Chapter 404: Chapter 404
After a few minutes of discussion, Tina stepped out with a wide grin. Taking out her mobile phone, she immediately called the director, Mr. Clifford Stone. Zayn couldn’t hear what Tina was saying to the director on the phone, so he settled back into the car, waiting patiently for her to finish the conversation.
Moments later, she slid back into the car, flashing Zayn a triumphant thumbs-up. "The producer had agreed to your terms! You will get the highest pay ever offered in the industry, a fifteen percent profit share from the production, and an advance payment upon signing the contract. If you’re happy with that, we can draft the contract immediately and have it ready for
you to sign tomorrow."
As one of the industry’s top celebrities, Zayn had projects lined up for him nonstop. So when he willingly agreed to take on a drama production, Tina was determined not to miss this golden opportunity. Tina was concerned that any delay in signing the contract could give other productions the chance to pull him away.
Zayn gave a slight nod. "Sounds good. Let’s sign the contract tomorrow."
Brimming with excitement, Tina practically skipped off like a child with a bag of candy, eager to share the good news with Maria.
Zayn then called his manager, Horace. "Horace, I need some high-paying endorsements lined up-ideally, ones with upfront payments. Can you make that happen?"
After his call, Zayn returned to the kitchen and found Tina laughing with his younger siblings as they prepped dinner together. She fit in so naturally that it was hard to believe she was meeting his family for the first time.
His family clearly adored her-especially his mother, who looked at her with the warmth usually reserved for a daughter. Zayn couldn’t help but marvel at how effortlessly Tina had bonded with everyone.
At dinner, Tina savored each bite of the spread on the dining table, her face lighting up with every taste. She kept praising the food, delighting everyone at the table.
"I love to see your smile. Isn’t there a saying that happiness is contagious?" Claire said with a smile. "If you enjoy our food that much, you’re welcome anytime. Having you here is a joy, Tina"
Clasping her bowl with both hands like a child, Tina beamed back. "Thank you! I love it here with your family!"
Tina then continued to enjoy the food, feeling completely satisfied and full.
After dinner, Tina insisted on helping Arthur clean up, saying it would aid digestion since she preferred not to sit down right after eating.
Once Tina, Harry, and the others left around 9 p.m., Avery suddenly remembered something important. "Oh, I nearly forgot!" she said. "Alexander’s gifting each of us a ’Miracle’ car. Every family member gets one, whether they drive or not."
She paused, letting the news sink in, then added, "He’s also including one for Luna as a wedding gift for her and Jaden. As for Grandpa and Grandma, I suggested just getting one for them since they are always together."
The room fell silent. Even Maria, who had been absorbed in her drama, looked up, and Arthur paused his game, sensing the shift in the atmosphere.
"A car? The Miracle?" Maria gasped, mouth agape.
Claire’s eyes widened. "The one like yours, Avery? I heard the cheapest model costs over twenty million dollars!"
Still stunned, Arthur looked at Avery and said, "We are a big family, and he’s giving everyone a car each?"
The entire family stared at Avery in shock until Jaden finally broke the silence. "Avery, why is Mr. Moran giving us such extravagant gifts?" Having just been concerned about money, Brandon expressed his worries about the cost. "We can’t accept something so valuable for nothing," he said. Avery shrugged. "Alexander said I did him a huge favor, and he wants to repay me."
She continued, "Plus, he mentioned that our family’s growing popularity could make us an easy target. The Miracle’s safety features would help protect us while we’re on the go."
Arthur huffed. "But why’s he so concerned about our safety?"
Avery smiled knowingly. "Maybe he has a soft spot for us. Or perhaps, for me?"
Arthur dropped his phone, and everyone exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of the moment settling over them. ’Could Alexander’s gift be more than just gratitude? he wondered. ’Is he planning to ask for Avery’s hand?’
"We really can’t accept this," Wesley said firmly. "Avery, if Mr. Moran wants to thank you, one car is enough. The rest of us haven’t done anything for him."
Avery looked at her father, her expression determined. "Dad, please. This is for everyone’s safety, and I’ll find a way to repay Alexander."
She then added, "With everything going on, especially after what happened with Zayn, you haven’t been sleeping well, right? This way, at least, we’ll feel safer when we’re out." After a long pause, Wesley sighed and relented. "Alright, but only if we repay him somehow."
The family nodded in agreement, each wondering how they’d cover the cost of such expensive cars.
Avery smiled. "Alright, I’ll talk to Alexander. We can set up a payment plan if it makes everyone feel better."
"If there are no other objections, I’ll get Alexander to send the cars over in a few days for everyone," she continued.
Jaden and the other adults shared wary glances, each sensing that these cars might be Alexander’s way of showing he was serious about Avery.
Finally, Alaric scratched his head and voiced what everyone was thinking. "Avery, if we accept these cars, does that mean we’re giving you to Alexander?" The room fell silent as everyone turned to Avery, stunned.
Avery laughed, waving a hand. "Not at all. Consider it as Alexander paying for an entrance ticket into our family."
But as the family processed her words, they couldn’t help but wonder if Alexander was, indeed, trying to "buy" his way into their lives.
Later that night, as the Carters retired to their respective rooms, all the men found themselves tossing and turning in their beds, their minds racing with thoughts of Alexander’s true intentions. Quietly, they wondered what he might be trying to do and, perhaps, even cursed his motives for the extravagant gifts.