Arrogant Man VS Unyielding Woman

Avery really wanted to nod and tell Jean affirmatively that she was happy, but she knew deep down that not only was she deceiving them, but she was also deceiving herself, so she could only give Jean a bitter smile and left it at that without continuing her words. Jean saw the expression on Avery's face and knew it better. Her face turned determined. "Avery, although we just met for the first time today, I felt like we got along very well. In fact, I gained to like you very much, so I would really appreciate it if we get to spend more time with you. If you don't want to follow Adolf's arrangements and leave here sooner than you want to, then don't leave the hospital tomorrow and stay here instead to have a good rest."

"Don't leave the hospital?" Leaning on the headboard of the bed, Avery was tempted to accept the offer. Then again, she looked at Jean in surprise and then at Zed, who was standing aside. 'What? How can she say that?

The Qi Group has already spent millions of dollars just to invite me to endorse their featured products.

Shouldn't Zed and Jean expect me to finish the advertisement earlier?

Why did Jean still insist on making me stay longer than intended?

Don't they know that their company has to pay for all the expenses, not just for me but also for my assistants, makeup artists, image designers, bodyguards, and the rest of my staff?

Our daily expenses include our meals and accommodation, and I'm certain that's a really huge expense, so if I stay here for one more day, their company will have to pay more. Who would be willing to bear such a loss?' Avery pondered as she found it a bit weird that they were willing to do such.

Zed noticed her concerns judging by her facial expression and how she looked at both him and Jean, so he assured her immediately, "Don't think too much, Avery.

As long as you want to stay here for a few more days, we are willing to support you."

After hearing the sincerity in Zed's voice, somehow, Avery's eyes were brimmed with tears.

Her beautiful eyes glistened and became particularly clear and charming, because of how moved she felt at that moment, and for a while, she was speechless.

"Thank you. Thank you very much. You don't know how much your assurance meant to me." Avery choked. She smiled at both of them, but immediately shook her head slightly. "But... I can't just stay here and be so selfish to leave all my staff alone. Adolf would surely be angry with me once he knows what I plan to do."

Even though Avery gave both of them an apologetic smile, anger still surged throughout Jean's body. She frowned at Avery in frustration after her refusal. "Fine, I don't care. I have already told you everything I wanted to say. Since you don't want to cherish your body and determined to risk and sacrifice your life to compromise for your acting career, we can't stop you." Jean then turned to Moore before calling his name for his attention. "Since Avery's assistants and bodyguards are coming soon, there's nothing we can do to help here. Let's go home. Otherwise, I'm afraid that the longer we stay here, the angrier and more uncomfortable we will be." Avery immediately was taken aback at Jean's outburst.

Jean didn't give her another glance as she limped towards Moore.

Surprised as well, Moore saw Jean's action and frowned tightly. He hurried over and helped her, and then went out without turning his head to look back at Avery.

Zed, who was left in the ward, showed a helpless smile. He turned to Avery and apologized, "Avery, I'm sorry. Jean's temper is a little thin. I hope you don't think about it too much, and I'll apologize on her behalf as well. Now that your manager has found you, please, take a good rest. I'll go, now. See you."

As soon as Zed finished, he immediately turned his back at her and hurried outside, not wanting to wait for Avery's response or reaction.

Avery was left alone inside the large and quiet room, still in shock about the events that had just transpired.

Her delicate face was full of melancholy, and there was a painful helplessness lingering in her beautiful eyes. She suddenly felt exhausted and after heaving a deep sigh, her eyes slowly closed as she lay down to rest.

Reluctant to turn her gaze back, Jean finally looked through the crack beside the door and saw that Avery was now lying on the bed asleep. She sighed and removed her gaze away and found out that both Zed and Moore were staring at her in surprise. She touched her face with both of her hands and asked, "What are you two looking at? Am I particularly beautiful today or what? Come on, let's go!"

Faced with such Jean, Zed was a little speechless for a while before he let out a chuckle. Moore, on the other hand, started to walk away after Jean's comments. Zed then walked over and carried her on his back before following Moore all the way to the parking lot. As they entered the elevator, Jean couldn't help but think. Then, she suddenly patted her forehead and broke the silence among them. "Zed, Moore, do you think I spoke too fast and that's why Avery wasn't able to understand what I meant?"

'If not for that reason, why was Avery still so calm after my words? Avery had made it clear to Zed that she has loved Moore for so many years now.

As a matter of fact, she should not be so indifferent to my verbal stimulation.

Unless, I don't know her very well. That she might be the type of person who really loves nothing else but money, and doesn't care anything but making money,' thought Jean.

Zed and Moore exchanged looks, both wondering how to respond. They didn't realize that Jean was still upset about Avery.

As their eyes met, they both sighed and shook their heads helplessly.

Jean realized that neither of them was willing to answer her question, so she looked at Moore and asked, "Moore, since Avery is your friend, you must know her very well. Can you tell me a possible reason why she didn't agree to stay here for a few more days?" Moore turned to Jean as soon as she called him and regretted it immediately, so when Jean kept her gaze at him, he could only reply helplessly, "I'm sorry, but I also don't know as much as you do."

"But, why hasn't Avery called me yet? Is she still thinking about it? Or did she really not want to stay here, and I was just forcing my own desires on her?" Jean murmured under her breath. Her train of thoughts suddenly stopped as she realized something else. She then looked at Moore in a strange way.

Frowning and looking at her back in silence, Moore was bewildered by how Jean stared at him and wondered what on earth was going on inside her mind this time.

Jean finally broke the silence once more and leaned her head on Zed's shoulder. "Zed, Moore, have you noticed how Avery's attitude changed a lot after Adolf came in? I feel like she's afraid of her manager."

Zed nodded and answered, "Well, yes. I think Avery has every right to be afraid of her manager. Our company's PR manager once told me that Avery was not a professional actress. It was Adolf who found out that she had the potential to be a star, so he trained and polished her, making her the star she is right now. In addition, we invited her to endorse our company's featured products because her temperament and status is perfectly aligned to what is needed, as discussed in several meetings."

Jean immediately was able to understand everything after hearing Zed's explanation. "I see. No wonder Moore majored in business administration, but his classmate became an international superstar. It was because Adolf saw the potential in her. However, I don't think that it is right for Adolf to be strict and control her that way, regardless of whether or not he was the one who made her internationally famous. Avery is still a human being, and it was Adolf's choice to make her who she is today. Besides, I think giving others respect is the best way to manage them."

"Well, maybe you're right, but stop thinking too much and worry about Avery's business. She's a smart girl, who knows what she should and shouldn't do, and like you said, she is also a human being, who is capable of making her own decisions." Zed looked at Moore pointedly while speaking to Jean to which Moore nodded back in agreement.

Jean understood what Zed meant, but her mood became somewhat complicated.

'Does Zed mean that Avery hasn't made any move of making Moore fall for her, just because she hasn't fought for it herself?

Of course. Avery is a charming beauty. As long as she likes someone, that man can't surely escape her, but she also has devoted herself to her career over the years. How can she have time to think about her feelings?

So, is it really impossible for them to be together? Once Avery finally chooses her career?'

They finally reached the car, and Zed helped Jean once more. Once Jean was situated on her seat, she put on her seat belt uneasily, showing a sorry expression.

Just as the car started, Jean's cell phone suddenly rang, startling everyone in the car who was all too absorbed in their own silence and thoughts.

Although everyone else in the car heard the ring, Jean didn't for she was still too immersed and too lost in her own thoughts.

Zed turned to Jean and sighed, notifying her about it, "Jean, your phone..."

When Jean heard Zed mention her name, she felt startled and looked up back at him blankly and asked, "What?"

"Your cell phone is ringing, Jean!" Zed repeated, a little bit louder as to wake Jean up from her trance.

"Oh!" Jean's eyes widened in surprise. She quickly took out her cell phone from her purse. When she read the name on the caller ID, she felt shocked. "It's Avery. Did she change her mind?" Jean uttered to no one in particular. Zed and Moore glanced at her, and curiosity was evident on both of their faces.

'Didn't Avery just fall asleep?

Why is she calling Jean?' Zed wondered, waiting for Jean to answer. 00000