Chapter 231: Chapter 231

"Anna, are you back in Aethelgard?"

"There’s a problem with the film, can we meet to discuss?"

Considering Director Lucas’s dire agent situation, Anna Thornton brought Mary to meet him not at a restaurant, nor a cafe, but at Quinn Locke’s home.

Quinn Locke graduated several years ago, but he’s still scraping by like a fresh college graduate, only able to afford a small single-room apartment near the Aethelgard outskirts.

Anna Thornton and Mary were visiting for the first time, and their initial impression of Quinn Locke’s place was that it was messy, but not dirty.

Papers were everywhere—which is probably a creator’s environment.

Who would believe he’s Miles Willow’s illegitimate child?

Compared to the one openly ousting the legitimate son and living at the Willow Family, he’s also an illegitimate child, but the difference is too stark.

Quinn Locke seemed a bit embarrassed, shifting the papers on the couch to make room temporarily for Anna Thornton and Mary to sit.

"Sorry, my place is too small, too messy. Would you like something to drink?"

"Coffee, please," Mary said.

"Uh... don’t have any either!"

"What do you have then?"

"Coffee juice, right? Why don’t I go downstairs and buy some now?"

Quinn Locke said as he prepared to leave, though he needed to search through the stacks of papers to find his loose change.

"No need, we won’t drink anything," Anna Thornton glanced at Mary.

Mary pursed her lips, "I bet all he has is plain water, might not even have an electric kettle to boil water."

Mary was right; Quinn Locke didn’t even have a kettle at home.

"True, buying coffee wouldn’t work without a kettle. Why don’t I just buy a kettle too?"

"She’s teasing you! Let’s talk business, is there a problem with the film?" Anna Thornton asked directly.

Anna Thornton recalled when Quinn Locke was last teased by Mary to the point of losing composure, he told them the investment couldn’t be secured.

Likely today’s news isn’t good either.

Quinn Locke sat down as Anna Thornton called him over, first letting out a sigh, "The film’s fine, but the review has issues. I heard this year the review process for TV and films is particularly strict, especially for our kind of story."

"They say every year the review is strict; what’s wrong with our story? Isn’t Actress Ford’s film the same story as ours?"

"Their film initially faced issues too due to its more mature themes, but I’ve heard the Ford Family has cleared the necessary hurdles now."

"Ford Family has connections, we do too, don’t we, Anna?" Mary nudged Anna Thornton’s shoulder, "President Sterling has such influence, isn’t this a small matter? Just need him to say the word, right?"

"Because I just had a fallout with him."

"What happened between you two?"

"Anyway, this time it’s quite serious, probably won’t reconcile soon. Don’t pin your hopes on him. Besides... Marilyn Ford found out I took her man, so if there’s someone in the Ford family on the review committee, they might target us."

Mary: "What could happen then?"

"We’d be stuck!" Thıs content belongs to novelFirｅ.net

"Anna, you’ve put so much into this film. Your first role as the lead, it impacts your future; you can’t just watch your efforts go in vain. Maybe make up with President Sterling first, have him sort the issue, then be mad at him?"

"How could that be right?"

Anna Thornton didn’t want to reconcile with Conrad Sterling quickly this time!

Though she thought Mary’s suggestion might be worth considering if push comes to shove.

Sterling Group Headquarters—

Ethan finished his morning work report, and should’ve quietly left the CEO office.

But he suddenly brought up, "President Sterling, some colleagues suggested we diversify holiday benefits. Maybe next time give movie tickets to our junior staff, young people seem to like movies now."

"I don’t like romance films, sci-fi films are better, suitable for all ages. Don’t know when Miss Thornton’s film will be out."

"By the way President Sterling, did you know? Miss Thornton’s lead film recently hit some issues."

Ethan talked to himself for so long, yet Conrad Sterling didn’t respond.

Ethan probably had a problem today, nagging about small matters like movie tickets. Turns out the last sentence was the real point, pretending it was casually mentioned.

Upon hearing, President Sterling finally looked up, "What issue?"

"Seems it’s a review issue, and it’s been snagging, not passing. This is Miss Thornton’s first film since returning to the country, vital for her entry into the domestic market."

"You seem pretty informed?"

"I’m Miss Thornton’s fan, President Sterling, forgive me." Ethan scratched his head embarrassed.

Ethan was not just Anna Thornton’s fan, but also a career fan.

Since the film started shooting, he followed it closely, eagerly waiting to see the finished product.

Recently, internal news from fan groups revealed the film was struggling to pass review, suspended indefinitely, making Ethan anxious, more than if his salary was delayed.

Of course, part of the reason is Sterling Group never delays staff salaries.

Hence Ethan was so unreserved, anxiously worrying for his idol’s future.

"President Sterling, would you like to assist Miss Thornton?"

"Did she ask you to find me?"

"Then why are you wasting words here? An emperor doesn’t rush, but you’re more anxious than anyone."

Ethan: "..." Seems he was called a eunuch! Heartache!

Recently President Sterling’s mood seemed off, Ethan suspected he had a clash with Miss Thornton, why else haven’t they appeared together lately?

Just tested the waters, seems he guessed right.

Ethan was about to leave feeling disheartened when Conrad Sterling suddenly called him back: "I’m sending you on a business trip!"

"President Sterling, where to?"

"Veridia? Isn’t that Miss Thornton’s hometown? Are we expanding business there?"

"I need you to investigate some matters from three or four years ago there."

Ethan took a guess, "Is it related to Miss Thornton?"

"I’ll book the tickets immediately!"

As long as it was about his idol, Ethan was extremely proactive.

Although from the tone, it was clear Conrad still cared about Anna.

Ethan couldn’t help being bold enough to ask again, "President Sterling, Miss Thornton is facing troubles, do you have any decree for me to relay before I leave?"