Ellinor was all set to say no But then Balfour cul in, stem and impatient âEnough all of you! Since Patri canât perform, thereâs no point in finding a replacement! Grandpa wonât blame anyone, Iâll explain the situation to him.â
Hearing this. Ellinor was quite pleased Patricia, on the other hand, insisted through her tears âBalfour, apart from this performance, I donât have any other gift for Grandpa If I donât give him anything, even if he doesnât blame me this time, heâll think less of me in the future So I canât do that.â
Balfour scrunched up his eyebrows, looking down at his stubborn sister in his arms Patri, listen to me, your health is whatâs most important! You donât have to perform for Grandpa today thereâs plenty of time in the future to sing for him!â
Patricia fired back. âNo! Today is Grandpaâs birthday, any other day wonât do! Balfour, Iâve already told Grandpa I have a special gift, I canât go back on my word! And Theo is waiting for me to go on stage. I donât want to let him or Grandpa down.â
Balfour darkened. âPatri!â
Haillie stepped up to them, defending her best friend. âBalfour, see, Patricia is stubborn about performing. If you donât find someone to take her place, she wonât cooperate with the checkâup for her foot injuryâ
Only then did Balfour consider Haillieâs suggestion Patricia was gentle but incredibly stubborn. She had a strong will, as shown when she decided to marry Theo from a young age.
Haillie wasnât wrong either. Under these circumstances, even if they forced Patricia to go to the hospital, she wouldnât cooperate with the treatment. It would only make things more troublesome Considering this, out of concern for Patriciaâs foot, Balfour looked up at Ellinor and commanded her.
âEllinor, go get ready, youâre going on stage for Patricia!*
Ellinor didnât have the same absolute attitude toward her boss as she did with Haillie and Patricia. âMr.
Howard, arenât you scared Iâll ruin the gift your sister worked so hard on?
Balfour replied coldly. âTo old Mr. Bagley, it doesnât matter if you sing well or not, itâs the thought that counts. Just go up there, sing a few lines, and express Patriciaâs feelings Haillie chimed in, âEllinor, if you donât go on stage for Patricia, she wonât get treated. If something goes wrong with her foot because she didnât get timely treatment, can you take responsibility?â
âAre you guys really sure you want me to go on stage for Ms. Howard?â
Patricia looked at Ellinor with pleading eyes. âEllinor, Iâm injured now, I canât perform. If you could go on stage for me, Iâd be really grateful. Your voice is so beautiful, Iâm sure youâll sing and perform wonderfully. I believe in you.â
Ellinor glanced at Patricia, then at her boss, Balfour. She considered the idea and let out a resigned sigh. âFine! Since Mr. Howard is asking, I guess I have to do as the boss says. But if my performance isnât good, donât blame me.â
âWe wonât! Thank you, Ellinor, for helping me!â Patricia gratefully said, then turned to Haillie. âHaillie, could you help me take Ellinor to get her makeup and costume on? Weâre running out of time!â
At this, Haillie gave a smug smile and nodded. âSure, no problem. Iâll take her right away!â