What Separates Me and You

What Separates Me and You

Chapter 22 I'll Pay More

Avery's smile faded. She gaped and grabbed Josephine's hands in hers. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to get you to come here. I didn't mean to block you. But since you're. here, this means that you value me more than that asshole, right?"

Josephine pressed her lips into a thin line as she stared at Avery pitifully.

"Alright, alright. I'll unblock you now. Will that do?" Avery pulled her phone out and unblocked Josephine. "So will you go to Playtime?"

Josephine nodded without a moment of hesitation.

"There's a good girl. See, I've unblocked you. But don't go around dressed in your pajamas. This won't do. Hang on, I'll go get you some new clothes." Avery went and got Josephine a set of clothes, but they were quite loose on her as Avery only had casual, baggy clothes. It wasn't too big of a problem though, since Josephine pulled the look off with her height.

Soon, Avery brought Josephine to Playtime on her bike. They told the receptionist what they were there for and were led to the advertising department. Mr. Colson. greeted them warmly and brought them in. They stepped inside to see Sierra already. seated there. That was unexpected.

For a brief moment, awkwardness filled the room.

Sierra leaned back into the chair, fiddling with her freshly done manicure. "Mr. Colson, so this is the person who was supposed to play the role of Mythinth, right?"

"That's right, Miss Woods. See, you and Miss Vance carry different styles. You'd be at much better fit for the role of Vementir."

Sierra scoffed. "But I only want the role of Mythinth."

"Well..." All the producers looked around uneasily. If Sierra insisted on taking the role. of Mythinth, then there was no point in Josephine taking on any other roles." Avery scowled. "What is the meaning of this, Mr. Colson?"

He went closer to her and said softly, "She's the top player on our leaderboards, and she was sent by Mr. Alvarez."

Avery could not hold back a laugh when she heard that. She deliberately raised her. voice. "Is that so? Say, Mr. Alvarez sure is generous! If only he was that generous to his wife too!"

Hushed whispers sounded throughout the office when she said that. Sierra's.

expression darkened as she stood up immediately and glared at Avery.

Josephine tugged inconspicuously on Avery's sleeves, hinting at her to not act rashly. The wound on her head was not even fully recovered yet.

Someone mumbled, "Mr. Alvarez is...married?"

"I didn't know about that, but judging from her words, it seems like Miss Woods isn't his wife."

"Who knows! It's a common thing for people of their status to cheat on their wives."

Sierra paled when she heard their discussion. She could feel the dirty looks on her. She took deep breaths to suppress the raging fury within her and sat back down." Mr. Colson, I've made myself clear. I want the role of Mythinth. If there are any problems with that, you can talk to Mr. Alvarez."

Mr. Colson was in a predicament. His eyes traveled back and forth between Sierral and Avery. "Miss Green, what do you...

Josephine tugged on Avery's arm and signed, "Let's go back."

"Why should we leave?" Avery snorted. Had it been anyone else, she would have

gladly let them have the role. But this was Sierra Woods. She would never back off.

"How much money has she spent on the game?" Avery asked.

"About twenty million," Mr. Colson answered nervously.

Avery lifted her chin and declared, "I'll pay thirty million. This role is going to Josephine!" The room fell silent.

Even Josephine was astonished. She was here to make money, not spend even more!

But Avery's intention was plain for all to see. It wasn't about the money anymore. It was about earning their pride.

"Miss Green, what good will this do... Mr. Colson wasn't stupid. Avery knew Sierral and Mr. Alvarez. This meant that she wasn't just a nobody either. He could tell that. she wasn't bluffing when she said she'd pay thirty million for the role.

Avery pulled Josephine to sit down beside her. She crossed one leg over another and said, "Think about it. If thirty million isn't enough, I'll pay more."

This was the first time Mr. Colson felt that it was a pain for someone to send money

his way.

"Fine, I'll

pay

Sierra said.

however much she's paying. Hah! You're not the only one who's loaded,"

Avery shot her a contemptuous look. "Yeah, you've got the money, but is it yours?"

"Your money isn't yours either!"

"That money belongs to the Greens'. Even if I did nothing at all, I'd get my share of it. Can you say the same for yourself?"

"You-"

Mr. Colson rushed over to end the squabble. "Please stop arguing. How's this, I'll give

Mr. Alvarez a call."

"Call him! And put him on speaker! Let's all hear what he has to say!" Avery was riled up. She was interested to see if Lewis would really take Sierra's side.

Mr. Colson took out his phone, but as he did not have Lewis' number, he could only call his assistant.

Mr. Colson briefed him on the situation at hand once the call got through. When Lewis' assistant heard Josephine being mentioned, he came to realize that he was in no position to handle the matter, so he went to Lewis.

"President Alvarez, Mrs. Alvarez and Miss Woods are fighting for the same role. How

Lewis did not even take his eyes off the document he was reading. "Let Sierra have it.

"What...?"

Lewis looked up from his work and shot his assistant a sharp look. "Did you not hear me?"

"But Mrs. Alvarez, she..."

Lewis' expression clouded over, and he cut his assistant off. "I said, let Sierra have it. Have I made myself clear?"

His assistant immediately lowered his head. "Got it. I'll deal with it."

When Mr. Colson got the call, he looked at Avery uneasily. "Miss Green, Mr. Alvarez has decided."

One look at him and Avery guessed his answer. "He's given the role to that woman, hasn't he? Mr. Colson, so you're taking orders from Lewis Alvarez, then? And you're not afraid of going against the Greens?"

T

"I..." Mr. Colson did not even have tears left to cry. He really regretted taking on the damn project. What was he to do now? He was in deep trouble no matter what choice he made!

Josephine hung her head low. The result was just as she expected. She could feel Sierra's triumphant gaze on her. Lewis never sided with her, so why did she event bother competing with Sierra?

She wanted to leave, but Avery was having none of that. It looked like she wasn't going to leave unless she had her way. And Sierra looked the same.

Mr. Colson tried to persuade them for a long time, but they still were unable to reach a conclusion. In the end, he had no choice but to bring the issue to his superior. However, his superior wasn't about to get himself into the same trouble, so he washed his hands of the matter and made Mr. Colson call the shots himself. His only advice to him was that since he had to offend a party no matter which call he made, he should make the decision that would minimize their losses.

That made it clear to Mr. Colson which choice he should make. Avery Green was no match for Lewis Alvarez. Lewis had already given orders to let Sierra have the role. Furthermore, Avery did not represent the entire Green family.

After weighing out the pros and cons, Mr. Colson had no choice but to turn Avery and Josephine down.

"I'm really sorry, Miss Green, but after a thorough discussion, we've decided to feature Miss Woods in the promotional video."

Avery slammed her hand on the table and stood straight up. "What is the meaning of this? What does Lewis Alvarez mean by this? Is this how he treats his wife?"

"Wife? What? Who... Who's his..." Mr. Colson was alarmed. He reflexively shot a glance in Josephine's direction. It couldn't be.