Notes of Destiny: A Musical Odyssey by Neil Grant
Chapter 13

Chapter 13 1'll Pay

After signing the novel’s contract, he had another form of livelihood.

The gambling debt of one million wasn’t a distant goal any longer!

It was rare for him to be in the city, so Neil planned to buy some things.

He came to a department store.

He bought a point–and–shoot camera and ten rolls of film at a counter on the first floor.

He spent five hundred in total.

Digital cameras still weren’t widespread at that time yet.

Thankfully, it was easy to use the camera. But developing the film was slightly troublesome, and he had to go to a photo studio.

He bought a camera to record memories with his wife and have better documentation for his. work.

To avoid copyright disputes in the future.

After that, Neil went around the women’s department on the second floor.

“Please show me this outfit.”

Neil said politely to the salesperson.

The salesperson looked at Neil’s appearance. He didn’t look like someone rich but rather someone from a rural area.

The salesperson looked down at Neil and rolled her eyes at him.

“This is the latest woolen coat, and it’s around six hundred. Don’t look if you don’t want to buy it!”

Six hundred was an average person’s monthly salary in Remmington.

The salesperson automatically thought Neil, who was in cheap clothes, couldn’t afford them.

Neil didn’t say anything. He casually pointed at two dresses at the side.

“Wrap the two dresses up first. I’ll pay.”

There was a big summer sale, and the two dresses came up to a total of two hundred.

But when the salesperson saw that Neil wanted to buy dresses that cost one hundred per piece, she immediately viewed Neil differently.

“Sir, are you buying this for your wife? How tall is she, and how much does she weigh? I’ll help you choose a suitable coat.”

Neil waved his hands. “It’s fine. I’ll look by myself.”

He had worked in the fashion industry for many years in his past life, so he had a good fashion

sense.

He personally chose a few outfits for Ancira.

Among the two dresses, one was white with a ruffled edge, while the other was a crisp floral dress,

They were styles that were still trendy decades later. Aueira wouldn’t seem old–fashioned at all when she wore them!

Neil wanted to take more photos of Aneira.

He spent over a thousand on a woolen sweater, skirt, and coat.

Along with two pairs of thick pantyhose and a silk scarf.

The salesperson saw he was a generous spender, so she became more attentive.

Neil ignored her.

He only thought of Ancira.

Aneira was beautiful and loved dressing up when she was younger.

Back then, when they had met at the bar, she had been the most dazzling one in the crowd!

Until today, Neil could still remember that she was in a white dress that day. Her black hair was long and straight, and she looked flawless. Her gaze was as clear as crystal.

She was the epitome of classic beauty as described in popular nineties songs

However, such a pure and beautiful girl encountered life’s troubles after she married him. She raised two children on her own and had to endure his beating…

Neil was extremely ashamed!

The salesperson wrapped the clothes up and passed them to Neil.

Neil went to the men’s department on the third floor and chose practical suits, shirts, ties, and

leather shoes.

He spent over four hundred on the whole set.

He had no other way. Clothes made the man.

If he looked too unkempt, others wouldn’t pay him any attention when he came out to work.

Neil also went to the children’s department to buy summer outfits for his two children.

Children grew fast, so he only bought autumn and winter outfits when the time came.

After that, he returned to the most bustling spot and queued to buy McDonald’s.

McDonald’s was famous at the time!

Fast food, referred to as ‘trash food‘ overseas, had just gone mainstream and was treated like comfort food!

Only families in good circumstances could afford McDonald’s for their children!

Neil joined the queue and bought two kids‘ meals with the latest toys.

He carried his bag with the cash and camera and held many shopping bags in his right hand. He rushed to the bus station to take the coach back to Cloubury.

This time, he had spent almost a year’s worth of income for someone in Cloubury.

But Neil would have more money in the future. It was only natural to buy his wife something

nice.

On the coach, he didn’t dare to shut his eyes. He watched over his things as he was jolted in the bus all the way….

After Neil left, Greenleaves Publishing’s Mr. Chadworth immediately walked into the president’s

office.

The president, Curtis Admore, was smoking by the window.

Mr. Chadworth blurted out as soon as he walked through the doors.

“Mr. Admore, I discovered a fantasy fiction writer with good potential. It’s not an exaggeration to call him a genius…”

Mr. Chadworth came clean without any hesitation. He described Neil and the novel ‘Harold

Patter.‘

“Mr. Admore, you must trust my vision this time. With my twenty–year working experience, I guarantee this fellow can make a splash!”

Unexpectedly, the president, Curtis, didn’t react much when he heard it.

Mr. Chadworth was surprised.

Mr. Chadworth asked in confusion as he stared at the cigarette in the president’s hand, “Mr. Admore, why do you seem unhappy?”

Mr. Admore sighed and extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray.

“He may be a writer with potential, but he doesn’t have the reputation or connections in the industry. How far can he go by fighting alone?”

Mr. Chadworth furrowed his brows tightly. He understood what Mr. Admore meant.

The publishing house didn’t have a big scale and had limited resources.

If the promoting resources were placed on the newcomer, Neil, then Marcus, William’s disciple, would have fewer resources!

Would Marcus be happy about that?

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Furthermore, Marcus was famous in the industry because of William’s reputation.

At the end of the day, the society was all about social relationships!

Mr. Chadworth was left speechless and stayed silent.

The phone rang.

Mr. Admore answered it, and his tone was immediately cordial.

“Mr. Stewart. Ah. What made you call me personally? How are you? Oh… Small matter. It’s no problem, no problem at all. I will help you do it…”

Mr. Chadworth’s heart grew cold when he heard it at the side.

Mr. Stewart was William!

His pen name was William Braxton, and he was sixty–six years old. His real name was Alfie Stewart, also known as Mr. Stewart.

He had a high status in the fantasy fiction industry. It could be said that he was the greatest!

It seemed like Mr. Stewart had personally called so Mr. Admore would keep an eye on his disciple, Marcus‘ new book!

It was going to be a little tricky.

Mr. Admore spoke enthusiastically and seemed to coax Mr. Stewart.

Mr. Chadworth heard Mr. Stewart’s hearty laughter through the receiver.

To be honest, Mr. Chadworth didn’t quite like Marcus.

Marcus had achieved success at a young age and was too arrogant!

He considered everyone else beneath him because he was William’s disciple!

He didn’t even respect Mr. Chadworth!

When they interacted, he would pick at Mr. Chadworth even though he was younger and Mr. Chadworth older.

Not to mention hitting his assistant!

One’s character could be seen with their detailed actions. Mr. Chadworth had a poor perception

of Marcus.

But he had to pretend to value Marcus‘ talent for William’s sake.

Neil was someone who had just won a state award. He was modest, polite, and gracious. His self- restraint was also much better than Marcus‘.

In terms of talent, Neil won by a wide margin!

Therefore, Mr. Chadworth felt miserable when Mr. Admore lit another cigarette and said they would allocate this year’s resources to Marcus‘ new book.