Chapter 609


    As Natalie entered her apartment, Austin called.


    “Mr. Powell,” Natalie answered, realizing her voice was hoarse as soon as she spoke. She had been


    crying on the way home, and her throat was sore.


    Hearing her raspy voice, Austin furrowed his brow. He sensed she had been through something


    difficult today.


    “Have you been crying?” Austin asked gently.


    Natalie suddenly felt like she couldn’t hold it together


    anymore. Her eyes welled up with tears. She didn’t want her problems to affect Austin any further.


    She had already felt sorry for today.


    “No, it’s probably just a cold. I’m fine. I took some medicine and I’m feeling drowsy. I’m going to


    sleep now. Don’t worry about me, Mr. Powell,” Natalie said.


    Austin was silent for a few moments before responding. “Rest well. If you need anything, call me.


    Don’t push yourself too


    hard.”


    Upon hearing this, Natalie’s nose tingled with emotion as she whispered, “Okay.”


    Alone in her apartment, self–doubt consumed her. She couldn’t understand why life yed such a


    cruel joke on her. It wasn’t funny at all.


    A piping hot stew with a sweet cake was served in a cozy


    restaurant.


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    The atmosphere was perfect. Joe’s gaze lingered on the hand holding a ss of water. The ring on


    his index finger radiated


    a subtle warmth.


    Across from him, Skr was enjoying the cake. Her lips were smeared with cream.


    Joe stood up and gently wiped the cream from her lips with a napkin. “Is it good?” he asked.


    Skr was taken aback. She stared at Joe in surprise.


    “It’s delicious,” she said. The cake she chose was delicious Unfortunately, Joe wasn’t fond of sweet


    treats or rich vors, so he only had a small piece of cake. However, he had enjoyed the stew with


    its vegetable base.


    “That’s good to hear. Enjoy it,” Joe said. His voice was incredibly gentle, and it had the kind of


    warmth that couldpletely soften a person’s heart.


    Skr’s heart fluttered slightly as she replied, “I will.”


    Joe returned to his seat and noticed arge bag on the table next to Skr. He wondered if there


    was another surprise.


    In a nearby private foom, Charles was distracted. The group animatedly discussed theirtest film


    and their roles within it. Everyone shared their interpretations of the y and their characters.


    3/3


    Normally, Charles would have engaged fully in such situations. After all, he took acting very


    seriously.


    He always meticulously analyzed each role and offered his insights and interpretations. But tonight,


    he hadn’t said a word.


    His friend, Aldrich Grant, noticed his distraction. “Charles, you seem distracted. What’s going on?”


    Charles took a sip of his drink and tried to shake off the


    unease. “It’s nothing.”


    He was still shaken by what happened earlier. His mind kept reying the startling encounter in the


    elevator. The legendary Joe Martin, known for his aloofness and keeping people at a distance, had


    actually initiated a conversation with him. He even asked about his work. It was incredibly unusual.


    “Do you know if anyone around us knows Joe Martin?” Charles asked.


    Aldrich shook his head. “People like that are usually out of our league. Even directors and investors


    might not know him personally. Why? Do you have a friend who knows him? If so, he’d be a big deal


    in our industry.


    Charles’s lips twitched into a grimace. “Have you heard whether Joe prefers men or women?”


    The situation felt increasingly strange. The more Charles thought about it, the less he could


    understand. He knew he wouldn’t be able to get a good night’s rest unless he got to the bottom of it.