Arrogant Man VS Unyielding Woman

Adolf looked at Jean and Moore, who were staring at him, feeling a little bit uncomfortable. An awkward expression crept on his face. After a moment of awkward silence, he finally found his voice. He cleared his throat before speaking. "I apologize. It wasn't in my intentions to say so much. I just don't know how to react, but I feel a deep regret for Avery, even though you might think that I'm not in the place to. However, her career is still right at its peak, and I'm pretty sure that you'll feel regret as well, if she chooses to quit show business at this critical point, then..."

"Wait, what?" Jean interrupted, eyes widened and mouth gaped open. "Quit showbiz?" she asked Adolf in disbelief, not really sure if she heard it correctly. "When Avery talked to us yesterday, she didn't mention that she is going to quit showbiz. She only told us that she will focus her attention on developing here in China in the near future, so that it will be more convenient for her to meet and spend time with Moore."

A while ago, Jean wondered why Adolf treated Moore and her nicely today. He even asked his assistant to give them two chairs and offered some beverages. Jean didn't understand the meaning through these actions until Adolf told them the news. It turned out that he intentionally told them about so many things to pave way to his final purpose, making all work out for him in the end.

Avery wanted to quit the showbiz and Adolf told them about it, so that Moore and Jean could try their best to convince her not to waste such a career. After all, Moore and Jean were her best friends and Avery was surely willing to listen to them if they tried to talk to her out of it.

But how come? They didn't even know about it until now.

Then again, was what Adolf said really true? Was Avery really quitting showbiz most possibly for Moore?

If it was true, then why hadn't Avery told them anything about it yesterday? She even looked carefree, and that her happiness being with Moore really showed on her face. If she did have something she was bothered about, then she was really a good actress for hiding her true feelings really well.

Adolf looked at both of them, and judging by their expression, he immediately knew what they were wondering about. Before anyone could ask about it, he explained, "After having worked with Avery for so long, I could say that she is really a firm-minded person. Once she decides, it would be difficult to change her mind. You see, the original purpose of her performing on stage and behind the camera has never changed over the years, and that's a proof of her personality. But she has considered both of you really special in her heart, and I am certain that no matter how firm her hold on this decision is, she probably will listen to you. I even have trust on both of you that you two will be able to change her mind. If she finally tells you about it, you are going to stop her from doing so, right? I know enough that a possible reason why she hid it from both of you is because she's afraid that you two will worry about her. Now if you feel the same way as I do, then you will be more worried if she quits showbiz."

Jean looked at Adolf with doubt evident on her face. She was silent for a moment, until she decided to speak her thoughts out regardless of how direct she was being. "Then, how about you, Adolf? I still don't understand what you are really trying to point out. Why did you tell us this? Are you really considering Avery's career prospect, or did you just want Avery for yourself?"

Adolf was surprised at Jean's straightforwardness but managed not to show it on his face. He gave out a bitter smile and replied, "I'm tempted to lie to you, but I know that one or another, you will be able to find out the truth sooner or later. I have to admit that you are right. I don't want Avery to leave my side, but part of me also cares about her career, so don't think so badly of me. Before you react, there is one more important thing to consider. Avery signed a contract with an agent company, and her time hasn't ended yet. If she breaks the contract during the said period, the company will not only block her, but they may also ruin her reputation. If that happens, I'm afraid that no other company will be willing to hire and accept her. In addition, she has to pay a large amount of contractual penalty to the company. Do you think that I want her hard-earned money to eventually just fall into the pocket of the company? Avery might be a rising superstar, but believe me, she hasn't earned that much yet to cover for the penalty and still have more left for her." Jean nodded slowly, trying to grasp this new information. It turned out that many stars were tied up on their respective entertainment companies, and they depended on each other to gain money, but of course, these stars worked for their own benefit as well. To put it bluntly, these stars served their respective companies to earn more money for the companies.

So if a star broke the contract he or she signed with a company, then they would be forced to pay a penalty for the breach of contract, which was not a small amount of money.

Jean turned to Adolf once more. "I understand, but I have one question to ask. Adolf, what would happen if Avery decides to stay here and develop her career in China?" She gave Adolf a serious look, making Adolf blink at her as if she was really serious. "Well, we have to admit that the potential of the Chinese market is great and unlimited. However, I am certain that our company will not allow artists, such as top-level stars like Avery, to just come and develop in China, considering as well the short span of time," he firmly said with a frown.

Jean looked at Adolf with confusion on her face, her eyebrows furrowed as well before she asked, "Why not? There are so many Korean stars who come and settle their careers here, and they have many fans as well.

So I don't understand why Avery couldn't. What's holding her back to do such thing?"

"Well, uh..." Adolf lost his words for a while, his face flushed with embarrassment. "You see, Jean, the company gets to decide, and I don't really have the right to change its decision." Standing beside Jean's side, Moore kept silent, but when he saw the expression on Adolf's face, he couldn't help but interject. Before Jean could reply, Moore immediately spoke, "Stop embarrassing Adolf, Jean. He clearly looks troubled by this as well." Jean looked at Moore who sighed helplessly before continuing, "I believe that China is a great place having a large population and a vast market, and there is obviously huge potential for future development. However, a lot of companies overseas still have not realized that China has great resources so far. If I were you, I'd stop asking Adolf this question. Rejecting Avery's plan to develop here is not just a decision made by Adolf alone."

After hearing Moore's explanation, Jean finally understood the situation. A resentful expression appeared on her face. She scoffed and said, "No wonder Avery wants to break the contract off with your company. Your company is too short-sighted and limits their own stars. But then, if your company is not optimistic about the potential here in this country, then why did you agree to take on the advertisement for Zed's company and choose Avery to do it?"

Adolf crossed his hands and explained, "Frankly speaking, our company initially rejected the advertisement proposal. However, Avery heard about it and really wanted to take on the job. She tried hard to convince the board of the company. When they still hesitated, she then promised them that she would not take any money from this project, and that all endorsement fees she will earn will be given straight to the company. Now, what company would be stupid enough to reject that offer? They wouldn't have to spend money on anything, and yet they will earn something from it. Considering the profits gained, the company finally agreed to let her come here to shoot the commercial."

Hearing what Adolf had said, Jean's blood started to boil. She couldn't suppress her anger anymore and cursed with indignation. "What the hell, Adolf? Your company is like a vampire, sucking all the blood and nutrients from their own stars without leaving any for themselves, not even a single drop."

Adolf looked unaffected by Jean's insults. Instead, he gave her a bitter smile and explained, "That is true. Indeed, several of our company's regulations will make you want to curse because they are very cold-blooded. Even so, there are still stars, who choose to work under the company, simply because it can provide the best resources for them. It is deemed the best venue for you to climb high on the ladder, and being under our company's name will put a great impact on your reputation as well as future development." Jean could understand the reason why. She was certain that Avery wasn't stupid enough to sign a contract she hasn't fully read and understood, and for sure, she wouldn't let anyone force her to do something she didn't want to do. Jean then looked at Adolf with an anxious expression and asked, "Should Avery really accept the consequences of your company once she breaks the contract? Is there any way we can do?"

Instead of speaking, Adolf could only muster to shake his head with his face full of helplessness. He couldn't help but feel regret to be the one to tell her this unfortunate news.

After seeing Adolf's answer, the last trace of hope disappeared in Jean's eyes.

She stared back at Adolf with a look of chagrin on her face. With a heavy and helpless sigh, she turned to Moore and asked, "Moore, Avery is now your girlfriend. Do you have any ideas? Anything that would help her at all?" Moore sighed as well before shaking his head. "Adolf is her manager. I'm only her boyfriend. If he doesn't have any solutions or ideas about it, then it's even harder for me to have any."

Jean sighed again and lowered her head, lost in thought. After a moment, she raised her head and turned to Moore. "Honestly, I feel very conflicted right now. A part of me wants Avery to leave that bastard company at once, so that she can have more time to spend with you, Moore, and you won't have any difficulty to meet each other. On the other hand, the part of me doesn't want Avery to sacrifice all the money she earned using her blood, sweat, and tears to that bastard company. They don't deserve that money, and more so, they don't deserve the contract with such a good star as Avery. Damn it! Why is this situation so difficult? It's so hard to choose!"

As she said this, Jean heaved out a really long sigh.

Adolf gave Jean time to react, and after a moment, he cleared his throat to grab their attention. With a bitter smile, he reminded them, "Regardless of whether or not you make or act upon any decision about this matter, I do hope that both of you won't tell Avery that I have told you about this."

Jean looked at Adolf with an understanding expression and replied, "We know. You may rest assured that we won't disclose anything about what we had talked about today to Avery. Then again, now that we are already aware, we will certainly try our best to come up with solutions to solve this issue, one way or another. Although I can't guarantee that we will come up with the best solution, we will make sure and we will never allow Avery to suffer any losses. After all, what matters most in the end of this is Avery's well-being." A smile appeared on Adolf's face after hearing Jean's words. "Thank you. Thank you so much, and I really appreciate your concern. I now know why Avery places you in a special spot on her heart. She may have already known that she is very fortunate to have such reliable friends like you."

After finishing saying this, Adolf took a deep look at Moore and then offered his hand to him.

Moore stared at Adolf's hand and then said, "Adolf, you don't have to be so formal to me."

Adolf placed his hand down and gave Moore a weak smile. "Since you are already Avery's boyfriend, I sincerely wish both of you all the best and all the happiness together. Also, I hope that you can treat her well, and I trust that you would." He paused to give Jean a glance too and continued, "Believe me. I don't have any other intention to have told you all of this today. Having known Avery, I would like you to keep in mind that she won't tell you right away what she really thinks, what she is bothered by, or even what she is feeling, because she doesn't want anyone to worry about her. But I know for a fact that she doesn't want to suffer too much herself, even though she looks like she can willingly accept all problems thrown at her. She won't tell you that, so I save you all the trouble.

So now that you have a clearer and better understanding of her, I do hope that you can treat her better than the rest of the people in her life and as well as her surroundings. She may look like she is loved by her fans, but behind the screen, there is no one to be there for her when she needed the most. This is all I can do for her. I can only help her make sure that the people she cares the most and call her family will be there for her in times of her need. Moreover, the future is unpredictable and unknown to all of us. In the end, even though we strive hard to choose the best decision for her, it still boils down to Avery's choice. What we can really do then is to be with her and support her no matter what choice she makes. I won't keep this long, but all I'm trying to say is that I do hope that you can be kind to her. Please, try your best to protect her, and remember not to let her down or suffer anymore unfair treatment."00