Chapter 17


    Joe raised his eyebrows for a moment.


    Some matters in the business world were sensitive, but asking certain questions, such as the non-


    renewal of contracts and the signing with otherpanies after the contract ended, was normal.


    So, it wasn’t very impolite when Leo asked such a question.


    Joe initially didn’t intend to hide anything, but as he was about to answer Leo, he suddenly changed his


    mind.


    “We at XR Entertainment are indeed striving for it on this matter. I heard that Sylvia from M&L Studio


    was formerly the chief designer at Palmer Jewelry. But since the contract with on our side. Mr. Palmer,


    am I right?” Joe pointed out.


    your side expired, it’s legal and count for us to strive for M&L Studio


    “Of course,” Leo said slowly. His hand slipped into his pocket, his index finger rubbing against his


    thumb.


    “I’m not afraid you willugh about this, Mr. Daves, but I came to CTR today to I’m understand the


    situation. If you have already signed with M&L Studio, I’m afraid I’ll have to reflect on it when I go back.”


    Leo added.


    Joe’s beautiful eyes curved. He said, “I thought Mr. Palmer came to interfere in our contract signing. It


    did make me worry for a moment. After all. Sylvia has been cooperating with the Palmer Group for


    three years, so you have a significant advantage.”


    “If our advantage is significant, they wouldn’t have gone to someone else.” Leo said self- mockingly as


    he raised his head to meet Joe’s gaze. “Your concerns are understandable. Now that I understand


    Sylvia hasn’t signed with you, I’m afraid we’ll have to opete for it a bit, Mr. Daves.”


    Joe sighed heavily. Leo couldn’t figure out if he soundedzy or troubled.


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Joe replied, “Actually, I thought the signing matter was settled, but I waited the whole morning without


    seeing Sylvia, and I couldn’t get in touch with her either! Designers are so ter


    Leo chuckled. “It seems like it depends on which of ourpanies put in more effort,” he responded.


    Joe nodded firmly. “Yes!” he said.


    It was hard to believe they were at odds just now from the harmonious appearance of


    these two at present.


    Mon, 22 Jan


    Leo raised his hand to look at his watch and said, “It’s not early anymore. I have to head back. You can


    go have lunch early, Mr. Daves.”


    Joe waved goodbye to Leo with a smile and said, “Mr. Palmer, take care. I won’t see you.


    off.”


    When Leo finally departed, the handsome smile on Joe’s face disappeared.


    He touched the bruised corner of his mouth and winced lightly.


    “That b asta rd. He put in quite a lot of strength in that punch, Joe thought.


    Walking into thepany, Joe raised his phone to take a selfie, sending it directly to the group


    “Protectors of Our Little Sister.”


    Joe sent a message with it. [Proud to be injured in protecting Madison. Extremely proud!]


    Wesley responded instantly. [What’s going on, Joe? Which ba st ard bullied Madison again?]


    Antoine replied, [Where’s Madison? Is she okay?]


    John sent a text, too. [Already called Jessica. She’s fine. She’s having dinner with a friend, so everyone


    can stop worrying about it.]


    The chat group instantly fell silent.


    Joe looked at the chat history in astonishment, his eyes wide.


    So, in the eyes of these five people, there was only their little sister. None of them cared about him at


    all?


    What a group of men! All they cared about was Madison!


    Just as he was about toin about them, he received a message from Madison.


    She texted, [Joe, have you applied the medicine to your face? Does your wound still hurt? I’m sorry. I


    didn’t consider your feelings just now and simply left.]


    There was a second message. [By the way, Joe, have you had lunch yet? If you haven’t,e over to


    where I am now. The food hasn’t been served yet. I ordered your favorite. It’s a bit far from your


    food to be served when you arrive.]


    Joe felt a sweet and bitter feeling spread in his heart.


    Madison was indeed the best. She knew to care about him, unlike those five annoying


    13-00


    Mon, 22 Jan


    guys who were nothing but irritation!


    He replied immediately. [Don’t wait for me. You guys go ahead and eat first! I’ll be there in a while.]


    The Rose Garden was a restaurant in Sidovor City that was well-known and a bit


    entric.


    The reason was that its location was too remote, and the number of diners was limited. every day.


    Ordinary people who wanted a taste had to reserve a seat a month in advance.


    In therge Sidovor City, only a few people had the qualifications to enter the restaurant without a


    reservation, and even fewer could have the heir of an imperial chef, Greg Hond, to cook for them.


    When Joe arrived at Rose Garden, Madison and nche had just started eating.


    Seeing Joee in. Madison immediately stood up to greet him. “Joc, you’re here!”


    Joe grinned and said. “You guys go ahead and cat first. Don’t get up. I still have a while.”


    Joc intentionally brought medicine and took it out to apply it to himself.


    Leo’s punch was really solid. Thank goodness his aim was slightly off, or else Joe would have lost a


    tooth! If that happened, then it would have ruined his charming face.


    “Joe, let me help you apply it. Madison offered. She was full of guilt when she saw Joe. Joe wouldn’t


    have suffered like this if it weren’t for her.


    “If it doesn’t trouble you too much, Jessica,” Joe said..


    Joe immediately handed Madison the cotton swab and medicine and obediently sat beside her.


    Madison applied the medicine very seriously to his face. “Joe, if it hurts, just say it.”


    “It doesn’t hurt!” Joe said immediately. He grinned. The instant he did, pain shed. through him, and


    he gritted his teeth. His grin vanished at once.


    Madison sighed helplessly, lightening her touch as she applied the medicine. Joe, control yourself a bit.


    If you injure the corner of your mouth further, it may ruin your


    appearance.”


    “Lass, are you making fun of your brother?” asked Joe. He took out his phone, opened the camera, and


    took a selfie. He looked at himself. “I’m still quite handsome.”


    After saying that, Joe secretly sent this photo to the chat group and then put away the


    phone.


    “That is why, Joe, you must protect your face in the future and not get injured again,” Madison


    reminded him.


    She didn’t pay attention to what he was doing. After applying the medicine, she took a hot towel and


    wiped her fingers clean.


    nche, who was invited to lunch, witnessed everything with warmth and envy in her eyes. She spoke


    up. “The bond between you siblings is good. It is enviable. By the way, I heard Mr. Daves calling you


    Jessica just now. Is that your nickname?”


    Madison nodded. There was a warm smile in her eyes. “Yes. It’s the name my biological parents gave


    me.”


    Joe added with a smile, “Originally, my mom wanted to use it directly as her full name, but it sounded


    too ordinary, so we kept the name she had used in the Hale family.”


    The Hale family didn’t choose Madison’s name, so it wasn’t awkward to keep using it. It was said to be


    a gift from Edgar when the Hale and the Palmer families arranged a marriage for their children.


    If Madison had any good memories of Sidovor City, it was probably the deceased Edgar.


    Thinking about it, the light in Madison’s eyes dimmed a bit. “Alright, let’s eat quickly. The food is getting


    cold.”


    “Yes. Let’s hurry up and cat!” Joc agreed.


    As Joe gantly served soup for the twodies, he said, “By the way, Miss Malone, have you been


    considering what we discussedst time?”


    nche paused. She said, “The terms you gave are very tempting, Mr. Daves. To be honest, anyone


    would be tempted, especially someone like me who has been cklisted online. But I don’t understand.


    Wouldn’t you be making a bad deal if you sign me on?”


    “How could it be a bad deal?” Joe went on to exin, “Miss Malone, you are beautiful and naturally


    suited for this industry. As for being cklisted by the entire inte, one


    could say


    that you are indeed very popr! You are a top-tier star with high visibility! How could I incur losses?”


    The soup that was ced in front of nche was still emitting steam.


    She wondered if she would be kicked out of the entertainment industry if she poured the soup at him.


    But before she could make a choice, Joe spoke again. “Baseless scandals, once rified, can turn all


    haters into loyal fans. As for those who are overly packaged as wless celebrities, they will eventually


    face real online bacsh.”


    nche suddenly looked up. She was quite shocked. “You trust me?”


    Joe smiled and said. “You spoke up for my sister. How could I not trust yYOUR


    nche’s thoughts were in turmoil.


    She lowered her gaze. At that moment, a news notification popped up on her phone. “The lost heiress


    of the wealthy Daves family in Rozalia. Jessica Daves, has been found. The Daves family donates 100


    million dors to assist the police in establishing a tform for finding lost children.”


    Jessica Daves.


    The name exploded in nche’s mind like a bomb.


    nche raised her head abruptly, wondering. So, Joe and Madison were siblings from the Daves


    family in Rozalia, a prestigious familyparable to the Palmer family?’