Mr. CEO's Substitute Bride-Chapter 948 - 944: Doesn’t Like Being Led by the Nose
"Mr. Hargrave, you’re too kind. I’m a man, it doesn’t matter, as long as it doesn’t smear your daughter’s reputation."
Nicholas Croft took a drag on his cigarette, the corner of his lips curling in evident sarcasm. At the same time, he subtly made his intention clear: he was a man, and no matter how many rumors spread, it was no big deal.
On the other hand, Hannah Hargrave, a woman, if she kept getting involved with men, would likely be insulted as a public bus.
"You’re amusing, Nicholas," Henry Hargrave’s voice came with a hint of a smile, "It’s an honor for Hannah to have a scandal with you, not a smear."
Nicholas Croft smiled without speaking, only responding after Henry Hargrave finished his lengthy chatter, "Mr. Hargrave, as long as you don’t mind. Is there anything else? If not, I have a meeting waiting to be held."
Regarding Henry Hargrave, Nicholas Croft respected him but didn’t want to get too close. After all, they were in the same industry, hence competitors. He didn’t want people to pick at him if he someday surpassed Henry, so keeping a respectful distance was best.
"Ah, nothing else. Nicholas, you go ahead with your work," Henry Hargrave said warmly. Just as Nicholas Croft was about to say goodbye, Henry spoke again, "The matter with my daughter must have caused you trouble. How about this, come to my house one day, and let Hannah apologize to you personally." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮
"Mr. Hargrave, you’re too kind," Nicholas Croft leaned back in his executive chair, adopting a very leisurely posture, casually exhaling a puff of smoke. Henry Hargrave’s intentions couldn’t be more obvious, trying to leverage the scandal to strike indirectly, while Nicholas Croft feigned ignorance.
"In our industry, who hasn’t hit the headlines before? It’s merely a piece of news, no need to worry. It will be forgotten in a few days."
"How can that be?" Henry Hargrave unusually insisted, "All these years you’ve never been involved in a scandal, yet you’re taking the heat for my daughter. If she doesn’t apologize to you personally, I can’t let it pass."
Not wanting to tangle with Henry Hargrave, Nicholas Croft compromised, "As you wish."
"Alright, you go ahead. We’ll chat another day." Only after Nicholas Croft agreed did Henry Hargrave hang up the phone. Looking at the disconnected phone, Nicholas Croft sneered lightly.
On the other side, as Henry Hargrave hung up, Hannah Hargrave hurriedly asked, "Dad, how was it? What did Nicholas say?"
Throwing the phone onto the desk, Henry Hargrave leaned back in his executive chair, smiling at his daughter, "How was his attitude last night? Cold or warm?"
On the surface, Nicholas Croft seemed gentle, yet everyone in the circle knew that this man was actually quite proud. He never got involved with the circle’s artists, nor was he found to be seeing other women outside.
Early on, there was a rampant rumor about his sexual orientation being problematic. Apart from associating with a few close brothers, the only people consistently around him were his assistants, of similar age and appearance—fair-skinned and refined. At the time, the circle was abuzz with rumors that the assistant was his "lover."
Until one day, journalists spotted him taking a woman to a hotel, only leaving the next morning, effectively quashing the gay rumors.
In the entertainment industry, this big dye vat, handsome, wealthy, and disciplined, this was also why Henry Hargrave valued Nicholas Croft.
Recalling the moment she left with Nicholas Croft’s arm, attracting envious and jealous glances, and Nicholas Croft not shying away, Hannah Hargrave tucked nonexistent hair behind her ear, shyly saying, "He’s... quite gentle."
"Hmm, that’s good," hearing his daughter say this, Henry Hargrave nodded with satisfaction, "Leave this matter to me." Seeing his daughter look at him happily, Henry Hargrave added, "But don’t rush this; Nicholas Croft’s personality probably doesn’t like being led by the nose..."
