FULL NOVELXO Chapter 17
Chapter 17
“Is it done?” Miss Alice Johnson, Charlotte’s agent and publicist, looked at Charlotte the moment she got into the van. “You don’t look too happy.”
“She did not say it,” Charlotte said. “Coffee?” she looked at Harper, her PA.
“Doubleshots…” Harper said. “But Miss Sofia always does things behind your back; you should probably not worry about it.”
“If she did not say a word this time, then we can certainly take advantage of everything,” Alice said.
“You do not want me to say anything. How can we take advantage of this issue?”
Alice smirked, her dark brown eyes glinted with mischief. “Your sister has worked with models before. She must know that using this scandal to make people talk about you is good. Negative press is still a kind of press. Sadly, there are things that we cannot cross. Since that man is your sister’s man, we cannot create some ambiguity about this issue or make some sort of connections to your upcoming album.”
Almost immediately, Charlotte’s face turned ugly at the mention of her album. Her manager had been bugging her in the past few weeks, asking about those written songs. However, Sofia does not have them. This was enough to ruin Charlotte’s mood.
“So?” Charlotte asked.
“We can release a statement. Ask your fans to value your privacy and tell them that Mr. Beaumont is someone close to your family.”
“The Beaumont Family would not like that,” Charlotte said. The Beaumont Family is big on privacy. They do not have any of their images on the Internet or social media. They have a private group of friends that do not share anything about them. “I don’t like that.”
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Alice sighed. “Then, we can apologize for the misunderstanding and tell them that the man you were with that night was your sister’s man, but that would easily kill the issue,” Alice said, her gaze cold.
“We need a way to take advantage of this. You promised to release an album this year and many are expecting something.” Alice reminded her. “You need something to keep people talking.”
With an upcoming film and an album, people are bound to talk about Charlotte. However, Alice wanted more attention. She wanted mystery, she wanted more news. Sadly, Charlotte does not want to attract too much attention to the Lockhart Family.
“However, I must warn you… this might offend that sister of yours,” Alice said. According to Charlotte, the heir of the Lockhart Family, Sofia Lockhart, was the one who disliked this kind of attention, especially to LH Group. She did not want Charlotte to use their family name for showbusiness. Despite this, Sofia had always helped Charlotte in the past.
Just one call and Sofia would immediately solve the problem that Charlotte was facing. Alice had been banking on this connection for a while now. So, she had been doing her best to recommend Charlotte to some directors- especially those who lack funding.
Sadly Charlotte’s acting was only mediocre at best, many still refused to let her act in their film. Because of this, Lawrence Lockhart had been secretly using his influence to help his daughter.
Not many in the industry knew this secret. Lawrence was smart enough to hide his support for his daughter, but something like this did not escape Alice’s expert eyes.
“I suggest you release a snippet of what you have written so far. Add something about the expectations of everyone around you, make it dramatic. Surely, this would gather people’s sympathy. Many already knew of your background. They know that you are trying to make a name.
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for yourself and that your father does not support your career.”
This was the narrative that they created around Charlotte Lockhart’s persona. They changed her screen name to Caroline Locke and intentionally released the fact that her real name is Charlotte Lockhart.
All of this was nothing but a strategy, to make someone more likable. A good pitiful story would always sell.
“You don’t have to issue a statement. Just a little meaningful snippet about it and everyone will dig deeper and perhaps cause another trending…” Alice smiled. In fact, the best approach in this matter is for them to keep
their mouths shut.
Charlotte always had that angelic, nice girl vibe, and Alice wanted to take advantage of that. However, some things must be done for Charlotte’s
career.
Hearing this, Charlotte pursed her lips. Alice’s plan would surely work if…. she knew how to write her own songs! She gritted her teeth. “I will think about it.” Slowly, their car moved. Charlotte looked out of the window, her gaze turning colder by the minute.
Then she snorted inwardly.
She could ignore the news but Alice was right. She needed more exposure, to get her name out there. Slowly, the corner of her lips lifted into a smile. Then she opened her phone and sent a text to Daniel.
[I need to see you.]
“She left just like that?” Alexander sounded surprised when he walked out. of Sofia’s room.
“She has a job…” Sofia calmly spoke.
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He chuckled behind her. “Gullible.”
“I know it was not her job…” Sofia said. It must be Lawrence. Before Charlotte left, she received a call from someone yet she refused to answer it. Sofia knew it must be either her father or… her manager or maybe even Daniel.
Those people must be trying to use this issue to get Charlotte’s name back out there. It was exactly what Sofia expected.
He chuckled in response before sitting on the kitchen island.
“You seemed too relaxed…” she noted. “Don’t you have work to do?”
“It’s the weekend.”
“Are you not the CEO of Beaumont Empire?”
“Do you want me to leave?”
“No. I just-”
“So, you don’t want me to leave. You should have immediately said so earlier.”
“…” Sofia was at a loss for words. She only wanted to point out how CEOS are supposed to be always busy. She too, grew up in a family that talks. about business all the time. Even Lawrence and her mother were never there during her events because of how busy they were.
Sofia avoided his gaze as she thought of her current situation with Daniel. In fact, she always wanted to marry someone who would spend time with her and their children.
Daniel Beaumont would have been perfect. Yet, here she was, married to Daniel’s brother.
“This smells good…” Alexander said.
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Sofia eyed the Monte Cristo Sandwich that he was already eating. Earlier, while Charlotte was talking, Sofia spent her time cooking. However, Charlotte did not actually eat something, so now, they have four Monter Cristos.
“Good…” Alexander uttered. “Didn’t know you cook too…”
“Not always,” Sofia said as she started eating her sandwich. While they have maids in the main house, Sofia has always liked to be as independent. as possible. When she moved to this place years ago, she almost immediately started cooking the things that she liked to eat.
Charlotte always told her it was weird how she liked cooking even when she could afford a chef. However, Sofia almost always laughs at her, telling her that having such a nice kitchen would be useless if she left it unused.
In the end, Sofia started cooking more. She was no expert by any means, but she could cook all the food that she liked- like this Monte Cristo.
When he did not say a word, Sofia chose to focus on her food, and the two of them enjoyed a rather awkward yet comfortable breakfast.
“Coffee?” he asked when he saw her coffee machine.
“Sure,” Sofia uttered as she placed all their dishes in the dishwashing. Then she watched him start brewing her coffee.
The atmosphere between them slowly turned calm as they talked about various things over coffee. This peace lasted for a few minutes before a doorbell rang.
“That’s Josef. He is here to bring me clothes,” Alexander said. He got up and was about to walk towards the door when he suddenly paused and looked at her. “You do not mind me taking a bath in your bedroom, right?”
“I- I have a guest room,” Sofia answered. “I mean- if you are not comfortable in my bathroom.”
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Alexander lifted an eyebrow, then he smirked and walked towards the door.