Chapter 150: Chapter 148: What Overflows from the Chest is Despair (Part 4)
Zeke Marshall smiled at her. "Don’t worry, Sis. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. I’ll find a job."
Nora Ainsworth suddenly spoke up. "If Zeke’s dropping out of school, why doesn’t he become my agent?"
Chloe Marshall spun around, dumbfounded. "Nora, have you decided to break into the entertainment industry?"
Nora Ainsworth said honestly, "I’ve already dropped out of school, and I’ve shot two commercials. Chloe, I’ve made up my mind. Even though I’m just a nobody, I can make decent money by shooting one or two commercials a month and playing supporting roles. It would be better to have Zeke stay by my side."
Zeke Marshall said in disbelief, "Nora, you’ve shot commercials? You want me to be your agent? That’s amazing! I’ll do a great job! I’ll listen to everything you say!"
Chloe Marshall smacked him on the back of the head. "If you mess this up, I’ll kill you!"
Nora Ainsworth nodded. "It’s no problem, Chloe. You’re Ethan Ellsworth’s assistant now, so just teach Zeke what you know. I’m sure he’ll be fine. As for salary, Zeke, what’s your rate?"
He looked a little embarrassed. "Nora, I don’t need any money. I’ve never done this before, so I’m sure I won’t be very good at first. I’ll take a salary once I get the hang of it."
"Yeah, Nora. Don’t pay him. It’ll be good experience for him."
Nora Ainsworth shook her head. "No way. No one should work for free. How about this, Zeke? We split my earnings fifty-fifty, okay?"
Chloe Marshall shook her head. "Nora! No way! You can’t give him that much. A ten-ninety split. He gets ten percent. That’s still plenty. That’s final!"
Zeke Marshall nodded. "Let’s do that. I’m more than happy with that, Nora."
Nora Ainsworth could only relent. "Alright, then. Once you get more experience, I’ll slowly raise your commission."
With the matter settled, Mr. Marshall, who had been silent the whole time, also looked very pleased.
After the discussion ended, Chloe Marshall took the bus to work, Mr. Marshall left for the construction site, and Zeke Marshall headed to his school to pack up his books and clothes. Nora Ainsworth was left all alone in the unfamiliar house.
She sat on Chloe Marshall’s bed. ’Whenever I’m alone, truly by myself, my heart aches unbearably. That’s why I need to be around people, to put some distance between me and him. Then I won’t feel like I’m the only person left alive in this world.’
’With time, he’ll forget me. From now on, it’s better if we never meet again. It’s enough for me to bear this alone.’
’After all, I’m destined to a life of solitude.’
’If I’d known this would be the outcome, I should have decisively stayed away from him the moment I crawled out of that river.’
’But it’s too late. This dream was just too long.’
’Perhaps I’ll never forget him, but those feelings will be mine alone to bear. I should have sealed all of this away in my memory the moment I left him.’
’If we meet again someday, I’ll greet him with my head held high. I know I can do it.’
The moment Chloe Marshall got to the office, she saw Ethan Ellsworth walking ahead. She jogged up to him. "Boss Ellsworth."
"Yeah." Ethan Ellsworth glanced at her sideways and asked casually, "Did Nora call you?"
Chloe Marshall wasn’t sure if she should tell him the truth, so she countered, "Why do you ask?"
Ethan Ellsworth stuck one hand in his suit pocket and loosened his tie with the other. He walked so fast that Chloe Marshall had to run to keep up.
He pushed open his office door and strode inside. "I don’t know what got into those two. They just suddenly broke up without any warning."
Chloe Marshall nodded. "Nora called me this morning and told me about it. She didn’t give me a reason, though, so I don’t really understand it either."
Ethan Ellsworth sank into his chair and asked, "So she’s at your place now?"
"She is. It looks like Nora is planning to get into the entertainment industry. My little brother dropped out of school and has decided to become her agent."
Ethan Ellsworth snorted with laughter. "Your brother? How old is he? He’s going to be an agent without any professional training?"
"He can learn. Nothing’s impossible to learn. Actually, Boss Ellsworth, I was wondering if you could ask our big boss if it’s possible to sign Nora. If the company promotes her, I don’t think it would be hard for her to become a star." She knew it was a long shot, but it seemed like Ethan Ellsworth was the only one who might help.
"Sign her? To my agency?" Ethan Ellsworth sat up straight. "I’ll talk to the president. It’s his call whether to agree or not, but it’s my call whether to ask."
Hearing this, Chloe Marshall nearly jumped for joy. "Thank you, Boss Ellsworth!"
Ethan Ellsworth shot her a glare. "Idiot. What are you thanking me for? I’m not doing it for you."
Chloe Marshall grinned. "Helping Nora is the same as helping me."
Ethan Ellsworth pulled open the door and headed toward the president’s office.
Their agency didn’t have many artists, but every single one was a major star. Even their supporting actors were well-known names. The company didn’t typically groom newcomers from scratch; they usually signed rising stars who already possessed a unique talent.
But Ethan Ellsworth decided to help her just this once. ’Friends should lend a hand when they can.’
As soon as he entered the main office, President Harding waved him over. "I was just about to call you. Speak of the devil."
Ethan Ellsworth sat down across the desk from him. "What’s up?"
President Harding said with a wide smile, "I saw the commercial you filmed with that newcomer, Nora Ainsworth. I hear she hasn’t signed with an agency yet."
Ethan Ellsworth seized the opportunity. "So, you’re saying you want to sign her, Boss?"
’I can’t believe it,’ Ethan thought. ’The president brought it up himself before I even had a chance to ask.’
"I find her beautiful, with a look that has real staying power. She has a special charisma. It wouldn’t be difficult for her to become a star. If we don’t sign her soon, another company will snatch her up. I hear you know her, so get in touch and see if she’s interested. Tell her that if she’s willing to sign, the company will personally develop a television series for her and cast her as the female lead."
Ethan Ellsworth tapped his fingers on the desk. "Boss, what are the terms of the contract split?"
"The same as yours."
"I’ll get in touch with her. I’m sure she’d love to become my junior here." Ethan Ellsworth’s lips curved into a faint smile as he left the office.
Before he even made it back to his office, Chloe Marshall came jogging over. "Boss Ellsworth, what did he say?"
Ethan Ellsworth put on a grim expression and said nothing.
Seeing his face, Chloe Marshall’s heart sank. "Boss Ellsworth, did the president say no?"
"He agreed. Told me to have Nora come in."
"Really?!"
Ethan Ellsworth replied nonchalantly, "Of course. I went in person. They have to give me some face."
"You’re amazing, Boss Ellsworth! Should I call her now?"
Seeing her grinning from ear to ear, Ethan Ellsworth walked into his office. "Go ahead."
He walked over to his desk and saw a new newspaper lying on top. The headline was striking: Jean Grant’s Wedding to be Held on the 8th of This Month!
His hand trembled slightly as he picked up the paper. He stared at the article for a long time before a single word escaped his lips: "Bullshit."
That’s what he said, but seeing the news with his own eyes, he couldn’t stop his heart from turning to ice. ’She’s really grown up... getting married now. I suppose I’ll have to give her a big red envelope, won’t I?’
