596-600

*Chapter 596: Don’t Blame Me for Rubbing Salt in Your Wounds*

With Kyra and Rachel by his side, Luca was much more at ease, avoiding sinking into depression over a single role.

Sometimes, however, the best way to truly embody a character is to immerse yourself completely into their world.

To think as the character thinks, speak as the character speaks, love as the character loves—essentially transforming into someone else.

If he couldn’t achieve that level of immersion, the director would constantly yell “Cut,” and his co-star, Benedict Cumberbatch, would shine so brightly in their scenes together that Luca, the leading man, would pale in comparison.

Even more critical was the self-imposed pressure. If he was going to be an actor, he had to be an exceptional one.

Failing to portray the character properly, sacrificing nothing for the role, or not achieving the highest level of performance would be an unforgivable betrayal of his own standards.

Due to both external pressures and his own perfectionism, Luca began to unravel.

At first, he was just Luca. Gradually, he alternated between being himself and the character. Eventually, he fully became the character, jittery and eccentric.

Seeing him in such a state, Rachel started visiting him every evening after work to comfort and support him, letting him vent his frustrations.

After over two months of this grueling process, the film was finally completed.

The entire crew breathed a collective sigh of relief. With a budget exceeding $80 million, this was a massive production in every sense.

During filming, everyone—from the smallest crew member to the leading actors—felt the unrelenting tension and dared not relax, especially the key players.

Director Guy Ritchie, who had been a cult film maestro and one of Britain’s top directors before 2000, had seen a string of failures for almost a decade since then.

He needed this movie to prove himself—not as Madonna’s ex-husband, but as a truly great director.

Benedict Cumberbatch, who had been known mostly for television roles and minor film appearances, saw this as a golden opportunity.

Although he wasn’t the lead, this was a high-profile production with Luca Kelly, a top Hollywood actor, in the starring role.

Sharing the screen with Luca was a dream opportunity for many. If this film succeeded, it could open up a whole new world for him.

Then there was Rachel McAdams, who, despite her talent, had struggled in Hollywood.

Apart from her standout roles in Mean Girls and The Notebook in 2004, her other films had been less impressive, with few leading roles coming her way.

Landing the female lead in Sherlock Holmes was a major breakthrough for her.

Finally, there was Luca, who carried the heaviest burden of all. The character of Sherlock Holmes was iconic.

Over 75 actors had portrayed Holmes since his creation, and surpassing their performances to deliver a definitive portrayal for the silver screen required Luca’s utmost effort.

Adding to the pressure was Robert Downey Jr.’s recent portrayal of Holmes, which had set a high bar. To outshine Downey, Luca knew he had to bring his A-game and deliver something extraordinary.

Rachel often struggled to understand his intensity. “You’re already doing an amazing job,” she would say. “Why keep pushing yourself so hard?”

Luca would only smile and reply, “I want to win the Oscar for Best Actor.”

After two exhausting months, Luca was completely drained. The final scenes were particularly grueling, leaving him barely able to push through.

When it was all over, he felt both utterly spent and incredibly fulfilled.

“It’s all in the audience’s hands now,” he murmured, gazing out the window.

“Luca, cheers!”

At the wrap party, Guy Ritchie approached him with a raised glass.

Luca smiled lightly and clinked glasses with him.

“So, Luca, what’s next for you now that the film is done?”

Ritchie asked with a laugh.

“Rest. Sleep. I’m not getting out of bed unless the world ends.”

“Ha! That’s the spirit I’d go for too,” Ritchie chuckled before taking a sip of his drink. Then, his expression turned serious.

“Luca, I know I pushed you hard during filming, but I hope you don’t hold it against me.

People in the industry told me that the only way to get the best out of you was to push you to your limits.

I didn’t believe it at first, but now I do. Your performance was incredible.”

“Thanks,” Luca said with a wry smile. “But let me set the record straight—those rumors aren’t entirely accurate. You don’t need to push me to get a good performance. I can deliver on my own.”

The rumor had originated from Woody Allen and been corroborated by Christopher Nolan, gaining traction among directors.

As Luca’s reputation grew, fewer directors dared to push him. Guy Ritchie was an exception.

“Ha! Luca, I think the rumors are spot on. When I pushed you, your performance went from a solid B to an A, and when you were on the brink of collapse, you hit an S-level performance.

Every time you reached that state, the entire directing team and I were ecstatic—it was thrilling to watch!”

Ritchie marveled, earning a dark look from Luca.

This guy sounded like a sadistic executioner relishing the process of breaking someone down.

“Well, Guy,” Luca said with a feigned look of concern, “I heard about your troubles with Madonna. No chance of reconciliation? You two always seemed so in love.”

Ritchie shook his head. “No chance. Madonna’s controlling nature became unbearable. She didn’t just control my personal life but also my work. The constant conflicts made a split inevitable.”

“That’s a shame. I hope you find someone more suitable in the future.”

“Thanks,” Ritchie said, clinking glasses before walking away, visibly affected.

Luca smirked. “You push me, I’ll rub salt in your wounds. It’s only fair.”

“Luca, a toast to you!”

Cumberbatch approached, raising his glass.

“To me? Isn’t that a bit formal?”

Luca raised an eyebrow.

Cumberbatch’s signature smirk appeared. “Not at all. You’re an actor worth admiring. Working with you was both challenging and rewarding. I’ve learned a lot from you, so I owe you my thanks.”

“Working with me was stressful? Funny, I felt like you were the one putting pressure on me.”

The two locked eyes and chuckled. Both were formidable in their own right, so no further words were needed.

They chatted for a while, discussing acting philosophies and finding a mutual respect born of shared experiences.

“Cheers!”

Clink.  

After Cumberbatch left, Rachel walked over with a cup of tea and swapped it for the whiskey in Luca’s hand.

“You should drink less. You’ve been mentally drained lately, and too much alcohol can lead to addiction.”

Luca didn’t argue, smiling at her. “You’re starting to sound like a big sister—or a housekeeper.”

“Do you like it?”

Rachel’s eyes sparkled as she tilted her head.

“Of course. But won’t it tire you out?”

Luca brushed a strand of her hair aside.

“Not at all. I find it fulfilling.”

Rachel’s lips curled into a soft smile.

Luca gazed at her and said, “Let’s go home. I want you. So much.”

“Okay,” Rachel replied softly.

---

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 597: Men Are Just Kids

Ring ring~ ring ring~ ring ring~

Morning sunlight poured through the curtains, flooding the bedroom with brightness. White walls, stylish furniture, and elegant light fixtures decorated the room. On the east side stood a large bed.

The alarm kept buzzing relentlessly. From beneath the blanket, a hand shot out, smacked the phone to silence it, and tossed it aside, restoring peace to the room.

Knock knock knock~ click~

The door swung open, and Kate walked in holding a wooden spatula. Her golden hair draped over her shoulders, an apron wrapped around her waist, giving off a homely vibe.

“Luca, get up!”

“It’s already ten o’clock. Are you trying to turn into a sloth?”

With a dramatic flair, Kate yanked open the curtains. Sunlight flooded the room completely. The figure on the bed wriggled under the blanket a few times before going still again.

Kate placed her hands on her hips, frustration building.

“Get up already!”

She ripped the blanket off in one swift motion, raising an eyebrow at what she saw. This guy just never liked wearing pajamas. “Ugh, you look terrible,” she muttered, throwing the blanket over his waist.

“Luca, up!”

“Nope!”

Luca grumbled.

“You really aren’t getting up? If you don’t, I’ll take matters into my own hands.”

Kate waved the spatula threateningly near his face.

“Nope!”

Luca snorted lightly.

“Fine, then I’ll beat you!”

Kate set the spatula down, sat on the bed, and squished his face between her hands until his handsome features scrunched into folds like a dumpling. “Ha! You look so ugly like this.”

“Stop it, let me sleep a bit longer!”

Luca wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her down onto the bed, burying his face into her embrace. Breathing in her scent, a mix of floral perfume and breakfast, he felt he could sleep for another three hours.

“Get up already. Breakfast is ready.”

Kate ruffled his hair.

“I don’t want to. I just want to sleep. Why don’t you nap a bit too? Women should be a little lazy. Sleeping more keeps you young and beautiful—ah! Ow, ow, ow!”

Luca bolted upright, half his face twisted in pain.

“Are you getting up or not?” Kate asked, tugging on his ear.

“Fine, fine! I’m up!” Luca rubbed his cheek, muttering under his breath. “Filming is exhausting. Can’t a guy sleep in a little?”

“Early to bed, early to rise. It’s good for your health. I don’t care what you do on set, but at home, you need to keep a regular schedule.”

Kate rummaged through the wardrobe, tossed a pair of boxers onto his face, and followed it up with a T-shirt to his head.

“You’d make a great nanny,” Luca quipped as he stretched on the balcony. The cool breeze brushed over him, feeling utterly refreshing. Looking at the shimmering pool below, he was tempted to dive in.

“Don’t you dare!”

Kate yanked his arm. “This villa is great, but this pool design is awful. If it leaks at night and you dive in, wouldn’t you turn into tomato paste?”

“That’s a bit dramatic.”

“It’s not if it actually happens. In a few days, we’ll get someone to relocate the pool and make it bigger. How does that sound?”

“Sure, sure, whatever you say.”

Luca pushed her back into the room, obediently got dressed, and followed her downstairs to wash up and eat breakfast.

“Eat more beef and eggs. You’re losing weight,” Kate urged.

“I’m not losing weight. I’ve just been slacking on workouts. My muscles have shrunk a little. I’ll get back into shape soon.” Luca savored the steak in front of him.

“Acting is too tiring, and it doesn’t pay much. If you really want to win an Oscar, why not follow Miranda’s suggestion? Spend some money on PR. It shouldn’t cost much.”

Kate sat across from him, watching him eat.

“That would be meaningless,” Luca said between bites. “I’m not acting just for awards. It’s mainly because of this face. It’s perfect for being an actor or a star. Just like how you occasionally model—if you’ve got it, why not flaunt it?”

Kate chuckled softly. “Did you read the latest Fortune magazine?”

“No time. What rank are we?”

“212th. We own 2.9% of Google’s stock, worth $3.4 billion, 8.3% of Facebook, worth around $1 billion, and 0.6% of Amazon, worth over $500 million. Our total assets are around $4.8 billion, up $1.2 billion from last year. And that doesn’t include shares in Toucan Investment Company. Combined, we’re worth about $5 billion.”

“With that much money, why don’t I feel a thing?”

“Because money becomes just numbers after a certain point. Isn’t that what you always say? I’m starting to feel the same way.”

Luca smiled. Over the past year, excluding stock dividends, their investments in film, copyrights, publishing, fashion, and advertising brought in $220 million. There was a time when earning a couple of million dollars would make them giddy. Now, even hitting a small goal annually barely quickened their pulse.

“Martina said you anonymously donated $20 million to Rabbit Country?”

“Yeah, just a small gesture.” Luca sighed, taking a sip of milk to clear his throat.

“A small gesture? You’re so stingy you won’t toss old boxers, but suddenly you’re generous?”

“Cough, cough—can we drop the boxer thing? I just forgot to throw them out.”

“Fine. But why donate anonymously? You used to love the publicity. It’s a great way to boost your image. Why pass up this opportunity?”

“Anonymity is easier. If I donate $20 million to another country but not to ours or the U.S., wouldn’t people have opinions? Besides, my anonymity isn’t complete. The higher-ups in Rabbit Country know. When my films hit their market, it’ll come in handy.”

Kate nodded, adding a few pieces of cauliflower to his plate. “Hurry up and eat. Afterward, we’re going shopping.”

“Ugh,” Luca’s face turned as green as the cauliflower. “Do I have to?”

“Jenny, George, and Catherine are joining us at the ocean park. Are you sure you want to skip?”

Kate batted her eyes.

“Fine, I’m coming!”

Despite his exhaustion, Luca bit the bullet and spent the day with the kids—shopping, going to the movies, the ocean park, and the arcade. George and Catherine, nearly four, were bundles of energy, running non-stop without tiring.

By evening, back home, Luca collapsed on the couch, too drained to move.

“Daddy, I want an apple,” little George said.

“Go find one yourself. If you can’t, ask Kate,” Luca mumbled into the cushions.

“Brother, I found one!” Little Catherine held up a big apple, clutching a fruit knife in her other hand, ready to peel it.

“No, no, no, princess! Let Daddy do it!”

Luca took the knife and performed his apple-peeling “magic,” leaving the skin in one long, continuous strip resembling a tiny green dragon.

“Wow, Daddy! You’re amazing!” Catherine clapped her little hands and kissed his cheek.

Luca laughed heartily and gave George a knowing look, tilting his face.

George tiptoed and kissed him too.

“Haha, George and Catherine are the best!”

With those two kisses, all the day’s fatigue melted away.

“Sometimes, it feels like he’s just a big kid,” Kate said, glancing into the living room with a soft smile.

“Isn’t he exactly that?” Jennifer Aniston grinned, her smile radiant.

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 598: Luca, Are You Out of Shape?*

After two days of resting at home, Luca had recovered some energy. He clocked in for work at the office after breakfast. However, after flipping through a few documents, he started yawning. Lethargic and uninterested, even a cup of strong coffee didn’t help.

Knock, knock, knock.  

Mr. Ross arrived.

Luca lazily glanced over. “Come in.”

“Haha, Luca, what’s wrong? Feeling sick?” Ross asked.

“No, just finished filming, haven’t adjusted yet. What’s up?” Luca rubbed his face and moved to the sofa, brewing a pot of tea.

“It’s about Greenwood Publishing. You know them well, don’t you?”

“What’s going on? Are you publishing a book?” Luca asked curiously.

“No. Our production department is eyeing a novel they’re representing—Fifty Shades of Grey. Have you read it? A global bestseller with over 50 million copies sold. The team wants the film rights, but Greenwood hasn’t been very responsive. Can you make a call?”

Luca smirked. “Fifty Shades of Grey? Isn’t that a bit... risqué?”

“Maybe, but it’s no more than Love & Other Drugs, the one you chose last time.”

“Fine, I’ll reach out.”

Luca poured two small cups of tea. “Here, try this.”

Ross took the tiny cup, shook his head, and sighed. “Luca, act fast. A lot of studios are after this. If we’re slow, someone else will snatch it.”

“Got it.”

Luca sipped his tea, the subtle aroma elevating his mood, as if his soul was being refreshed.

“How’s the tea?” Luca asked.

“Huh? Oh, not bad, I guess.”

Luca shook his head. “What a waste of good tea.”

Ross placed a file on the table. “This is the distribution deal for Inglourious Basterds. Right now, Iron Man has surpassed $300 million globally, making Robert Downey Jr. a superstar. Distributors who were initially scared off by your terms are coming back with better offers.”

“Impressive,” Luca said with a chuckle. “Who’s offering the most?”

“Fox Searchlight—$20 million minimum guarantee, 42% North American box office share, and 22% international box office share.”

“Not bad,” Luca replied, setting down his teacup. “Let’s go with them.”

“One more thing—The Hangover is officially greenlit and slated for a September shoot. Just giving you a heads-up.”

“I’ve been thinking... I won’t play the lead,” Luca said hesitantly.

“Why not?”

“Three reasons: First, my fee is too high. If I’m the lead, the budget will exceed $60 million. Second, comedy is exhausting—it’s not my thing. Lastly, after Sherlock Holmes, I’m feeling burnt out and uninspired. I don’t know how long this will last. I plan to take it easy—no more than two films a year.”

“Fair enough. You’re a mogul on Forbes and the head of Bra Industries. Acting is just a hobby for you now.”

“Exactly. People say I’m stealing jobs from regular actors with my resources. Makes me feel guilty.”

Ross laughed. “Well, they’re not entirely wrong.”

After Ross left, Luca stood by the window, watching the sunny blue sky. Staying in the office felt like a waste.

Ding!  

A message popped up on his phone—Blake Lively inviting him to play tennis.

Since meeting at a recent party, Blake had been texting him incessantly, chatting about everything from weather to gossip. When he had time, he’d reply; if not, he’d ignore it. But her enthusiasm never waned.

Luca sighed. Being too handsome was a burden sometimes.

He replied to her message, changed into sportswear, and left the office.

At the Beverly General Gardens sports complex, Blake was already there, dressed in a tight T-shirt, light-blue tennis skirt, and white sneakers. Her long, toned legs were on full display. At 5’10”, she had a striking presence, though Luca had grown used to seeing supermodels with even longer legs.

“Luca, you’re here!” Blake waved her racket excitedly.

“Let’s play, Blake. Go easy on me—I’ve been out of shape lately.”

“A guy like you, asking me to go easy?” Blake teased.

“But you’re younger. Isn’t that fair?”

“You’re 26, I’m 20—we’re practically the same age!”

“26? Why do I feel so old?” Luca frowned.

“Haha, Luca, you do act like a middle-aged man sometimes. Always telling me to take care of myself, avoid late nights, drink less coffee, stay away from clubs... You’re like my dad—no, my grandpa!”

“You don’t hate it?”

“Of course not. It shows you care. Why would I dislike someone who cares about me?”

“Thanks. Not many young people understand that these days.”

“Haha, you’re sounding like an old man again!” Blake laughed, her golden hair gleaming in the sunlight.

“Just remember, I’m an old man, so let me win.”

“Okay, Grandpa!” Blake giggled as she skipped onto the court, full of youthful energy.

Luca envied her vibrance. He wanted to leap like that, but his body didn’t cooperate.

“Come on, Luca!”

“Coming!”

They started playing. Luca’s technique was polished, while Blake relied on her youthful energy, running and laughing.

Nearby, Luca’s bodyguards were playing on an adjacent court, with Anne observing from the sidelines.

On the opposite court, another group noticed Luca.

“Is that Luca?”

“Is he targeting young girls now?”

“Let’s find out later.”

Back on the court, Blake teased, “Luca, are you out of shape already?”

“Ridiculous. Watch this!” Luca swung hard but felt a twinge.

Uh-oh... pulled something.  

(End of Chapter)  

*Chapter 599: Succeeding Together*

"Up here, up here! Down there, down there! Middle, middle!"

Smack!  

"Exactly where?"

"Just press anywhere you like. I played tennis all day yesterday, and now my back and waist are killing me," Luca said, lying face down on the sofa inside the villa.

"Didn't you pull an all-nighter last night?"

Seron, barefoot, perched on his back, clenched her fists, and began pressing firmly along his back and waist.

"An all-nighter for what?"

"Lively. I was at the tennis court yesterday too."

"Ah, easy!" Luca winced slightly. "Then why didn’t you come say hi?"

"You were busy flirting. What would I do there?"

Seron twisted his waist sharply, making Luca groan in a mix of pain and pleasure.

"I wasn’t flirting. Lively invited me for a game, and I happened to feel like exercising, so I agreed. Other than playing and eating, nothing else happened."

"So you're saying the young lady was the one flirting with you?"

"Probably. There are plenty of women in the industry who have their eyes on me, so one more doesn’t make much difference. Ouch—Sally, your technique’s getting better and better!"

"Of course," Seron laughed. "I’ve been practicing."

"Good practice. Keep this up, and massage me more often."

Smack!  

"You think I’m your nanny now?" Seron grumbled.

"I can massage you too! I’m pretty skilled myself. We can exchange techniques."

"No need."

She shifted to sit on his lower back, kneading his shoulders. "Was this shoot particularly exhausting?"

"Very. It’s not just physical fatigue, but mental too. Once this movie’s done, I’ll need a six-month break."

Luca shrugged.

"That must mean Sherlock Holmes is shaping up nicely."

"Yeah, I think I did a good job," Luca said, smiling. Hearing Seron’s soft breathing, he turned and pulled her down to lie beside him.

"Want me to give you a massage? My technique combines authentic Chinese massage and Brazilian jiu-jitsu—very effective."

Luca kissed her hair.

"No need. Let’s just lie here and chat."

Seron nestled against his shoulder, her long legs draped lazily over his waist, her fingers tracing his chest muscles.

"Talk about what?"

"Anything. You talk, I’ll listen."

Seron smiled.

"I saw Hancock. It’s great. Sure to be another blockbuster."

"I’m just a pretty prop in it. Nothing much to discuss. Tell me about your projects."

She nuzzled his chin with her forehead.

"Alright, let’s talk about filming. There’s a rumor among directors that the more they push me in scenes, the better I perform. So now I’m paying the price—Nolan, Wright, Guy Ritchie—they all push me to my limits. By the time we wrap, I’m practically dead."

Seron chuckled. "That just proves you’re a great actor."

"No, it proves they have a vendetta against rich people. They can’t bully me normally, so they do it on set. And I can’t fight back. Sigh, I must be the kindest rich guy in the world."

"Yes, you’re so easy to bully. I feel like bullying you too. What should I do?"

Seron propped herself up, smiling mischievously.

"I’ll just lie here. Do as you wish!"

"You said it. I’m going all in."

"Alright, just be gentle."

"...Never mind. Let’s just keep talking. This is nice."

Seron laughed softly and rested against him again.

"Fine by me," Luca said, brushing her hair aside as they murmured softly to each other.

---

The next morning, after bidding farewell to Seron with a kiss, Luca drove to his company to tackle another busy day.

After a three-month theatrical run, Juno grossed $150 million worldwide, surpassing expectations by $10 million and earning the company $60 million—a significant profit.

However, controversy arose after reports from Gloucester, Massachusetts, claimed that a group of high school girls, inspired by Juno, had signed a "pregnancy pact," with 18 successfully becoming pregnant.

The backlash accused the film and Luca of promoting improper values, blaming him as the culprit.

"Talk about undeserved blame," Luca muttered.

By mid-July, preparations for The Hangover were underway.

Despite his initial reluctance, Luca threw himself into the project, supervising everything from directors to cast to locations. Under his guidance, filming began swiftly.

On July 14, The Dark Knight debuted in 4,366 theaters, breaking opening records.

Luca attended the premiere. Heath Ledger’s Joker performance was stunning, though he wasn’t present, recovering in Australia.

Watching Heath’s performance, Luca couldn’t help but wonder, If we meet at the Oscars, who will come out on top?  

The applause at the end confirmed the movie’s success, elevating Nolan to Hollywood’s elite directors.

"Nolan, congratulations!"

"Thanks, Luca. Let’s catch up sometime."

"About what?"

"My next film, Inception. I’ve mostly finished the script and want to discuss a few things with you."

"Great. Got someone in mind for the lead? Just a heads-up: I’m open to bending the rules for the role."

Nolan smirked. "If you can stay professional, I’ll consider you."

"Deal."

Back at his company, Luca instructed his production team to pursue co-producing Inception.

Meanwhile, The Dark Knight smashed records, grossing $200 million in just five days and $300 million in ten.

Amidst the Batman frenzy, 27 Dresses, a modest romantic comedy, quietly hit theaters, earning $24 million in its opening weekend. With a budget of $30 million, its global box office was expected to exceed $100 million—a profitable success for the studio.

At the celebration party, Luca raised a toast to Anne Fletcher, the film’s director.

"Anne, congratulations!"

"Thanks, Luca. Joining your studio was the best decision I ever made."

"Thanks for believing in me back then."

Clink.  

Later, as Anne mingled, Billy, another director, sighed, "She’s becoming unstoppable."

"You regret not sticking around?" Luca asked.

"A little," Billy admitted, "but I doubt Step Up would’ve been as successful with me directing."

"Don’t dwell on it. You’ve done well."

"Thanks, Luca."

"Cheers!"

Chapter 600: Birth, Aging, Illness, and Death

"Mr. Schwartz, wishing you a speedy recovery."

On the lawn of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, the elderly Mr. Schwartz sat in a wheelchair, his face paralyzed and unresponsive to the world around him. Luca sighed lightly as he observed him.

He had collaborated with Mr. Schwartz in the past, though their meetings had been infrequent. The most memorable occasion was at the celebration banquet for Twilight in 2003, where they shared drinks and conversation.

Hearing about Mr. Schwartz’s stroke and critical condition, Luca made a special trip to visit.

Seeing the man in this state, Luca deeply felt the fragility of life. Time, like a fleeting shadow, had transformed the vibrant elderly man into someone nearing the end, while Luca himself had aged from a young man into middle age.

Meanwhile, in the distance, a little toddler had just learned to run.

“Daddy~”

Little Louis, holding a young girl’s hand, came running toward him with bouncy steps.

The girl was Jessica, who Luca had lifted off the street back in 2002 when she wasn’t even a year old. Now, she had grown into a sweet, blushing young lady.

“Uncle Luca~”

Jessica greeted him warmly.

“Jessica, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

Luca crouched down, holding little Louis, and asked her.

Jessica tilted her little head and blinked her blue eyes. “A writer, like Sister Kate.”

“That’s a great idea. Keep it up, Jessica!”

Luca smiled.

The little girl shyly smiled back and poked Louis on the cheek. “Louis, what about you? What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Luca looked at the chubby little boy as well.

At nearly three years old, Louis stood 85 centimeters tall, a bit taller than his peers, and 6 centimeters taller than little Max.

His short legs had inherited the best traits from his parents—long and strong. He was sure to grow into a tall, handsome man.

Louis glanced at his dad, then at Jessica, stretched out his small hands, and gestured:

“I want to fly… in the sky.”

The little guy spoke with effort.

“Being a pilot is a great choice too. Daddy supports you!”

Luca patted the boy’s head.

“A pilot?”

Louis blinked. Was that the same thing he meant?

“Dad, Louis says he wants to be a pilot when he grows up.”

Jessica looked at Felix, who was approaching them.

“Well, that’s easy. Just ask his dad to buy him a plane—or better yet, one of every model. Their family can afford it,” Felix quipped.

Luca shook his head, bid Mr. Schwartz farewell, and walked away with the two children.

“Is there a chance Mr. Schwartz might recover?”

“There's a chance, but it’s slim,” Felix replied.

Luca didn’t ask further. Birth, aging, illness, and death are natural laws, unavoidable for anyone. The only thing one can do is live well while alive and pass away peacefully without regrets.

---

The next day, while playing golf with Eva, Luca brought up the topic. Eva mentioned that her father would likely want to meet Felix and asked Luca to make the introduction.

Luca agreed and found himself acting as a political broker again.

Shaking his head, he executed a smooth turn and struck the ball, landing it on the green less than ten meters from the hole.

“Not bad, you could make an eagle,” Eva clapped and smiled. She wore a white baseball cap, a blue T-shirt, and tight white pants—a fresh yet striking look.

“You’re a good teacher,” Luca smiled lightly. After dozens of practice attempts, he considered simply hitting the ball a significant achievement.

“Now it’s my turn. Want to bet if I can sink this in one stroke?”

Eva stood beside her ball, smiling mischievously.

“In one stroke? I doubt it. At least two,” Luca estimated, glancing at the hole ten meters away.

“What’s the reward if I make it?”

Eva brushed a strand of golden hair behind her ear.

“Well, what do you want?”

“Hmm… come with me to a family gathering.”

“Are you sure?”

Luca raised an eyebrow. “Doesn’t everyone in America know I’m a playboy? You really want to take me to your family gathering?”

“Of course. Doesn’t everyone in America also know how successful you are?”

Eva laughed.

“Alright, I’ll go. Please, go ahead.”

Luca gestured.

Eva smiled slightly, gripping her club firmly and focusing intently on the ball. Her posture was perfect—her long, athletic figure well-suited for the sport, though her prominent chest made it a bit challenging.

Rotating with her hips and waist as the axis, she swung the club over 200 degrees, striking the ball cleanly.

Thwack!  

The ball soared through the air, landing seven meters away before rolling forward.

“Great shot, a hole-in-one,” Luca praised.

“Almost,” Eva observed. Her swing had been slightly underpowered, leaving the ball one meter short of the hole.

“Still, I’m happy to join your family gathering,” Luca said, wrapping an arm around Eva’s waist.

“Really?”

“Yes. It sounds fun.”

“Thank you, darling!”

Eva hugged his neck and kissed him excitedly.

“Wait, let me finish the shot first,” Luca said.

“Alright. But I bet you won’t make it in one stroke,” Eva teased.

“Come on, it’s so close. I could sink it with a pool cue,” Luca said confidently. He carefully aimed and gently nudged the ball.