Chapter 394 Serving Mr. Hearst
"You like showing off so much, I'll sell you to the circus so you can show off all you want."
After saying that, he threw her into the passenger seat, then climbed into the driver's seat and sped off.
Amelia didn't have time to fasten her seatbelt, her head hit the headrest, making her dizzy. "Where are you going?"
Christian glanced disdainfully at her feet. "You could say I'm in a good mood and being kind, taking you to the hospital to get some treatment."
Amelia pulled the seatbelt and fastened it, not wanting to accept his kindness. "I'm really lucky to have Mr. Young personally take me to the hospital."
"Still so arrogant in the entertainment industry? Are you that famous or well-connected? With just one word from me, I can blacklist you easier than squashing an ant."
Amelia thought back to her years of frustration, her dreams unfulfilled, crying at home every day. She didn't fight, didn't stir up scandals, didn't use underhanded tactics, and several roles she had secured were snatched away.
She worked so carefully, step by step, diligently, memorizing lines better than anyone, putting in more effort than anyone, and what was the result?
Still bullied? Still losing to those popular actresses who could only recite numbers?
So she figured it out. Since she wasn't going to be famous anyway, she might as well be her true self.
"Yeah, to squash an ant, you at least need to find an ant, and I'm right here. With one phone call, no one in the entire entertainment industry would dare to hire me, and my career would be over. But I really don't care. Even if no one blacklists me, I'm still not popular. Taking roles no one else wants, getting cursed out by netizens, losing hair from staying up late, while others only remember the popular actresses showing their legs. Honestly, this path is exhausting. Being blacklisted would be great; at least I wouldn't have any more illusions."
Christian felt that personally driving Amelia was already giving her immense face. She should be grateful and obedient, listening to whatever he said.
But Amelia dared to talk back?
And not just talk back, but a whole string of rebuttals.
Not only that, she was complaining about the unfairness of the entertainment industry in front of him, a big boss in the industry, implying that the circle was dirty. Wasn't this a slap in his face?
"If you can't make it big, don't be jealous of others' resources. If you have the ability, get yourself trending and crush those popular actresses you look down on. You're even more disgusting than they are."
Amelia leaned back in her seat, the pain coming on, her feet feeling like they were on hot coals, hurting so much she wanted to cry. "I don't have that kind of ability, so I won't fight anymore. Thank you, Mr. Young, for taking me to the doctor. Once my feet are better, I'll just run errands, deliver food. Maybe with the connections I've built, I can get more orders."
Christian cursed under his breath.
He shouldn't have gone out of his way to help her, letting her fend for herself would have saved him the headache.
Ashley having a sharp tongue was one thing; she was a lawyer, making a living with her words. But where did Amelia get her sharp tongue from?
"Amelia, the reason you're not doing well in the entertainment industry is probably because of your sharp tongue. People like you deserve to be unpopular."
Not sweet-talking, not quick-witted, given the chance to ride in the big boss's car, and she still didn't know how to lower her stance and be submissive?
Serves her right!
The second time Sven hosted Damian, his attitude was a complete turnaround. Last time he held his head high, this time he bowed so low he almost shined Damian's shoes himself.
After the last incident, Damian had skinned him alive, and he still hadn't recovered.
His heart was bleeding, but he had to smile brightly.
The work inspection went smoothly, with Sven accompanying the whole time, answering questions in detail. Even though it wasn't his project and he wouldn't earn a penny, he worked tirelessly, like a diligent free laborer.
Not only that, Freya personally cooked and hosted a dinner at home to invite Damian.
A home-cooked meal was the highest form of hospitality, showing their attitude towards Damian.
Even Esme, who had flown to Rochester City, was called back by her parents to accompany Damian.
Sven's private residence was halfway up a hill, with the sea in front and mountains behind, a prime location.
In Sven's humble words, Damian and Ashley arrived.
Freya warmly welcomed them. "Mr. Hearst, it must have been a tiring journey. Please come in, this way."
Ashley remembered the stories about Freya.
The decisive and formidable Freya, the strategist and wife behind Sven.
Today, she was as gentle as an ordinary housewife, wearing an apron.
The last time she saw her on the yacht, she couldn't connect that image with the housewife in front of her. This woman could actually cook?
Indeed, truly powerful people can adapt to any situation.
Ashley felt like she had learned something.
Damian responded indifferently, "Thank you."
Ashley played the role of a secretary, nodding and smiling. "Thank you, Mrs. Bergstrom, for personally cooking. I'm lucky to be with Mr. Hearst today."
Freya had already seen Damian's female secretary, her composure and grace more like a companion without a title than a secretary.
Of course, how many wealthy men's female secretaries are just secretaries?
Freya smiled and led them inside. "My cooking isn't great, but I wanted to make a few dishes for you to try. If you don't like them, the kitchen has prepared other options. Mr. Hearst, what kind of food do you like?"
Ashley casually replied, "Mr. Hearst prefers light, non-greasy food."
As Damian walked in with long strides, a hint of softness appeared in his sharp eyes, but it vanished before anyone noticed.
Esme was furious at Damian's domineering behavior, convinced he had overreacted last time, so she wasn't planning to be friendly today. Out of politeness, she said, "Mr. Hearst, Ms. Astor, nice to see you again."
No need to look closely to see the sarcasm in her eyes.
Ashley understood Esme's mindset, which made her seem genuine and unpretentious, not deeply scheming.
If she could hide her emotions and still smile in front of her enemies, then she would be someone to watch out for.
"Ms. Bergstrom, you look even more beautiful than last time. Your skin is well-maintained, and your earrings are lovely."
Ashley complimented what she genuinely saw, sincerely.
Even if Esme didn't appreciate it, she wouldn't be offended.
Sure enough, Esme's expression softened, and she smiled lightly. "Thank you, Ms. Astor, you're beautiful too."
After some polite exchanges, the guests and hosts took their seats.
Damian naturally sat at the head of the table. According to etiquette, the seat to his right should belong to Sven, but Freya smiled and pulled her husband aside, saying, "He's clumsy, how can he serve Mr. Hearst? Ms. Astor knows Mr. Hearst's preferences best, you sit here."
Ashley was displeased but remained calm. She didn't want to sit next to Damian and declined, "Mrs. Bergstrom, you're too kind. Mr. Hearst doesn't need anyone to serve him, and this isn't proper."
Damian said softly, "Mrs. Bergstrom is considering that my arm injury hasn't healed and it's inconvenient for me to serve myself."
Ashley had just found an excuse, but Damian pulled her back, so she had no choice but to sit.
Sven took the opportunity to ask, "Yes, Mr. Hearst injured his arm last time, a comminuted fracture. Even with the best treatment, it can't be used forcefully for a while. Is it better now?"
Damian frowned. "Not very handy."
Freya pressed Ashley's shoulder and smiled. "Ms. Astor, we'll trouble you to take care of Mr. Hearst for us."
So, Ashley, who should have sat at the end of the table, ended up sitting to Damian's right, making them look like a couple at first glance.
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