Chapter 176: Chapter 176: Explaining the Matter Between Him and Sophie Hughes

’He finally contacted her!’

Sophie Hughes answered the phone. "Tristan."

He had said he would explain what happened that night.

She was hoping they could talk about something more, that perhaps it might deepen their relationship.

For the past seven years, every time they met, they only ever interacted like normal family members. Anything romantic was never mentioned.

"Director Ford called and said she couldn’t reach you. Are you... still coming to Glenwater?"

"I..." Sophie Hughes paused, her voice hesitant. "I want to go. On one hand, I need Director Ford’s guidance. On the other, you went to a lot of trouble to help me get in touch with her. It’s just... Tessa can’t stand me. She threw such a huge fit that night."

"I’m sorry, I didn’t handle that well. I’ve been busy the last couple of days and haven’t had a chance to talk to her. If you want to come back, then come back."

’Director Ford had originally preferred Noelle Sutton. If Sophie was away for too long, Director Ford might change her mind.’

’He hadn’t handled the Smith situation well, either. He had to find a way to reschedule.’

"Tristan, will this cause you any trouble? I don’t know what to do. I feel like everything that’s happened recently has had a huge impact on you. And you know... the last thing I’d ever want is to be a problem for you."

Sophie Hughes’s guilt-ridden words made Tristan Lawson feel a pang of self-reproach.

’It really wasn’t Sophie Hughes’s fault.’

’He was the one who hadn’t handled it well.’

’And Sophie Hughes had even gotten hit because of it.’

"None of it is your fault. Don’t blame yourself. Just focus on your work, that’s all. That night..." Tristan Lawson paused before continuing slowly, "I had too much to drink. Don’t worry about it."

"I’m not blaming you. I haven’t been feeling well since I got back, so I’ve just been resting at home. I’ll give Director Ford a call so she won’t worry. I’ll let you know if I decide to head over. By the way, are you and Noelle doing okay these days?"

’Not okay.’

’Not okay at all.’

’Things might even be past the point of no return.’

’But what happened that day was simply too humiliating to talk about.’

"We’re fine. Don’t worry."

"I’ll let you go then."

"Okay."

After hanging up, Sophie Hughes contacted Director Ford. She apologized, explaining that she had to go home for a few days due to a private family matter—her father wasn’t well. She promised she would come back as soon as things were settled.

Director Ford only knew that Sophie Hughes was Tristan Lawson’s aunt; she wasn’t aware of the other details.

And since Noelle was Tristan Lawson’s wife, there were social connections to consider. Out of respect for that relationship, Director Ford didn’t press the issue. She just told Sophie Hughes to report to the studio on time once she was back in Glenwater.

After his call with Sophie Hughes, Tristan Lawson called Adrian Grant.

"What are you up to?"

Adrian Grant was a little surprised by the sudden, proactive call from him.

"Nothing much. Just at the office."

"Are there any animated films looking for investors lately?"

The Grant Group’s business was focused on film, television, and media.

Although Adrian Grant hadn’t taken full control of the Grant Group yet, he was managing its subsidiary, Grant Pictures.

He was the one with the most up-to-date information on this front.

"Looking to invest?"

"Yeah. Ideally, something I can fund exclusively, with a high-potential script."

As it happened, Adrian Grant was browsing through a report from his company analyzing films that were currently seeking investment.

He had a good eye for film investments.

Over the years, his investments had seen far more wins than losses.

"There is one, actually, but I’ve already claimed it."

"Tell me about it."

Tristan Lawson was well aware of Adrian Grant’s expertise in this area.

"It’s not a big production, but it has huge potential. It’s already in the voice-acting stage, with all the initial production funding secured. They’re just looking for backing for promotion and theatrical distribution now."

Hearing this, Tristan Lawson immediately lost interest.

He was looking for a project still in the preparatory stages to pave the way for Sophie Hughes; he had no need for a film that was already near completion.

"I mean, I’m looking for something that hasn’t started yet, or is still in early production."

Adrian Grant lit a cigarette and leaned back lazily in his office chair. "Planning to set this up for Sophie Hughes?"

"Yeah."

Tristan Lawson didn’t bother to hide it.

Adrian Grant took a deep drag from his cigarette. "Tristan, have you lost your mind?"

"What do you mean?"

"Your wife has already left you, and you’re still getting tangled up with Sophie Hughes. You really think you’re that damn irresistible, don’t you?"

But Tristan Lawson was dismissive. "There’s nothing between her and me. You’re all reading too much into it." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Adrian Grant couldn’t help but laugh. "You can’t see the forest for the trees, can you?"

Tristan Lawson frowned. ’He really didn’t have anything going on with Sophie Hughes.’

’All these years, Noelle Sutton had been so gentle and considerate, never causing him any trouble. He had assumed she understood everything about him.’

’Noelle had brought it up once. He’d been about to explain everything, but then Kyle Sawyer had called to say Sophie Hughes had fallen off a terrace, and he’d had no choice but to leave.’

’After that, they never got a chance to talk properly; something always interrupted them.’

’Could that really be the reason?’

’If so, then it should be easy enough to fix.’

’He could just explain it all to her.’

"Adrian, I’ve gotta go. Keep an eye out for a film for me, and let me know if you find anything suitable. I’m hanging up now."

After hanging up, Tristan Lawson used the other SIM card in his phone to dial Noelle Sutton’s number.

Noelle Sutton had blocked his number, so he’d always had to borrow other people’s phones to contact her.

That’s why he had specifically bought a new SIM card.

Noelle Sutton had just woken from unconsciousness when her phone started ringing. It was an unfamiliar number.

She hung up.

Tristan Lawson listened to the disconnected tone, thinking, ’I’ve never contacted her with this number before. There’s no way she could know it’s me.’

’Then again, she rarely answers calls from unknown numbers.’

’The things he wanted to explain couldn’t be properly conveyed over the phone, but he should at least mention it, just to let her know.’

So, Tristan Lawson typed out a text: "Noelle, it’s not what you think between me and Sophie Hughes. I’ll explain everything. Can you please pick up the phone?"

After typing out the message, Tristan Lawson was about to hit send, but then he reconsidered. ’A text isn’t enough to explain everything. What if she blocks this number, too? Then he’d have no way of reaching her at all.’

Tristan Lawson deleted the text.

He decided he had to go to Aridia in person.

It would be best to talk to Noelle Sutton face-to-face.

He called Secretary Shaw and asked him to charter a private jet.

His leg was still immobilized, so he would have to travel lying on a medical bed inside the chartered jet.

Noelle Sutton sat up in her hospital bed. Wyatt Yates had brought dinner; he knocked, then waited a moment before entering.

He placed the food container on the bedside table, then sat down and asked with concern about her condition.

Seeing that she seemed alright, he said, "Hugo Sterling is in Aridia now, too. He called this morning during your procedure, asking for you. I held him off for now. I figured you might not want anyone to know about your vocal treatment, so I just said you were in the hospital for a throat issue. Once he’s over his jet lag, he’ll probably try to contact you or me again. Are you going to tell him the truth?"