Chapter 165

Samuel wouldn't give Charles a chance. He wanted to demonstrate the Williams family's absolute authority in Jipsburg, highlighting that Charles and Skylar were mere country folk in the city. Challenging the Williams family was like bringing a knife to a gunfight.

Leaving the building, Samuel was called by the assistant director. Samuel smirked, believing the matter settled. "Have you gotten rid of Charles?"

The assistant director exploded. "Cut the crap. Does Charles have backing? Is he just an extra? What's his background? Are you deliberately making things difficult for me?" He continued, "Samuel, you think your few lead roles make you smarter than me in this industry?"

Samuel was bewildered. "What?"

"Fuck you, Samuel!" The assistant director lunged, aiming a punch. "I've been in this industry longer than you. I'm tired of your tricks! Are you trying to replace me with your people? The director is family; he won't let you succeed."

Samuel dodged the punch, shouting, "I have no grudge against you! My grudge is with Charles!" He was lucky to have avoided the blow; a hit to the face would have been disastrous.

The assistant director calmed down. "You don't know?"

Samuel scowled. "Know what?"

"I suggested replacing Charles, citing risk. The director scolded me and wants to give Charles more scenes. He warned me to avoid trouble with Charles; if anything happens to him, I'm out. He refused to explain further. Charles must have powerful backing. Tell me the truth—do you know who's supporting him?"

Samuel remained puzzled. "What backing could a country bumpkin possibly have? Did the director get fooled?"

"You think the director's easily fooled?"

The assistant director admitted he'd considered currying favor with Charles, hoping to benefit from his potential success, but the director had stopped him. "I've transferred the $20,000 back," he said, then stormed off.

Chapter 165 (continued)

That night, a realization hit Samuel like a bolt of lightning. He clenched his jaw. "Skylar, you keep denying the sugar daddy business! Who are you trying to fool? You used your sugar daddy to back Charles, right?"

Samuel seethed. Later, he saw the film crew's group chat buzzing about Charles, far more than about him, the male lead.

The female lead asked, "Charles, do you know Mr. Querbach personally?"

The second female lead added, "If Charles didn't know him, why a villa?"

The second male lead suggested, "Charles, drinks tonight?"

Charles, though mentioned repeatedly, didn't respond—not from aloofness, but shock. A butler had personally escorted him to a villa. He had only a bag and Skylar's shopping bags. He was supposed to be in an apartment. Why the butler's attentiveness and the villa?

"Mr. Sullivan, is the villa satisfactory? If not, I can arrange another. Three are available," the butler said.

Charles, unnerved, stammered, "It's not that Did you make a mistake? I'm only the fourth male lead. I should be in the apartment."

The butler smiled. "You're Mr. Charles Sullivan, right?"