Chapter 76: Bring Five Million Dollars to Rescue Us!
Sophia rubbed her earlobe while leaning close to Catherine, breathing softly with an alluring charm.
"This listening device looks ugly, but I've tested it. We can mass-produce it, and the data can be submitted now."
The listening devices produced by the Galactic Aurora Collective were all developed in direct collaboration with Stellara Institute's advanced laboratories, supplied directly to the military and for internal use within the Galactic Aurora Collective.
"Thanks for your hard work. All the experimental data this time is thanks to you."
Sophia happily hugged Catherine's arm, nuzzling affectionately.
"I don't want credit, I want to act in films!"
"I'll invest for you. You can film whatever you want."
Sophia's eyes practically lit up!
Catherine was loaded now!
Back in the day, they had to start up a bunch of companies just to fund their experiments - some became entertainers, others opened shops, and they were still barely breaking even.
That experimental equipment was just too expensive!
Last time they bought just one small stone, and tens of thousands of dollars were gone, which led to Catherine having to personally go to Northern Myanterra to mine materials.
Just thinking about it was heartbreaking.
Now Catherine had changed families, and to wealthy ones at that. They could finally live a slightly more comfortable life!
"Jade Oracle is coming to Imperia City next month. Come with me to the event."
Sophia nearly bit her own tongue, stammering as she looked at Catherine.
"Jade Oracle?"
Sophia hung her head dejectedly, reluctantly agreeing.
"By the way, I ran into Clara and Esme at the audition. Those two clearly aren't cut out for acting."
Clara and Esme?
Why would they want to join the entertainment industry?
"Nothing to do with me."
"Want me to mess with them? That Esme even told me to quit. Hilarious - even if I quit, she still couldn't get the role!"
Does that face look like it belongs to someone who can act?
Catherine frowned slightly, looking at Sophia with concern. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine. If Mr. Windsor hadn't shown up, there might have been some trouble. You know I don't know my own strength."
As a member of the Galactic Aurora Collective, Sophia was someone Catherine had picked up from the edge of an international battlefield.
If she really got physical, she had countless ways to shut Esme up.
In the audition hall, Esme's face was still covered in tears.
Why was it Catherine again!
"Richard, you have to stand up for me! Sophia bullied me like that, showing no respect for the Windsor family at all."
Richard said flatly, "Just do a good job playing a supporting role and stop causing trouble everywhere! Don't forget you still have makeup exams at school!"
"Richard, can I take a leave from school? I want to take good care of Grandma and do some acting to improve myself. I don't want to be the only useless person in the Windsor family."
The real useless person in the Windsor family wasn't her - it was that Catherine who did nothing all day.
Why did she have such good luck!
Richard frowned, looking at her with displeasure. "What are you trying to pull now? If you want to take a leave, go talk to Grandpa directly, don't come to me. If you want to act, start with supporting roles. I started from supporting roles too. Don't think you can reach the top in one step - take it one step at a time."
Esme was angry but didn't dare show it, quickly nodding.
She didn't want to play supporting roles, but she didn't dare defy Richard, so she had to agree.
Anyway, once she got into the production, there would be plenty of opportunities to maneuver. She could pull some strings to get Sophia injured so badly she could never act again, and then wouldn't the female lead role be hers?
Clara, standing nearby, quickly approached.
"Mr. Windsor, give me a role too. I'm Esme's friend."
Richard looked at her and felt she seemed familiar. Since she said she was Esme's friend, he'd probably seen her in Esme's social media posts.
He glanced at Clara impatiently and frowned. "Go audition yourself."
Clara hurriedly chased after Richard, who was about to leave, saying quietly, "I'm the sister of Catherine, your family's caregiver."
She felt somewhat embarrassed saying this, and only Richard heard it.
Richard narrowed his eyes dangerously, staring straight at Clara.
"You're from the Smith family?"
"Yes, I'm Catherine's former sister. She and I are family. If she's done anything wrong, could you forgive her for my sake?"
Richard almost laughed in anger!
Where did the Smith family people get such nerve?
To actually speak badly of Catherine in front of him!
"Good, good, good. Really tired of living!"
Richard said coldly, calling over several confused security guards.
"Throw her out! From now on, blacklist their whole family from all Windsor family businesses!"
Clara's eyes widened. She wanted to defend herself, but the security guards covered her mouth and threw her right out!
This must all be Catherine's fault!
Everything was fine until Richard got angry when he heard Catherine's name, and that's why he treated her this way!
If it weren't for Catherine, she definitely would have gotten the role she wanted today and would have shined in the entertainment industry!
Clara felt extremely wronged. She took out her phone to complain to Oliver, only to find her phone had been off.
She quickly turned it on and called, but after several attempts, no one answered.
Where did Mom and Dad go?
Could they have gone back to find Catherine and abandoned her?
The more Clara thought about it, the more possible it seemed. If Catherine returned to the Smith family, everything that belonged to her would definitely be taken away!
She had to do something to prove she was the most valuable daughter to the Smith family.
The call finally went through, and Oliver's screaming voice came from the other end.
"Clara! Hurry and bring money to save us! Otherwise your mom and I are going to be beaten to death!"
Clara's eyes widened!
"Dad, what are you saying? Where are you now?"
"Imperia City suburbs. They want five million dollars. Hurry and bring the money to save us!"
Five million dollars? Where would she get that much money!
Since returning to the Smith family, she'd been spending like crazy. Forget five million dollars - she had maybe five hundred dollars total.
"I don't have that much money."
"Go find Lucas! Get the Johnson family to pay to save us! Stop hitting, stop hitting! Clara, your mom's and my lives are in your hands now!"
Oliver and Celeste's screams came one after another through the phone, making Clara's heart pound with fear.
Clara was so anxious she was about to cry, quickly agreeing.
"Okay, okay, I'll go find Lucas right away."