Chapter 201: Chapter 201: You’re the Best Girl I’ve Ever Met

"Okay, then. I’ll go talk it over with him again."

Adrian Grant hung up the phone.

Hugo Sterling then asked, "Which movie has you so pissed off?"

"The one I just mentioned to Tristan. They won’t give me exclusive rights for investment, promotion, and distribution."

When Adrian Grant set his sights on something, he was determined to get it.

This had nothing to do with Hugo Sterling, so he didn’t give it much thought. He just said, "A friend of mine has a movie coming out soon. Could you help arrange for some theatrical distribution?"

"Don’t worry, I’ll handle it for you. I’ll get you the best screen-time percentage. But if it doesn’t perform, I can’t do anything about what comes next. We’re all in this business to make a living. If a blockbuster comes along, we’ll have to give it screens."

"I get it. Just give it a good arrangement for the initial release."

"Sure, no problem. Let me know when you’ve got it all sorted."

Before they parted ways, Adrian Grant advised Hugo Sterling again not to get any ideas about Noelle Sutton, lest he have a real falling out with Tristan Lawson down the road.

Good friends shouldn’t ruin their relationship over something like this.

Adrian Grant didn’t know at this point that Noelle Sutton was Hailey Sterling, so he felt his ties to Tristan Lawson were stronger. Tristan Lawson and Noelle Sutton were a legally married couple; it would be completely unjustifiable for Hugo Sterling to get involved.

After getting into his car, Hugo Sterling mulled over Adrian Grant’s words. He felt deeply conflicted.

’If I’ve really fallen for Noelle, I shouldn’t be thinking she’d be better off with Wyatt Yates than with Tristan Lawson. I should be thinking she’d be better off with *me* than with Tristan.’

’What on earth is wrong with me?’

His thoughts were in a tangle.

Still, he messaged Noelle Sutton back, telling her that the theatrical distribution was no problem and to contact him whenever she was ready on her end.

Just as Noelle Sutton was about to share the good news with Christopher Grant, she got a call from him.

The gist of it was, while looking for investors for promotion and distribution, Grant Pictures had expressed interest. They wanted exclusive rights, and if they didn’t get them, the movie could forget about ever getting a theatrical release.

When Noelle Sutton saw the message, she immediately went online and searched for Grant Pictures.

Grant Pictures actually belonged to Adrian Grant.

Adrian Grant was friends with Tristan Lawson and Hugo Sterling, it seemed. And Grant Pictures, with its own theater chains, was a titan in the film world.

’Hugo Sterling said he’d help me get things sorted out. Don’t tell me he went to Adrian Grant.’

’I didn’t give him the movie’s title, so Adrian Grant probably doesn’t know Hugo is trying to secure distribution for this particular film.’

Noelle Sutton quickly sent a message back to Christopher Grant.

"Don’t worry, I’ll handle it right now. The distribution contact I have might be Grant Pictures. Wait for me. I’ll get in touch as soon as I sort this out."

Hugo Sterling had just arrived at the office when he received a call from Noelle Sutton on WeChat.

She was in a bit of a hurry and felt that texting would be too slow.

She logged into WeChat on her laptop to make a video call, then took out her vocalizer ring, typing on her phone to speak.

"Mr. Sterling, I’m sorry to bother you again."

Hugo Sterling remembered that the voice software Noelle Sutton used at the children’s paper-cutting competition sounded just like this, so he wasn’t too surprised.

"It’s fine, go ahead."

"Here’s what happened..."

Noelle Sutton explained the whole situation to Hugo Sterling.

A dull ache spread through Hugo Sterling’s chest once again.

"So you’re telling me... for the past seven years, Tristan Lawson never took you to a single public event, gave you two million every time, and you saved up sixty-six million... fifty million of which you invested in a movie being made by a team of mute creators?"

"Yes."

Hugo Sterling pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth. He remembered that time, in the small apartment Noelle had bought for herself. She had been explaining something when Wyatt Yates suddenly lost his composure. He refused to translate her sign language and stormed off to settle things with Tristan Lawson.

’He must have heard about this.’

’Unbelievable...’

Hugo Sterling’s chest heaved.

Tristan Lawson had gone too far!

’Noelle must have endured so much injustice over the years.’

"Mr. Sterling, Christopher Grant just called me. He said Grant Pictures has taken an interest in the movie. Since production is almost finished, they want to be the exclusive investor for promotion and distribution. If Christopher Grant doesn’t agree, we can forget about a theatrical release."

Hugo’s pupils constricted. The words sounded eerily familiar—it was the exact topic he and Adrian had just been discussing.

’So, the animated film Adrian was so high on—the one he said could break domestic box office records—was the one Noelle invested in.’

Shit!

’Noelle is a brilliant, shining star, but Tristan has covered her in a layer of dust.’

"Don’t worry, I’ll handle this."

’There was no way he would let Tristan take this film and slap Sophie Hughes’s name on it.’

"Thank you. I’ve poured my heart and soul into this film. Christopher Grant approached me a few years ago wanting me to join the project, but Joshua was still young and I just couldn’t find the time. Tristan didn’t want me to work either. So, I could only do what little I could to support them and keep the project going. Christopher and I finished the script together. Only by succeeding can they prove to the world the value that people with disabilities have to offer."

Hugo Sterling’s eyes grew moist.

He understood her completely. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

’She couldn’t speak, so she knew the struggles people with disabilities faced.’

’They—people with disabilities—needed to show the world that they too could make their own way, have brilliant careers, and create their own worth.’

’...instead of being objects of ridicule and pity.’

’This was their silent, heartfelt cry.’

It was so worthy of respect and admiration!

’Tristan Lawson had probably never understood who Noelle really was at her core, seeing her as nothing more than a fragile, mute woman.’

’Even after seeing her talent, he’d arrogantly assumed that a genius didn’t need to fight for their place.’

’That she could create value without having to compete.’

’But there were so many other people with disabilities in the world who needed to prove their worth, and Noelle was fighting for them.’

’How could he let anyone steal a film made by someone like her?’

"Okay, I get it. I understand. Noelle, you’re incredible. Truly. You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. Trust me, you’re going to make your dream come true."

Aside from her mentor, this was the first time anyone had encouraged her so passionately about her career.

A strange, moving feeling slowly welled up inside her.

Like a gentle stream flowing through her...

She had an inexplicable trust in Hugo Sterling.

Even though Hugo was Tristan’s friend, she had chosen to trust him after escaping Tristan’s grasp.

From the moment they met, Hugo had helped her without any regard for the consequences.

"Mr. Sterling, thank you."

"You’re welcome. This film business is urgent, I’ll go take care of it now."

"Wait," Noelle called out to him. "Whatever you do, don’t let Tristan Lawson find out."

At first, Tristan said he was fine with her working, but then he changed his mind. When she wanted to go abroad with Smith, he refused and did everything he could to stop her.

If he found out she was the one who invested in the movie, she was afraid something would go wrong. She couldn’t let him ruin the painstaking work of Christopher Grant and his team because of her.