Arrogant Man VS Unyielding Woman

Avery shook her head nervously and said to Moore with a serious note in her voice, "Moore, if you have to apologize to the assistant director, I would like to go with you. If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be in a fight with him in the first place. So I should be the one to apologize to him and not you."

"Avery!"

Jean startled from what she just learned. Her eyes got bigger as she stared at them with astonishment.

'How did things become like this?' Jean thought.

Jean had no other way but to look at Zed for some answers. Obviously, she had already forgotten that she said she didn't want to talk to him moments ago.

Zed saw Jean's questioning look, so he leaned over and assured her, "I'll take care of this. You don't have to worry!"

"Zed..." Moore stepped in and was about to tell him that he didn't need to do that, but Zed raised his hand to signal him to stop.

"Just stay right there, Moore. I can handle everything. Avery, you need to stay with him. I'll be back soon." Zed was walking toward the exit as he spoke with his strong and confident voice.

Moore and Avery wanted to follow suit but Jean stopped them. "It would be best if you two will stay here. Let Zed take care of this problem. I am confident that he can handle this. We should trust him."

"Jean, I'm sorry for the trouble I caused you and Zed," Moore apologized to Jean as he felt remorseful. He knew too well that he had brought trouble for them again.

Jean shook her head and assured him, "Moore, what are friends for? You were never a trouble to us. But I'll be mad if you keep saying that you are."

"Jean, I'm a little worried about Zed. I'll go and have a look. You can stay here with Moore,"

Avery stared at Jean and said with her distressed voice.

"That's fine. You may go!" Jean nodded her head slowly to Avery.

Avery bowed her head with gratitude to Jean and muttered, "Thank you." Then she hurriedly walked to the direction where Zed left.

Jean felt a little strange. She couldn't quite understand why Avery followed Zed, considering he pointed out earlier that she was supposed to stay with Moore. Why did she need to see the assistant director?

Moore seemed to have read her mind. He took a deep breath and made a remark, "I think Avery is just worried that the assistant director will not accept Zed's apology, on behalf of me and Avery. If that happens, then she can step in and apologize to him personally." Jean never thought of that, but she clearly understood it now. She waited for few seconds and nodded approvingly.

After all, it was partly Avery's fault. Moore fought with the assistant director to protect her.

So it would be best if she could be the one to apologize to the director.

Aside from that, Jean felt that Avery didn't trust Zed that he was capable to handle this problem alone.

"Also, Adolf came to the hospital with us, but he hasn't informed us if this issue is settled yet. I think the assistant director is not easy to persuade." Moore gave out another sigh of despair.

"You have always been calm and collected. But why are you so impulsive today?" Jean turned back at Moore and asked. "Though I know it's not your way of handling things but I'm glad you stood up for Avery and confronted the assistant director. You didn't have to do that but that was brave of you."

Jean's eyes fixed on Moore. She was looking at him now quite intently with her growing suspicious.

'Well, I can never hide things from you, ' Moore quipped to himself with a smirk.

Indeed, this was one complicated mess that no one wished to be in.

Moore had the urge to hit the assistant director before he insulted Avery.

Moore quickly recalled the incident that happened a few hours ago. He was in a restroom when he overheard two men talking about Jean. One of them was the assistant director.

He was smoking with another man probably in his late forties, thin and bald. Moore couldn't help but overhear what they were talking about.

They mentioned almost all women that were present at the studio. They even made lewd remarks at some point.

Moore didn't really mind and couldn't care less. After all, he was the director and he didn't want to get into his way.

But when the assistant director mentioned Jean's name, Moore stopped dead and couldn't contain his anger.

"Have you seen Mr. Qi's wife?" the assistant director said. "She is very attractive and she behaved like as if she came from well-bred family. But everyone in H city knows that she climbed up to Mr. Qi's bed and seduced him. She lured him like a skillful tigress hunting its prey. And mind you, Mr. Qi only wanted to insult the people in the Wen family so he allowed himself to get trapped in their marriage. That woman is a heartless bitch, who is quick to jump at anything to get whatever she wants!"

The assistant director said with his voice full of contempt.

"But we have to admit that Jean Wen is a shrewd and calculating woman. She got Mr. Qi to marry her! Have you seen how Mr. Qi was so fond of her? It seemed that he cares so much about her."

"That must be because Mr. Qi is one lucky man. She can satisfy him in bed. We always like our women to have great skills in bed, aren't we? Once a woman can satisfy us, we will cherish her forever." When Moore heard that vile remark against Jean, he was so angry that he balled his hands into fists. But when he pushed the door out, the two men were already gone.

He took a deep breath and calmed himself down. He was pretty sure that a lot of people in H City gossiped about Zed and Jean's marriage, and all kinds of rumors were going around the city. But hearing the gossip with his own ears made him so furious.

However, he couldn't do anything then because he realized that Avery worked with the assistant director for the shoot and so Moore had to control his temper.

It would be best if he didn't say anything. So he kept everything to himself and quickly returned to the film studio.

But as fate would have it, after the director shouted "NG" to Avery several times, Moore immediately recognized the voice. He was the man he heard talking about Jean in the restroom.

His eyes dimmed with anger and he could no longer bear any dirty and vulgar words coming from the director's foul mouth. He moved stealthily behind him, flexed his shoulder and threw a strong fist at him. So that was what happened.

Avery thought he did that because of her, so Moore would understand why she wanted to apologize to the assistant director.

And if Moore had to apologize to the assistant director for Avery's sake, he would do it, but not in a sincere way. Why, the director should be the one apologizing to all women present today for his rude remarks against them.

'You should never insult Jean and Avery. I'll let you off the hook this time. But if you do it again, I'll beat the shit out of you.

You only got yourself to blame if that will happen, 'Moore thought.

"What are you thinking?" Jean saw Moore was lost in his thoughts, so she asked him out of concern.

"Oh... It's nothing..." Moore was somewhat absent minded. Jean stopped and waited for him to gather his thoughts so he could answer her.

"Are you hiding anything from me?" Jean felt dubious, so she had her eyes fixed on Moore. She just knew him too well.

"No. I never hide things from you! How could you say that?" Moore stammered. He blinked his eyes, hoping it would conceal the guilt he felt right now.

"I knew it. You're keeping things from me!" Jean stared at Moore's face with certainty. "I'm sure you are."

"Oh, come on. I'm not. Why can't you believe me?" Moore acted sheepishly.

"Well, I knew it. Don't be shy to tell me!" Jean said to Moore. "I know you're in love with Avery. You acted strange lately especially if people talked about her. I just wanted you to know that I knew you would like her. She is beautiful and sweet. And she would do everything for you. It's only a matter of time that you fall for her too. I knew you would... but I didn't expect you will fall for her so easily! I'm so happy for both of you!"

Jean glanced at Moore with happiness. She was excited and could't wait to see them together.

Moore felt awkward when he saw how happy she was. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were sparkling with excitement.

There was a sudden pinch in his heart. He then lowered his head with apparent sadness.

'Well, how can I deny that?

Arguing with you is the last thing on my mind now and it doesn't matter what you think. So let it go!' Moore thought.

"Are you okay, Moore? You seemed not very happy. Does your wound hurt again?" Jean's excitement had gone and she was now concerned with Moore as he seemed to be upset.

"No, it doesn't. "Moore raised his head abruptly and nodded to Jean. "I just didn't expect that you will be that happy for me and Avery."

However, his tone didn't match his words. He was sad and despaired.

Although Jean could sometimes be naive, this time she couldn't help but notice that distinct sadness in his eyes.

"I will always be happy for you and Avery. You and Avery are my best friends. It's good that there's someone to look after you and to care for you. You will no longer feel alone. So I should be happy for you, shouldn't I?"

Jean looked at Moore straight in the eyes. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation of good things to come. ☐☐