Chapter 151 Was It Really an Accident?
Courtney did not let the news weigh her down too much. It was just a passing matter that would be forgotten with time. Even though the media worded it in an unpleasant way, it was still personal. The fans were making a fuss now, but they, ultimately, would not go overboard. She just had to be more cautious over the next couple of days.
Addie had been overly frantic. Alexander’s attitude was the normal rational response.
Before leaving her office in the afternoon, Courtney turned off her computer and gathered her things.
The employees in the office had not left yet. Glancing at her watch, she looked back up and said, “Get off work when it’s time. We’re not busy these days, so you can go home on time. Don’t wait for me.”
They all let out a sigh of relief and were finally able to smile.
“Why? Were you afraid that I was going to make you work overtime?” she teased.
A mixture of laughter broke out in the room.
They were already traumatized by the extra hours they had to work last week because of the quarterly statistical reports. Those who were used to getting off work on time also held their breaths out of fear that they would be asked to work overtime.
As soon as Courtney took a few steps out of the elevator, Penelope called out to her.
“Miss Hunter, are you leaving now?”
Turning back around, Courtney was taken aback to see the nervous look on her face. “What’s wrong?”
“Didn’t Addie tell you? I texted him already.”
Penelope did not have work during the day today and had just arrived at the front desk for her shift after changing into her cream-colored uniform. Before she even had time to put on her name badge, however, she hastily approached Courtney.
“Miss Hunter, I saw a minivan parked on the road outside on my way in earlier. They had two video cameras facing the entrance of our hotel. I’m certain they’re here to film you.”
Courtney frowned. The reporters actually came.
The entertainment industry was desperate for news these days. Shay had just risen to fame over the last couple of days and was still a C-list celebrity at the very most. These journalists usually enjoyed creating drama out of nothing. Since this opportunity fell into their hands, they were still at a loss over what to do with it.
In the middle of their conversation, Addie came out of the elevator and rushed over while smacking his head for having forgotten about the text message.
“Miss Hunter, I don’t think you should leave today. You can stay at the hotel.” Penelope was deeply concerned.
“Yes. The room that President Duncan stays in is cleaned regularly. You can stay—”
Halfway through, Addie quickly shut his mouth out of fear that he might have misspoken. His eyes slowly moved up to sneak a glance at Courtney to perceive her reaction.
She had pulled her eyebrows together slightly, but there were no major changes in her expression as if she was not affected by his words. “It’s okay. I’m going to get my daughter.”
Previously, Tina and Jordan had signed up for swimming lessons, and the course was still ongoing. Normally, Alexander’s butler was responsible for dropping them off and picking them up, but before leaving the house today, Courtney informed the children that she would be picking them up herself in the evening.
She had always taken promises she made in front of the children seriously.
“I’ll drive you.”
A man’s clear and distinct voice came from behind the three of them.
Courtney turned around to find Oliver who had his hands in his pockets and was wearing a white shirt and black trousers. He had a youthful face that also carried maturity and wisdom.
“You’ll drive me?” Courtney repeated after him in astonishment.
Oliver took out the car keys from his pocket and waved them in front of her. “Are we going or not?”
“And I thought you managed to get yourself a car in this short span of time,” Courtney teased as she fastened her seatbelt inside the car in the underground car park. “When did Alex give you the keys?”
Oliver looked exceptionally attractive as he backed out of the parking space with his long and slender fingers wrapped around the steering wheel.
“When I went to submit the car expenses to him before he left. Maybe he just didn’t want to deal with me.”
Courtney let out a chuckle. “I told you to just come to me for small things like that. If you’re short of money, you can also come to me; you don’t have to look for him.”
“It’s fine.” Oliver was looking at the road outside through the windshield, seemingly occupied with thoughts. “It’s only right that I asked him for it.”
Assuming that he was talking about Alexander being responsible for his accident, Courtney rushed to explain. “Oliver, I was the one who hit and injured you. Alex only brought the responsibility onto the company so I wouldn’t have to bear the burden. But still, I’m the one who should be responsible. It’s only right that I take responsibility for your life from now on.”
“I’m not talking about that. He…” Oliver frowned and did not finish his sentence.
“Who? What is it?” She was perplexed.
“Nothing.” He changed the topic. When they passed by an overpass, the momentary shadow hid the murkiness in his eyes. “What do you plan to do about the news?”
At the mention of the news, she felt a dull pain in her head. “I don’t know. I just want to let it be. If I step up now and give my own statement, it might backfire. Also, Shay hasn’t contacted me yet. I don’t know how they’re planning to go about this.”
“It’s better to discuss it with them and come up with coherent statements.” He gave a nod. The look in his eyes was subtle. “I saw someone trying to explain your relationship with Shay on the internet. They’re saying that Sunhill Enterprise was unaware of the situation before they began making plans for the travel program. It looks like they’re going to sever ties with you.”
Courtney grew somber. “Is that so?”
“Yeah. I looked into the ID of the person who made that post and found that it was an employee from the technical department at Sunhill.”
After Courtney’s identity was revealed, someone quickly questioned whether Shay’s debut as an amateur variety show star through the travel program was premeditated. Since Courtney was in charge of the commemoration, she could have exploited her power for personal gains.
However, those speculations were quickly suppressed by another post.
The person, who was identified as an employee from Sunhill Hotel, claimed to be an insider and revealed that no one at the hotel knew about Courtney’s relationship with Shay. Sunhill Enterprise severed ties with Courtney right away and easily turned the criticism away from themselves.
“He’s a businessman. His first priority would be to minimize losses. You can’t blame him for that.” Oliver’s low voice reverberated within the car.
But it struck a chord in Courtney and sent her mind buzzing.
Alexander was an opportunist. Everything he did, he did in order to gain some benefit. It was rare to see his personal feelings get in the way of his rationality or emotions.
This time, she had gotten caught up in this scandal. If it was not under Alexander’s orders, the PR team at Sunhill Enterprise would not dare to make such a move. Oliver was right; he was a rational person, and this was not his fault. After all, bringing the company down with her would only be a loss for everyone.
Was what happened to Jordan really just an accident?
She couldn’t stop herself from thinking of the worst.
