Arrogant Man VS Unyielding Woman

"You haven't even heard half of it." Jean, looking smug at the information she had, smirked at her husband. The luxury car moved and Jean fastened her seat belt. 'Safety First!' she thought. She looked at Zed and started to tell him what she knew from Adolf. Apparently, Avery wanted to develop her career in the Chinese market so she could stay in the country and spent more time with Moore. However, her entertainment company could not and would not allow it. So Avery, in distress that she would be separated from Moore, was thinking of quitting the business. Avery would sacrifice a lot for Moore. Zed was driving as Jean went on and on about Avery's situation. He listened intently, never taking his eyes off the road even while listening to the distressing news.

By the time Jean finished her story, they were already halfway to the Hilton Hotel and Zed's eyebrows were already crinkled in worry.

Seeing her husband in such distress made her want to hug him tight. "Can you do anything about it? It's really alright. You don't need to move heaven and earth. I mean, even Adolf doesn't know what to do. I guess we just can't do anything about it. It's just a pity that Avery..."

Jean didn't finish, the sigh that followed completing the thought.

"Maybe, just maybe there's a way to save all of this. Let me see," Zed thought for a while and finally said. Jean just continued sighing after Zed spoke. He started to persuade her, "I've got this, Jean. I'll find a way. Don't worry."

"What else can you do, Zed?" Jean put a bitter look on her face. "I mean, it's easy if it was a domestic entertainment agency. I know you'd have a way around that. But it's not. We're talking about an international entertainment agency. Jesus, even Adolf who's known as the top manager in the showbiz industry can't do anything. Don't push yourself, Zed. We just have to leave it up to Moore at this point. If he doesn't want Avery to leave the business and lose all that she worked for, he has to find a way." Zed looked at Jean in confusion before turning to focus on the road again. "Wait, you don't mean..."

"Exactly. I think the only way to save Avery's career is for Moore to leave China with her. As long as Moore is at Avery's side, she'll absolutely stop any intention of quitting the business." Jean's tone was bitter, her face visibly unhappy.

Zed sighed heavily. "I don't think that'll happen. I know Moore. He's a gentleman. Sometimes a bit too gentle. He can think for himself, is highly capable, and by no means a mediocre man. So, don't even think about pushing through with this idea!"

"I know Moore's a good man, but..." Jean saw Zed and felt his resolve against her idea, and she just opted to change the subject. "Enough of that for now. Let's just think about our lunch with them for now. Avery hasn't left China yet anyway. I'm sure there's something we can say that would persuade her."

Upon hearing this, a smile began to form on Zed's face. He had thought of a plan. Thought still in its infancy, he was sure it would work. "It's nice to know that you think so. You know what, I don't think I can resolve this problem, but I can think of someone who can. A dear friend of mine. If he shows up and agrees to help with this, Avery's problem will be gone in a blink of an eye."

"A dear friend? Who is this friend of yours?" Hope restored, Jean beamed at Zed, like a dog wagging its tail.

"This dear friend conveniently has ownership of a rival entertainment agency which has always butted heads with Avery's current agency..."

Zed said after thinking deeply on the answer.

Jean seemed deflated upon hearing this. "You have got to be kidding, Zed. Your 'dear friend' is a competitor of Avery's boss, so how the hell can he help Avery in any way?"

"Relax, Jean. I got this." Zed glanced at Jean and turned his eyes immediately back on the road. "Even if he is a competitor, his agency is the largest and most influential one in Europe and in the United States. So if he goes ahead and takes care of Avery's termination of the contract, do you think there would be any more problems?"

Jean just stared at Zed, her wide eyes showing only confusion. "I still don't get it."

"Oh, come on. I literally just laid it out for you." Zed sighed and continued, "Alright. As you already know, Avery is an international superstar. She is successful and incredibly famous. But since this friend of mine owns a massive entertainment agency, he knows this more than anybody, right? Once Avery signs that resignation letter and leaves her former employer, she'd be banned from joining any other agency even before the ink on that paper was dry. Retirement would be the only course left.

But! If my friend goes in and settles her contract, buying her out of all the damages, Avery can continue to work in my friend's agency and in one stroke, be even more famous. Don't you think this is a good idea? It's hitting two birds with one stone, Jean. First of all, Avery doesn't need to pay a single cent. At the same time, she'll have access to even better resources and projects when she shifts to my friend's company. This is a master plan only I could have thought of."

Jean saw Zed's smug look and was impressed by her husband's plan, but she had one last question. "But... are you absolutely sure that your friend will agree to this? Buying out Avery's contract fees is no small sum. You're just friends. Will he even listen to your proposal?"

"Jean, baby. I got this. Leave this part to me. As soon as I even start on my proposal, he'll be all over it. But you have to consult Avery first. We have to run this by her before we even start moving," Zed said after briefly looking at Jean's beautiful face.

Jean, content on the plan she just heard, nodded towards Zed happily. "Got it. That's where I come in. Leave Avery and Moore to me. You focus on convincing your friend."

Zed, seeing Jean's excitement, laughed heartily. "Well, then. Sounds like a plan! You can stop worrying about Avery now."

Jean's face turned red as a tomato. "Will you blame me for showing this much concern towards my friends, Zed? I just don't want anything to go wrong anymore, just when things between them were starting to go so smoothly."

"I get you. I understand completely," Zed answered with a sigh. "Because I do understand you, I will move heaven and earth to support you and help you find solutions."

Jean answered Zed with a smile, "I knew my husband is the best! Wooh! Oh, by the way, I didn't expect you to have such a great friend like that."

Zed snorted defensively and said, "Humph, is he that great? Nah, I don't think so. I'm way better than him in a lot of ways. You just haven't found out yet."

Jean laughed in response. "Phew, is there anyone more arrogant than you?"

Zed turned to Jean with a faint smile on his face. "Why no one else, dear. It's just me. Now I want to hear you say that I'm the best."

"My husband is the best!" Jean answered almost immediately, her eyes adoring her husband.

Looking smug, Zed smiled and focused on the road yet again. They drove in content silence the rest of the way to the Hilton Hotel.

Upon arriving, they gave the keys to the valet and went inside. The concierge guided them to their dining room. The director and the rest of the staff were already there seated. When Zed and Jean appeared, everyone stood up in respect, and the excitement was evident on their faces. "Please, let's all sit down," Zed greeted the staff as he made his way towards his seat. "Do help yourselves to order whatever dishes you might like. It's my treat today." Zed gently pulled Jean's seat out in invitation for her to sit.

There was a scream of excitement from the crowd. Adolf, alarmed, looked around and asked, "Where's Avery? How come she isn't here yet?"

"She ought to be on her way here," Jean answered. "Moore's there with her, so rest assured." Jean smiled at Adolf as she spoke.

Adolf nodded, satisfied. He picked up the nearby menu and began ordering the dishes.

"Is this your wife, Mr. Qi?" the director asked, turning to look at Jean and then to Zed.

"Yes, she is my wife," Zed responded politely.

The director's clever eyes examined Jean, then beamed at Zed and spoke in an almost patronizing tone, "Mrs. Qi is truly a beautiful woman as they all say. No wonder the talk of the town here in H City is that you dearly love your wife." Zed frowned upon hearing the remark.

Zed certainly didn't mind showing off his wife to others, but he definitely did not like hearing other men talking about his wife.

The director thought himself a clever man. He wanted to butter up Zed, so he thought complimenting his wife was a good move.

But the director thought wrong. He was about to say more but then he saw Zed's face twitch a little. To save himself from even more embarrassment, he just turned away and looked at the menu.

"What do you think you're doing?" Jean, feeling the odd tension between her husband and the director, pulled at Zed's arm and said. "There are a lot of people here! You should treat the director with respect. His staff can see everything. You don't want to embarrass him too much. Or else..."0000000000☐☐☐☐☐☐