Chapter 356 Waiting
The news about Zachary's accident spread quickly, and it wouldn't be long before the shareholders started making noise again.
After hanging up the phone, Charles grabbed his coat, ready to head to Percy Group.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed with a text message. He glanced at the screen.
It was from Stella.
Stella: [Charles, I need your help with something.]
At that moment, Stella was sitting in her car, nervously biting her nails as she stared at the screen.
She had just left Percy Mansion not long ago when her new agent sent her a message.
Stella had won the Best Actress award, and now the most important thing was to start transitioning and solidifying her position as an actress.
So her agent had chosen a script from a well-known director, and the casting was already underway.
Stella's competitor was also auditioning for the role, and the director seemed quite pleased with her.
Thus, her agent wanted Stella to ask Charles if he could make an introduction. After all, Percy Group was a major investor in the film.
An introduction was essentially leveraging financial power.
If the investor designated the lead actress, who would dare to be dissatisfied?
This film, whether in terms of storyline or production team, was top-notch. Landing the lead role would guarantee awards and box office success.
Stella was tempted by her agent's words; she didn't want to see her competitor get the role.
She absolutely wouldn't lose to anyone, no matter who it was.
Right now, she was Charles' fiancée, and using that status wasn't a big deal.
Stella kept reassuring herself, but her lip-biting betrayed her nervousness.
She feared Charles would refuse.
Her phone vibrated twice, and Charles, as usual, was succinct.
Charles: [Go ahead.]
Stella took a deep breath and sent a voice message, her tone soft and pitiful.
"Charles, my agent just told me that Cruz's new movie is about to start filming. I'm at a critical point in my career and really want to compete for the lead role. Can you help introduce me?"
But this time, Charles didn't reply immediately. Just as Stella was starting to doubt if he was angry, a message finally popped up.
Charles: [Don't know him, can't introduce.]
The cold words pierced Stella's heart through the screen, her eyes reddening as she pondered her response.
Charles sent two more messages.
[If you want the lead role in this movie, talk to Nolan. I'll have him send you the contract.]
[Besides that, any roles you want in the future, you can discuss with Nolan. I'm busy and don't have time for this.]
Stella's face lit up, and she sent a cute "thank you" emoji.
So, he was just busy with work.
Moments later, Charles sent a voice message, his tone flat and emotionless.
"No need to thank me. This was part of the deal I offered you before; you can claim it anytime. But as the lady of Percy Group, I hope you can be more independent. Don't come to me for things like this."
After listening to the voice message, the car fell into an eerie silence.
Helena, the assistant driving, also heard Charles' words. She tried to control her expression, pretending she hadn't heard anything.
Behind her, Stella let out a frustrated scream, her hand clenched tightly, her perfectly manicured nails digging into her palm, leaving crimson crescent marks.
Every time she managed to find a tiny detail to comfort herself, Charles would shatter her illusions the next second, drawing clear boundaries.
No matter what, she was just the lady of Percy Group. Her position was only because Percy Group needed a public figure.
It wasn't because Charles loved her; even a marriage certificate was a luxury.
The joy of getting the lead role was completely overshadowed by resentment.
Stella opened her phone and replied to Charles: [Okay.]
She pressed send heavily, thinking to herself, 'Even if you don't love me, you can only have me by your side.'
Suddenly, the face of the little boy she saw at Percy Mansion flashed in her mind.
Her eyes darkened, and she sent a message to Oliver: [Dad, help me look into someone.]
At the Percy Mansion.
Benjamin sat on the steps at the entrance, his gaze fixed on the villa's gate.
Beside him, Snowy lay obediently, allowing him to pet it.
Jacob came out of the living room and saw Benjamin still sitting there. He walked over to persuade him, "Benjamin, come inside and wait. It's windy out here."
Since Charles went to the company, Benjamin had been sitting at the entrance waiting.
The servants had tried to persuade him initially, but he didn't listen.
Considering he was a child full of energy, they thought he wouldn't sit for long and stopped worrying.
Unexpectedly, an hour had passed, and he was still there.
"No need, Mr. Hearst. I want to wait here so Dean can see me as soon as he comes in."
Benjamin stubbornly shook his head.
However, now that Charles wasn't around, he had a better idea.
He blinked his adorable round eyes and looked up at Jacob.
"Mr. Hearst, why don't you have the driver take me directly? Dean and I can meet halfway, saving a lot of time."
But Jacob, despite seeming easygoing, strictly adhered to Charles' special instructions.
He smiled and shook his head, "No, you must wait for your uncle to come. I can only hand you over to him."
"That's Mr. Percy's order. If I don't follow it, he'll fire me when he gets home. I'm an old man, how would I survive without this job?"
Saying this, Jacob even pretended to cough twice.
Benjamin immediately believed him.
After all, Jacob's face was full of wrinkles, looking as old as a tree spirit from a fairy tale, and his job seemed very tough.
Especially working under Charles.
Benjamin sighed like a little adult, patting Jacob's hand to comfort him.
"Mr. Hearst, if Mr. Percy doesn't want you, I'll take you in. You can take care of me, and I'll have my mommy pay you. I'm definitely easier to take care of than Mr. Percy."
Jacob was amused by his innocent words. Benjamin, though resembling Charles, was much more considerate than Charles was at his age.
He must have grown up in a loving environment, how wonderful.
Jacob smiled and nodded, speaking softly, "Then wait here, I'll go to the kitchen and get you some snacks."
Benjamin's eyes lit up, "Okay, okay."
Verdantis Airport.
Due to weather conditions, the airport was continuously announcing flight delays.
One of the delayed flights was headed to Rainbow Federation.
Dean's face was grim as he tried to control his emotions while speaking to the airport staff.
"Excuse me, miss, I have a very important matter in Rainbow Federation. My flight keeps getting delayed, I need to switch to another flight."
The staff maintained a polite smile, her tone very official, "Sorry, sir, we don't support switching flights. You can wait for further updates; the flight is delayed, not canceled."
Dean gritted his teeth, "Fine, I'll buy a new ticket to Rainbow Federation."
"Sorry, sir, today's only direct flight to Rainbow Federation is this one. Alternatively, you can purchase a ticket to Celestria and transfer."
Before she finished speaking, Dean turned and walked away.
He went to a corner and punched the wall in frustration, his knuckles turning red.
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