Chapter 219: Might End Up Giving Birth to an Idiot
Chapter 219: Might End Up Giving Birth to an Idiot
After making a gesture of goodwill, Barry Diller finally asked about the outcome of Eric’s discussion with Murdoch. Eric did not hide anything and briefly revealed that Firefly would be acquiring shares in Fox Television Network.
Barry Diller’s reaction after hearing the result was similar to Jeffrey’s and Robert’s. After repeatedly confirming that everything Eric said was true, Barry Diller’s expression changed several times in succession. In the end, he silently patted Eric on the shoulder and walked away with a lonely expression.
Eric could understand Barry Diller’s feelings as well. Fox Television Network had begun preparations in 1986, and in just four short years had developed into the fourth-largest wireless television network in North America. Barry Diller deserved enormous credit for that.
Yet even so, Barry Diller only held less than 5% management shares in Fox, while Eric could obtain 10% of Fox Television Network’s shares solely through a single television series. It would have been strange if Barry Diller felt good about it. However, Eric had absolutely no intention of feeling indignant on Barry Diller’s behalf. The world had always been unfair like this. In many cases, the person who gave the most was not the one who received the most.
After weaving through the crowd and dealing with several people greeting or hitting on him, Eric finally found Aniston. The little girl was enthusiastically chatting with Nicole.
“Jennie, what are you talking about that’s making you so happy?” Eric greeted Nicole with his eyes before wrapping an arm around Aniston’s waist and lightly kissing her cheek.
Eric making such an intimate gesture in public caused Aniston to shrink her neck shyly as she reproached him, “We’re talking about girls’ topics. Why are you asking about that?”
“Heh, I’m most interested in girls’ topics. Hurry and tell me.”
Eric teased her while the hand resting on Aniston’s waist mischievously pinched the sensitive soft flesh at her side through the thin dress, causing another burst of coquettish complaints from the girl.
Nicole watched Eric and Aniston flirting with a smile on her face, though inwardly feeling somewhat jealous. At that moment, Eric raised his head. Seeming to think Nicole looked rather idle, he casually said, “Nicole, I’m a little hungry. Help me get some food, okay?”
Possibly because she had already formed certain habits during the period she worked as a maid at Eric’s house, Nicole subconsciously nodded. After reacting, she merely hesitated briefly before smiling and walking toward the nearby dining table.
Seeing Eric treat Nicole in such a rude, servant-like manner, Aniston unhappily broke free from Eric’s embrace. “Eric, how can you do that? Hey, Nicole, wait for me. Don’t listen to this guy. Let him starve to death.”
The little girl shouted while chasing after Nicole.
Eric froze briefly. It had only been one hour since they last saw each other, so how had they suddenly become… best friends? Hadn’t the little girl always disliked the female leads in his movies?
“Silly girl. She just casually chats with someone and immediately bares her heart. Eric, dump her sooner rather than later. If this keeps developing, even with your IQ as a foundation, once her genes neutralize it, you might end up giving birth to an idiot.”
Following the voice, Eric immediately pressed a hand onto Drew’s newly shortened bob haircut and rubbed it forcefully several times. “Looks like you’ve been studying pretty hard at school. You can even spit out such a high-end word like ‘genes’ now.”
The little girl yelped a few times, knowing Eric was speaking sarcastically. Dissatisfied, she protested, “But it’s nighttime right now. I didn’t skip class.”
Eric casually grabbed the girl’s tiny ear and demanded, “From the girls’ school in Pasadena northeast of Los Angeles to Malibu, you’d have to cross the entire city. The distance is over fifty kilometers. With Los Angeles traffic, even driving for two hours might not get you here. Tell me, without skipping class, when exactly did you start coming over?”
Since Eric was tugging on her ear, Drew could only tilt her head slightly, but her little mouth still stubbornly argued back, “Who would be dumb enough to drive through downtown? Don’t you know there’s such a thing as a highway? Take the 101 from Pasadena, then transfer onto Mulholland Drive. It doesn’t even take an hour. Ow ow ow… it hurts!”
As Eric slightly increased his strength, the girl immediately shut her mouth. After blinking a few times, her eyes turned watery as she looked pleadingly at Eric.
The surrounding guests curiously watched the commotion here. Some people who did not understand the situation even asked their companions a few questions. Afterwards, the looks they cast toward Eric carried several traces of ambiguity.
Aniston and Nicole, each carrying a small food tray and about to walk over, saw Eric tugging Drew’s ear. Aniston immediately snorted coldly and tugged on Nicole. “Nicole, let’s go. Let him starve to death.”
Nicole hesitated briefly before giving Eric, who had already noticed her and Aniston, a helpless look. Then she turned and followed the little girl away.
Eric was about to continue lecturing the little girl when someone brave enough to stand up against his “child abuse” finally appeared.
“Hey, Eric, how can you treat a girl so roughly!” Elizabeth, walking over with Julia, raised her brows as she slapped Eric’s hand away and pulled Drew to her side.
Hiding behind Elizabeth, the little girl mischievously stuck out her tongue at Eric.
Eric could not tell whether Elizabeth genuinely did not understand the situation or was merely pretending to be stupid. However, since someone had intervened, it was inconvenient for him to continue lecturing the little girl.
“Liz, what is it?”
Elizabeth had thought Eric would explain himself a little, but instead heard him ask that, so she said, “Julia’s leaving. Aren’t you going to see her off?”
Julia, standing behind Elizabeth, had not expected the girl to say that and immediately tugged on Elizabeth’s dress.
Eric glanced at Julia. Seeing her evasive gaze, he knew this was Elizabeth acting on her own initiative, but he still nodded readily. “All right.” Then, seeing the little girl trying to sneak away, Eric glared at her. “Don’t run. Come with me.”
“Julia, it’s not even ten yet. Why are you going back so early?” Eric awkwardly searched for conversation as they walked toward the villa’s parking lot.
Julia hesitated before opening her mouth. “I…”
“Julia’s not feeling well today. Why are you asking so many questions?” Seeing Julia’s troubled expression, Elizabeth immediately stepped in to rescue her.
Eric nodded in understanding, though the motion caused Julia’s face to redden slightly.
After the group arrived at the parking lot, Eric said, “Julia, can you do me a favor?”
“Ah?” Julia looked at Eric strangely.
Eric pulled over the little girl trailing behind them, boredly playing with her fingers. “Let Drew stay at your place tonight. Tomorrow, help me send her back to school, okay?”
“No, I’m not going.” The little girl immediately cried out. Seeing Eric’s unquestionable gaze, she could only nod aggrievedly. She also understood that Eric would probably bring Aniston home tonight. Naturally, he would not let her stay around and cause trouble.
Watching the girl climb into the passenger seat of Julia’s car, Eric still felt uneasy and gave Julia a few more instructions before finally letting the two leave.
After Julia drove the little girl out through the estate gates, Eric did not return to the villa. Instead, he sat down on a bench in a nearby small garden.
Elizabeth hesitated briefly before also walking over and sitting beside Eric. Seeing Eric pull out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and light one, Elizabeth slightly parted her lips. Realizing they were outside, she ultimately said nothing.
After lighting the cigarette and taking a deep drag, exhaling pale bluish smoke, Eric turned his head and asked, “Liz, is there something you need?”
“You’re troubled?” Elizabeth asked instead of answering.
Seeing Eric’s confused expression, she teasingly added, “Having to deal with so many women, are you getting overwhelmed, so you’re hiding out here smoking?”
Eric smiled. “How is that possible? I don’t even have that many women. Besides, movies and women are the two greatest pursuits of my life. I’m enjoying myself too much to feel troubled over it.”
It was the first time Elizabeth had heard such a blunt viewpoint. Rolling her eyes, she said, “Your pursuits really are… vulgar.”
Eric ignored Elizabeth’s criticism. Holding the cigarette between his fingers, he leisurely enjoyed the cool midnight sea breeze beneath the dim streetlights, intending to quietly sit there for a while.
Originally, he thought Elizabeth would leave on her own once she grew tired of the silence. But after he finished an entire cigarette, the girl still sat calmly beside him instead, which made Eric start feeling uncomfortable. What exactly was this woman trying to do by stubbornly staying here?
After thinking for a while, Eric finally cautiously asked, “Liz, your father forced you to become my assistant director, didn’t he? How about I talk to Mr. Murdoch and forget about the whole thing?”
“Do you hate me?” Elizabeth asked again.
Eric shook his head. “I never hate beautiful women.”
Hearing those words, Elizabeth’s heartbeat inexplicably quickened slightly, though her mouth remained merciless. “You really never forget to sweet-talk people for even a second. As expected of a playboy.”
Hearing this evaluation, Eric turned his head and lazily leaned against the backrest of the bench. He brazenly admired the girl’s graceful figure wrapped in her dress before revealing a teasingly wicked smile.
“Then why don’t you hurry and run far away?”
Under Eric’s highly invasive gaze, the girl almost subconsciously wanted to cover her chest. However, she forcibly suppressed the impulse and stubbornly replied, “You narcissist. Why should I run?”
Eric glanced at the girl’s feet, which had originally been casually crossed together but were now firmly planted on the ground. He said nothing more and pulled out another cigarette to light up, silently sorting through everything that had happened tonight while his gaze idly swept across the surroundings.