Chapter 18: I Can Do It, Too

"You... Why are you laughing!" Elliana Lyle was both angry and flustered, her face turning bright red.

She had never seen Norman Bennett smile before, that slight smile was like the sun in winter, shining down briefly, disappearing in a flash.

Norman, with his cool and indifferent demeanor, looked so handsome when he smiled, yet his smile almost answered her question.

Thinking that Norman gave her... Elliana suddenly wanted to freeze on the spot.

"Let's eat first, after we're full, I'll tell you." Norman's tone was calm, devoid of any emotion, speaking lightly.

What else could she do? She could only bow her head and eat!

Norman's deep gaze turned gentle, casually serving the little girl food, while her earlobes turned crimson, her face showing a touch of anger.

Indeed... her beauty was captivating.

The meal dragged on for quite some time, and Elliana no longer wanted to get up from her seat, playing with the last bits of broccoli on her plate.

"Are you full now?" Norman asked, actually reminding her.

"Oh, I'm done." Elliana had no choice but to put down her chopsticks, her movements appearing somewhat playful and endearing.

She half-expectedly glanced at Norman, hoping he'd tell her otherwise.

However, even after returning to the hotel, Norman still hadn't given her an answer, and she was too embarrassed to ask again — it made her feel completely frozen.

She simply went back to the master bedroom, lying in bed while scrolling through her phone. She hadn't told Joy Lyle she was in North City; she planned to give her a surprise by visiting her on set.

――― Macao, Glamorous International, Wise Entertainment City.

The room was enveloped in a soft, blue ambiance, where day paled and night enticed, in a private box where a noble man sat on the principal seat.

Beside him lay a long-legged beauty, alluring and captivating.

A large table was in the middle, surrounded by four men, each with their own woman in their arms.

"Brother Shane, you're not having much luck today, hehehe." A bald guy with a cigarette between his lips laughed sleazily, pulling the money on the table over to himself, the large gold chain around his neck quite conspicuous.

Shane Southwell furrowed his brows, displeased and even angered by Baldy's laughter.

Just a nouveau riche, what right does he have to call him brother!

"Baldy, you've had enough, haven't you? Who gave you the face to call Brother Shane your brother?" Shane's companion, Easton Wood, got angry, his demeanor fierce and his tone icy.

Baldy's laughter stopped abruptly. His body stiffened, he gave a dry laugh, then looked down at Shane, trying to smooth things over: "Oh Shane, I'm just a rough guy, drank too much today, please don't blame me."

"No harm, we're all friends." Although Shane said this, the malice on his face was evident.

Baldy immediately sensed trouble, his eyes rolling like two big copper bells, hurriedly saying with a smile: "The money I won today, it's all to pay respects to Brother Shane, without Brother Shane taking care of us, we wouldn't be where we are today."

"Let's head to Blue Night Charm for a drink later." Shane's tone was nonchalant, but his gaze signaled the seductive woman leaning against him to take the money.

"Sure, thank you, Brother Shane, for not minding us." Baldy wiped his imaginary sweat, realizing how difficult it was to please these wealthy and powerful people.

Just then, Shane's phone rang. As he picked it up, the others tactfully moved away, keeping their distance.

Cari: "Vice President, Elliana Lyle wants to meet you tomorrow at Lotus Park. She didn't mention a specific time, and when I asked Elliana, she didn't reply. Guess she's asleep."

"Okay, got it." Shane hung up the phone, disdaining Elliana's overly respectful demeanor towards him, like a dog wagging its tail at anyone.

Yet thinking about that lofty man, Norman Bennett, who liked but couldn't get the woman, being so attentive in Shane's presence filled him with a sense of achievement.

…

Midnight, 12 o'clock.

Elliana was still lying on the bed, looking at her phone, wide awake, though a headache began to throb at her temples.

Her mouth dry, she thought to get up for some water. Walking to the open kitchen, she noticed a refrigerator, yet Norman was still working by the floor-to-ceiling window.

Finding mineral water in the fridge, Elliana drank a whole bottle, then approached Norman.

"Not sleeping yet?" Norman glanced at her, then returned his gaze to the computer screen.

"Can't sleep." Elliana's voice had a lazy tone as she naturally sat beside Norman.

After a while, Elliana suddenly poked Norman's arm with her finger.

"Hmm?" Norman's gaze landed on her fair face.

Elliana slightly parted her lips but said nothing, lowering her head, maneuvering under his arm to sit on the floor, right in his arms.

Enveloped by warmth and the scent of lotus, Elliana felt at ease.

Norman said nothing, affectionately patting her head, gesturing for her to behave.

On the computer screen were plans Elliana couldn't quite comprehend, a WeChat message flashed in the lower right corner.

Opening it, it was a schedule for tomorrow sent by Raymond Wood.

As well as a list of the director and main actors for the South Wind Song investment.

This investment by Roland was quite significant, with both key actresses from Roland Group.

Raymond: "President, the director inquired about Roland's payment. Though there's still a two-day grace period, should we urge Roland?"

This message was visible to Elliana, so Roland hadn't paid yet? Meaning Roland's investment in South Wind Song wasn't stable yet?

From what she knew, the South Wind Song series would bring Roland massive profits.

This payment should have been transferred to the production team the day after the contract was signed; delaying it until now would certainly indicate a major issue.

She recalled this investment was entrusted to Shane Southwell by Roland, and now delayed, perhaps Shane had embezzled the funds, known for his gambling habits and being a prodigal.

In the past life, Shane had her as his money bag, living carefreely.

If Roland failed to pay, they'd breach the contract, not only would Eleanor Llyod be kicked out, but Roland would also owe a hefty penalty, which would only worsen the situation.

"Norman, could you perhaps convince Roland not to pay, to break the contract?" Elliana turned, looking up at him seriously, a far cry from a joke.

Norman lightly furrowed his brows, responding with a question: "Do you realize the consequences of this?"

His eyes were probing, curious about what the little girl was plotting.

"There'll be less investment, but the penalty can offset some of it." Elliana analyzed seriously, knowing Norman had the capability, just a matter of notifying the accounting department.

"From what I know, Roland suffered severe losses in the first half of the year, this investment is quite crucial for them." Norman's voice was devoid of any emotion, making it hard for Elliana to gauge his thinking.

Elliana was momentarily at a loss on how to persuade him. Should she mention her past life... no, Norman wouldn't believe her.

Having already come this far, knowing Norman loved her, she wondered if pestering him might work...

"I don't care, Norman, help me, please~ I know you can do it!" Elliana pressed her face against his chest, rubbing childishly.

This delicate tone almost convinced Norman entirely, yet he remained rational, steadying her head, wanting her to look at him.

He asked, "Give me a reason."

A reason… Elliana hesitated before stubbornly turning her head, irrationally insisting: "I don't need to explain, just that Roland can't successfully invest, and Eleanor can't be the lead."

"Alright, but if any issues arise during the two days of lead-time, you'll be responsible," Norman teased, lifting her into his arms.

Hearing about responsibility, Elliana asked indifferently, "What kind of problems? Can't find a suitable actor?"

The man just looked at her, saying nothing, doing little to disagree.

"Eleanor and I are about the same height, and I'm prettier, you know, if they can't find anyone suitable, I can step in myself." Elliana was half-joking.

She knew Norman's company had artists under contract. In her past life, in the third year after marrying Shane, Norman's artist Layla remade South Wind Song.

Layla's version far exceeded Eleanor's, gaining widespread acclaim, which is something Elliana had considered beforehand.