Chapter 158: Things Didn't Go Smoothly in England

[Chapter 158: Things Didn't Go Smoothly in England]

After hearing all that, Charlie felt completely bewildered.

What did that even mean?

Who went out of their way to become a kept little darling?

Something was off. Could it be that this woman, having tasted the advantage of retreating to advance, planned to quietly bide her time and later get her revenge on him when the opportunity arose?

Charlie's mind was filled with schemes and wild suspicions.

He wanted to test her with some provocative words and also intended to tease her just for fun.

But somehow, the woman clinging to him, speaking in a gentle, beseeching tone, made the words he had prepared get stuck in his throat.

After a long silence, Charlie, still confused and lost, smiled and said, "Alright, darling! Actually, you're right -- I do care about you. During the few months we dated, I never cheated on you.

That day I was seduced by Halle Berry, and I broke up with you immediately afterward. No matter what others thought, I tried to be a good man. Right now, messing around with you is because I'm not officially seeing anyone. Even just now, when you were hitting me, I didn't touch that other woman."

The ultimate bastard is someone who doesn't see himself as a bastard.

Rachel was used to Charlie's endless nonsense and offhanded lies.

But this time, she at least felt that Charlie cared about her a bit; it seemed like he was trying to soothe her.

Being trampled on so often, Rachel surprisingly felt satisfied by this and looked up, smiling as she met Charlie's eyes. "Thanks."

He gave a forced laugh. This woman must be out of her mind!

"No problem," Charlie said nervously.

Rachel had never seen this side of Charlie before; she was happy and showed a radiant smile, her eyes squinting like a crescent moon. She cupped his head and gave him a kiss on the forehead.

"Aha!" Rachel laughed brightly, then tilted her head and opened her eyes wide. "You misunderstood. Let me help you put on the ointment."

"Alright..." Charlie thought for a second and shrugged indifferently.

Sure enough, this woman was crazy.

Rachel's mind was racing too.

Ha! So even this fearless bastard had things to be afraid of!

So the two of them, each feeling victorious in their own way, started applying the medicine.

If her assistant Emma, who knew all the details about them, were there, she would have been speechless, shaking her head and smiling wryly at their weird way of getting along.

After that, neither caused any trouble.

---

Rachel carefully and earnestly helped to apply the ointment as she said, "That French woman left angrily. To calm her down, I promised her the lead female role in a movie."

"Hmm, okay. Let's say it's Wrong Turn 2. It's cheap and doesn't require much acting or fame. She's got a decent figure, a little bigger than you, so she'd be a perfect trophy."

Rachel pouted in dissatisfaction, humph, they are obviously about the same, how can she be smaller than her.

But she didn't say it out loud.

After the ointment was applied, Rachel seemed in a good mood. As she casually asked how Charlie's recent project negotiations went, she pulled him to her room.

"I bought you two Hugo Boss outfits. Hurry, try them on."

Charlie said the project was going well. Helplessly, he was dragged by Rachel out the door.

In front of the mirror, he was manipulated to stretch his arms and turn around, treated like a doll to showcase the clothes.

Rachel was excited, but Charlie wore a sour face.

He had never cared about clothes as long as they were comfortable.

Originally annoyed at being treated like a model, after experiencing Rachel's frenzy and then her gentle whispers, Charlie couldn't help but choose to tolerate her.

---

After ten at night, back in his office suite, Charlie noted down some reminders related to the Rush Hour project.

Considering everything, he called Uncle Lamont to have the hotel book a flight for tomorrow.

He also called Los Angeles late at night; because of the time difference, 11 pm in London was about 3 pm in LA, so he wouldn't disturb anyone.

Charlie informed Kevin of the new project and asked him to handle coordination.

He contacted the IP company to check on Locke's arrangements.

---

At 8:30 the next morning, Charlie and Uncle Lamont, dressed neatly and carrying two suitcases, appeared in the hotel restaurant.

"What? You're leaving now?" Harvey held his tray with a displeased tone, surprised. "But we had plans -- I still need to introduce you to some senior executives from German film companies."

Charlie patted Harvey's shoulder. "I have a partner who just arrived in Germany, Joe Bell. He'll handle the upcoming schedule for me. Harvey, that's settled. I understand your concerns. If anything comes up, just contact me when you're back in LA."

Harvey wasn't happy but nodded. "Alright, I hope so."

---

Rachel, dressed in a purple minidress, looking elegant and noble, linked arms with Emma and happily came to the restaurant.

When she learned about Charlie's sudden change of plans, she was disappointed and puzzled.

"You're leaving now? I was thinking of going to England with you and visiting home."

"Yes, I want to quickly settle things over there. The company has lots of matters waiting for me," Charlie explained, hugging Rachel and waving goodbye to everyone.

Harvey rolled his eyes, glanced at the disappointed woman, and left with his companions.

---

Rachel sighed deeply while watching Charlie's back. "We just cleared things up last night, and now he has to leave immediately. And I have to start on set. We might not see each other for months."

"You miss him?"

"I just worry he'll relapse into his old bad habits. I've finally stopped him from bullying me recklessly, and I want to take advantage to tame him."

Emma shook her head speechlessly. After a moment, she softly said, "Rachel, don't be so sad. I guess his sudden change of plans has something to do with you. He cares about you subconsciously, but his cold heart makes him want to avoid you."

"Really?" Rachel's eyes turned into crescent shapes, excited. "Great! That means I have a chance to catch this bastard! I'll call him every day and keep attacking with strategies that work. Someday, I'll conquer him!"

Oh, no hope for either of you.

Emma sighed, utterly dumbfounded.

---

Charlie didn't know Rachel held such ambitious plans; otherwise, he would have admired her courage even more.

At 3 pm, Charlie and Uncle Lamont flew to London, then drove to the Cromwell Hotel on the west side of King's College Hospital in Brixton to check in.

Locke, who arrived a few days earlier, greeted Charlie warmly with a hug.

"Oh, my dear boss, great to see you."

Charlie immediately sensed that the work wasn't done and wasn't swayed by the flattering words. He asked straight away.

Locke looked serious and said acquiring North American book rights was not difficult, but film and merchandise rights might be tricky.

If Charlie had to choose between Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, he would definitely choose the former.

Projects aimed at children and families had a wider audience, more distribution channels, and greater impact.

No matter what, Charlie wouldn't give up on the Harry Potter series by any means.

After freshening up, Charlie went straight to work, talking with Locke to learn every detail about the trip.

*****

https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.