"Really?" Naturally, Seth Quinn didn’t believe a word he said.
"Seth, don’t listen to his nonsense," Linden Jennings said with a smile, jumping in to smooth things over. "When has he ever had such a strong sense of responsibility? If he did, he would’ve listened to Elder Sterling long ago and gone back to take over the family business. He certainly wouldn’t be so carefree, tagging along with us."
"The truth is, it’s all because of Poppy. You know how young girls are, always fangirling over celebrities. She found out A Lifeti of Splendor was filming here and just had to co see for herself, so we brought her over."
As Seth Quinn’s gaze fell on them, Poppy Vance, her hand held tightly by Linden Jennings, greeted him with a sweet smile. She gave a cute wink and chid in to back up Linden’s story, "Brother Quinn, I’m a huge fan of Faye Jennings and Miles! When I found out they were filming here, I just had to pester my brother to bring ."
Then, she turned to Linden Jennings and said in a sweet, wheedling voice, "Brother, when we see them later, you have to get lots of their autographed photos, okay?"
"It’s fine to like Faye Jennings, but Miles is a guy. You’re not allowed to like him!" Linden Jennings reached out and ruffled her hair. Though his words left no room for argunt, his tone and his eyes were brimming with affection.
"You’re impossible, Brother! Fine, I won’t like him, then! Why’d you have to go and ss up my hair again?" Poppy Vance pouted, patting her hair back into place. Though her words were a complaint, her tone held not a hint of anger, only a playful, coquettish air.
Watching Poppy Vance and Linden Jennings interact, Seth Quinn’s heart stirred. ’When will that stubborn little woman ever be like Poppy Vance, so close and so compliant with ?’
River Sterling, however, was cringing so hard it gave him goosebumps. He clicked his tongue and grinned. "Poppy, can’t you find another na for Linden? Every ti you call him ’Brother,’ I get this creepy incestuous vibe. Have you two no sha?"
Poppy Vance gave a bashful smile and ducked behind Linden Jennings, who shot River a dismissive glance and said, "Nope."
Then, his gaze on Poppy Vance softened, once again brimming with affection. "Getting more autographs is no problem, but what are you going to do with so many? Won’t one or two be enough?"
"You don’t understand, Brother. A lot of my classmates are huge fans, too! I can get extra to sell to them. I’m sure I could make a lot of money."
"You little hustler." Linden Jennings chuckled, pinching her nose playfully.
"Tch. Poppy, you’re with Linden. Why would you ever need to worry about money? Even if you did nothing but spend, spend, spend every minute of every day, you’d never use up all his cash. There’s no need for you to be thinking up ways to make money..."
Before River Sterling could finish, he caught a warning glare from Linden Jennings. He just shrugged, unfazed, but dropped the subject.
Poppy Vance, however, countered in all seriousness, "You’re wrong, Brother Sterling. I’m with my brother, but it’s not for his money. My tuition and my daily expenses are all paid for with my own family’s money."
’Linden Jennings was rich, but she was with him because she truly liked him. She couldn’t stand the thought of people assuming she was only in it for the money.’
"Alright, alright, I was just spitballing," River Sterling said, quickly changing his tune with a grin. "Everyone knows your Vance Family has its own place among the elite of Novaria. It’s not like you need to spend Linden’s money, am I right?"
When Director Liam Keane heard the three bosses had arrived, he put his work on hold and ca over to greet them. "President Quinn, President Jennings, President Sterling. What brings you all here together today?"
"Ha! We’re here for the show, of course," River Sterling answered with a laugh, shooting a pointed look at Seth Quinn.
Seth Quinn let out a nearly inaudible grunt. ’He knew it. A guy like River Sterling, who wishes every day was the weekend so he could properly slack off, being so eager to visit a film set? Of course he was here to "watch the show"!’
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