CHAPTER 420 BACK TWO WEEKS LATER
Madeline had met with the director of the movie in Uranica before when he was just starting off. The director laid it on thick, pitching the movie to Madeline for investments.
She wondered if the director was open to accepting Clinton despite his scandal now that the former found success.
“Mommy, Mommy, Daddy wants to talk to you.” Mackenzie suddenly passed her phone to Madeline. There was no escaping Noah’s distinctive facial structure on screen.
“I secretly called Daddy and told him about Clinton. Daddy said he wants to have a private chat with you.” Mackenzie covered her mouth and giggled.
Madeline immediately took the call to the balcony. She awkwardly said, “Don’t worry about it. Mackenzie was just messing around.”
“So you’re not thinking of getting the little b*tch into the same movie as Mackenzie?” Noah scoffed, and the contempt reflected in his eyes.
It had been a while since Noah gave Madeline a call. During the two recent calls, Noah put Madeline off with his sarcastic tone, Madeline snapped, “Can you watch your language? He’s an idol, not some little b*tch.”
Noah’s expression went from teasing to grimacing. The last of his nonchalance went out the window. “I don’t care who he is, but I won’t allow him to be in the movie.”
“Mr. Quincy, you’re only an investor. The director has the say in the casting.” His tyrannical behavior rendered Madeline speechless.
Noah could not stand to see her coming to Clinton’s defense. “It’s not going to end with the movie. He can forget making a living in showbiz.”
“I don’t doubt that you can have things your way, but I’ll help him to the end if you’re going to be unreasonable.” Madeline could not sit by and watch Noah blacklist Clinton from the entertainment world because of her.
It was late into the night where Noah was. He had pulled a few all-nighters, and his head was throbbing. Madeline was rubbing him the wrong way now too. He believed he might drop dead at this rate.
“Why must you get him a role in the movie?”
Holding back the rage, Noah asked.
“Your daughter likes him, and he can act. Plus, he saved me at the airport today,” Madeline answered in a muffled voice.
Furrowing his brows, Noah expressed his concern. “What happened at the airport?”
Perhaps he sounded keen, or maybe he looked haggard over the video call, but Madeline no longer had the heart to be mean to him.
“There were too many fans at the airport. It’s a stampede waiting to happen. Clinton managed to pull me up from falling.”
With downcast eyes, Noah pressed his lips tightly together. Madeline could feel the tension coming from him through the screen.
“Got it. Take him to the audition tomorrow. Consider it a favor returned. He can leave after the audition.”
Madeline was not going to bug Noah about it, but since he was the investor, Noah would only be angry and take it out on Clinton if Madeline did not let him take over the matter.
“Why did you leave without saying goodbye?” Noah finally broke the long silence.
Madeline abruptly looked up and met his loving but hurt gaze. “You were busy, so I didn’t want to bother you.”
“You knew that nothing is more important to me than you and the kids,” Noah earnestly answered.
Madeline asked herself. Really? If we were that important, why weren’t you there when I was under medication? Why did I get a message that you’re with another woman when I want to share my joy of escaping the clutches of death and finding my life anew?
“It’s late. Get some rest.” Madeline hung up without giving Noah a chance to respond.
Certain things that were said too much did not mean anything to her anymore.
Standing behind the floor-to-ceiling window, Noah stared at his blackened mobile screen with forbearance and forlorn.
“How long more before the matter is over?
“Probably another month.”
“Pick up the pace. I want to return to Imperia in two weeks.”
“But…”
Wayne wanted to talk to Noah about the current situation so that the latter was aware that two weeks were an impossible timeline. Nevertheless, no words could come out of his mouth when he came into contact with Noah’s dagger looks.
Noah believed his absence back home was an invitation for some other random dude to approach Madeline even if he were to get rid of Clinton. It was a struggle to get Madeline back into his life, and the last thing he wanted was to lose her again.
The following morning, Madeline took Mackenzie and Clinton to a high-end club to audition.
Once there, they realized they were not the only ones there for the audition. There were around a dozen men and women. The men must be here for the leading male role while the women were probably here for the supporting roles.
“Don’t just stand there. You’re blocking the light. I’m trying to get my makeup done. Do you think you will get picked by getting my makeup ruined? Take a look in the mirror. You don’t stand a chance.”
Madeline was about to enter a room when she heard an arrogant voice. The voice sounded familiar.
She exchanged glances with Mackenzie, seeing the delight in each other’s eyes.
It had been some time since they had seen Annalise. Now it really felt like home.
“The director said it’s all about the natural beauty for the role. There’s no need for makeup,” The sidelined girl refuted.
Annalise looked at her in disdain. “Oh, so you know it’s a natural beauty the director is after instead of natural ugliness. Can you look at your face and call yourself beautiful? I think not.”
Humiliated, the girl teared up and stormed to a corner to wipe away her tears.
The strange thing was no one among the dozen stood up for the girl.
Taking notice of Madeline, Mackenzie, and Clinton standing at the door, Annalise sized them up. The group wore masks, sunglasses and ordinary clothes. They carried no luxury items.
Annalise determined that they must be some riffraff trying their luck here.
“Don’t you know that Mr. Quincy’s daughter will be playing the leading lady? You’re delusional to bring a child to this place.”
Annalise took an instant dislike to the woman even though the woman’s face was covered. She shared the same vibes as Madeline, and Annalise could not help but have a go at her.
“I’m sorry. They are with me. I’m here to audition for the leading role,” Clinton humbly responded.
“It’s not a role some Tom, Dick, or Harry can play. Are you ugly? Why can’t you show your face?” Annalise was on her high horse.
She did not see anybody in the room as competition. People would think she was the director or investor.
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