Free Web NovelChapter 40: Chapter 40: A Little Green on Top
Arabella Donovan was at a loss for words, fighting the urge to retort. The corner of her mouth twitched. "Just swap these two potted plants."
Seth Holt had calmed down by now and confirmed again, "Just swapping them will do?"
"If you want to change this arrangement, swapping these two plants will indeed suffice. It’s just..."
"It’s just?"
"It’s just that I noticed the dust accumulated under that pot. This arrangement has likely been in place for a long time, and the karma is already set. To change the final outcome, you not only need to break the arrangement, but it also depends on the choices the person within it makes when faced with numerous temptations. You must know that all things are fated. Sometimes, a single misstep can lead to an inescapable abyss."
Seth Holt’s expression soured at Arabella Donovan’s words, but Zane Lynch, being the sweet summer child he was, didn’t connect it to himself at all. He just assumed Seth had suffered some setback somewhere.
But comforting him was out of the question. After receiving several pointed glares, Zane Lynch finally noticed that his cousin and the person who was presumably his other cousin harbored a strange hostility toward Seth Holt.
He didn’t know where this hostility came from, but in such extraordinary times, his own skin was definitely more important.
After leaving the PR department, Zane Lynch took Arabella Donovan to a few smaller departments. Thankfully, no more trouble popped up.
They spent half the day touring the company’s various departments, big and small, and now it was time to check on the company’s artists.
In reality, however, the artists still hanging around the company at this hour were mostly overlooked nobodies, warming the bench.
Arabella Donovan had been somewhat expectant, hoping to find the Gary Stu protagonist who looked so much like her second brother, but after a look around, she couldn’t find a match.
’Don’t tell me... after Jacqueline Jennings’s downfall, the protagonist already latched onto some other cheat and secured new resources?’
A flicker of light in his eyes, Caspian Rhodes certainly wasn’t going to tell Arabella Donovan that the "Gary Stu protagonist" she spoke of had already been sent to another province for training, transitioning from a minor actor to a member of the production crew.
Arabella Donovan’s disappointment came and went quickly. No longer fixated on finding the protagonist, she looked up and her eyes met with a young man to her right who seemed to have his own built-in filter.
’Wait, this handsome guy...’
Eloise Donovan, who had little interest in these so-called celebrities to begin with and was drowsy from walking around all morning, instantly perked up the moment she sat down.
Even Caspian Rhodes pricked up his ears, thinking this was another suspicious character to watch out for. Who would have thought that in the next second, he’d hear Arabella Donovan’s slightly star-struck sigh.
’He’s ridiculously handsome! The kind you remember after just one look.’
The two of them: "..."
Eloise Donovan was both exasperated and amused. Following her sister’s gaze, she had to admit that her sister had pretty good taste. free𝑤ebnovel.com
In today’s entertainment industry, a comment like "memorable after just one look" was considered extremely high praise.
The male artist who had caught Arabella Donovan’s eye had regular, handsome features, with sharp brows and bright eyes. He had the vibe of a classically handsome man from twenty years ago, the kind who would look good in both historical and modern dramas.
Caspian Rhodes, however, felt a bit sullen. He sized up the male artist from head to toe and took the initiative to ask, "What’s your name?"
The man was taken aback for a moment. "Samuel Fulton."
’Samuel Fulton? He’s Samuel Fulton?’
Arabella Donovan’s eyes narrowed slightly; it seemed she hadn’t expected this pleasant surprise.
’No wonder he’s so strikingly handsome. This is the powerhouse who, later in the story, goes head-to-head with the cheat-powered protagonist based on pure skill, becoming the one rival the protagonist considered his lifelong, worthy adversary. What is wrong with this company? Benching such a promising talent while promoting that dynamic duo of idiots who faked their academic credentials, committed domestic violence, and slept with fans? If you don’t go bankrupt, who will?’
Arabella Donovan couldn’t resist sneaking a few more glances at Samuel Fulton, vaguely recalling the description of a certain character in Hector Donovan’s script.
’Speaking of which, his looks are a pretty good fit for the role Edward Pierce was playing in Second Brother’s production. In any case, Edward Pierce’s career has already imploded, and Director Grant is currently stressing about who to find as a replacement. Since this powerhouse can hold his own against the protagonist until the very end, with wins and losses on both sides, his skill and character must be impeccable. At least we wouldn’t have to worry about his career imploding mid-shoot.’
Caspian Rhodes’s expression remained unchanged, but a plan was already forming in his mind.
Zane Lynch also noticed that the group seemed to look upon this young artist with favor and cautiously probed, "Master Donovan, is there something wrong with this artist?"
"Nothing’s wrong. It’s just that, observing his facial features..."
"You can read faces, too?" The moment Zane Lynch’s astonished words left his mouth, he was met with a scolding in unison from two people: "Shut up."
Zane Lynch: "..." Fine, I shouldn’t have opened my mouth.
Arabella Donovan, however, turned in surprise to glance at Caspian Rhodes and Eloise Donovan.
’Since when were Mr. Rhodes and Fourth Sister so in sync? Did something happen between them that I don’t know about?’
The two of them: "..."
"Observing this gentleman’s features, I see the bearing of a Hidden Dragon in the Abyss. Although his recent circumstances may be unsatisfactory, given time and opportunity, he will surely soar high, a dragon ascending to the nine heavens. His potential is limitless."
"Really?!" It was no wonder Zane Lynch was excited; this was practically the only good news he had heard all day.
Spurred by Arabella Donovan’s words, Zane Lynch finally gave Samuel Fulton a proper look.
That one look was all it took. He realized this was indeed a rare talent. The people in his company must be getting paid for nothing! To let such a promising talent sit idle and gather dust in the company was a reckless waste of a gift from heaven!
Seeing Zane Lynch’s "astounded by a heavenly being" reaction to Samuel Fulton, Caspian Rhodes struck while the iron was hot. "This artist is an actor, right? Didn’t your company just have someone around his age whose career imploded? Slot him in as a replacement. You might get a pleasant surprise."
Arabella Donovan’s eyes lit up, her gaze on Caspian Rhodes practically glowing.
’Mr. Rhodes has such good taste! He thought of the same thing I did!’
The corners of Caspian Rhodes’s lips curled up slightly as he remained a silent benefactor.
Since his own cousin had spoken, Zane Lynch naturally had no reason to refuse. Of course, he himself also thought it was a good suggestion.
Samuel Fulton never imagined that he, who had been given the cold shoulder by his agent, would suddenly see a light at the end of the tunnel, hit by a stroke of luck that came out of nowhere.
After his initial shock, he quickly suppressed his inner joy and thanked everyone. As for the other artists who hadn’t been singled out, their eyes were red with envy.
There’s nothing more unsettling than when everyone is in a race to the bottom, and suddenly one person ascends to the heavens on the spot.
Samuel Fulton paid them no mind. Good fortune was indeed enviable, but opportunities are always reserved for those who are prepared. He was confident he could seize this lucky break, and that was the fundamental difference between him and them.
After seeing the last of the artists left in the company, Arabella Donovan’s task was more or less complete.
Just as she was hesitating between leaving with Eloise Donovan or accepting Zane Lynch’s invitation to stay for dinner, she saw a young man in his early twenties suddenly walk over from a distance.
However, the first thing Arabella Donovan noticed wasn’t his handsome, celebrity-like face, but...
’Holy shit, why is his head so green?’
