CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 50: THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CALL BETWEEN THEM

Mr. Vaughn, upon hearing that Natalie Vaughn wanted to try acting, didn’t object. His daughter could play with whatever she wanted, it was harmless.

But Mrs. Vaughn had some concerns.

"Nina, you’re going to register your marriage with Zane soon. This acting thing... have you talked to him about it?"

It’s not that Mrs. Vaughn is traditional or feudal; after all, they’re getting married, which means no longer living alone. This decision to act should at least be mentioned to him.

Natalie hadn’t planned to tell Zane, but since it was a contract with Felix Langdon, he would find out eventually. However, hearing her mom’s words, Natalie began to have ideas.

"He went to Altara yesterday for business; I haven’t had a chance to tell him yet."

Upon hearing the word Altara, James Vaughn, who had been pulling a long face next to them, reacted, lifting his gaze to look at Natalie. Those eyes shifted, clearly scheming something.

As expected.

"Mom, why don’t I call him now so you can feel assured?"

James snorted coldly, gritting his teeth, thinking that Natalie was being unmotivated, using their parents for a man.

But before he could voice his opposition, Natalie had already taken out her phone to call Zane.

James: ...

Mrs. Vaughn was actually pleased to see Natalie getting along well with Zane, which eased her worries.

Zane was probably busy; the call was about to hang up automatically when it finally connected.

"Hello?"

The man’s voice was husky and sullen, as if he had just woken up.

Natalie furrowed her finger, unsure what to say after the call connected.

On the other side, Zane endured a headache as he glanced at the screen.

"Natalie?"

The man curled his fingers against his aching, pulsating temple, then got out of bed to pour a glass of ice water, clearing his mind significantly.

"What’s up?"

Natalie glanced at her parents, who were keenly watching her, before pursing her lips.

"Felix approached me to help with a movie, and I agreed. Mom wanted me to call and see if you had any thoughts."

Zane’s eyes still carried the drowsiness of someone not fully awake.

He figured this was why Natalie suddenly thought to call him.

"If you want to act, just act. I don’t have any objections."

Zane didn’t believe that getting married meant Natalie needed to make changes for the family; her life was for her to arrange on her own terms.

Acting in a movie for fun was no big deal, with Felix involved, there wouldn’t be any problems.

Natalie had long known Zane wouldn’t care about such things.

"I know, it’s just that my mom isn’t at ease and asked me to ask."

The other side responded nonchalantly, followed by the sound of a lighter.

He was smoking again.

Zane always smoked when he was irritated.

He went to Altara to meet Gideon Sheffield, the man who forced his retirement...

Natalie didn’t know what else to say, and Zane wasn’t one to talk much, leaving both sides silent, yet neither said to hang up.

It was only when Mrs. Vaughn reminded her that Natalie stammered and asked.

"When... will you be back?"

Zane chuckled shortly, not giving a definite time.

"In a couple of days, I’ll hurry back."

Natalie murmured in response, sinking back into silence.

It was these kinds of phone calls that Natalie wasn’t good at, better to communicate face-to-face, at least she’d be able to gauge the other’s reactions.

This international call ended after just these few brief exchanges.

The man stared at the glaring sun outside, smoking one cigarette after another, until the ashes fell completely, then wiped his face with his hand, dressed, and headed to the hospital.

Meanwhile, because of this call, Mrs. Vaughn’s worries were completely dispelled.

James was still gloomy as he led her to the study.

Once inside, James directly stated.

"I disagree with you acting."

Natalie carefully examined James’s expression, seeing it was unprecedentedly serious, she adjusted her demeanor too.

"Why?"

"The entertainment industry isn’t as simple as you think. I didn’t force you into the company after graduation, and I supported your choice to start your own studio. The only condition is you’re not allowed to wade into the entertainment industry’s murky waters."

The Vaughn Family hasn’t laid much ground in media, but James often attends various banquets and encounters many old executives’ partners, none of whom aren’t major figures in the entertainment industry.

The entertainment world is both deep and dirty, he doesn’t want Natalie stepping in, even knowing no one dares to harm her.

"I’m just acting in one movie, not seriously playing in the entertainment industry."

James snorted coldly.

Felix is a smiling tiger, his sister is far too naive and innocent.

"You’re acting in Director Lawson’s major work that’s been in preparation for several years. You think you can easily withdraw? Felix is a businessman, Nina; just in this one movie, you’ll have to entangle with lots of issues."

He wasn’t sure what method Felix used to convince Natalie to act, but if it happened once, it would happen again. Felix is full of schemes, he’s just worried about repeated occurrences.

But Natalie had none of these concerns.

"Brother, you’re just overthinking."

"Is it me overthinking or you underthinking?"

Rarely did Natalie see James so angry, she stepped forward and clung to his hand.

"I owe Felix a favor. Will acting in one movie lead to any troubles for me? With him watching over me, Langdon Entertainment is at least a media powerhouse. Besides, isn’t there you too?"

James gave Natalie a sideways glance, and seeing this, she pressed on, shaking his hand.

"The Vaughn Group hasn’t been able to break into the media landscape, hasn’t it? You can take advantage and invest; with me here, partnering with Felix would be killing two birds with one stone, right?"

This finally made James yield a bit.

The Vaughn Group indeed lacked a suitable opportunity to enter the media sector.

He looked at Natalie, somewhat surprisingly.

"You’ve learned quite a bit these past two years."

Natalie blinked.

"I’m still your sister, after all."

This flattering remark successfully softened James.

If James was mistaken, besides Mr. Vaughn and Mrs. Vaughn, it was him who was rather hopeless in resisting Natalie’s sweet talk.

However, James still made a request.

"You just focus on filming this movie only, don’t get carried away, I’ll assign you an assistant."

"Felix made arrangements on that side."

James shot her a cold glance.

Natalie immediately raised two fingers.

"Alright, alright."

After discussing this matter, James shifted the topic to Zane.

"Why did he go to Altara?"

Natalie wrinkled her nose and pursed her lips.

"How should I know."

James raised an eyebrow.

"You don’t know?"

Natalie didn’t speak.

James didn’t press further, only gave her a word of advice.

"You two will be getting your marriage certificate soon, which means starting a family. Between husband and wife, you should openly communicate if there’s anything, bottling up will eventually lead to issues."

Natalie nestled into the comfy beanbag chair, casually saying.

"Don’t worry, we don’t have feelings, what’s there to happen?"

James chuckled meaningfully.

"If there’s no affection, cultivate some."

He knew his sister well.

If the other party was too dull, this marriage definitely wouldn’t last.

If it can work out, it means Zane is Natalie’s type; developing feelings is only a matter of time.