Chapter 372 Richard, You Shameless Jerk
Alexander replied, "Rest assured. I will protect Catherine with my life."
Years ago, while accepting an award overseas, Samuel had found himself stranded on a remote island. It was Alexander who led the rescue team that brought him back. From that day on, Samuel knew the man could be trusted.
Hearing Alexander's solemn promise now, Samuel gave a firm nod.
"Catherine, if anything happens, you tell the family. Marcus may be an old dog, but he can still handle a lot of trouble. And you've got your grandmother and me."
"I know, Grandpa."
As the shock of the evening began to fade, the most excitable person in the room turned out to be Juniper. She cupped her own cheeks, swaying on her feet as if the ground had gone soft beneath her.
"Catherine, I think I'm seeing double right now... Is this what pure happiness feels like? You're actually my idol! I must be the luckiest woman alive!"
George deadpanned, "That's just your astigmatism getting worse. Go change your glasses."
"You wouldn't understand! You don't have an idol. And why are you here alone? Where's Emilia?"
George rubbed the bridge of his nose, looking uncharacteristically awkward.
"We had a fight. She blocked me. I went to Blade of Dusk to find her, and she had me thrown out."
Juniper's eyes lit with gossip. "What? That's not like you at all. You just let her toss you out? No relentless pursuit?"
"It was my fault. I'll wait until she cools down."
When she pressed for details, George clammed up. Finally, with a look of mock authority, he said, "Little girl, don't meddle in grown-up business. If you're that curious, go get yourself a boyfriend."
And with that, he beat a hasty retreat, already planning to bring the gifts Aurora had bought to win Emilia over. Truth was, he had pushed too far. Emilia, still self-conscious about the burn scars on her skin, had feared he might find her unattractive. George, in his rush to reassure her, had kissed her without thinking... and one thing had led to another. The result was a furious Emilia and a block on every channel.
Now he was making daily pilgrimages to Blade of Dusk, waiting for her to appear. For the first time in his life, George realized that being in love sometimes meant playing the humble supplicant — and he didn't mind one bit.
Juniper watched him bolt from the room, baffled. "Has George lost his mind? If I were Emilia, I'd have blocked him too."
Richard's brow furrowed as he turned to Sophia. "Don't tell me you're also a member of the Galactic Aurora Collective?"
Sophia gave a lazy shrug, twirling a strand of hair around her finger in a slow, teasing loop.
"Come closer and I'll tell you. Too many people here. I'm shy."
Richard hesitated. Most members of the Collective preferred to keep their past buried — and for good reason. Still, Sophia was the most talented actress he had ever worked with, her command of emotion flawless. That thought tipped the scales, and he leaned in.
Sophia cleared her throat, leaned close to his ear, and whispered, "Guess what? … Nope, not telling."
Before the words had fully registered, she was already sprinting away.
Richard's eardrum was still ringing. "Get back here!"
"Nope! Serves you right for stealing my gigs!"
"We don't even work in the same category! When did I ever steal from you?"
Sophia ducked behind Catherine, rolling her eyes. "I had a brand deal locked in, and then they told me your team swooped in. Classy move."
It wasn't that she needed the endorsement. But losing it to Richard? Infuriating.
"Shameless!"
Richard looked genuinely baffled. "I haven't had a brand deal in months. And we're in completely different markets — how could I steal yours?"
Sophia pulled out her phone. "This perfume endorsement! The brand said your assistant approached them to take it from me."
It was an international luxury fragrance, the kind of deal that could boost an artist's market value overnight.
George frowned. "I never even got that job offer."
"I don't care! Keep pretending. No one does it better than you."
Sophia wrapped her arms around Catherine's waist. "Ms. Windsor, your brother bullied me. I demand compensation. Mr. Howard's company has several new perfumes — let me be the face of one!"
Catherine arched a brow. So that was the real goal.
Catherine said, "You can have Venus handle the negotiations."
"That's so much work!" Sophia turned her brightest smile on Alexander, eyes sparkling. "Mr. Howard, give me a shot. I'll sing your praises to Ms. Windsor every morning."
Alexander's brow lifted. "I don't need you to tell her my good qualities."
Every morning? Was Sophia planning to wake up next to Catherine? Bold.
He added, "As for the endorsement, talk to my secretary. If you fit the brand's fragrance profile, you'll be considered."
"No one's a better fit! I calculated the initial data for those perfumes myself. Hiring a top-tier researcher as the face of the line? That's a bargain."
Alexander's voice stayed cool. "If the researcher angle works for marketing, you're the obvious choice. If not, you compete like any other actress. Your endorsement fee isn't small — what's your edge?"
Sophia caught on. With a businessman, you had to speak in the language of profit.
"Our company's profit is Ms. Windsor's profit. You wouldn't want her working late nights just to cover research funding, would you?"
That landed. Even the Windsor family turned to Catherine, silently asking if she was short on money. Charles pulled out his phone, and within seconds, the sound of transfer notifications filled the air.
Alexander glanced at Sophia. "From now on, all your perfume endorsements are covered by the Howard Group."
"Mr. Howard, you're outrageously generous!"
Sophia left with a satisfied smile — but not before stomping on Richard's foot.
"Out of my way, shameless man!"
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