Chapter 150
What's Your Problem?
Charlie picked up his phone.
He prepared to step out to take the call.
Ethan and Julian simultaneously pressed down on his shoulders.
Ethan signaled for everyone to be quiet.
Julian turned off the music.
Their movements were swift.
Their coordination was seamless.
Charlie swallowed hard.
He felt immense pressure.
Sophia had hesitated for a long time before making this call.
Isabella's contract was about to expire.
If they didn't renew with Editor Moore, they needed a new editor.
The new editor needed experience publishing suspense and thriller novels.
Preferably with promotional resources.
Among the people she knew, only Charlie had connections in media and publishing.
Sophia wasn't worried about Charlie refusing to help.
She knew if he had the resources, he would refer them.
Even though she and Ethan had broken up, her friendship with Charlie remained.
Her hesitation was about whether she should make this decision for Isabella.
She called home this morning.
David said Isabella had been bursting with inspiration lately.
She had been pulling all-nighters for a week.
Even digging and fertilizing in the backyard had to be done quietly.
They were afraid of disturbing her creative process.
Sophia gritted her teeth.
She decided to find someone for Isabella first.
Whether to accept would ultimately be Isabella's decision.
Besides, they might not even find anyone.
Sophia spoke softly.
"Charlie, are you busy right now?"
"Not at all, not at all."
"Even if I were busy, I'd take your call, Sophia!"
"Stop joking."
"I need a serious favor."
Charlie immediately sat up straight.
"Tell me."
"I'll move heaven and earth for you!"
Sophia briefly explained the situation.
Charlie listened attentively.
He nodded and hummed in agreement occasionally.
Ethan watched Charlie.
He suddenly felt strange.
Charlie's attitude toward Sophia.
It wasn't like how one treats a good friend's ex-girlfriend.
It was more like how one treats an equal friend.
Why?
Sophia only met Charlie through him.
How could they still stay in contact after breaking up?
Charlie kept calling her "Sophia."
It didn't sound insincere at all.
Charlie appeared smiling and easygoing on the surface.
But he was actually quite arrogant deep down.
His so-called friendliness was mostly an act.
Ethan's eyes turned sharp.
With Sebastian's precedent.
It was hard for him not to be suspicious.
Charlie scratched his head.
"Sophia, most of my investments are in new media and online short dramas."
"As for publishing…"
He suddenly looked at Julian.
Julian raised an eyebrow.
"Sophia, Julian invested in a publishing house."
"Top three in the domestic industry."
"They mainly publish textbooks and traditional fiction."
"It fits your requirements."
"Should I ask for you?"
Sophia was silent for a moment.
She didn't respond immediately.
Charlie didn't press her.
"Sophia, let me ask for you first."
"No guarantee it'll work out."
He understood Sophia didn't want to owe Julian a favor.
So he made the decision for her.
It was just asking.
"Get some rest soon, Sophia."
Charlie hung up the phone.
Julian couldn't help but smirk.
"Look at you, so eager."
"What did Sophia give you?"
"Calling her 'Sophia' so affectionately is nauseating."
Charlie glared at him.
"What do you know?"
"I'm all about sincerity with my friends."
"If you don't like it, don't look."
"Friends?" Julian raised an eyebrow.
"She broke up with Ethan."
"How did you two get so close?"
Ethan also looked at Charlie.
Charlie suddenly sat up straight.
His expression turned serious.
"You can't say that."
"Sophia helped me before."
"Her not being with Ethan anymore."
"Doesn't affect my friendship with her."
"Helped you?" Julian's eyes flickered.
"Helped you with what?"
Charlie cleared his throat lightly.
"It's a long story."
"Not today."
"Let's drink, let's drink."
"Oh, right, Julian, there's something—"
"I really need to use the restroom."
Julian bolted out faster than a rabbit.
Charlie was stunned.
He felt it was intentional.
Julian left the private room.
He didn't go to the restroom.
He walked to the terrace and lit a cigarette.
His brows were tightly furrowed.
He seemed troubled by something.
He paced back and forth occasionally.
Visibly agitated.
One cigarette burned out.
He lit another.
He took an occasional puff.
Most of the time, he just let it burn.
Suddenly, he crushed the cigarette butt.
As if he had made a decision.
He took out his phone and dialed.
After hanging up, Sophia placed her phone on the coffee table.
She went to take a shower.
After drying her hair.
She noticed two missed calls.
An unknown number with a D.C. area code.
She called back.
The other end picked up quickly.
"Hello, may I ask who's calling?"
Julian chuckled helplessly.
"Sophia, we've known each other for years."
"You didn't save my number?"
What was most infuriating was that she had saved Charlie's.
But not his!
Different treatment, huh?
Hearing Julian's voice.
Sophia was taken aback.
"Julian, you…"
"What's your problem?"
"You called so late just for this?"
Julian also found himself ridiculous.
The words had slipped out without thought.
Shit!
Why was he competing over this?
Sophia asked softly.
"What did you need?"
"I was there when you called Charlie."
"So?"
"Charlie already said I have the resources."
"I can help."
"Why didn't you call me?"
"I have tons of editor contacts!"
Sophia was silent.
"I didn't have your number."
"And Charlie said he'd ask you for me."
Julian was speechless.
"Sophia, do you know the most important thing about asking for a favor?"
"What?"
"Finding the right person!"
"You asked Charlie to ask me."
"There's a fundamental difference between that and you asking me directly."
"Understand?"
"Honestly, not really."
"So you called to remind me I should ask you directly?"
Julian lifted his chin slightly.
"Of course!"
"I don't like owing favors."
"You helped me before."
"I never repaid it."
Sophia was momentarily dazed.
She had almost forgotten if Julian hadn't reminded her.