Sincerity and Testing

In fact, Charlize Theron was completely bewildered by the latter part of the conversation. She was led into the guest room by Henry in a daze, and their luggage was taken out of the car.

She couldn't even remember how she washed up; dressed in her pajamas, she sat blankly on the bed, her eyes vacant.

Charlize watched as Henry, who had finished showering behind her, entered the guest room and began drying his hair with a towel. Gradually regaining her senses, Charlize's expression became complicated, and her eyes darted around uncertainly.

Wen opened his mouth several times as if to speak, but closed it each time.

Noticing Charlize's attitude, Henry said frankly, "Go ahead and say it. Don't keep it to yourself."

"Yes, I wanted to tell you that you don't have to force yourself to do things you don't want to do because of me. But I was also afraid you'd think I was being sarcastic, trying to push you to do those things. Really, I didn't mean that."

Having spent so much time auditioning in Hollywood and interacting with so many film crews, Charlize Theron, even if she's not quite worldly-wise, has certainly broadened her horizons.

Those who wield even a tiny bit of power dare to act with impunity. Charlize simply couldn't imagine "Tony..."

How will Stark perform? How much pressure will Henry be under?

Looking at Charlize Theron's worried and fearful appearance, it's hard to imagine her evolving into a South Africa diamond in the future.

Henry reassured him, "I know what you mean, don't worry."

"But let me tell you this, the reason I didn't consider this approach at first was because becoming the CEO of Stark Studios wouldn't be as helpful to you as you might imagine."

"What If...? all you want is to be on camera, to be the leading lady, and to gain some fame, then it wouldn't be difficult for me to become the CEO and launch a few projects to promote you."

"But if you want to achieve something in acting, what you really lack are good projects, not the kind of opportunities to be promoted. Do you understand the difference?"

"Furthermore, once I become the CEO of Stark Studios, I can no longer be your agent because it would involve a conflict of interest. An agent cannot stand up for an actor and fight for their rightful treatment, which is illegal."

"Of course, there are advantages too. At least you'll have a strong backer. There will be far fewer people making unreasonable demands."

"But don't think you won't encounter people like that. There are always some audacious individuals. They're either people with a higher status than the CEO of Stark Studios, or they control truly core resources."

"Is that so?" Charlize Theron said dejectedly, her mind in complete disarray.

Henry pressed the girl's head down and said, "Success is never easy. And movies aren't just for a small circle."

Things done for personal enjoyment should be made public.

"Either you need awards or critical acclaim, or you need box office success. What If...? you have neither, cinema owners aren't stupid; they'd rather have empty cinemas than not show some nonsensical movies."

"Don't be fooled by the glamorous star power of actors. In the case of a failure like Cleopatra, Elizabeth Taylor became the biggest target of criticism. But how could the mistakes of that film be entirely caused by one leading actress?"

"To reach the summit, you certainly need a lot of external help. But don't think that having this help means you can sit back and reap the rewards. Those very helpers could turn into demons that drag you down into the Abyss at any time."

Charlize suddenly asked, "And what about you? Will you also transform into a demon?"

"I would never do anything to hurt you, you can believe me." Although he said it with absolute certainty, Henry still gave a wry smile and said, "But I have my own troubles too."

Charlize looked at the man before her, feeling as if she had returned to the time when she first met him.

To say that they were completely unaware of the unusual things in their lives would be self-deception.

It was only during her most vulnerable moments that the other party extended a helping hand time and time again. Like seeing the light at the Abyss, it made Charlize Theron unwilling to think about those things.

How could anyone not be curious about it now?

Faced with that look, Henry was overwhelmed with thoughts and didn't know where to begin. In the end, all he could say was, "I'll do my best to keep those troubles from involving you."

"But there are many things in the world that aren't determined by my thoughts. What If...? one day you feel—"

Before he could finish speaking, Henry's lips were sealed with a kiss. A passionate kiss might seem to solve many problems, but in reality, it solves nothing.

But in this moment, no further words are needed between them. Their hearts are in sync, and that seems to be enough.

Just as they were about to take things further, Charlize suddenly sneezed, spraying Henry's face with saliva. Neither of them seemed annoyed or embarrassed; instead, they exchanged a glance and laughed.

"Looks like I'll have to turn the heating up a bit." Henry wiped his face with a towel he used to dry his hair, while looking for the control switch for the guest room's heating and cooling system.

Charlize then realized that her pajamas were a bit too thin for a Connecticut winter. Her skin underneath was so cold it gave her goosebumps.

Henry tucked him into bed and made sure the covers were neatly arranged. "Go to sleep early. It's great that you and Catherine get along so well; talk to her more tomorrow."

"More than helping you find a suitable agent, her experience as an actress has many things I can't tell you."

Those things are just as important as a good agent.

"She can't write it into a textbook and tell you word for word; you'll have to ask yourself. So get some rest. Leave the rest to me. But I need to go wash my face now. Goodnight."

Okay, goodnight.

Henry left a small nightlight on, turned off the bedroom light, and then left the guest room.

After quickly washing his face in the bathroom, Henry went to the fireplace in the living room. Grandma Catherine was still awake; she poured herself a glass of Napoleon Coronation wine and sipped it while waiting for someone.

Beside another seat, there was an empty wine glass waiting. Henry knew the old lady was waiting for him.

"Catherine, why aren't you asleep yet?" Henry casually picked up the decanter and poured the last bit of wine into an empty glass.

It's hard to imagine that this fine wine, since dinner, has taken on a completely different appearance in the decanter. You could say that each stage of drinking it brings its own unique flavor.

"You shouldn't have brought out this kind of wine to drink."

"Mind your own business. This is Howard and my treasure, and I don't want it to become my inheritance," Catherine retorted. "In fact, as you can see, the label on that bottle is illegible."

"Besides Howard's version, I have no other way to prove the origin of that bottle of wine. And Howard was pretty stupid back then. Can you believe it? He was once wanted by the U.S. government as a spy."

He even proposed to a girl who had already fallen for another man while holding this bottle of wine, and then left it behind.

Fortunately, it tasted quite good, which should prove that he wasn't joking to mock me.

"I always wanted to return this bottle of wine to him, and later I wanted to drink it with him and his wife. But the opportunity is gone now. I'm afraid if I wait any longer, I'll never know what this wine tastes like."

After finishing the last drop of wine in her glass, Catherine seemed to have bid farewell to the past, appearing refreshed. Turning to her, she asked, "Did that child say anything to you?"

A simple question made Henry realize something immediately. He gave a helpless, wry smile. "Were you testing Charlize with those words?"

"Hmm. So I'd like to know how that child reacted."

"Catherine, this isn't right. People's hearts can't withstand testing. Regardless of whether the outcome is disappointing or not, testing someone means that even the most basic trust doesn't exist. What If...? the result is unsatisfactory, there won't even be any room for reconciliation. I don't like this."

"Little Henry, you're right. But that's your girl, and I've only just met her. You don't think all old women are like gypsy old ladies who can tell a person's past life just by looking at them, do you? I need to know if she's worth my help."

Left with no other option, Henry could only recount the events that had just transpired. He concluded by adding, "I didn't help Charlize lie or distort the facts. Those were truly what she said herself."

"Looks like he's a good kid."

"Yes, otherwise I wouldn't have fallen for her."