Suspicion

"Second Brother, I heard your movie is about to be released. Congratulations." Seeing Eric not saying anything, Audrey had to initiate a conversation herself.

"Oh, thanks. And I wish you success in today's audition," Eric replied.

Speaking of that, there was a hint of confusion on Audrey's face.

"Are you the director of that drama? I didn't hear any news about this." Audrey asked.

Eric raised an eyebrow slightly, "What! If I were the director, would you want to get closer to me for a backdoor opportunity?"

Audrey shook her head, "No, I'd rather use my own skills to secure the role."

A complex emotion flickered across Eric's face as he looked at Audrey seriously, "Did your car accident affect your brain?."

Audrey was a bit puzzled by this sudden question, but she answered truthfully, "It did indeed, but it wasn't severe, just a minor concussion. I'm fully recovered now."

Eric frowned. "That's it?"

Audrey stared at him in shock.

[What does he mean by "that's it"? Is he implying that I wasn't injured enough?]

Eric rolled his eyes; he was simply curious about how Audrey had changed, especially with the subtitles above her head.

No matter how he thought about it, this was too strange.

"I'm not the director of this TV show; I just have a good relationship with Dean. He asked me to come and review the audition," Eric explained

Audrey nodded in understanding.

Eric paused for a moment and then suddenly said, "But your performance was decent."

Audrey responded with a nonchalant "Hmm" and then asked, "Just decent? Does Second Brother think I have a chance of getting this role?"

Eric had stayed with Dean until the end of the auditions, so he already knew the results. However, he wasn't planning to reveal them. He said, "They'll notify within three days, and today was the first day, so just wait patiently."

While Audrey was talking to Eric, his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, and his expression immediately changed.

He didn't answer the call right away; instead, he went upstairs.

Audrey could tell that the caller was annoying Eric, but that wasn't her concern.

She still had to think about what gift to give Uncle Gary next Saturday. She couldn't afford something too expensive, so she had to focus on the thought behind the gift.

Maybe she could make something herself.

But what could she make?

Audrey had been pondering this until she passed by Uncle Gary's study room while heading upstairs. It suddenly occurred to her that she could make a personalized bookmark.

After returning to his room, Eric's phone had stopped ringing. He didn't take any action, just calmly waited.

As expected, less than a minute later, the ringtone sounded again, with the same caller ID as before.

He picked up the phone, and a cold female voice came from the other end.

"Your father's birthday is coming up?"

Eric suppressed the frustration in his heart and replied, "Yes, don't you already know? The invitation should have been delivered."

Amanda was quite displeased with her son's attitude. "How can you show no concern? Are you waiting for your elder brother to take charge before you're thrown out?"

Eric retorted angrily, "Are you all so obsessed with the position of the Lance family head? Is it really that great?"

Amanda chuckled disdainfully, "Whether it's great or not, haven't you felt it yourself? Take your movie-making, for example. How much hardship have you endured while seeking sponsorship? If you secure the position of family head, why would you need to toil so hard? By then, you'd just need to speak a few words to get the funds you need."

Eric didn't immediately respond. While preparing for a movie, he initially thought that the hardest part was making the film itself, but he hadn't expected the most challenging aspect to be the issue of funding. His films were not very commercial, making it difficult to attract sponsors.

Amanda continued, "Since you understand its importance, pull yourself together and try to please your father. Get him to arrange a position for you in the company."

Eric responded coldly, "I don't want to work in the company. I just want to make movies."

Amanda's breath became heavier with frustration. "How did I end up with a son like you? All you think about is ignoring your responsibilities. Look at your elder brother—he has already brought those old folks in the company under his control. If you don't start working hard now, it'll be too late."

Eric spoke somewhat awkwardly, "He had the capability from the beginning."

"You shouldn't build his ego," Amanda scolded angrily. "Come over tomorrow and take the gift I've prepared back with you."

Eric impatiently replied, "You can deliver it yourself."

Amanda retorted, "Deliver it myself? Do you want me to embarrass myself in front of so many people?"

Eric snorted inwardly as he thought to himself, "So she does know that it's embarrassing."