Chapter 169 Live Own Lives
Warmth spread within Nathaniel’s chest. He gently stroked Christina’s head and coaxed, “Be good, and I’ll bring you there again on the next holiday.”
Christina wiped her tears away and muttered her acknowledgment.
On the way back, she fell asleep, leaning against Nathaniel.
By the time she woke up, she was already back in the Scenic Garden Manor’s master bedroom.
Charlie had promised his mother he would end his relationship with Linda.
To repay Linda for her years of companionship, he took out a check and set it on the table.
Linda’s gaze skimmed through the amount on the check, and panic struck her. “Charlie, are you really breaking up with me?”
She couldn’t believe the man who had promised her the title of his wife was breaking up with her.
Refusing to explain further, Charlie casually said, “I understand you’ve sacrificed a lot over the years, so this amount should be enough to guarantee you a carefree life.”
Over the years of being with Linda, he had given her plenty of things. He had never treated her unfairly when they were together.
Hence, he didn’t feel much guilt or burden when he decided to leave.
“I don’t want money! I want you! Charlie, I’m sorry. I’ve learnt from my mistake now. Please don’t leave.”
Tears began to stream down Linda’s face. She balked at the thought of him returning to Julia’s side.
Charlie had no intention to be a part of her act. He rose from the couch and stated, “You can just throw my stuff away. I’m too lazy to pack them. Let’s live our own lives from now on. As for Francis, he’ll always be my son.”
With that, he walked straight to the door.
Linda hurriedly chased after him and clasped onto his arm. “Charlie, please. I’m begging you. Please don’t leave me. I won’t do something like that ever again.”
Charlie sighed, but since he already made a decision, there was no reason for him to drag his feet.
He flung her hands away and strode through the front door.
Seeing her auempt at stopping him fail, she cast a look at her housekeeper and then pretended to lose consciousness.
She crumpled to the floor.
That was the cue for the housekeeper to race over to Linda’s side and shout, “Mr. Hadley, Mdm. Macall has fainted. Mr. Hadley…”
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Charlie’s steps halted, but he didn’t look over his shoulder.
Noting his pause, the housekeeper began yelling louder, “Mr. Hadley, please call for the ambulance! Mdm.
Macall has fainted! Her face is so pale!”
Charlie clenched his fists tightly and continued leaving, not sparing even a glimpse at the urgent calls of the housekeeper.
When his car had driven away, the housekeeper said resignedly, “You can quit the act, Mdm. Macall. Mr. Hadley has left.”
Linda’s eyes snapped wide open as she got up from the floor and stretched her neck to peer at the front
door.
The housekeeper’s right. He and his car are both
gone!
Immense regret flooded Linda, but the feeling of bitterness from losing was stronger.
She balled her fists from anger. Julia Hanks, do you think you can snatch Charlie away like this? I won’t give up until the final moment!
After a few days of rest, Christina was feeling great again when she returned to the office.
She poured all her heart and focus into her work, but clearing all the accumulated tasks took her the entire day.
At lunchtime, a few employees were enjoying their coffees in the breakroom when Gina walked in. Her S**y, trendy design would soon hit the shelves.
Everyone was anticipating her work.
“I heard the company has invited a new celebrity to be the amba*sador! I’m looking forward to it!”
“I know it’s Ella. Recently, one of her songs trended on the music charts.”
“Should we go ask for her autograph during her shoot?”
“I wonder what deals she has gotten lately. I’m sure someone is backing her since she hasn’t stopped receiving endorsement deals.”
The employees gossiped fervently, and only Christina was silent as a lamb.
She never had much interest in celebrities. The ones she did pay attention to were people she was close with.
Break time ended, and the employees returned to their seats. Gina approached Christina.
“Christina, accompany me to the shooting site to monitor the progress later.”
Christina was part of the new project, but her role was mainly supporting Gina. However, she was aware of the photography style required.
“Sure, Ms. Tanner.” Christina set down her work at hand and rose to follow Gina out of the office.
When the two arrived at the location, Ella had already gotten her makeup done, changed into her costume, and started the photoshoot.
She was a professional. Both her movements and expression were fluid. Her appeal was her young age. She was spirited yet had a cold personality.
It suited the concept of being S**y yet sweet–looking at the same time.
Occasionally, the photographer would teach her how to pose, and Christina and Gina would look at the result on the monitor.
They were satisfied with the unedited photos.
Suddenly, an argument cut through the silent site.
With her arms crossed in front of her chest, Ella glared hatefully at the photographer. “When you tried to teach me how to pose, you touched my arm and leg inappropriately! It’s disgusting!”
Disgusting men like this are the worst! I hate them! They think models are their property to touch and feel whenever they feel like it just because they have a bit of skill behind the camera. I’ve met quite a few photographers like him, and every time I would call them out.
“Are you insane, miss?” the photographer retorted with a flushed face. “I just touched you gently. The contact didn’t even last for two seconds. Who do you think you are? Your expressions are stiff, and your poses are so exaggerated!”
Ella’s eyes widened instantly at his comment. Returning his glare, she pointed at his camera and scolded, “You’re the one who’s bad at your job! How dare you blame me? I wonder where the organizers found such a rubbish photographer like you!”
Hearing the fiery dispute, Gina hurried over and separated the two.
Ella complained about the inappropriate touching by the photographer, then went inside the dressing room to sulk, refusing to come out.
The staff began gossiping about the incident. Ella was beautiful and dressed sensually. Most of her costumes either revealed her shoulders or her thighs.
Moreover, the photographer was an adult man. Would it be possible that it was unavoidable for him not to control his urges?
Those in the photography industry knew not to touch the models‘ bodies during a shoot because that would make them even more stiff and unnatural.
However, when a model’s pose was too rigid, they could tap the model’s shoulder to make their pose more natural.
Alas, in the eyes of amateurs, that would make the photographer look like he was taking advantage of the model.
Christina did pay attention to the proceedings of the shoot, and the photographer merely used a finger to touch Ella’s shoulder. That was all he did. There was no other bodily contact aside from that.
Yet, at that time, Gina had already decided to fire the photographer and employ a female photographer to
continue the shoot.
Christina figured the male photographer was innocent and tried to plead for him. “I think we should reevaluate our choice. The photos taken by this photographer are excellent. Plus, he didn’t do anything inappropriate to Ella.”
“Christina, we need to send out the photos by tonight, or the factory won’t make it, and we’ll have no poster.” Gina’s present goal was to get the photos edited to avoid delay. Justice for the photographer was
the least of her concern.
“Our rival company and our new store are rolling out new items on the same day. I got a call from the boss and he said that we must be open for business three days earlier than scheduled. We don’t have much time.”
With a grim expression, she demanded, “I think I don’t have to tell you the rules again. Go tell the photographer to leave.”
