After Audrey returned home, Anthea was in the living room watching a variety show.
Seeing Audrey come in, Anthea didn't ask about the results and instead went to the kitchen to cut some fruits.
Audrey sat with her in the living room for a while, noticing that the show featured celebrities doing manual labor and cooking.
Such shows were quite popular among many viewers.
Audrey could clearly sense that Anthea wasn't particularly interested in this type of variety show, yet she watched it without complaint.
Audrey was a bit puzzled and asked, "Mom, if you're not interested, why are you watching?"
Anthea replied, "I want to see how celebrities like you live."
Audrey couldn't help but chuckle. "Many of these shows are scripted and not entirely real. Besides, I'm not even a celebrity."
Anthea said seriously, "Let me watch and learn more about it."
After a brief moment of silence, Audrey suddenly suggested, "Mom, why not consider taking a flower arrangement class? Otherwise, when I join the cast later, you'll be alone at home and bored."
Anthea shook her head. "No need. There are so many flowers in the garden outside. I tend to them every day, and I don't find it boring."
Audrey could somewhat guess Anthea's thoughts. She used to go out as well, but those upper-class ladies who approached her all had motives. Audrey knew Anthea disliked that and didn't want to upset Gary due to such matters.
"Mom, please consider it. When you learn flower arranging, I'll buy a vase for my room, and you can put your creations in it. I'll see them every day, and it'll improve my mood."
Upon hearing Audrey's words, Anthea wavered.
She thought about it for a moment and finally agreed.
Seeing her nod, Audrey felt pleased. She knew that Anthea would agree if she had stated the request this way. To Anthea, nothing was more important to her than her daughter.
Without hesitation, they promptly put their plans into action. Audrey took to the internet, scouring for flower arrangement classes in the vicinity. After careful consideration, the mother-daughter duo finally opted for a conveniently situated class with a plethora of positive reviews.
Only Gary and Abner came back at night.
Gary inquired Anthea about Audrey's audition, and upon discovering that Eric had not made his way back yet, a chuckle of irritation escaped him. "As soon as the matter with the cinema chain was settled, he vanished. Well, it's no surprise really, they all seem to come home only when they want something."
Audrey pursed her lips slightly, not daring to speak.
[Although I know it's cruel, I have to say that Uncle Gary is very clear-headed.]
Thinking this, Audrey glanced at Abner with a puzzled expression.
[So, why did Big Brother come back? It can't be that he returned for the two million pocket money like me, right?]
Abner read the first sentence and his lips twitched slightly. Upon reading the second part, his expression froze.
Only then did he understand what "two million" meant.
Audrey thought that he had returned home for two million? Abner felt a bit conflicted. Yet, he couldn't possibly explain to Audrey that he came back because he was intrigued by the subtitles above her head.
Forget it, let it be a misunderstanding.
Audrey thought that she wouldn't see Eric for a long time. Contrary to her expectations, Eric made an unexpected return the very next day.
His arrival was just before dinner.
The next day, Audrey accompanied Anthea for her enrollment in the flower arrangement class. As she arrived home, she coincidentally crossed paths with Eric.
Anthea, upon returning, headed upstairs. In the living room, only Audrey and Eric remained.
[Why is he back again? Could it be that he's seeking another favor from Uncle Gary?]
Eric's eyes fell on Audrey's expression, and a tinge of exasperation swept over him.
With the impending movie release, his entire savings had been funneled into promotional efforts, rendering him financially strained. He had no money left.
In the past, he would have never compromised for the sake of two million, but now things were different from before.
When he made movies, his mother didn't support him, and Gary considered it an unproductive pursuit. Neither of them would provide him with financial support. He had to use his own money to make his films.
The cost of making a movie wasn't insignificant, and Eric pursued perfection in his filmmaking. He demanded excellence in every aspect, including costumes, makeup, and set design. This inevitably led to spending money like water.
However, it didn't matter if he went home. At least this time returning home didn't feel as suffocating.