The iciness in the man’s eyes was rapidly melting away, and the cold aura around him gradually warmed up. He tightened his arm around the young girl’s slender waist, "What about that Director White you mentioned?"
"Director White?" Joanna Lawrence was taken aback for a moment before remembering that she had praised Gary White earlier. Silently complaining about Ashton Heath’s jealous nature in her heart, she replied with a sweet smile, "Of course, I admire you the most."
"Director White is indeed quite talented, but compared to you, he still falls short."
Since Gary White wasn’t here, she thought her comment should be...fine, right?
Her current goal was to please the man in front of her.
"What about that Maddox Allenson you mentioned just now?" The man’s eyes teased with a faint smile, his thin lips curling up ever so slightly.
Realizing that the "iceberg" before her had finally warmed up, Joanna secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He must be appeased by now, she thought.
Indeed, despite Ashton’s jealousy, it’s rather easy to cajole him.
Just a bit of coaxing, some sweet nothings, and he’d be soothed in no time.
"Maddox? I only met him for the first time today, and we haven’t even spent a minute together. I just think he seems to have a nice personality." Joanna quickly followed up, noticing the man’s brow furrowing slightly. "Of course, as you said, they’re all strangers to me. What I see is only on the surface. I don’t know what kind of people they really are; perhaps their friendliness is just a facade."
After she finished speaking, Joanna saw the man’s tense brow loosen up.
Ashton Heath patted her head, "Right, so remember to keep your distance from them. It’s important to be cautious and not take everyone at face value, especially the male actors in your circle. Most of them are quite casual about relationships, liking one woman today and another tomorrow. You’re young and innocent, inexperienced with the world, and the easiest target for deceit."
Was he genuinely worried about her being cheated on, or was he just trying to scare her away from getting close to other men?
Whichever it was, she thought, just go along with it.
"I understand!" With an expression of humility and eagerness to learn, Joanna nodded firmly, "I’ll keep my distance from them."
Ashton indicated his satisfaction with her response, and he tousled her hair again, "Remember, other than your husband, all the strange men who try to approach you have ulterior motives. You’re not to pay them any attention."
"If anyone dares to bother you persistently, let me know. I’ll take care of them."
Joanna: "...Okay, I understand."
Her obedient and clever appearance pleased the man greatly, and Joanna felt that the impending crisis had finally been averted.
"Ahem, Mr. Ashton...shall we head to the company next?"
Zack, who had grown used to the lovey-dovey couple in the back seat, asked casually.
Ashton gazed at Joanna with tender affection, "Do you need to go to school? I can take you there."
Joanna thought for a moment and shook her head, "I don’t have many classes this morning. In three days, I have to go to the film crew. I thought I could go to the school this afternoon to request a leave. In the next few days, I could read the script and familiarize myself with the plot ahead of time."
Ashton suggested, as if asking for her opinion, "Would you like to come to the company with me?" Before waiting for her response, he directed Zack, "Drive us to the company."