Chapter 558


    The audience burst intoughter—the old man was surprisingly humorous. The term ‘washed-up actor’


    had stemmed from the insult of an anti-fan some time ago. That person had imed that Taylor was a


    washed-up actor with no endorsements nor variety shows. However, that became a running joke within


    Taylor’s fan group. Every time they mentioned their idol, they would affectionately dub him as the


    ‘washed-up actor’.


    To their surprise, Old Man Fletcher was aware of it too. Judging by the level of his excitement, he must


    be a fan of Taylor’s! Moreover, he was, without a doubt, a true fan! Still, it wasn’t too surprising. After all,


    Taylor’s fans covered all age groups, from the elderly to young girls.


    Old Man Fletcher had caused such a ruckus during the New Year Dinner G; he was undoubtedly


    telling the world that he was in favor of this washed-up actor! Those words of his made the crowd that


    used Taylor of riding on coattails disappear too…


    Michael thanked Mark repeatedly. In the end, the host wittily took back control of the flow, and Mark


    returned to his seat after handing the flowers over. When Michael finished drawing the lots for the lucky


    draw, he stepped off the stage to remove his makeup.


    In the meantime, the New Year Dinner G continued. The next time the camera panned toward Mark


    again, everybody noticed that Taylor Murray, who had removed his makeup and was now dressed in a


    suit, was sitting to the left of Mark while Ethan Winston and Joel Fletcher were sitting nearby too.


    Subsequently, the live broadcast camera kept panning over to Mark. Every time it did, it showed that


    Taylor seemed to be in deep conversation with Mark. Both middle-aged washed-up actors seemed to


    have jumped onto the express train to the pinnacle of life!


    Although the old man was in good health, he was still an old man. Thus, he left the venue early at 11 PM,


    and Michael saw him off. After midnight, Michael finally returned home. After changing his clothes, he


    continued watching the New Year Dinner G with everybody else.


    Harry yawned and muttered, “I’m never going again next year. I won’t go even if they beg me on their


    knees.”


    Previously, he refused when the New Year Dinner G had invited him to perform. After that, the crew


    begged him again and again. They asked him to be a ‘lucky member of the audience’ that would be


    chosen to help out a magician with his magic tricks as his assistant. Thinking that being an assistant


    would not be a big deal, he had agreed to the proposal. During the rehearsal, he discovered that the


    magic trick the magician was performing was cutting a living person into pieces! As there were several


    rehearsals and one official performance, he had, all in all, been cut approximately seven or eight times.


    Moreover, he was cut into three sections every time. It’s so emotionally draining… He then hugged


    Sarah, who was sitting on hisp and holding his hand, and they cuddled together.


    Amidst the sound of mahjong, everybody enjoyed a quiet and peaceful New Year’s. It was the first time


    Linus experienced the New Year’s. He found it very novel and couldn’t help having a couple of drinks


    too. They yed mahjong all through the night. After that, they had a small barbeque on the rooftop. By


    the time they finished barbequing, it was almost morning. So, they ate some dumplings and glutinous


    rice balls in syrup before returning to their respective homes.


    On the third day after New Year’s, Sophia and Nathan went to the militarypound where Old Master


    Fletcher was staying to visit for a few days. Old Master Fletcher had just celebrated his hundredth


    birthday. He had hosted arge birthday banquet, and the entire Fletcher Family had returned from all


    over the country to celebrate with him; the only exception was Michael. Michael had once said that if


    Elizabeth Murray was not recognized as part of the family, he would never step back into the Fletcher


    Residence again.


    Early in the morning, Sophia and Nathan took the car to the Fletcher Residence. When they passed by


    the Harper Residence, they saw Richard and X standing at the entrance having a screaming match.


    Sophia simply nced at it briefly before leaving. Recently, the Harpers had been very unharmonious—


    so much so that Mrs. Harper had been hospitalized. Serves them right!


    Then, Sophia’s car arrived at the militarypound’s gate. As it was a military zone, everybody in the


    car had to get down and undergo an inspection. Sophia got out of the car with Nathan, Hale held a


    suitcase, and Nichs followed behind.


    Although they were familiar acquaintances, they still needed to undergo a cursory inspection. Sophia


    stood by the gate, waiting for her turn. Standing beside her, Nathan saw the car parked not too far away.


    As the car window rolled down, a handsome but aged face entered his vision. Then, he tugged at her


    jacket.


    Rubbing his head affectionately, she asked, “What’s wrong, darling?”


    He was staring at the car stopped on the other side of the road. Thus, she followed his gaze and saw the


    car slowly driving away. All the windows were cked out and she couldn’t see who was inside it.


    Rubbing his little head, she smilingly said, “Alright, stop staring. When you’re older and you get your


    driver’s license, I’ll buy you a car like that. Okay?”


    He lifted his head to look at her. His small face was flushed and cute, but he seemed anxious. Unable to


    help herself, she reached out and pinched his cheeks with her gloved hands.


    The checks to enter the militarypound were quite strict. Not only the luggage but also the cat


    carriers were checked several times. Chrysanthemum, who was sleeping inside the cat carrier, was


    dragged out several times to be inspected too. After the inspection, Hale carried the suitcase and took


    the lead. Nathan followed behind him, and Sophia carried the cat carrier to bring up the rear. However,


    Nichs did not go inside.


    “Nichs, why aren’t you going in?” she asked puzzledly.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    Nichs nced at Sophia, and his mechanical voice sounded out. “Mom, this is a military zone. My


    program states that this is a restricted area. I cannot enter this ce. I will go back and wait at home with


    Dad for you and Nate toe home.” After saying that, it got into the car on its own. Then, a pair of eyes


    looked out at her from the window.


    Upon its reminder, she realized that Nichs was considered a highly intelligent robot. The military


    compound was part of the military zone, so unknown devices were not permitted to be brought inside.


    Although it was a robot, she felt a little reluctant to be parted from it. Thus, she could only let Hale go


    back with Nichs. They would be back to pick them up in a few days.


    Afterward, Sophia and Nathan entered the militarypound and arrived at the Fletcher Residence.


    They saw two old men ying chess at home in great spirits.


    “Cooper, you’re here? How is work? Are you tired?” Woody hurried over to ask as soon as he saw


    Sophia.


    Mark was feeling a little sulky. “Hmph, I finally hit my hundredth birthday with great difficulty. I can’t help it


    if Mikey won’te, but why didn’t youe? Hmph!”


    Looking at Mark, who was acting like a man-child, Sophia hurriedly went over to coax him. He wasn’t


    actually mad at her. However, she and Nathan had failed to attend his hundredth birthday banquet. Even


    though Michael had spent a lot of effort preparing a grand opera for him, he still felt upset every time he


    thought about it.


    She quickly smiled and cajoled, “Old Master, aren’t I here now?”


    He still wasn’t happy. “Then, why don’t you stay here for a few days?”


    “Sure,” she readily agreed.


    After that, he instructed the servants to ce Sophia and Nathan’s luggage in the room Michael used to


    live in. Today, Old Master Fletcher was in no hurry to drag Sophia over to y chess with him. Rather, he


    dragged her over to the gallery wall for a tour. The gallery wall at his house was akin to a history book.


    One could see photos of various major historical events in Cethos because he had personally


    participated in them.


    Recently, Mark had added two more pictures to the wall. One was a picture of his hundredth birthday


    banquet. He had taken a picture with all his children and grandchildren. Combined, they made a very


    large family. The photo was very spectacr—half of them wore military uniforms while the other half


    were not in the military. Those that were not in the military seemed to be faring well too. As for the other


    photo, it was a photo he had taken with Michael backstage during the New Year Dinner G. Michael


    had not even removed his makeup yet.