CHAPTER 77: CHAPTER 77: HE TURNS OUT TO BE MY PATRON DADDY

Serena and her agent were naturally aware of this and asked if we could try a different scene?

I directly instructed the staff to deliver a message: "Miss Sawyer is now being publicly criticized by Aurelia’s official website; she’s practically considered a dissolute artist. We’re willing to give you a chance to audition; that’s already an exception. If Miss Sawyer continues to be choosy, then we cannot afford to have you in this production."

Serena, eager for a comeback, eventually agreed.

However, what she didn’t know was that I had no intention of giving her any role from my book.

Before the audition started, through the monitor, I saw Serena telling Raina, "Don’t forget to fake it when you slap me later."

Raina said with a smirk, "I’ll try my best."

However, as soon as the director called "action," Raina showed no mercy, and didn’t fake it at all.

She grabbed Serena by the collar and started slapping her back and forth.

Serena’s instinctive crying and shouting had nothing to do with acting anymore.

I leaned back in my chair, quietly watching the screen in front of me.

After being slapped several times, Serena couldn’t take it anymore and directly pushed Raina away.

This time, the director was not satisfied.

"Serena, what’s going on? You’ve done quite a few films, how could you stop without me calling ’cut’? Do you even want to try out for this role?"

If this were the past, with Serena’s popularity, the director would have pampered her.

But now, no one treats her as anything special anymore. The director scolded her mercilessly, "Do it again! If you don’t want to act, just end it quickly. There are many actresses waiting to audition for the supporting role!"

With a swollen face, Serena said, "Director, give me one more chance. I promise I won’t stop without permission this time."

Raina intentionally asked, "Director, was my performance just now okay?"

"It’s fine! No problem at all!"

The director was cordial with Raina, not finding any fault.

Serena looked as if she had swallowed a nail, but she endured it to reclaim her fame.

Her current endurance and suffering were just like every day in my real life.

After discovering Timothy’s betrayal, this is how I’ve been living each day; it’s not bad to let her experience it a bit.

Thus, Raina and Serena’s second audition began.

Raina continued with the same strength as before, fiercely slapping Serena’s face.

In the end, Serena’s lip was bleeding from the slaps, and she looked almost dazed from them.

The director impatiently called out, "Cut!"

Raina pushed Serena away as if discarding trash.

Serena staggered as her assistant helped her up.

The agent eagerly asked the director, "How was it this time? Good or not?"

The director said with disdain, "She should have delivered her lines! She didn’t say a single line from the script, just kept getting hit, like a block of wood! She’s been in the industry for so many years, yet there’s no improvement!"

The agent hurriedly said, "Director, why not give her another chance. Just one last time!"

"No! Don’t waste time."

The director said, "Honestly speaking, Serena indeed doesn’t have the acting talent that Raina does. Stop struggling! Just go, go!"

Serena left, her eyes full of unwillingness and resentment.

I participated in the full day of auditions for the lead actress and the supporting actress, finally deciding on the roles.

But I never showed my face; even the director and producer didn’t know what I looked like.

In the evening, as I returned to the hospital, I heard crying from Timothy’s room just outside the door.

As I entered, Serena hurriedly put on a mask, afraid of showing her embarrassed look.

Sadly, I had watched her pitiful and trampled state all day long.

Serena cried to Timothy, "Timothy, they were so bullying! Raina did it on purpose; many luxury brands used to approach me, she’s always been jealous. Now she seized the opportunity to team up with the director to humiliate me."

Timothy’s face was also unpleasant as he took out his phone to call Jack Sullivan, "Investigate who the investors are for Serena’s play. Once you find out, buy the series at ten times the price. Serena must be the lead actress."

Hearing his words, my heart tightened instantly.

Although I knew the opposing company was also a large media firm, no one would object to extra money.

If the other party were willing to sell the series to the Xavier Group, Timothy might even get access to my identity information.

After all, it’s all documented in the contracts.

I felt inexplicably anxious and uneasy.

I’m not afraid of him knowing I’m the writer, but I don’t want someone like Serena to be in my play; the thought alone is sickening.

Soon, Jack Sullivan found the results, and when he delivered the paperwork to Timothy in the ward, he also reported back.

"President Xavier, this series might not be easy to buy."

Jack said reluctantly, "The company that bought this series is under The Sinclair Group."

Serena was immediately shocked, asking, "The Sinclair Group? Is it the Sinclair Family from Aurelia?"

Jack nodded.

Timothy appeared composed and indifferent, saying, "Whoever purchases it doesn’t matter; it’s just a series after all. We’re all businessmen; if the price is right, even The Sinclair Group wouldn’t turn down the money on the table."

Jack hesitated for a moment before saying, "That’s what I initially thought too. But after investigating, I found out Julian Sinclair bought this series to please the elderly Madam Sinclair. Apparently, she’s a devoted fan of the novel."

When he finished speaking, even I was shocked.

Who knew even Madam Sinclair had read my book!

Timothy realized at this point that it would be impossible to meddle with this series.

But Serena wasn’t ready to give up; after all, her character was vengeful.

"Timothy, please think of a way to help me!"

She cried with a pitiable look, tears streaming down, "You surely have a way! The Xavier Group is deeply rooted in Veridia, there’s no need to fear the Sinclair family! It’s not like we’re in Aurelia."

Heh.

This woman is both wicked and foolish!

Except when she’s causing harm!

Indeed, The Xavier Family’s roots are deep in Veridia, but how shrewd a businessman Timothy is? Always placing interests above everything.

He could offend the Sinclair family, but he would never do it for Serena’s sake over a role.

Serena cried for a long time, yet Timothy remained unmoved.

She still didn’t give up, sobbing out in a pathetic demeanor, her voice teary, "This series is really different from others; the producer and director are all top industry figures, and the script seems tailor-made for me. Missing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity means it’ll never come again..."

Finally, a trace of impatience appeared in the man’s eyes, his tone was cold yet unmistakably firm: "I’ll have Jack find another director for you, and pick a suitable script. You won’t be left without something to star in."

Serena felt deeply unwilling, her fingertips turning white as she clenched, yet ultimately dared not argue back and could only swallow her words.

This result is something I had anticipated all along.

What I didn’t foresee was the fact that the company buying my novel’s rights was The Sinclair Group.

Timothy looked at me, his tone calm and steady, "You’ve had a long day too, head back early and visit the hospital for your face. Get some medication if you need it."

Upon realizing his words were a dismissal, Serena saw me still standing there steadily, her eyes filled with resentment, she secretly glared at me but dared not act out.

"Then, Timothy, I’m leaving." Her voice still carried traces of her crying, her steps slow and reluctant and filled with attachment.

Timothy Xavier suddenly seemed to remember something, looked up and stopped her: "By the way, bring Doris over tomorrow, Grandpa mentioned he’d like to see her."

Grandpa, in his words, is the father of Sophia Kendall, who has long been living abroad and only returned to Veridia two months ago.

Serena Sawyer immediately responded, with a hint of excitement in her voice: "Are we going to Grandpa’s place tomorrow? But with my face like this... how could I have the nerve to meet anyone!"

"Grandpa said Doris is enough," Timothy’s voice showed little emotion.

Serena immediately froze in place, her awkward fingers not knowing where to go.

Timothy didn’t say more, only urging nonchalantly, "Go back, it’s late."

When Serena turned to leave, she glanced back at me harshly, her gaze almost overflowing with malice.

I initially thought that Grandpa asking Timothy to take Doris back was something that had nothing to do with me.

Unexpectedly, just a few minutes after Serena left, Timothy looked up at me: "Grandpa wants you to come tomorrow too, the whole family will have dinner together."

I was slightly taken aback, somewhat surprised.

Although I’ve rarely met Timothy’s grandfather, I have a very good impression of the old man.

Back when I married into The Xavier Family, Timothy’s relatives were all opposed, but Grandpa never said a word against it from beginning to end.

In fact, it was the old man who worked to change Sophia Kendall’s mind.

I agreed with a "Sure," consenting to go with him tomorrow.

Of course, the more important reason was the chance to see Doris.

...

The next day, Serena brought Doris over.

She wore a white tweed suit, with her hair meticulously combed, looking particularly formal.

However, her face, which had been hit, had not yet subsided and was still tightly covered with a mask.

"Timothy," she said, deliberately gentle, "I thought about it all night yesterday. Grandpa is an elder; I should pay him a visit."

She put on an understanding demeanor: "I’ll just go in to say hello to Grandpa, not staying for dinner. After all, Grandpa has never seen me."

On Timothy’s usually calm face, there was a rare hint of awkwardness, but he still spoke frankly: "The thing is, Grandpa... doesn’t really want to meet you."

Serena’s face turned pale "swish," her eyes immediately reddened, tears threatening to fall.

This was much better than her screen testing performance yesterday!

Timothy added, with a slightly softened tone: "Don’t overthink it, maybe the elder can’t accept your presence for now. I’ll gradually work on him."

"I... I understand."

Serena seemed tremendously wronged, her voice choked up as she turned to Doris, "Doris, mind your manners when you’re with Grandpa tonight, listen to Papa, okay? Mommy’s leaving first..."

Doris, however, tugged at her clothes, looked up, and said: "Mommy, come with me. I’m not familiar with Grandpa, I’m scared."

Serena immediately looked at Timothy with hopeful eyes, clearly still wanting to join The Kendall Family gathering.

But Timothy bent down to pick up his daughter, speaking gently, "Doris, don’t be afraid, Daddy’s here. Mommy can’t come today, maybe next time, okay?"

Doris pursed her lips but eventually nodded.

Seeing this, Serena knew it was useless to persist, so she bit her lip, unwillingly turning around and leaving.

Doris still seemed upset about the day I refused to teach Serena baking.

The little progress we made in our relationship had now regressed to the ice-cold starting point once again.

She clung to Timothy, completely ignoring me.

I tried to talk to her, "Doris, is there anything you’d like to eat? I’ll make it for you."

Doris looked at me arrogantly and said, "Whatever I want, my mom can buy it for me! I don’t need you to make anything!"

Timothy didn’t stop his daughter.

It was clear he was very wary of me getting close to Doris.

By evening, the driver was waiting downstairs.

Timothy and I took Doris to visit Grandpa.

But even in the car, Timothy wouldn’t let me sit with Doris, he had me in the front passenger seat while he and Doris sat in the back.

When we reached The Kendall Gate, Sophia Kendall’s car arrived at just the same moment.

When she saw me get out of the car, she immediately frowned and said with displeasure: "Timothy, why did you bring her too?"

Before Timothy could speak, she looked at me with disdain and said, "What a shameless creature, Timothy is going to divorce you, how could you have the face to attend our family banquet?"

I took a deep breath and was about to leave.

I only came here to see Doris.

Unfortunately, the little girl had spent a few days with Serena and now saw me as an enemy again.

Just as I was about to turn around, Timothy suddenly held onto me and spoke to Sophia Kendall: "Grandpa specifically wants her here, he insisted she come."

Sophia Kendall pursed her lips and murmured under her breath: "The old man must really be getting old and feeble-eyed!"

Then she grabbed Doris’ hand and said: "Doris, remember what Mommy told you? Don’t get too close to strangers, stay by Grandma’s side, so as not to be harmed by some scheming and malicious women."

At that moment, an elegant woman came out from inside and approached us: "Sophia, Timothy, you’re here! Come in quickly. The old man has been waiting for you all."

That was Diana Caldwell, Byron Kendall’s second wife and Sophia Kendall’s stepmother.

It was said that she was only about ten years older than Sophia Kendall.

Sophia Kendall was at least civil to her, greeting her briefly, but still carried herself in a superior manner, walking ahead by herself.

Diana Caldwell approached us, greeted us, then smiled kindly and said: "This must be Doris? She’s so cute, so pretty."

Doris, a bit shy around strangers, hurried to hide behind Timothy.

Timothy brought her to the front gently and said, "Doris, greet Great-Grandma."

"Hello, Great-Grandma."

Doris shyly greeted her.

Diana Caldwell quickly took out a thick red envelope and handed it over: "Good girl."

So it was, we all entered the house.

However, when I saw Julian Sinclair in the middle of the living room, I was completely stunned.

Not only me, but Timothy also didn’t expect Julian Sinclair to be present at Grandpa’s house.

Seeing me, he showed no surprise.

Perhaps, from the day I told him I was Timothy’s wife, or maybe even earlier, he already knew my identity.

The man nodded at us calmly and composedly, looking no different from our first meeting.

Beside us, Sophia Kendall’s expression was particularly sullen, discontentedly looking at Diana Caldwell.

Timothy and I were utterly clueless about the situation.

Fortunately, Byron Kendall spoke up: "It’s wonderful, the whole family is finally here today!"

The old man, though nearly eighty, was in good health, very robust, and his voice was loud: "Come, let me introduce you."

He walked over to Julian Sinclair and said to us: "This is your grandmother’s son, Julian Sinclair. In terms of relation, you should call him ’Uncle.’"

Timothy and I, in a synchronized state of shock, subconsciously looked at each other.