CHAPTER 49: CHAPTER 49: ZANE THORNE’S RETIREMENT BECAUSE OF GIDEON SHEFFIELD

Natalie Vaughn furrowed her brows. She didn’t understand why so many people were asking her this question. James Vaughn did, Phoebe Quinn did, and now Felix Langdon too.

From her perspective, she was simply curious about Zane Thorne, curious about why someone like him would retire at his peak and leave the arena he loved.

But others didn’t seem to think that way.

So she asked back.

"What is your definition of like?"

Felix Langdon’s eyes flickered. What is like? What is love? Who can provide an answer? He didn’t know. But for that so-called like, for that so-called love, he was covered in scars.

Even now, he’s still trapped in a cage.

He couldn’t break free, so he entangled, making it impossible for the other person to escape.

Felix Langdon curled his lips but didn’t continue to press further. In his view, Natalie Vaughn had already started to fall in, she just didn’t know it, or maybe, she just wouldn’t admit it.

Finally, Felix Langdon gave Natalie Vaughn a name.

"I know he left the arena because of Mr. Thorne, but I don’t know the exact reason."

Gideon Sheffield...

Natalie Vaughn softly muttered this name, her brows slightly knit together. This name was not entirely unfamiliar to her, but she couldn’t remember when she had seen it or when she had heard it.

When Theodore Langdon came in holding a glass of milk, the office was oddly quiet.

He looked at Natalie Vaughn, then at Felix Langdon, and spoke out in confusion.

"What’s going on?"

Natalie Vaughn lowered her gaze, regained her composure, and looked once more at Felix Langdon.

"When does this movie start filming? How long will it take?"

Felix Langdon got up, took the script from the desk, and handed it to Natalie Vaughn.

"I’ll ask the director to focus on filming your scenes first. If the shooting goes smoothly, it should take about two months. Get familiar with the script these days. I’ll arrange for an acting coach and a martial arts instructor to guide you."

Felix Langdon paused.

"It might be tough. It’s best if you can join the crew within two weeks."

Natalie Vaughn flipped open the script, scanned through it, and roughly understood why Felix Langdon offered her this role.

From the innocent and adorable junior sister to a later blackened descendant of an enemy, always a highly skilled heroine, her role involved about seventy percent martial arts. Without some foundation, it indeed seemed to be a highly challenging task.

She also noticed the director and producer.

Even though she wasn’t in the industry, she’d heard of these names before. Their national fame and reputation were excellent, no wonder it was said to be a major production.

Natalie Vaughn closed the script.

"Aren’t you afraid I’ll mess up?"

After all, she was a newcomer with no acting training and quite a significant role. If she didn’t perform well, it might even affect the entire film.

Felix Langdon smiled a little and asked.

"Don’t you believe in yourself?"

He had watched all the videos on Natalie Vaughn’s account. Her face and figure were well-presented on camera. Most importantly, Natalie Vaughn was not afraid of the camera, her demeanor was natural.

A crucial trait for an actor is to withstand the camera.

And he thought that with Natalie Vaughn’s personality, she would definitely push herself to do well in whatever she decided to do.

Natalie Vaughn put down the script, took the milk Theodore brought in and took a sip, lazily shrugged her shoulders, and casually moved her legs.

Detached.

"Anyway, if it’s bad, you’re the one losing the money."

Felix Langdon chuckled, as if money was the least concern for him.

Theodore Langdon understood now; in the short two minutes it took him to grab milk, Felix Langdon had somehow convinced Natalie Vaughn to agree to act.

"Sis, don’t let Felix fool you."

Felix looked up and glanced at him.

"Chloe Fletcher has been asking for your WeChat lately, should I give it to her?"

Theodore Langdon’s face darkened at once.

"No, definitely not!"

Chloe Fletcher was the half-sister of the Fletcher Family’s playboy. The first time she watched Theodore’s performance, she fell for him, and she has been relentlessly pursuing him ever since. She would find ways to attend every one of Theodore’s shows.

Yet, despite her intentions, Theodore Langdon showed no interest and reacted as if he’d seen a ghost every time he saw Chloe Fletcher.

Felix Langdon chuckled and ignored him, turning to ask Natalie Vaughn.

"How about having Zoe Chandler help you for a while? The one who just handed you the business card."

Natalie Vaughn had no objections.

She wasn’t planning to stay in the entertainment industry for long, so it didn’t matter who guided her. Of course, since Felix Langdon arranged it, it wouldn’t be a bad option.

After waiting outside for nearly half an hour, Zoe Chandler came inside with the answer she was anticipating.

"This is Natalie Vaughn. She’ll be playing the third female lead in this series ’Rise of the Emperor’. Please focus on this for now."

Felix Langdon paused and inquired with Natalie Vaughn.

"Sis, you can also hand over your account to Zoe for management."

Natalie Vaughn was just wondering how to handle the series of videos with Theodore Langdon, and now that there’s a professional to assist her, she naturally was pleased. She picked up the business card she received downstairs again, lowered her gaze, and then stood up to shake Zoe Chandler’s hand.

"Please take care of me during this period."

Zoe Chandler immediately shook hands in return.

"Miss Vaughn, don’t worry. I’ll do my best to make you a new star in the country!"

Hearing this, Natalie Vaughn only slightly curled her lips and smiled, saying nothing.

Zoe Chandler couldn’t quite grasp Natalie Vaughn’s reaction, but after they left the office, Theodore Langdon patted her shoulder and whispered in her ear.

"My sis was just tricked by Felix to act in a movie for fun, don’t worry about it."

Zoe Chandler: ?????

Such a big production, just for fun?

Is her hearing wrong, or is Felix crazy?

...

Somehow, James Vaughn heard that Natalie Vaughn was going to act in a movie. That evening, after Natalie Vaughn had just finished revising her plans for opening a studio, she received a call from James Vaughn.

"Mom and Dad want you to come home."

Natalie Vaughn was surprised and glanced at the time on her phone.

"Now?"

"Right now, immediately, at once."

Natalie Vaughn’s brows furrowed, detecting an unpleasant tone from James Vaughn’s voice.

"What happened?"

James Vaughn snorted coldly.

"You really have grown up, doing whatever you want!"

Natalie Vaughn wanted to keep asking but was cut off.

All along, James Vaughn appeared to keep her in line, but in reality, he spoiled her, usually letting her do whatever she wanted and even indulging her in slightly outlandish things.

Even he was this angry...

The only thing Natalie Vaughn could think of was agreeing to act in Felix Langdon’s film during the day.

Half an hour later, Natalie Vaughn returned to the Vaughn Family.

Contrary to her expectations, her parents weren’t overly angry. It was James Vaughn who kept a stern face.

Mr. Vaughn gestured for Natalie Vaughn to sit beside him.

"Nina, I heard from your brother that you’re planning to act?"

Natalie Vaughn glanced at James Vaughn and didn’t hide anything.

"Felix Langdon is a good friend of Zane Thorne’s. I went to him initially to help with my account issues. Then I found out a third female lead in his company’s invested film had dropped out, and the role needed martial arts skills. Considering it just would take two months to shoot, I agreed."

After saying she added.

"I actually wanted to try acting."

She knew her parents were mainly concerned because the entertainment industry was chaotic, fearing she’d face grievances there. But as long as she mentioned Zane Thorne and presented her interest, her parents wouldn’t press too much.

They likely just wanted her to take care of herself and for James Vaughn to look after her.

The hardest to persuade was James Vaughn.

He seemed particularly adverse to her getting involved with the entertainment industry.