Chapter 151
Teresa arrived at the restaurant .
Parking a Maybach was indeed tricky . Teresa parked Jonathan’s car cautiously ,
terrified of scratching it . Fortunately , the area in front of the restaurant was spacious and had plenty of parking spots .
Teresa was meeting with two proprietors and a proprietress today .
The proprietress was Melanie Ziegler , the CEO of Ziegler Group , a prominent company . in Nareigh
Teresa had done business with Melanie in the past . Melanie trusted and liked Teresa , which was why she introduced the latter to her two major clients .
During the meal , Teresa went all out to persuade the proprietors to invest in her company . However , the proprietors were astute businessmen . They hesitated upon learning that Teresouth Group was a new company established last year with a female
CEO .
Melanie said , “ Ms. Teresa Johnston is not only a beautiful woman of great poise , but she’s also highly competent . Please give it some thought :
“ Alright , we’ll go back and think about it , ” one of the proprietors said .
“ Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules for this meal ,” Teresa said as she shook hands with them .
The proprietors smiled , but Teresa could tell that they were not interested in investing in Teresouth Group .
As they headed downstairs where Teresa’s car was parked , the two proprietors noticed the striking Maybach with the license plate number entirely made up of sixes .
There was only one such in all of Nareigh .
One of the proprietors turned to look at Teresa and asked , “ Ms. Johnston , isn’t this car owned by Mr. Lynn from Horizonlead Group ? ”
Teresa replied with a smile , “ Oh , don’t mind it . I just borrowed it for a drive . ”
‘ She borrowed Mr. Lynn’s car ? the proprietors mused . They had heard that Jonathan . was an extremely stingy person . It was difficult even to meet him , let alone lend his favorite car to someone , especially a woman .
Another proprietor chimed in , “ What’s your relationship with Mr. Lynn ? You seem pretty close with him . ”
Teresa did not want to be seen as riding on Jonathan’s coattails . In fact , she borrowed his car today not to show off , but to avoid the embarrassment of hailing a cab when leaving .
Suddenly , Melanie spoke . “ The CEO of Horizonlead Group is actually Ms. Johnston’s ex
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-husband . He’s been trying to get back with her . ”
The expressions of the two proprietors changed upon hearing Melanie’s words . After exchanging glances , they asked Teresa for her business card .
During the meal , they had not asked for Teresa’s business card despite her exhaustive efforts to introduce her company , but now they did .
After receiving her business card , the two proprietors politely said that they would personally visit Teresouth Group some time and left .
After the proprietors were gone , Teresa asked Melanie why she was helping her , and the latter explained , “ These two proprietors just came to Nareigh , and their headquarters is in Strico . “.
She added , “ They don’t know much about Teresouth Group , but they’re very familiar
with your
ex – husband and very interested in him . It would’ve been easier if you had mentioned his name from the beginning to save yourself some trouble . ”
Teresa responded , “ Thank you, Ms. Ziegler , but I really don’t want to ride on my ex-
husband’s coattails . ”
Melanie shook her head and chuckled . “ You’re too naive . What do you think of my company’s doing ? ”
“ Do1 have to answer ? You’re my role model ,” said Teresa .
Melanie was a well – known proprietress in Nareigh in her forties and still unmarried . She had surpassed countless competitors to become a businesswoman that worthed hundreds of millions of dollars in Nareigh .
Melanie said , “ I used to be like you . I had always thought that I could rely on myself and didn’t need anyone else . We still rely on ourselves now , but when it’s time to make use of men , you have to do it . ”
She continued , “ Whether it’s your ex – husband or current one , they’re all connections . If he can help you attract clients and business , use them . There’s no shame in that . ”
Melanie added , “ These days , as long as you succeed , no one cares what means you . used to get there , let alone your personal life . If you want to make a lot of money , you need to make full use of all the connections and resources around you , like myself . ”
She went on , “ I didn’t introduce you to these people out of the goodness of my heart . I want to see you do better , so we can mutually benefit from each other . Don’t be offended if I seem too pragmatic . I’m just being realistic . ”
“ Not at all , Ms. Ziegler . You’re my benefactor ” Teresa replied warmly . “ I’ll ponder over what you’ve said . ”
Melanie chuckled . “ Alright , I’ve got to go . Go and visit your mom when you have time . She’s been in the hospital for several days . ”
“ My mom ?” asked Teresa .
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Seeing Teresa’s surprised and puzzled expression , Melanie explained that she had a good relationship with Evelyn , who had privately reached out to Melanie multiple times . to look after Teresa and teach her some things .
Evelyn had been hospitalized since earlier this year .
Without a second thought , Teresa quickly asked for the address of the hospital and drove over .
Evelyn was admitted to Nareigh General Hospital , the new and currently the biggest hospital in Nareigh . It was twice the size of the old general hospital and equipped with advanced medical equipment .
Teresa had only heard about this hospital and had never visited it . Because it was far from her home , she used the GPS in Jonathan’s car to navigate .
Evelyn was half lying on her bed , eating green grapes . When she saw Teresa arrive , Evelyn spat out the grape skin and froze . “ What brings you here ? ” she asked .
Teresa’s eyes reddened as she looked at the emaciated Evelyn , saying , “ Melanie told me you were hospitalized . What happened ? What’s the illness ? ”
Evelyn responded , “ Oh , don’t even mention it . It’s the flu that’s been going around earlier this year , I got caught up in it , and all my postpartum complications came back
-high blood pressure , high cholesterol , and so on . ”
She continued , “ I felt lightheaded and had a high fever . I was burning up for seven days . ”
Teresa was skeptical . “ Is it just the flu ? You’re not hiding anything else from me , are you ? Don’t you have any other illness ? ”
Evelyn glared at her . “ Are you hoping l’have any other illness ? Are you thinking that I’ve lived too long ? ”
“ That’s not what I meant . ” Teresa explained , “ You’re almost 50 ! Can’t you take better care of yourself ? Why do you insist on having a child at such an age ? You’ve been hospitalized for so many days ! Was it worth it ? ”
It was not that Teresa was not worried , anxious , or angry , she just couldn’t understand why Evelyn insisted on having another child at such an age after getting remarried .
Evelyn snorted . “ Hmph , I don’t even care about your visit . Just leave ! ”
Teresa turned and walked out , but she did not leave the hospital . Instead , she went to ask the doctor about Evelyn’s condition . That way , she could have a clearer picture of the situation .
The doctor said that because Evelyn was an elderly parturient woman and caught the flu recently , her previous postpartum complications came back . She had no major illnesses ; but plenty of minor ones – high blood pressure , high blood cholesterol , high blood sugar , pulmonary nodule , and inflammation .
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Teresa said , “ I understand . Thank you . ”
“ Are you Ms. Davis’s daughter ? ” the doctor asked .