Chapter 259

After taking the picture, he muttered jealously, "Here I am, slaving away, and I'm nothing but chopped liver."

"You have a bright future, Charles. I look forward to meeting you at the top," Austin said, offering nothing but praise. He saw in Charles the man he once was—a man who would do anything to chase his dreams.

Charles cracked a bashful grin. "I'll do my best!"

"Nath, take a picture of Charles and me," Skylar said, handing her phone to Natalie.

Natalie was about to take the picture when she realized she hadn't given Austin the cookies. Hastily, she presented them to him. "Mr. Powell, I made these myself. I cut the sugar and butter in half, so they're definitely healthier than store-bought ones!"

Austin was surprised to receive the cookies. He recalled his early days as an up-and-coming actor, when few reporters interviewed him on tour. The host would only ask him a random question after interviewing the main stars. "What about you, Austin? What's your favorite food?" His answer then had been butter cookies. After gaining a manager, he'd learned to use a template for interviews, gradually hiding his true preferences. He'd assumed Natalie's claim of being a longtime fan was an exaggeration, but now it seemed genuine.

"Thank you," Austin said, his tone sincere.

Natalie grinned. "Oh, don't sweat it, Mr. Powell. It's just a token of my appreciation for all your hard work."

Meanwhile, Joe, playing golf, noticed a familiar figure. He wasn't certain it was Skylar, but a closer look confirmed it. Paul, instinctively following Joe's gaze, blurted, "Oh, it's Ms. Sullivan! Is she a fan of Austin Powell?"

Joe's attention snapped to the name. "Austin Powell?"

"He's an actor. He's won Best Actor several times and has countless awards and fans worldwide. His movies always sell out."

"I'm a fan too! Of course, he has more female fans. Hell, even my sister and mother love him. He's a walking heartthrob."

Paul craned his neck, surprised Skylar was a fan. A sudden thought struck him; he jerked his head back to Joe. Seeing Joe's narrowed eyes focused on Austin, Paul's heart sank. Was Joe jealous?

"One of the actors is Charles. He's probably Ms. Sullivan's brother. Maybe she's here to visit him?"

Joe remembered Skylar mentioning a visit to Charles that morning. He was about to approach them when a woman blocked his path. The moment he recognized her, his expression turned cold.

"Mr. Martin, please give me another chance! Even criminals get a second chance! I've known you for years, we have mutual friends. I crossed the line bothering Skylar," Annie anxiously pleaded.

The Silver family had been a mess. Her father had reprimanded her mother for not controlling her and had ordered her to beg Joe for forgiveness. She'd made repeated mistakes at work, trying unsuccessfully to meet Joe. Even Rowan had told her to resolve Joe's anger herself. After waiting patiently, she learned Joe and Rowan were golfing and rushed to see him that night, abandoning her work.

Joe's eyes were icy, his displeasure evident.

Natalie, checking a photo of Skylar and Charles, saw Joe and exclaimed, "Joe?"