CHAPTER 97: CHAPTER 97:

Natalie Vaughn hung up the phone not because she was busy, but because she suddenly realized that she could recreate Zane Thorne’s every move solely with her imagination.

She was so familiar with Zane that she even remembered his expressions and tone of voice with such clarity.

Natalie walked over to the window. On a bleak, rainy winter night, the thoughts of the lovesick would only grow heavier.

She dared to love and hate, but she was also the proud heiress of the Vaughn Family, unwilling to lower her stance; even in love, she insisted on being evenly matched.

Zane treated her well, but he never uttered a word of affection. Natalie threw little tantrums, refusing to fall quickly as long as Zane didn’t speak up.

Noises suddenly came from outside the room, breaking Natalie’s thought process. She didn’t intend to care, but the noise was so loud it annoyed her.

With a cold expression, she opened the door, ready to scold, only to hear a heart-wrenching cough.

The man was tall, wearing a black sweater, hunched over from coughing, almost folded in half. Beside him was a chubby little man wearing glasses.

"Oh dear, my brother, if you’re sick don’t drink, Director Gable is an old friend, he won’t mind."

The man in black coughed a few more times.

"I came a few days late, it was my fault for breaking the promise, I should apologize."

The little chubby man had nothing more to say, muttering.

"Other actors act all high and mighty, but you’re quite down-to-earth."

Julian Sutton straightened up with the chubby man’s support, casually adjusting his bunched-up sweater.

"A few drinks can save a lot of trouble."

It wasn’t about being down-to-earth; after drinking, he could ignore everything else. That was the real high stance.

When the man raised his head, Natalie recognized him immediately.

Those eyes were too striking. Last time she saw him at the supermarket, he was also coughing, his eyes red at the corners.

So he was an A-list actor? Or an actor in this crew?

It took Natalie a while to recall his name.

The Great Actor Sutton, full name Julian Sutton, thirty-six years old, receives awards seamlessly, only takes on big productions. Recently, he’s been filming movies, and took on this drama because of a debt to a director.

Natalie’s anger subsided mostly; her tolerance for good-looking people was always higher.

And Julian Sutton was indeed too beautiful, more beautiful than a woman. Especially when he was sick, the fragile beauty of a sick man prompted sympathy.

But as beautiful as he was, Natalie had no intention of greeting him. Just as she was about to close the door, Julian Sutton looked over, and their eyes met.

Natalie arched her eyebrows slightly, not averting her gaze, openly staring into Julian Sutton’s eyes.

The mole under his eye was indeed beautiful.

Or so Natalie thought.

Julian Sutton clearly recognized Natalie too, the newcomer in the crew, rumored to have joined with funds, tied into an on-screen couple with a new idol, then publicly broke up to announce her marriage.

She’d be hard to forget.

Moreover...

He’d never heard Director Gable mention any funding issues in this drama. The Langdon Group always invested generously. The previous actress for the third female lead was from The Langdon Group, but was replaced by Natalie at the last minute.

A person no one in the industry had ever heard of.

Julian Sutton felt that Natalie’s entry into acting wasn’t simple.

Thinking about it, Julian nodded to Natalie.

Natalie’s eyes curved into a smile.

"Are you still sick?"

"It’s an old problem."

Late at night, with an A-list actor and a new actress in a hotel. Such a scene was a perfect opportunity for media rumors.

Natalie didn’t want trouble, primarily because coaxing Zane was a bit of a hassle. She nodded to Julian and closed the door.

Through the crack of the almost-closed door, Natalie heard the little chubby man ask Julian.

"Do you know each other?"

As for how Julian responded, Natalie didn’t know and didn’t care.

After returning to her room, Natalie applied a mask, played some games, and fell asleep.

Rainy nights are the best for dreaming, even romantic dreams.

Natalie dreamed of Zane Thorne.

In the dream, rumors spread about her and Julian Sutton. When Zane heard, he flew over immediately, carrying her back to the hotel in front of the entire crew.

In the dream, Zane seemed like a demon from hell, kissing her fiercely, biting her. His eyes glaring, filled with rage.

He asked:

"Is he more handsome than me?"

She didn’t answer, naturally, Zane was more handsome.

Julian Sutton was only good-looking, but being good-looking and handsome are two different things. Yet, she didn’t want to tell Zane, didn’t want him to feel smug.

Her silence only made Zane angrier,

In the dream, she remained proud, provoking Zane further, reaching out to touch Zane’s eyes and said.

"His teardrop mole is beautiful."

Zane suddenly tore her clothes apart.

His hands roamed her body, making her full of anger.

Just as things were about to escalate, Natalie woke up.

It wasn’t too late, but the sky was still dark. Natalie was irritated; the anger from the dream carried into reality.

Natalie even started to contemplate whether she should take the opportunity to make a move on Zane after filming. After all, they were already married, and sleeping with her husband wasn’t illegal.

Natalie lay back in bed, closed her eyes, and listened to the rain outside but couldn’t fall asleep,

Pushed herself up again, muttering.

Damn.

....

When Zoe Chandler took Natalie to the filming location, Natalie wore a constant stern face.

Her face practically read: In a bad mood.

Zoe wasn’t very familiar with Natalie, and was a bit intimidated by her demeanor. As for Summer Churchill, sent by James Vaughn, he understood how doted on Natalie was by her brother.

He explained casually to Zoe, telling her not to take it to heart.

Zoe naturally didn’t take it to heart, but it didn’t mean others wouldn’t.

Was she really going to take the grumpy-faced Natalie to meet with the director? Director Gable wasn’t known for being patient. Yet, on second thought, even President Langdon wouldn’t dare cross Natalie, respectfully calling her sister-in-law. Even if Natalie was unpleasant, would anyone dare say anything?

Whether they dared or not, with President Langdon backing her.

With that thought, Zoe had an epiphany, leading the stern-faced Natalie to meet the director and producer.

Once there, oh my, what a surprise.

Julian Sutton, the lead actor was present, and so was Actress Langley, the lead actress.

Zoe quickly went over to greet them, and after simply introducing Natalie, all eyes were on her.

Seeing the grumpy-faced Natalie, Julian found it intriguing.

Did she not get enough sleep?

Zoe didn’t have high hopes for Natalie’s performance, yet surprisingly, Natalie behaved politely, smiling and slightly bowing in greeting.

"Director Gable, Veridia is truly a lovely place with beautiful scenery and delicious food. I ate too much last night and couldn’t sleep right away, so I’m a bit late today. I’ve heard Director Gable is notoriously strict, so if my acting is bad, please don’t scold me; scold Felix Langdon, he’s the one who forced me to come and act."

Her words paused the atmosphere for a moment.

Did she just say? If you want to scold, scold the sponsor?