The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 823 A Threat

Sheryl had no idea what Roger and Helin were talking about after she left. She wanted to tell Charles that she wanted to leave, but decided to wait for him on the side instead, when she saw him talking to someone else.

Even though Charles was talking to Heron He, he still paid Sheryl glances at times to see how she was doing.

Worry grew on his face when his eyes darted on an empty space where Sheryl was supposed to be standing. He searched around with the hope to see her. Luckily, he felt relieved when he noticed Sheryl standing at a spot close to him. She was looking at him.

Not wanting Sheryl to wait any longer, he hastily told Heron He, "Mr. He, I still have something else to do later. Please excuse me first."

"Yes, of course." After a short conversation with Charles, Heron He felt satisfied that a partnership had been made. Smiling widely at Charles, he said, "Mr. Lu, shall we confirm the partnership then? If yes, I'll ask my men to send you the contracts later."

"Alright," said Charles with a nod. After parting with Heron He, he immediately walked towards Sheryl and asked, "Why are you here? Is there anything wrong?"

"It's alright." Sheryl smiled at him gently and continued, "If you have something important to discuss, just go ahead. Don't worry about me."

"I don't have any other things to do now; all the important discussions are done," Charles said indifferently. "Shall we go?"

"Okay, sure." Sheryl nodded gently. It was impossible to eat anything properly while on a wine reception, so Charles took her elsewhere for some light food.

Helin only decided to bring Roger to Heron He when Charles and Sheryl had left. With a curious look on her face, she asked her father, "Dad, what were you discussing with him?"

Heron He seemed to be in a pretty good mood. "Darling, you came just in time. I have just confirmed a partnership with Mr. Lu. To make it more interesting, he agreed to have you as the endorser of his company's brand, 'Kelly'. You should personally go to the Shining Company later. But remember, don't upset him with your tantrum, or else even I can't help you with it. Do you understand?" "Yes Dad, I got it," Helin answered cheerfully.

Her brows were inseparable. She was worried that if she had displeased Sheryl, it would let the whole thing fall through. Heron He would get angry if that happened. "Congratulations, Mr. He," Roger uttered with a smile as he faced Heron He.

Heron He patted Roger's shoulder and said, "Your contribution to the agreement was really undeniable. If you had not invited Mr. Lu, I don't think I'll ever have this opportunity. Tell me, what rewards do you want?"

"I..." Roger hesitated and gave him a modest smile as he said, "Don't mention it, Mr. He. This is what I'm supposed to do."

Heron He's smile deepened with satisfaction at Roger's words.

Helin turned to Roger to give him a small nudge and said, "Roger, it's not easy to get a chance like this. This is a rare opportunity. You don't have to be so courteous to my father."

Helin smiled as she held his father's arm lovingly and said, "Dad, you mentioned before that our company has this drama adaptation of a popular novel which will start filming by the end of the year. But, the male lead has not been confirmed yet, right? How about Roger? What do you think?"

Helin gave her father a sweet smile and then went on, "Roger is one of the hottest young celebrities in our company now. Popular shows like this will get more interests with actors that are young and popular, don't you think? And Roger's image fits the description of the leading character of that show. Should we..."

Heron He interrupted with an unreadable expression, "Well, I'll think about this." He became serious when he heard Helin's request. "I am not the only one who will make decisions in terms of casting. Besides, the company has its own arrangements already. It should not be your concern."

"But dad..." Helin protested with a frown.

"Save your breath." It was obvious that Heron He did not want to discuss the subject and so he avoided it. He looked at Helin as the warmth in his eyes disappeared. He added, "You should go and eat something first, I have other things to discuss with Roger."

Helin was reluctant as she looked at her father, but still left without further objections.

After making sure that Helin already left them, Heron He turned to face Roger with an intense gaze. "Roger, you ought to know... Helin is my only daughter, the apple of my eye..."

"Of course. I know that very well," Roger nodded and said, "and I always see Helin as my own younger sister."

"Indeed, it would be better for you to see her as your own sister," Heron He said with a grin. "I wasn't able to change her mind in joining the entertainment industry. Truly, that's what she really wants. With that, I arranged everything for her to join my own company. I had two reasons. One was to fulfill her wish and the other was to keep her close to me so I could watch over her."

Heron He shot Roger a sideways glance and went on, "We all know what it is like to be in the entertainment industry. The obstacles and challenges were certainly not easy for any of us. But we managed to overcome those to be in the positions we are today, don't you agree?"

A little frown could be seen on Roger's face. He looked at Heron He impassively and said, "Mr. He, if you have something to say, put it directly. It's quite tiring for me to listen to you while beating around the bush."

"In that case, I shall tell you this frankly," Heron he responded coldly. "Helin is my only daughter so I do not want her to get hurt even a bit. It's quite obvious that she has feelings for you, but we, as her parents, do not want her to be with someone from the entertainment industry. So my point is that you should keep your distance and stay away from her. Do you understand?"

"Mr. He, I think there's a misunderstanding here," Roger said with a frown. "Helin and I are just friends; it is not what you think..."

"It doesn't matter what I think it is." A sense of coldness was present in Heron He's tone as he uttered his words. "I just want to warn you. Stay away from Helin or else you know what might happen."

Heron He released a brittle laugh. With that, Roger understood immediately why he was not chosen to be part of the upcoming popular drama. It was all because of Heron He. It was pretty clear that he was giving him a warning.

Roger had the courage to stare at Heron He who stood firmly in front of him. He was not moved, but he did not know what else to say.

The next moment, Heron He kindly patted Roger on the shoulder, as if no confrontation had happened. He then said, "You know what Roger, to be honest, I am quite satisfied with you in general. But of course. it would be better if you keep a good distance away from my precious daughter, Helin. If you do that, I can assure you of a brighter future in the entertainment industry."

"I'm sorry but... are you threatening me?" Roger winced upon saying those words.

"Of course not, why would I?" Heron He laughed coldly. "This is nothing more than a gentle reminder for you."

Despite his assertion of it being just a 'reminder', Heron He still fired Roger an intense glare and said, "You better choose, your future or my daughter. Do remember to always choose wisely." Roger's fists tightly clenched as he watched Heron He leaving.

"Roger, what did my dad tell you?" The moment Heron He had left, Helin who had been waiting at the side all along came up to Roger. She took his hand and asked, "What exactly did he tell you?" Urgency could be sensed in her tone.

Roger turned and looked at Helin. He had always hated this kind of situation. He didn't like the idea of being threatened by others. He was genuine when he said he had no feelings for her. So he firmly opposed what Heron He assumed. Heron He's threat to him was not only pointless but also nerve-racking. It only made him develop a rebellious attitude inside him.