The production crew quickly finalized the new workflow. The contract hadn't been drawn up yet, because they didn't dare proceed without the nod from Xavier Sterling's biological mother.
Xavier stood on the small hillside, the dilapidated shack swaying behind him.
He pressed a hand on Daisy Lowell's head, forcing her to stay by his side while he used his other hand to dial his mother's number.
The call connected quickly.
A cold voice came through the line. "I thought they would confiscate your phone immediately."
"Sorry to disappoint," Xavier quipped first, then continued. "Do you remember the program outline sent to your desk? The crew arranged for me to stay at Mayor Miller's house. But I think their place is far too luxurious, which goes against your expectations for me. So, I took the initiative to apply to live in an even more rundown place..."
On the other end, Xavier's mother pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at the screen to confirm the caller ID.
The number was right, and the voice was right.
Had her son been possessed?
"Why aren't you saying anything?"
"Do you think I've lost my mind?"
Xavier pressed with two consecutive questions.
"No, I'm just wondering what new trick you're playing," the voice on the other end replied evenly.
Xavier choked up slightly. "Are you even my real mother?"
"It's exactly because I am your mother that I know you so well. Give the phone to the director and let him speak to me."
Xavier shrugged helplessly, reaching a hand back as if calling a dog. "Director! Take the call!"
The chief director didn't dare delay and eagerly hurried over.
"Find a quiet place and tell me exactly what happened," Autumn Sterling's voice rang out.
The director stiffened and quickly grabbed the phone, running to the side. It was obvious that Autumn knew him well—in front of Xavier, the director wouldn't dare breathe a word.
In less than five minutes, the director explained the situation clearly, placing special emphasis on Lowell Village's assessment of Daisy.
"This child does have character issues. But for some reason, Master Sterling insists on staying here..." The director patted his chest and said, "Honestly, we're also worried she might try to cling to the Sterling family because of this."
"What do you think? Should we just let this go?" the director quickly and cautiously asked.
Xavier's mother was Autumn Sterling, a painter. However, her personality was much more akin to a ruthless, decisive business elite.


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