Arrogant Man VS Unyielding Woman

Her eyes starting to swell and flush red, Avery felt a surge of astonishment as she looked at Moore. She couldn't believe her ears and eyes at the feeling that Moore seemed to finally show care for her.

The atmosphere in the car seemed to have solidified at the moment. Moore noticed and turned to Avery and then to everyone around him. His eyebrows furrowed into confusion and asked, "What's wrong? Why are you all staring at me that way?"

Jean nodded at him and shook her head with a smile. "Well, we just want to agree with you. You are right, Moore." Without waiting for Moore's response, she turned to Avery and apologized, "If things didn't happen as I expected, you would suffer from that in the end, so I should probably apologize. But don't worry, I'll take responsibility whatever happens."

Avery shook her head at Jean and said, "Jean, don't say it like that. I know you did that for my own good, and no matter what happens, I won't blame you for it." She gave Jean a reassuring and sincere smile.

Jean's eyes lit up once more in response. "Really?" She was delighted as she heard Avery's intention. "I haven't met anyone, who supports me this much. You are the first one, Avery." Jean placed her hands on her chest. "Wow, it feels amazing to be trusted by my idol!" As if on cue, Zed and Moore exchanged a glance, giving each other a bitter smile and shaking their heads as they looked away.

It was funny how both of them thought of the same thing that Jean would be more stubborn and difficult to argue with now that she had Avery's support.

Jean noticed their exchange but ignored them and turned her attention back to Avery. She placed both her hands on her lap and said, "Then again, I didn't expect that Albert would have given Adolf away in the end. He is so unpredictable and cunning." She paused as she hesitated whether or not to ask the question, but she couldn't help it, so she shook her reluctance away and asked, "Avery, were you aware about all these? If there was anything wrong with Adolf's feelings for you throughout these years?"

Shaking her head, Avery gave Jean a bitter smile before answering, "I really have no idea. Besides, Adolf is pretty private and secretive. He usually keeps his thoughts to himself even when I ask. Plus, he has always treated me harshly and strictly when it comes to work. To be honest, until now, I still can't decide whether or not it's true."

"If you ask me, I think it's definitely true. Don't forget that you are so beautiful and charming inside and out, and that you have a lot of admirers. If there's anyone in this world who doesn't like you, then I'm pretty certain that he must be blind," Jean replied and subtly looked at Moore. She was referring to him, because he was Avery's crush and yet he claimed to not feel the same way about Avery.

Understanding immediately who Jean referred to, Avery gave her a look, reminding her silently that her words would embarrass Moore.

However, Moore didn't seem to have heard or if he did, looked affected by Jean's words as he was checking his cellphone.

It didn't look like he was pretending as he was so peaceful and relaxed. Either he didn't hear or he didn't understand what Jean was trying to point out.

Jean then felt really upset as she couldn't figure out anything to change Moore's mind.

'How can he be so blind with someone as gorgeous as Avery in front of him?

What type of girl is he fond of?' Jean thought, frowning as she still couldn't find a way.

Nobody said a word after, and the car was slowly being enveloped by an awkward silence.

Zed didn't know if he should turn the stereo on or not. Instead, he cleared his throat, breaking the silence, and asked, "Are you guys hungry? We haven't eaten properly, so do you want to have the late-night snack again tonight?"

Jean smiled at Zed and gave Avery a quick glance before returning her eyes at Zed. "Avery didn't have the dinner at all. Let's go for a meal," She replied and nodded.

Smiling, Avery turned to Jean and slightly shook her head. "Oh, I'm all right. I usually don't have dinner to keep slim, but if you insist, I'll just have an apple."

Jean's eyes widened in surprise, and her mouth gape open. "What? Just an apple? For dinner? Aren't you hungry? Do you feel satisfied with that already? No wonder you're so slim. You have been starving yourself!" Unconsciously, she took a good look at Avery and put on an envious look, wondering if she could have the same figure as her. After a moment, she shook her head. "I don't think I can starve myself. It would kill me if I eat anything less than my stomach needs," she said with an indignant look.

"I already have gotten used to it." Avery paused and heaved a deep sigh before adding, "It has been a long time since I kept that habit, so my body has already adjusted. Until now, I feel like I'm almost forgetting what it feels like to be full."

Jean looked at Avery with sad eyes. She couldn't help but feel sympathy towards her. "Oh, Avery, that's not good. You need to have some food tonight. Forget keeping yourself slim. Your stomach doesn't feel well these days, so you need to eat, or else, I'm afraid that your health will be compromised, and you won't be able to do your work properly."

"Jean is right, Avery," Zed said with a nod, interrupting them. "If you want to keep slim, there are other ways. Why do you have to starve yourself? It's really dangerous to your health."

"Other ways of keeping slim, you mean, doing exercise? I already have thought of that, but I don't have so much time on my hands." Avery appreciated the help and smiled bitterly as she added, "Honestly, it's not easy to be a celebrity. Only a few understand how much suffering we endure and sacrifices we make to be and to keep being in the industry."

She felt really helpless about that. She had to manage her body as she was a celebrity, but she was so busy that she couldn't find any time for exercising.

Jean immediately noticed the helplessness in Avery's eyes. She placed a hand on top of Avery's hand, trying to comfort her in this way.

Avery looked at Jean's hand on top of hers and gave Jean a huge smile. As the corners of her lips are lifted up, she placed her other hand on top of Jean's, comforting her in return and reassuring her that there was nothing to be worried about.

They stayed that way for a moment and broke away. As Jean stared at her side of the window, she suddenly thought of something and asked, "Avery, did you mean it when you said that you won't leave Adolf first?"

Avery took a while to answer, and when Jean turned to look at her, Avery nodded her head. "Yes, I won't leave him first."

Jean's eyes furrowed in confusion and at the same time surprised. "Why?" Jean asked.

"Well, you see, he really helped me a lot with my career. In addition, young celebrities are more preferred than the old ones, unless you're really talented in your craft, and I know myself that I won't also be doing this for the rest of my life, because for sure, once wrinkles start to form on my face, there would be few to none who would still admire me. No one will need me any more. No manager would want to work with a celebrity like that as well,"

Avery explained, feeling her anxiety and fear once more. She had always thought about these kinds of thoughts before her sleep or during the shower. Saying it out loud surprisingly made her feel a little burdened and bothered.

Jean became silent as she thought about Avery's thoughts about the matter. She suddenly felt sorry for her.

Jean placed a hand on Avery's shoulder. "You need to be tough, but don't forget that we will still be here for you. And, I believe that knowing all this, you are already preparing before you get old." She sniffed trying not to feel emotional and comforted. She then thought of an idea and asked, "A lot of celebrities have their sideline jobs nowadays. Avery, do you have any sideline or investment?"

"Well, I..." Avery gave Jean a weak smile and shook her head. "I've been busy acting and shooting ever since I became a celebrity. There was no time for me to do that."

"Oh," frowning, Jean said with a serious look. "You need to talk to Adolf and ask him to spare you more time to rest from now on. And..."

Before Jean could finish her words, her eyes lit up as she thought of another sudden idea. She leaned over at Avery and whispered, "The doctor had advised Moore to have three more months of rest since he just got out of the hospital after the car accident. So, I suggest that you take this opportunity and ask Moore to help you with that. Wasn't he a smart student? He must know more than the others and be good at investing. Of course, you need to trust him first."

Avery's eyes lit up as well. "Of course, I surely trust him." She felt delighted to Jean's advice and turned to Moore at once.

Noticing their whispering, Moore looked up and happened to meet right into Avery's eyes.

Avery's face immediately flushed red. She smiled at Moore and then moved her eyes away immediately, feeling the surge of embarrassment.

Jean giggled as she witnessed the scene.

Hearing Jean's giggle, Avery felt more embarrassed and gave Jean a glare before turning her head away to look outside the window on her side.

Jean felt more amused to see Avery's reaction.

Frowning, Moore was totally confused as he didn't say anything but stare at Avery and Jean. He didn't know what happened with them or what they had exchanged.

On the other hand, Zed gave Jean a tender and gentle look. She had put on an amused face, giggling every now and then. He smiled at this and shook his head helplessly. The car finally arrived at the Qi Mansion.

They all got out of the car in silence and proceeded into the house. Hearing the door open, Zelda rushed out of the kitchen and greeted them with a smile on her face. "Mr. Zed, the snack is already done as you ordered." Jean's eyes widened at this. "The late-night snack?" She turned to look at Zed. "You really prepared the late-night snack!"

"Yeah, because I believe you are all hungry by now," Zed said and gave Jean a smile back.

Jean was delighted at once and turned to Avery with a smile as she said, "Avery, you have to have more tonight, okay?" Avery put on a bitter smile and replied, "Sure, I guess."☐☐☐☐☐☐☐