~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For 40 advanced chapters, visit my Patreon:
Patreon - Twilight_scribe1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The film was still excellent—despite some characters differing from the version Henry remembered.
In The Rock, the director had even added a shot for Charlize Theron that didn't exist in the original: a simple glance back.
Her makeup wasn't runway-level perfection—closer to a natural, almost bare-faced look—but within the film's setting, that fleeting turn of her head sent a shiver down Henry's spine.
By contrast, Charlize herself remained calm.
This wasn't the first time she'd seen her performance on screen. Even on the big screen, her instinct was to review her acting—analyzing where she could improve.
Even when watching others, she wasn't really "watching" the movie. Instead, she kept thinking about how she would perform those scenes, and what she could learn from the actors on screen.
In a way, Henry had already "ruined" her ability to enjoy movies.
But Charlize had no intention of breaking out of that mindset.
She understood clearly—without a director father or a celebrity mother, reaching the top would depend largely on her own effort.
---
After the premiere concluded successfully, Henry drove Charlize home in his old Cadillac.
It was her first time attending such a large-scale premiere. The flashes of cameras had left a deep impression.
Even if most weren't aimed at her, it still served as motivation—a reminder that she needed to become someone worthy of that spotlight.
Lost somewhere between ambition and imagination, she suddenly noticed Henry sneaking glances at her.
Out of nowhere, she said:
"The dress has to be returned to Cruella. Don't tear it."
---
"Tear it? Why would I do that?" Henry looked confused.
Charlize replied cautiously:
"I've heard some powerful people like tearing dresses… I was worried you might have that bad habit too. Even if you can afford to buy plenty from Cruella, I don't want you picking that up."
Henry waved it off.
"Relax, I don't. Frugality is a virtue. Sure, spend when it's necessary—but that's not an excuse to waste things. Buying clothes just to tear them? That's ridiculous."
---
There are plenty of other… ways to have fun anyway, Henry thought.
The Kama Sutra, the Japanese forty-eight techniques…
Too bad I can't find any Taoist dual cultivation manuals…
It was strange—ever since arriving in this Marvel world, anything related to classic Eastern texts seemed… blocked. No originals in bookstores or libraries, only butchered, nonsensical translations.
Not that Henry had any desire to set foot in that region anyway.
Who knew what kind of trouble that might trigger.
---
Just as Henry's thoughts drifted toward nighttime "activities," Charlize suddenly asked:
"Did Cruella mention it to you?"
"Mention what? Oh—the runway show?" Henry nodded. "I was going to ask you. What do you think?"
---
Cruella's invitation wasn't really about him—it was about Katie.
Her theme this season was "Wildness."
From advertisements to photoshoots to the runway, the aesthetic needed consistency.
And that meant—
Katie was unavoidable.
Originally, the lion in the ad was just CGI. But now that a real tiger had been used, how could Cruella pass up the chance?
Of course, the real focus was still the models.
---
Charlize hesitated.
"Do you think… I'm suitable for the runway?"
Henry answered plainly:
"Why wouldn't you be? You're not worse than those models.
"And celebrities walking runways isn't unusual. At your stage, what matters most is building recognition—getting the audience familiar with you.
"If it's positive exposure, it's worth trying."
He paused, then added:
"But if you don't go, I'm not bringing Katie either. I'm not handing that big cat over to strangers. If something goes wrong, no one wins."
---
In truth, with his tiger-language translator, Henry could easily get Katie to behave on a runway.
That wasn't the issue.
The real problem was logistics.
Transporting a tiger across borders.
Legal restrictions.
Endless paperwork.
And babysitting her the entire time—for what? A bit of money?
Not worth it.
Unless he smuggled her in using flight.
But then it couldn't be public.
Which defeated the whole purpose.
---
If it helped Charlize, Henry wouldn't hesitate.
But if not?
Letting Katie run wild somewhere would probably make her happier.
And save him a lot of trouble.
---
Charlize nodded.
"Got it. I'll talk it over with J.J."
---
After a brief silence, Henry asked:
"This isn't your first film on the big screen—but it's your first premiere. How does it feel?"
Charlize slipped off her shoes, curled up in her seat, hugging her knees.
Her tone carried a hint of frustration.
"…Honestly? Nothing special. It's not like I'm the lead."
---
Henry laughed softly.
"Don't worry. You'll get there. Lead roles—even films centered entirely around you—they'll come."
Resting her chin on her knees, Charlize suddenly said:
"Am I… useless?"
"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be where I am today."
---
Henry shook his head.
"How could that be?"
"Think about everything you've done. Would it all be meaningless without me? No.
"Even without my help, you'd still build your own brilliant life."
---
After all—
In his previous life, Charlize Theron was already untouchable.
A star far beyond reach.
His presence hadn't created her success.
At most, it had changed the path.
---
He continued:
"Maybe without certain help, the road gets rougher.
"But I believe you'd still keep going.
"You've already made it through the hardest part. Why would what comes next stop you?"
---
The words were meant as encouragement.
But Charlize heard something else.
Her eyes narrowed.
If Henry hadn't been driving, she might've already grabbed him.
Instead, she stared sharply and said:
"Explain."
"What do you mean 'even without you'? Where are you planning to go?"
"You're not allowed anywhere. You stay with me. Got it?"
---
Henry raised a hand in surrender, smiling.
"Yes, my queen."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
🎉 Power Stone Goal Announcement! 🎉
I'll release one bonus chapter for every 500 Power Stones we hit!"
Let me know what should I do
Your support means everything—let's crush these goals together! Keep voting, and let the stones pile up! 🚀
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~