CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 37: WHISPERING TO RHYS HAWTHORNE IN FRONT OF HIM

Rhys Hawthorne’s voice wasn’t loud; the hall was still filled with soothing music, and not many could hear him.

But Julian Fordham’s status was not what it used to be; now his team had overcome the domestic obstacle of breaking into the chip market, he was already standing at a high enough position, and within three years, he would soar even higher.

Therefore, his every move was the focus of attention, and several eyes fell on Julian Fordham.

Victoria Monroe’s eyes looked at him without sadness or joy; she already knew his choice the day he didn’t explain about his wife.

She no longer wanted to have any expectations of the man before her.

No expectations mean no disappointment!

Yet deep inside, in contradiction, a spark of defiance silently ignited.

Julian Fordham stared straight into Victoria Monroe’s eyes, instinctively wanting to hold Victoria’s hand.

He wanted to tell everyone that this woman, shining like a star, was his wife, Julian Fordham’s!

No one should think of her.

She was his, and could only be his.

Victoria saw his hand reaching toward her. Was he really going to disregard his career?

She unconsciously tightened her grip on Rhys Hawthorne’s arm.

From beginning to end, Rhys Hawthorne seemed like a bystander, not even a momentary tension due to Julian’s actions.

Until Willis’s voice interrupted, "Carlisle."

His voice was like a sobering shot, striking Julian Fordham hard and restoring his clarity.

In the end, Julian Fordham held back the words at the tip of his tongue.

Very soon, tomorrow Willis would sign with him.

Just one day, Victoria Monroe would surely understand him.

He pulled back his hand, along with the persistence in his eyes, returning to calm, his refined demeanor leaving Victoria Monroe puzzled.

He was clearly within reach, yet why did she feel he was far away at the horizon?

The Julian Fordham wearing a mask was no longer the pure boy from past winters who warmed her hands on his abs.

She bitterly smiled to herself; indeed, she shouldn’t have had any expectations.

Rhys Hawthorne seemed to have anticipated this outcome long ago.

His gaze passed over Julian Fordham, not entangled with the topic, as he looked towards the approaching Willis, obediently greeting, "Uncle."

Rhys Hawthorne’s demeanor was very relaxed, contrasting Julian Fordham in front of Willis.

Willis warmly hugged him, and his gaze landed on Victoria Monroe beside Rhys Hawthorne.

Victoria Monroe knew clearly Julian Fordham’s business empire was closely tied to this Western mogul.

He looked at Victoria Monroe and asked in Italian, "Carlisle, is this lady your girlfriend?"

Rhys Hawthorne had always been low-key, rarely attending events, so many people didn’t know his identity.

Those familiar with him were well aware that even if he showed face in public, he would never bring a female companion.

Today he broke his usual habits, leading Willis to speculate.

Rhys Hawthorne didn’t have the conflict on Julian Fordham’s face; he spoke fluently in Italian, "She is the girl I’m still pursuing."

Victoria Monroe tilted her head to look at him, evidently not able to understand.

She only understood English very partially, handling travel and ordering food, but not proficient, let alone Italian.

Julian Fordham was entirely different; he was studious and ambitious, having already self-taught several languages.

Before him, Rhys Hawthorne spoke of pursuing his wife, his eyes glinting coldly, quickly looking towards Rhys Hawthorne.

Rhys Hawthorne remained unmoved in the face of his hostility.

Victoria Monroe judged from their expressions that Rhys Hawthorne must have said something remarkable.

She guessed internally; Rhys Hawthorne wouldn’t have criticized Julian Fordham before Willis on her behalf, would he?

Besides Rachel Hayes, Victoria herself couldn’t find any flaws in Julian Fordham.

If anything were to be criticized, it would be that Julian Fordham was somehow an anti-fishing device.

Other than the projects he wasn’t skilled in, he was inherently intelligent and learned quickly within a short time.

He was the most ambitious and self-controlled man she had ever known.

Rhys Hawthorne wasn’t the kind of immature person to bring up others’ romantic history openly.

So, exactly what did he say for Julian Fordham to have this expression?

Willis replied in Italian, "Oh, you look well-matched."

After he said this, Julian Fordham’s face turned even darker!

Victoria Monroe grew more curious; it couldn’t be that Willis called Julian Fordham a bastard too, right?

While she speculated, Willis spoke to her in accented Chinese, "Beautiful lady, wishing you a lovely evening."

After speaking, he winked at Victoria Monroe.

"Julian, I have some thoughts about the contract details I’d like to discuss with you." Willis said to Julian Fordham.

Julian Fordham had to suppress his surging anger and followed Willis.

Just as he stepped forward, he looked back at Victoria Monroe.

The little woman carefully pulled Rhys Hawthorne’s sleeve, speaking softly, while he happened to read lips.

He saw Victoria Monroe quietly ask, "Rhys Hawthorne, that uncle smiled so skeevily at me, is he trying to hit on me?"

For the first time on his eternally unchanged face, Rhys Hawthorne showed a hint of a smile.

"No."

"Then what exactly did you say to him just now?" Victoria Monroe followed up.

Julian Fordham only felt his heart tighten, causing pain.

Victoria Monroe was already preparing to leave.

A day, Victoria, can you wait for me just one day?

Wait for me to sign the contract, everything will be resolved, there will be no more conflicts between us, and we will love each other just like before.

He was confident that the eighteen years he had with Victoria Monroe couldn’t be surpassed by Rhys Hawthorne in just eight days.

In the end, Rhys Hawthorne didn’t tell her what he said to Willis, and as Carter York saw the two approaching, he left those Portoros bosses.

Holding champagne, he looked meaningfully at the distance between Victoria Monroe and Rhys Hawthorne.

Victoria Monroe hadn’t thought of how to start the conversation, but he familiarly said, "Are the two of you together now?"

The words, coming from his mouth, carried some inexplicable hint of ambiguity for some reason.

Victoria Monroe was briefly stunned but quickly returned to an official smile, "Director York, I’ve heard so much about you, I’ve always wanted to work with you, I wonder if I will have that honor in the future?"

Carter York was thirty, slightly older than Victoria Monroe, his face was full of devil-may-care.

"I’ve already read the script, I can take it, but I have one condition."

Victoria Monroe hurriedly asked, "What condition?"

"You should have heard of my reputation; I do not accept actors tampering with the script on their own. I will make small edits, but you... no matter if you’re an award-winning actor or actress, during filming it is according to my requirements, whatever I ask you to act, you must act accordingly."

Victoria Monroe had heard of his capability, and she was well known in the entertainment industry for her professionalism.

"Understood, I have no objections."

"From project approval to preparation, there will be two to three months of preparation time. Miss Monroe, there’s no issue being the designated female lead, right?"

Those days were enough for her to have her abortion and complete her confinement.

Victoria Monroe gritted her teeth, "None."

When she said this, Rhys Hawthorne glanced at her with a meaningful look.

Victoria Monroe was already prepared for setbacks, surprised when the biggest issue was solved so quickly.

It turned out Rhys Hawthorne had arranged everything behind her back.

She walked to the side and asked, "Was your purpose tonight to generate momentum for the news of my comeback?"

She hadn’t looked at her phone but knew the internet was already buzzing.

Rhys Hawthorne held a wine glass, looking extremely graceful, "You’ve said it yourself, an actor’s most important asset is exposure rate. The drama preparation will take some time. During this period, you can take some interviews or join some shows to increase exposure."

Suddenly Rhys Hawthorne stepped forward, his specific scent of sandalwood entered Victoria Monroe’s inhalation, entering his domain made her body slightly tense.

The man only leaned over slightly then whispered in her ear in a voice only they could hear, "You’re pregnant, can you work?"

At the mention of this topic, Victoria Monroe instinctively grabbed his shirt, "Rhys Hawthorne, don’t say."

Rhys Hawthorne keenly noticed the tension and anxiety on her face, lowering his gaze in thought, "Why?"

Victoria Monroe initially didn’t want to make family affairs public, but now things were beyond her control.

She bit her lip, tiptoeing to whisper very softly in Rhys Hawthorne’s ear, "Julian Fordham... doesn’t know about my pregnancy."

From a distance, Julian Fordham glanced toward the two.

In his eyes, the scene was like this.

His wife was clutching Rhys Hawthorne’s shirt, standing on her tiptoes to whisper in another man’s ear.

From his angle, he couldn’t see what she was saying, only feeling the two were like swans entwined.

"Crash!"

The champagne glass in his hand slipped to the ground.