novelraw Chapter 449: The woman’s voice was soft and husky, like a cat’s claws scratching at one’s heart, tantalizingly seductive.
Chapter 449: The woman’s voice was soft and husky, like a cat’s claws scratching at one’s heart, tantalizingly seductive.
In the night breeze, the Crown Prince of the South Sea, who’d been mercilessly hung up on, squinted gloomily. To be dumped by a woman, ignored by a brother, and still dizzy with a cold—what an absolutely miserable day.
The man leaned against the leather seat, pressing his aching head. His handsome and sharp features revealed a certain weakness brought on by illness.
No one knew how much time had passed before, with a thick nasal tone and a husky voice, the man finally spoke: "About the funding issues for the studio you mentioned—call Delphine to see how she wants to handle it."
Maximilian immediately understood and began dialing Delphine, setting the phone to speaker mode.
Kyla Zamora was still live streaming from the awards ceremony at the international film festival. The announcement of Delphine Carter’s retirement had already caused total chaos on Weibo. Seeing her father and Desmond Wood both watching the live broadcast intently, Delphine quietly left the hotel suite alone. She grabbed two bottles of wine and her phone, heading to the hotel’s rooftop pool.
This hotel had a rooftop pool exclusively for members, and at night there weren’t many swimmers. Delphine found a secluded corner, sat amid the deep twilight of the night, sipping her wine as she gazed out at the bustling, flashy neon lights in the distance, letting out a low laugh.
During those times when pain was uncontrollable, she often sought out the most desolate pubs in foreign lands, drinking the cheapest wine and savoring the memories etched deeply within her bones—memories she could never forget. For a long time, the South Sea had been the darkest, most unbearable corner of her heart. Just thinking about it suffocated her. Yet now, she never imagined a day would come when she could calmly face this city.
The phone vibrated, and she answered.
"Miss Delphine, apologies for disturbing you. I saw the official studio account announced that you’re retiring from acting?" Maximilian spoke with a smile.
Inside the Bentley, the man unconsciously adjusted his posture, sitting up straighter. His lowered, deep-set eyes were as dark as ink.
"Mm." Delphine responded casually. Fame and fortune, after enduring years of unrelenting darkness and joyless days, felt as tasteless as chewing wax. She’d spent five years wandering, long since adapted to a life of isolation, no longer needing external applause or admiration to affirm herself.
Maximilian, still smiling, continued, "Previously, Mr. Leclair invested one billion in the studio. If you’re retiring, how do you plan to handle the remaining funds?"
The Gold Medal assistant’s smile faltered slightly, as if hanging by a thread—he truly wasn’t here to ask for money.
"I’ll have Kyla sort out the finances and transfer it."
The woman’s voice over the phone was soft and husky, like a cat’s paw lightly scratching at one’s heart, causing an irresistible itch that stirred emotions deeply. Ignatius Leclair’s expression darkened noticeably upon hearing her words.
"No, this money was invested by Mr. Leclair. It’s entirely at Miss Delphine’s disposal," Maximilian quickly interjected, glancing at the man’s tightly pursed lips and trying not to cry. He added hurriedly, "I just mean, Miss Delphine, if you’re not acting anymore, what are your plans going forward?"
Inside the Bentley, the man’s breathing grew lighter and shallower, waiting quietly for her answer.
"Little Delphine, why are you drinking alone here? Come, come, let’s go head-to-head drinking! If we get drunk we can just sleep here—sky for a roof, ground for a bed, what a grand occasion!" A cheerful, slightly country-sounding voice rang out from the phone, carrying an exuberant naivete. "Holy crap, there’s such a huge pool here! How did I never know? Little Delphine, drinking is boring—come swim with us instead!"
"You go ahead, I’m drinking," the woman’s voice murmured softly, then she hung up!