Chapter 242: Chapter 242

"Anna, here’s what I’m thinking about our movie. I’m planning to push the post-production a bit to see if we can release it in November. We can’t catch the last wave of summer heat, and the prime holidays are reserved for big blockbusters. We can’t compete head-on. And then, there’s another fierce battle in the Spring Festival slot,"

"So I think November is the safest choice. Although there aren’t any public holidays, at least other films won’t pick this time frame, which means less competition pressure from big films for us."

After hearing Quinn Locke’s proposal, Anna Thornton and Mary both nodded in agreement.

Quinn Locke might have his shortcomings in other areas, but he is extremely serious about his films. After all, this is his labor of love, taking seven years to make, and nobody is more anxious than him, so Anna Thornton feels very comfortable letting Quinn Locke handle all the follow-up related to the film.

However, it seems she forgot that this person is destined to be jinxed. It wasn’t long before Quinn Locke brought back some bad news to Anna Thornton.

"Anna, I heard that Hank Warner’s masterpiece is also scheduled to release in November, just like ours."

"Hank Warner’s sci-fi film?" Mary glanced at Quinn Locke, translating the news, "Isn’t it the movie starring Marilyn Ford? That’s a blockbuster. Why choose the same release date as ours instead of picking some other prime day?"

Quinn Locke scratched his head, genuinely not knowing.

But Anna Thornton and Mary exchanged a glance, a clear understanding in their eyes.

Marilyn Ford left Starlight Entertainment voluntarily, but she left with a heavy heart, especially since Anna Thornton was the one who handled her contract termination.

Marilyn Ford couldn’t swallow this grievance; it was obvious she wanted to go up against Anna Thornton.

"Anna, what do you think we should do now? Should we change to another release slot?"

"Marilyn Ford is targeting me. Her film’s production schedule is different from ours. This time she’s obviously crashing on purpose. If I reschedule, she will follow."

Although Quinn Locke is the film’s director, he is also a fan of Marilyn Ford.

He still can’t believe that Marilyn Ford, with her aloof and noble persona, would deliberately suppress Anna Thornton. In his naïve brain, all the previous news about the neighboring crew overshadowing their own was purely media-driven.

But soon, Quinn Locke got a reality check.

He tried to communicate, aiming to move the film’s release from mid-November to the end of October, only to quickly find out that Marilyn Ford’s film was also set for late October.

Now, he couldn’t deny it. Marilyn Ford was dead set on opposing Anna Thornton.

The purpose of crashing the release dates was to suppress the screenings.

You have to understand, before a film releases across major cinema chains, they’ll arrange showings based on the director’s and stars’ fame, the production company’s size, and the public’s anticipation.

Anna Thornton’s movie didn’t have the upper hand in any of these areas. Based on conjecture, they knew the cinema chains wouldn’t allot them many screenings. This is why Quinn Locke initially chose November—no holidays, avoiding competition with acclaimed directors’ major works, and perhaps even catching a break.

But now, with Marilyn Ford crashing their release, based on the favorable conditions of her film, it’s clear it would take the lion’s share of screenings.

Anna Thornton foresaw that their screening rate would be squeezed to an absolute minimum.

So following this, Anna Thornton and her team were facing a tough battle for screening slots.

The entire production team was about to enter the most grueling phase, needing to run across major cinema chains nationwide to organize a dozen roadshows.

As Anna Thornton got busier, she found even less time to visit Conrad Sterling in the hospital.

President Sterling even suspected if he had been forgotten by that woman?

Waiting fervently every day, yet not receiving a single greeting text or call.

"Young Master Sterling, don’t blame Anna. I can testify, she really is very busy lately. Just recovered from a cold and is already busy running around for film promotions. She and Marilyn Ford are head to head this time. I’m quite curious to see who will prevail." Henry Willow rubbed his hands in anticipation.

However, Conrad Sterling was unmoved by Henry Willow’s consolations, letting out a cold snort.

"You could look at it from another perspective: Why are the two women competing? Isn’t it all because of you?"

Marilyn Ford’s reasons didn’t concern Conrad Sterling.

But President Sterling also knew that Anna Thornton’s strong desire to win this time wasn’t for him. That woman was consistently earnest in her work, and she was striving so hard for her career.

Seeing that even his consolation had no effect on Young Master Sterling, Henry Willow had no choice but to bring out his last ace, placing Pop in Conrad Sterling’s arms: "Look at Sweetheart, what more could you want? If Anna Thornton herself can’t come, at least she let me bring her miniature version to care for you."

The little munchkin was holding a pear bigger than her face, munching away, and she looked up at Uncle Henry, nodding in agreement.

"Think about how I was lying on a hospital bed, beaten to near death, with no one caring about me. I had it worse than you!"

Hearing Henry Willow’s words, Conrad Sterling’s tense brow finally eased a bit.

Not because someone else had it worse than him!

But because if Anna Thornton was willing to let Pop visit him, did that mean that even though she blamed Conrad Sterling for the loss of a child due to a difficult birth?

At least in her heart, she acknowledged Conrad Sterling as Pop’s father.

However, Henry Willow hadn’t told the truth. Anna Thornton hadn’t specifically asked him to bring Pop to see Conrad Sterling.

Aside from the first time, Anna Thornton hadn’t even mentioned Conrad Sterling.

No matter how busy she got, Anna Thornton planned to bring Pop along, taking turns with Mary to care for her, as they used to do abroad.

It was Henry Willow who, seeing how hard she worked, volunteered to take on the responsibility of taking care of Pop, frequently bringing her to the hospital behind Anna Thornton’s back.

Conrad Sterling took the half-eaten pear from Pop’s hands: "No more eating too much."

Since arriving at the hospital, the little one hasn’t stopped talking.

Conrad Sterling instructed Henry Willow, "You take Pop back. Otherwise, Anna will worry if she comes back and doesn’t see the child."

"Alright, Young Master Sterling, I’ll take Sweetheart back first. I’ll come to see you again tomorrow!"

"Don’t bring Pop tomorrow; there’s nothing fun at the hospital. I’ll talk to the doctor about getting discharged as soon as possible."

"Do you think you’ve just got a minor injury? You’ve broken two bones and want to be discharged immediately; how is that possible? Even if the hospital is yours, there’s no medical facility in the world this advanced yet."

"I can treat this at home just the same."

"At least wait until you can walk first, then talk."

"Is it any of your business?" Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net

Henry Willow: "...Alright, alright, it’s none of my business—too bad even if you play the sympathy card, Anna Thornton won’t come to care for you, blah, blah, blah."

Taking advantage of Conrad Sterling’s current inconvenience, Henry Willow spouted this rebellious remark and then ran away quickly with Pop.

After leaving the hospital, his original plan was to head straight back to the Sterling Family.

But unexpectedly, halfway through, he noticed someone was following them. He glanced through the rearview mirror and thought the car following him belonged to Finn Grant.

With Pop in the car, Henry Willow didn’t have the convenience to use racing skills to shake off his tail.

Finally, after two intersections, Finn Grant’s called-in car blocked him.

After Finn Grant forced Henry Willow’s car to a stop, he received a call from Finn Grant.

"Get out of the car!" Finn Grant ordered him over the phone.

"Young Master Grant, I thought our personal grievances were resolved last time, weren’t they?"

"Humph, what was resolved last time was between you and my sister. I didn’t say things are settled between us!"

"Between us? ... Is there a relationship? Young Master Grant, don’t scare me."

"You Willow, quit the slick talk. When I say get out of the car, you get out. Did you hear? Otherwise, I’ll ram right into you."

Finn Grant is a madman; when he goes crazy, he’ll do anything.

With Pop in the car, Henry Willow couldn’t take the risk with Sweetheart, so he obediently got out of the car.

After seeing him step out, Finn Grant also got out of his own car.

"Young Master Grant, if I did anything to cause you misunderstanding, I apologize. But I must clarify that although I’m flirtatious, I am straight in sexual orientation." Henry Willow smiled at Finn Grant.

But just seeing his cheeky grinning face made Finn Grant angry, although last time concerning Sarah Grant, he had already taught Henry Willow a lesson.

Today seeing him again made his hands itch.

"Quit with the act; you brat, you’ve hurt my sister deeply, you know perfectly well. She cries every time she sees you, so should I punch you every time I see you?"

"Young Master Grant, Aethelgard is right under the emperor’s nose. No matter how influential you are, you can’t act recklessly. Last time, I let you go—guess if I’ll pursue matters this time?"

"Why not give it a try?"

"Alright, let’s try it!"

The two banter back and forth, but in the end, Finn Grant didn’t actually make a move.

After all, fighting wasn’t Finn Grant’s main objective today.

He approached Henry Willow’s car, and the latter immediately stepped forward.

"Why so nervous? Hiding a woman in the car again?"

"How could it be? My breakup with your sister is as you wished. Now I’m free of burden, any woman around me is fair and square."

"Then why is there something you can’t show me?"

Finn Grant already reached out to grab the car door, but Henry Willow stopped him: "Young Master Grant, my breakup with Sarah Grant was as you desired. Didn’t you want her far away from me? So as her brother, you should set an example. Still clinging onto me, are you trying to create a chance for me and your sister to get tangled up again?"

"You Willow, last time leaving you half alive was your lucky break; do you think there’ll be a next time? Also, hear this: the end between you and my sister is proper, but you and I aren’t settled. So whenever I feel like bothering you, do I need to choose a day?"

Finn Grant insisted on seeing what Henry Willow had hidden in his car; otherwise, he wouldn’t let it go.

"So, are you going to obediently open the door yourself, or should I have my guys tow your car away?" Finn Grant directly threatened him.

"Young Master Grant, I’ve admitted there’s a woman in the car, do you really have to see?"

Seeing Finn Grant’s resolute attitude, Henry Willow knew continuing to confront him wouldn’t help.

Simply put, he opened the car door himself but reminded him, "Feel free to look, but be gentle; don’t scare my little darling."

In Henry Willow’s car, as he said, there indeed was a woman.

Though this ’woman’ was quite miniature, her fur hadn’t even fully grown. Her hair barely made a tiny sprout-like tuft atop her head, and she held an empty baby bottle.