Chapter 72 Am I a Stranger?
Esme looked at the script in her hands, liking it more and more as she read. Richard, as a Best Actor winner and super popular star, only had scripts from top production teams. With her credentials, landing a female lead role should be easy.
As long as Richard was willing to take her along, she could have it easy in the entertainment industry!
She just didn't know if Richard would be willing to let her play the female lead.
As long as Richard agreed, once she gained influence, the Windsor family wouldn't look down on her so casually anymore!
Esme hugged the script and walked to Richard's study door, full of hope.
"Richard, are you there?"
Richard was discussing with Alexander how to deal with the Smith family and the Johnson family. He frowned when he heard Esme's voice.
"Don't bother me."
Esme pushed open the door and stood pitifully at the study entrance, looking at Richard expectantly. But then her eyes caught sight of Alexander sitting on the sofa drinking coffee!
"Alexander, what are you doing at our house?"
Alexander didn't even glance at her. He picked up the information Richard had prepared about the Smith family and said flatly, "I brought Catherine back. She's resting, so please keep your voice down."
Catherine! It's Catherine again!
"Esme, what do you want? If it's nothing, leave. Mr. Howard and I still have things to discuss. It's not convenient for you to be here."
Although Richard's attitude toward Esme wasn't great, with Alexander as an outsider present, he didn't want to embarrass her.
"Richard, I saw your script downstairs and brought it up for you. This script is really interesting. Can I try out for a role in it?"
Her? Acting? Entering the entertainment industry?
Richard's first instinct was to refuse, but seeing Esme's pale face after falling in the water, plus not having eaten all day, she looked particularly pitiful. The scolding on the tip of his tongue wouldn't come out.
"Richard, just let me try. I promise I won't embarrass the Windsor family."
Letting her act would give her something to do, so she'd have less time to cause trouble for Alexander and Catherine. She should be more settled!
"Fine, but you can only play a supporting role—the maid in this script!"
Esme was stunned. She wanted to play the female lead. How did it suddenly become playing a maid?
"Richard, I don't want to play a maid. That's so embarrassing. I want to play the female lead!"
Richard gave her a look. "Female lead? What makes you qualified? The female lead is being played by a Best Actress award winner. You're a rookie with no acting skills—you think you can handle my production?"
Forget handling his production—Esme's legs were already shaking just from him looking at her a few more times!
"Get out. Don't make me lose my temper."
Esme's eyes filled with tears as she looked at Alexander hopefully, expecting him to say something nice for her. But Alexander didn't even glance at her.
She had no choice but to leave the study with the script. Just as she walked out, she heard Richard's voice.
"Don't sleep here tonight. Go back to Grandma's house. Catherine doesn't like strangers here."
Esme's tears fell, and she felt humiliated!
Even if this house belonged to Catherine, it was still the Windsor family's house. Why couldn't she stay here?
In all of Starry Residence, they hadn't even kept a room for her! As soon as Catherine came back, she became a stranger!
If this continued, she'd eventually be kicked out by the Windsor family.
Esme bit her lip, looking at the script in her hands. She had to fight for more opportunities. Only by playing the female lead could she establish a foothold in the Windsor family.
Catherine walked out of her room barefoot, stepping on the soft carpet, her small feet looking adorable.
"What's going on? What was all that noise just now?"
Seeing her come out, Richard and Alexander both stood up.
Alexander walked forward, picked up Catherine, and carried her to her bedroom, placing her by the bed and personally bending down to put slippers on her feet.
"Why aren't you wearing shoes? Don't catch a cold."
"I'm not cold."
Richard pretended he saw nothing. After all, if Alexander was willing to lower himself to take care of Catherine, it at least showed she was special to him. As her brother, even if it hurt that Catherine was being taken away, he couldn't scold Alexander in front of her.
Richard touched his nose and rolled up his sleeves as he headed downstairs.
"Is Catherine hungry? I'll go make you something to eat!"
The Windsor family children weren't helpless in life. On the contrary, to train their ability to live independently, Marcus had sent them to the military for tough training since childhood, and they'd even survived on a small island. Charles, George, Richard, and Philip were all quite good at cooking.
Richard was the best cook!
The pasta was quickly served—three bowls neatly arranged on the table.
Alexander looked at the table, a smile appearing on his face.
"Thanks."
"No need. You brought Catherine back and probably haven't eaten. Don't go around saying the Windsor family mistreats guests."
The Windsor family really did have good manners. Even though Richard couldn't stand seeing him and Catherine being affectionate, his hospitality was still impeccable.
The three sat at the table and had a harmonious and warm meal together.
"Richard, you're planning to let Esme act?"
"Give her something to do so she doesn't think about nonsense all day. She probably can't stay at Medical University with her intelligence. Let her audition and see. If she can pass, fine."
He wasn't planning to pull strings for Esme. He, Richard, only looked at real ability.
"Is Catherine interested in the entertainment industry too? Want me to arrange something for you?"
Catherine shook her head. "No, I don't like being in the public eye. It's too much trouble."
Alexander knew her personality—she didn't like being flashy.
"The entertainment industry is too exhausting. The relationships and filming are all tiring. Catherine should do whatever she likes. She doesn't need to act."
Richard rarely agreed with him, but when it came to what was good for Catherine, they were on the same side.
"Mr. Howard, you've eaten. You can go home now."
What time was it already!
Didn't the Howard family teach basic manners!
Alexander looked at Catherine, a sweet smile playing at his lips.
"Am I a stranger to you?"
Catherine looked a bit confused and shook her head.
"Not really."
"Richard said you don't like strangers living in your home. Since I'm not a stranger, I shouldn't need to be rushed out so urgently, right?"
Richard's fists were clenched tight!
He wore a kind smile on his face, forcibly suppressing the urge to slap Alexander in front of Catherine.
"Mr. Howard, your house is right next door. No need to keep hanging around our place, right? When did the Howard family become so down and out that they need to stay at other people's homes?"
Catherine heard the hostility in Richard's words and glanced at Alexander.
"You should go back."
"Okay. I'll come pick you up tomorrow, and we'll go to Grandfather's house together."
"Okay."
Alexander held Catherine's hand and gently kissed the back of it in farewell, then picked up his suit jacket and left.
Richard, after Alexander finally left, almost shed tears of relief.
He had to tell Charles—if they didn't do something soon, Catherine might be taken away!
"Catherine, what does Alexander have to do with us going back to Grandfather's house?"
"Grandfather invited him too. Don't you like Alexander?"
Richard gritted his teeth while maintaining a gentle smile, patting Catherine's head.
"No, how could that be! I like him very much!"
Seeing Catherine's confused and puzzled expression with a slight frown—clearly overthinking things—Richard wanted to slap himself.
"That's not what I meant. I mean if you like him, I like him!"
"Okay then."