) is suspected of financial crimes and has been legally detained and summoned by the South City Police Department. The case investigation continues.