Chapter 200: Chapter 200: In Sophie Hughes’s Name?

Adrian Grant handed the file to Tristan Lawson. It contained information on the movie.

Tristan Lawson opened the file.

Hugo Sterling asked, "What movie has you so invested?"

"A movie that could break the domestic box office record for animated films."

Adrian Grant’s primary business was in film and media. He had a great eye for investing in movies and television shows, and with his own theater chain under his belt, he had been raking it in for years.

Hugo Sterling was a little surprised. After all, for Adrian Grant to say something like that meant the movie must have incredible potential.

Tristan Lawson hadn’t expected it to be an animated film either. He glanced over the details, and drawing on his nose for money, honed over many years, his gut feeling and judgment were almost identical to Adrian Grant’s.

He closed the file. "Can you let me have it?"

"Let you have it?" Adrian Grant raised an eyebrow. "What? You want to be the sole investor on this one and put Sophie Hughes’s name on it?"

"Mhm."

Sophie Hughes had saved him back in the day. For years, he had been looking for an opportunity to help her achieve some success in her career.

He had everything arranged this time, but then Noelle Sutton came out of nowhere and joined Smith’s team.

From what he knew of Smith, the man admired Noelle Sutton so much that he would undoubtedly continue to work with her.

With the backing of Smith and Director Ford, Noelle Sutton’s future was sure to be boundless.

Tristan Lawson knew the animation industry well. The ceiling was high, but very, very few people ever reached it.

The talent gap was huge. Noelle Sutton was only twenty-seven this year... no, she was Hailey Sterling. She was only twenty-six. Once she hit her career peak, she was guaranteed to hold a top position in the industry for years to come.

If Sophie Hughes wanted to stand out, it would be difficult.

She was so passionate about the industry; even a fleeting moment in the spotlight would allow her to leave a lasting mark.

That was why Tristan Lawson wanted to secure the exclusive investment for the film’s marketing and distribution.

Hugo Sterling was so furious his chest ached.

Adrian Grant, on the other hand, didn’t really care. It didn’t make much difference to him who Tristan Lawson loved.

"If you want it, it’s yours. It’s just an investment in one movie. It’ll definitely make a killing, but it’s not like we’re short on cash."

Hugo Sterling sneered. "Tristan Lawson, acting like this, how do you have the nerve to not get a divorce? Do you have any idea that your wife is also in the animation industry?" 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Tristan Lawson explained, "She’s Tutor Ford’s most prized disciple, the person Smith was waiting and waiting to find. I’ve seen her work. Even without this movie, nothing can dim her light. I’m just giving Sophie Hughes a small opportunity before she has her big moment. Do you really need to attack me like this?"

"But have you considered her feelings?"

Hugo Sterling was genuinely indignant on Noelle Sutton’s behalf.

"A true genius wouldn’t care about something like this."

This was Tristan Lawson’s philosophy.

It was just like him.

He never minded when people in his industry got a helping hand from others.

Because even with that help, they could never surpass him.

’What was there to be upset about?’

Hugo Sterling let out a few cold laughs, then suddenly shot to his feet. With one hand on his hip, he pointed at Tristan Lawson. "I must have been out of my fucking mind to think you had feelings for her. To think you two had a chance to reconcile. She’d be better off with Wyatt Yates than with you!"

After saying his piece, Hugo Sterling kicked his chair back and stormed out.

Adrian Grant watched the scene unfold, stunned.

’Hugo Sterling is actually standing up for Noelle Sutton.’

’How magnanimous of him.’

’He’s clearly interested in Noelle Sutton himself, yet he’s saying she should be with Wyatt Yates.’

Adrian Grant was thoroughly impressed.

A knot formed between Tristan Lawson’s brows. He was just helping Sophie Hughes. Noelle Sutton was a natural talent; she didn’t need any of this.

’Did Hugo really need to fly off the handle like that?’

Of course, having pissed off his brother-in-law again made Tristan’s heart seize up.

Seeing the ugly look on Tristan Lawson’s face, Adrian Grant said, "Well, I have other things to attend to, so I’ll be leaving first."

With that, Adrian Grant hurried out and caught up with Hugo Sterling in the underground parking garage.

"You’re really something. Why’d you have to blow up like that? Tristan’s expression completely changed."

"So what if it changed? I can’t be bothered to care about his feelings. That damn scumbag. No wonder a mute woman who married up to him would still want a divorce. They’ve been married for seven years, their son is six years old, and he’s still entangled with Sophie Hughes."

"You can’t think of it that way. Sophie Hughes is Tristan’s great unresolved love. He defied his entire family to marry her back in the day. It wasn’t a lack of love that stopped them from getting married. It’s only natural he can’t forget a love like that. But then there’s you, acting like you’re trying to steal his wife. How do you think that makes him feel? We’re all friends. He’s a grown man; he can love whomever he wants. Why are you worrying so much about it? You clearly have too much time on your hands."

In their social circle, plenty of men had a family on the side. Adrian Grant, who moved in film circles, had seen it all and was unfazed.

As long as Tristan managed the relationships well, his affair with Sophie Hughes could just remain in the shadows. One woman in public, one in private. It wasn’t a huge problem.

It wasn’t his place to worry about it.

He continued to placate Hugo Sterling. "Don’t be angry about this. If you interfere with his personal life, it’ll just strain your friendship. It’s not worth it."

Hugo Sterling shot Adrian Grant a sideways glance. "So you’re saying you actually envy him? Keeping his wife at home while having a lover on the side?"

"What are you talking about? I’m not envious of him. It’s just us ’decent’ guys who don’t have women on the side. Take a look at other men. Forget one mistress, some have a second, a third, a fourth..."

Just as he said that, Hugo Sterling’s phone rang.

It was a call from Noelle Sutton.

Since Noelle Sutton couldn’t speak, she hung up and sent a text message instead.

[Are you there?]

[Yeah.]

[I need to ask you for a favor. A friend’s movie is almost finished, and they’re looking to get in touch with theater chains. I thought you might have connections in that area.]

Christopher Grant had called Noelle Sutton the other day, asking for her help contacting theater chains. Noelle had planned to reach out to Hugo Sterling then, but that lunatic, Tristan Lawson, had shown up at her house straight from his hospital bed, interrupting her train of thought and making her forget all about it.

[I do. I’ll contact them for you as soon as I can.]

[Thanks.]

The man with the theater chain connections was standing right next to him. Hugo Sterling finished replying and was just about to mention it to Adrian Grant when Adrian’s phone rang.

It was his assistant.

"President Grant, about that animated film you had your eye on... Director Christopher Grant won’t give us exclusive marketing and distribution. He says someone has already invested twenty-five million."

Adrian Grant sneered. "He won’t agree to give me exclusive distribution, yet he still thinks his movie will get a theatrical release? Dream on."