CHAPTER 49: CHAPTER 49: DID HE BULLY THE CHILD AGAIN?

"Hey little one, you shouldn’t be driving if you’re not an adult yet. Go back and focus on your studies," Anna Thornton patted Florian Hollis on the shoulder.

"I’ll be eighteen next month!"

"Then let me wish you good luck with your driving test in advance!"

Just as Anna finished speaking, a man dressed in a flashy pink casual suit and a small hat suddenly burst in.

"This is my manager," Florian introduced, "I originally wanted a pretty lady manager, but was worried the fans might get jealous."

So, to equip Florian with an appropriate manager, the company specifically selected a male from a team with a male-to-female ratio of 1:100.

Truthfully, the profession of a manager requires a well-rounded skill set. When managing an idol, you must have a strong sense of fashion and completely break away from the stereotypical male aesthetic.

Under such circumstances, expecting the manager to be a straight man would be asking too much.

Anna glanced at Florian’s manager, Kevin Jacobs, noting his limited edition handbag that she couldn’t get last week, and matching flashy nail polish and eyeshadow: "Switching to a... well-dressed male, wouldn’t your fans be even more worried? Maybe more concerned?"

"Of course not..."

"Ahhhh!"

Florian’s voice was drowned out by Kevin’s scream.

"Oh my god, let go of your hand! You, you, you... I mean you!"

Kevin Jacobs walked in with a florid gesture, directly swatting away Anna’s hand from the young man’s shoulder, then anxiously paced around the room as if a threat was present: "Where is it? Where is it? Did you install a pinhole camera in this room? Luring our Florian in, with what purpose? Let me tell you, our little Florian is still a minor, be careful not to break the law!"

"And you, what are you doing with that phone? Trying to take intimate pics for some scandalous romance?" Kevin Jacobs pointed at Mary.

Mary looked innocent: "I... didn’t."

"I don’t believe you, I want to check your phone."

"I really didn’t... I was just replying to a WeChat message."

"Kevin, stop scaring people! I’m having a good chat here and I trust they haven’t taken any photos," Florian interrupted his manager’s paranoia, pointing to Anna, "After all, I just asked her out and got rejected by this beautiful lady."

"Oh dear, my little ancestor! You’re not even of age, what are you talking about dating?"

"It’ll be next month, shouldn’t I book in advance? You promised that once I turn eighteen you wouldn’t stop my normal physiological and psychological needs."

"But we have to plan it carefully!" Kevin Jacobs chuckled while advising him, "You can date, but we also need to give your fans time to accept it, right? You can’t just start dating the day you turn eighteen, it might seem a bit... hasty, not good for your image. I’m not stopping you from dating, just saying we can’t announce it yet, it needs to be kept quiet for a while."

"How long?"

"At least... two or three years. In many fans’ eyes, you’re still a kid, those motherly fans can’t handle you suddenly growing up. We need to transition slowly, showing them your growth. Plus, even if you date, you need to pick the right person, don’t get caught up with... a scandal queen like her!"

Kevin Jacobs spoke, quickly pulling Florian behind him.

He looked at Anna as if she was a kidnapper ready to take his child away at any moment.

Anna finally understood why Florian could confidently assure that his fans weren’t worried about Kevin Jacobs leading him astray.

Because this manager... is basically his mom fan, right?

Seeing the protective look on the manager’s face, Anna raised an eyebrow: "The scandal queen’s topic is set for today, but who knows about tomorrow. To be safe, better keep your artist away from me."

"Florian, we’ve got several more engagements this afternoon. The car’s waiting at the company entrance, and the fans are waiting on-site, we’ve got to hurry over."

"Wait... I haven’t finished my snack."

The manager kept trying to drag the young man out like rescuing him from a spider’s web, while Florian turned back to pick the snacks Mary had packed.

He took two extra macarons, and as he passed Anna, he winked: "I think your afternoon tea tastes better than Marilyn’s, hers is too sweet."

Anna: "Good taste."

"Though, when it comes to men, both of you have poor judgment!"

Anna: "..."

"Hahaha! But you’re a lot more interesting than she is, remember to follow each other on Weibo."

Kevin Jacobs: "Little ancestor, let’s go!"

...

After Florian was whisked away by his manager, Anna and Mary exchanged glances: "So, this is what domestic idols are like?"

"It’s all about internet traffic economy these days, just having a good face is enough," Mary explained, "But he is really handsome!"

Mary, even though she was called an aunt, couldn’t blame Florian for anything due to his looks, and she couldn’t help but be moved. Indeed, a good-looking boy can be forgiven for anything.

Florian’s presence was an exception; other than that, everything else was within Anna’s expectations.

That afternoon, except for Florian and his manager, no other colleagues came by.

Anna and Mary had been isolated since their first day at the company.

A day without work was quite relaxing, and with someone helping her with child care, Anna and Mary were planning to find a place to relax and enjoy after leaving the company.

Who knew she’d receive a call from the Sterling Residence?

The call was from Granny Chandler: "Miss Thornton, are you free to come back and talk to the little Miss? She refuses to eat."

"Refuse to eat? How is that possible?!"

Having raised Pop this far, Anna knew the child’s best trait was that she never worried the adults about eating.

So hearing that Pop refused to eat, Anna’s first reaction was: "Is it Conrad Sterling, right? Did he bully the child again?"

"Well..."

"What is he doing!"

Hearing Granny Chandler’s hesitant tone over the phone, Anna knew she had guessed right.

She rushed back immediately, finding Conrad Sterling and Pop both in the dining room.

The two sat across from each other, the older one with a dignified and superior posture, exuding an intimidating aura from a distance. The little one huddled in a high chair, looking aggrieved.

The table was set with dinner, but neither would touch it.

Tonight, the table was filled with delicious dishes, and among them, braised pork. Pop stared at the plate of shiny, mouth-watering meat in front of her, drooling onto her chin. She sniffed, resisting the temptation to eat.

As soon as Anna returned, the little one found an outlet for all her grievances, pouting: "Mommy!"