Chapter 430 - 428: The Champion of Wife-Pampering

’He’s even flirting now!’

Tommy could barely contain himself.

’President Fairchild’s moves are just too slick!’

’And to think Master Rockwell is worried about him all day. If Master Rockwell knew the truth, he’d probably cry his eyes out in the bathroom!’

The waiter finished serving the dishes. Director Walsh had also prepared two bottles of wine. He wasn’t sure if Evan Fairchild drank, but it was better to be prepared.

"President Fairchild, would you care for a drink?"

"How about Miss Monroe?" Evan Fairchild suddenly asked, turning to Melody Monroe.

"Yes! Of course, she does. Come, pour the wine," Director Walsh immediately ordered, winking pointedly at Melody Monroe.

Melody Monroe glanced at Director Walsh’s reaction, then at the wine glass before her.

’Is this his way of telling me I’m getting the casting couch treatment?’

’Then again, to be ’sponsored’ by Evan Fairchild... Most people would probably think I was the one getting the better end of the deal, right?’

But Melody Monroe truly wanted to cry and found she had no tears.

"How well do you hold your liquor, Miss Monroe?" Evan Fairchild asked, raising his glass and looking at Melody Monroe.

"I’m not much of a drinker," Melody Monroe said, quickly shaking her head. She raised her glass toward Evan Fairchild. "President Fairchild, I’ll toast to you."

Evan Fairchild gently clinked his glass against hers.

He drained his glass.

Melody had only taken a small sip, but when she saw he had finished his, she immediately raised her glass and downed the rest.

Director Walsh smiled and nodded. It seemed there would be no problem with the funding!

"Director Walsh, your original request was for a sixty-million investment from us. However, I’ve seen your previous budget proposals, and you’ll need closer to one hundred million. Have you secured the other forty million yet?"

"Not yet." Director Walsh never thought he’d be able to get Evan Fairchild involved, so he hadn’t dared to ask for so much.

"It looks like you’ve cut back significantly on the expenses for costumes and props in your budget."

"Yes, that was mainly to cut costs."

"From what I know of historical dramas, costumes and props are crucial, as are the sets. This is a serious historical epic, yet your budget for costumes and props is about the same as a low-budget web series."

"You’re absolutely right. It’s a funding issue."

"At Starfall, we either don’t invest, or we invest in top-quality productions. Money is not the issue."

"Draw up a new proposal for me based on a proper budget."

"I can have it ready immediately!" Director Walsh said at once.

This proposal was the scaled-back version. He had the original budget proposal on his computer; all he had to do was ask his assistant to send it over.

Less than five minutes later, Tommy was looking at a new budget proposal.

Only after seeing this new budget did he nod slightly.

"If we’re going for top quality across the board, even a hundred million might not be enough. Right now, we’ve only raised about eighteen million—not even twenty," Director Walsh explained, laying out the reality of the situation.

"Money isn’t the issue," Tommy said at once. "Whatever you need, we’ll invest."

"Really? That’s wonderful!" Director Walsh was so excited he nearly leaped out of his chair.

He knew this was all thanks to Melody Monroe.

President Fairchild had only come today because of her.

Under Evan Fairchild’s spell, Melody Monroe drank one glass after another.

"President Fairchild, please, try some of the food. I hope it’s to your liking," Director Walsh urged, afraid the two of them would get drunk before they’d eaten a single bite.

Melody Monroe raised her wine glass, clinking it against Evan Fairchild’s again. "No food, just drinks!"

Evan Fairchild: "..."

’This woman,’ he thought, ’is well and truly drunk.’

"That’s enough drinking. Take a break," Evan Fairchild said, reaching for the glass in her hand.