Chapter 154: Running for Cover

[Chapter 154: Running for Cover]

"Do you like John Galliano's design style too? I heard he recently parted ways with Givenchy and joined Dior. I really want to attend the upcoming London Fashion Week to check out some fresh cocktail dresses and maybe rent one for the Oscars. But I have to start filming a movie soon and prepare for preliminary training for a Universal project," Rachel said with enthusiasm. Somehow, her words carried a hint of showing off.

At least Maggie Cheung thought so, but she didn't mind that this young actress often talked about extremely high-budget blockbusters.

"I prefer Galliano's baroque style designs with A-line structure that perfectly highlights a slim waist," Maggie smiled.

They chatted happily and even discussed some acting techniques.

When Maggie brought up a Hollywood project and hoped Rachel could mention it to Charlie,

Perhaps some kind of sixth sense tingled, Rachel shifted her seat slightly and immediately saw Charlie approaching the hotel entrance.

That shameless bastard, tall and burly, looked just as obvious everywhere except maybe in Northern Europe.

Especially with a petite woman by his side, the contrast made them stand out; good looks always attracted envy from passersby.

Of course, Rachel frowned with resentment upon seeing it.

Damn it, where did this guy find such a beautiful woman? Wasn't he supposed to be working with Harvey?

"Look, if you plan to talk movies with Charlie, it might have to wait a bit," Rachel pouted and pointed at the two walking to the elevator.

Maggie Cheung was used to this. In the entertainment industry, especially among big movie company bosses, there were always many attractive women around.

It's not just about the boss himself, unless he had no standards.

But what surprised Maggie was this woman's behavior.

She originally thought Rachel and Charlie were a couple.

"What's the project? Interested in talking about it?" Rachel had no intention of leaving now to cause trouble for Charlie. She rolled her eyes for a few seconds and came up with a good excuse.

Maggie hesitated briefly and casually mentioned some script details. Actually, she didn't fully understand either, but after Rachel's detailed questions, she left Jackie Chan's contact information.

---

At 4 p.m., in her room, Rachel, having called and clarified the project's details, prepared with a stack of papers in hand, excited to head out.

Emma was in the office study coordinating with makeup and styling artists, preparing for her employer's red carpet event at a film festival. Hearing the noise, she peeked out curiously, "Hey Rachel, what are you doing? The stylist will be here soon!"

"Another time, I have something more important," Rachel said without looking back, waved her hand, adjusted her suit skirt, and sashayed away.

---

Outside Charlie's room, amid repeated knocking,

He opened the door wearing a bathrobe, gave a displeased look at the visitor, and asked, "What do you want?"

"Charlie, who's that?" a lazy voice came from inside.

Before Charlie could reply or refuse, Rachel grinned playfully, ducked under his arm, and slipped inside.

"Ah, who... who are you?"

Charlie rolled his eyes in resignation, closed the door, and walked back inside.

Rachel smirked looking at the confused Marion lying on the bed.

"Charlie, who is she?"

"I'm the boss's assistant, handling work and personal affairs. What's your rate? I'll pay you in cash!" Rachel said with a cheeky smile.

"I'm not a call girl!" Marion was angry and embarrassed.

"Oh, so you're free?" Rachel pretended to be clueless, twisted her head mischievously, and said, "Boss, want me to join? If she's free, it should be cleaner; no worries about catching diseases!"

"What?" Marion was stunned.

Charlie chuckled, covered his mouth coughing, then composed himself and said seriously, "Enough jokes. Sorry, Marion, she's spoiled by my good temper. My apologies."

Rachel stayed playful but didn't provoke Marion further.

Charlie frowned slightly. "Do you have something to say? If not, now's not really a good time for you here."

"I do, something important, and it's work," Rachel said proudly, puffing her chest confidently.

Work? She was clearly trying to cause trouble.

Charlie didn't believe a word and was about to send her away.

Rachel handed over the documents. "Look, this morning Ms. Maggie Cheung recommended a film project to you."

Charlie skeptically glanced, then his eyes lit up. After calming Marion, he pulled Rachel into the nearby office.

---

Minutes later, after hearing the story, Charlie was ecstatic.

A great opportunity delivered on a silver platter? Looks like Lion Corleone was truly gaining ground in the industry.

He immediately asked Rachel to give him Jackie Chan's number and called to arrange a meeting for the evening.

The Rush Hour project was perfect for Corleone Studios at this stage. Charlie wanted to close it quickly.

---

After business was handled, Charlie fixed a blank look at Rachel. "What do you want to do?"

A minute or two later, Rachel, dodging his gaze, spoke first, "I'm not here to cause trouble. That movie project is really good, I did you a big favor! You can't be mad at me; you should reward me instead. I'm not your servant or employee. While you play around, I waste my time working for you."

"Ha, you're proud and happy, huh?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"You just teased Marion. Your excitement and delight were obvious. You think I didn't notice?"

"No, you're making it up. I was angry, resentful. You know how much I love you, even humbly cried when I saw you with other women."

Charlie couldn't help get angry.

Seeing Charlie's angry reaction, Rachel felt smug and kept acting pitifully, blinking her eyes and tilting her head sadly. "I already love you so humbly, are you still not satisfied? When you went out this morning chasing girls, I went shopping and bought you two Hugo Boss men's suits and even helped with business negotiations. Can't I get at least a gentle thank you?"

Was she trying to gross me out?

Charlie was speechless, squinting for a few seconds, then cruelly smiled, "No chance. You secretly want to slam me, but you fear my violence. You're resentful and confused, so you stick by me, waiting for the right moment. I can't sincerely thank you, but I can reward you a bit: You can handle the woman outside, humiliate her as you like to vent. I oppress and trample you, and you use harsher means to trample others."

Charlie was truly skilled in tormenting people; he was so detestable and maddening.

After being oppressed multiple times, Rachel thought she was strong enough.

But now, hearing Charlie's deliberate, mocking words felt like the devil twisting her heart.

She kept telling herself to be strong.

But her body betrayed her as tears flowed uncontrollably.

"Ah, I'm going to kill you!"

Seconds later, she completely broke down, screamed, snarled, and attacked with fury so sudden that even Charlie was caught off guard.

Sharp teeth, sharp claws, and a mad woman made Charlie, who was originally in a mischievous mood, run away in panic.

"Ah! My eyes, my nose, I was wrong Rachel, I was really wrong!"

*****

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