556-560

Chapter 556: I Seem to Smell Blood in the Air  

“Mr. Kelly, what’s your view on the current real estate market?”

In the tasting room, Raffrey poured two glasses of whiskey with ice, breaking the ice with his question.

“It’s quite promising. I believe more real estate developers will make it to Forbes’ Billionaires List in the near future,” Luca replied with a faint smile.

“Haha, Mr. Kelly, great minds think alike. I also believe the real estate market holds immense potential and offers high investment value.

“When I entered the real estate business in ’99, I only had $200,000. In less than eight years, my net worth has surpassed $100 million, and my company’s market value has reached $250 million, according to the latest figures from Real Estate Finance Magazine.”

“That’s impressive!”

Luca thought privately, Even after stripping out the fluff, he’d be lucky to be worth $10 million.  

“Mr. Kelly, I’m not saying this to brag. I just want to emphasize that the real estate market is full of opportunities,” Raffrey said firmly.

Luca nodded slightly. “The more prosperous a society becomes, the more valuable land gets, and the livelier the real estate market becomes. It has always been this way.”

“Well said, Mr. Kelly!” Raffrey praised generously. “From both domestic and international perspectives, American society is currently in a period of great prosperity, and the real estate market reflects this.

“Compared to 2003, average housing prices in 2007 have increased by 80%, and they’re expected to rise even faster.

“Those who enter the real estate market—millionaires become multi-millionaires, billionaires emerge even richer.

“Look at Charles Cohen of Cohen Real Estate or Jeff Green of New Jersey Realty. They haven’t been in the industry any longer than I have, and their performance isn’t necessarily better. But because they had more capital, they’ve grown their net worth to over $5 billion in just a few years.”

Luca sat with legs crossed, listening to Raffrey’s boasting. He was beginning to sense what this man was up to.

“Mr. Kelly, this is the perfect time to invest in the real estate market. A millionaire enters, a multi-millionaire exits. A billionaire enters, and in less than five years, their net worth surpasses $10 billion.”

Raffrey spoke passionately, pulling out a stack of documents to support his claims.

Luca stifled a smile. Knowing the looming subprime mortgage crisis, he saw Raffrey’s pitch as a joke.

Since the beginning of the year, housing prices in many places had started to decline, with more and more people defaulting on their mortgages. This led to a wave of subprime mortgage bond defaults, marking the onset of the crisis.

By August or September, the real estate bubble would burst, and all real estate developers would take a hit. Small-time operators like Raffrey would go bankrupt or end up behind bars.

Raffrey seemed to sense the impending downturn and was looking for someone to bail him out. Luca, being young, wealthy, and bold—an ideal scapegoat—was a prime target.

“Mr. Kelly, are you interested in investing in real estate? Now’s the perfect opportunity. My Sicily Real Estate is currently raising funds. Founded in ’99, it’s now valued at $250 million. With a $100 million investment, you could own 40% of the company,” Raffrey pitched, presenting a detailed overview of the company’s golden prospects.

Luca, however, focused on one detail: the company owned four cinemas—one large and three small.

His interest piqued, he paid closer attention. Seeing this, Raffrey grew even more animated, exaggerating the company’s scale and success.

“Mr. Kelly, our assets are solid, and our financials are healthy. You won’t regret investing. Are you interested?”

Luca paused. “Your proposal is intriguing. Real estate offers high returns. I’ll give it serious thought.”

“Great! Mr. Kelly, I look forward to working with you,” Raffrey said, raising his glass.

Clink!  

After a brief exchange, Luca left the apartment with the documents.

In the car, as his bodyguard started driving, Luca reviewed the materials. However, the company’s issues weren’t apparent from the papers alone.

He called Eva in Manhattan.

Since their relationship had deepened, their interactions had grown both personal and professional. In March, Luca had invested $30 million in Tomp Real Estate stocks, acquiring about 0.5%. It was just the beginning; over the next three years, he planned to acquire at least 5% and entrust Eva with managing it to strengthen their bond.

Now, he sought her advice on real estate matters.

“When are you coming back to New York?” Eva asked.

“Next week. I have a shoot on the East Coast.”

“Fine, but make it quick!”

“Why, something up?”

“You tell me. It’s been over two months since we last… well, you know.”

“Haha, I miss you too, Eva. Nothing compares to being with you.”

“Was it nerves back then?” Eva teased. “I remember the first time—you were so awkward and clumsy, like a total novice.”

Luca flushed. “Ahem. Eva, let’s not joke. I need your advice. Today, I met a real estate CEO looking for investors.”

“Real estate?” Eva laughed. “Investing in real estate right now isn’t a smart move. If you have extra funds, buy more Tomp Real Estate stocks and let me handle them. You won’t lose.

“Other real estate ventures are risky. With debt and subprime issues, many developers are desperate to offload assets. That guy? Definitely a scammer.”

“I know he’s a scammer. I did some digging and found that his company is involved in fraud.”

He explained the situation to Eva.

“Do you think there’s room to maneuver?”

“Sicily Real Estate? I think I’ve heard of them, but not much comes to mind,” Eva said.

“I’ve got internal documents. I’ll send them over.”

“Good. If we have leverage, there’s plenty of room for maneuvering. Darling, I can already smell blood in the air,” Eva said excitedly.

“Blood? Is it that time of the month?”

Creak. The sound of teeth grinding came over the phone, followed by Eva’s soft voice. “Darling, when are you coming to New York? Can you come sooner?”

Luca sighed inwardly, thinking, What a seductress. “Alright, I’ll wrap things up here quickly and join you.”

“Good. Hurry up. Otherwise, in a week, it really will be that time.”

“Got it.”

Back at his office, Luca sent the documents to Eva and asked his CFO, Martina, to hire a few corporate spies to investigate Raffrey’s assets.

When dealing with a scammer, there was no need to hold back.

(End of Chapter)  

*Chapter 557: I Can Give You Hathaway*

Two days passed, and Lafferty hurriedly contacted him again, cautiously and politely saying that his rival in the company was also seeking investment and was said to be close to succeeding. He asked if Luca could make a decision sooner.

Luca didn't know if he was in urgent need of money to fill a hole or worried about being investigated, but he still agreed to meet and talk.

The next day at noon, he met with Lafferty at the Asia Pacific Palm Hotel.

The hotel was located near Industrial Hill, which had two famous golf courses.

One of them, the BABE course, was exclusively for women. Katelynn and Miranda were bored and wanted to practice golf, so he chose this location for the meeting.

Anne Hathaway also came along. While he was talking with Lafferty, Anne went to play golf with Katelynn.

"Mr. Kelly, how's your golf game?" Lafferty asked with a smile in the lounge.

"Not good. To be precise, I don't play."

"Haha, golf isn't difficult. Mr. Kelly, you have an athletic background and are in great physical condition. You'll pick it up quickly."

"Really? I'll practice more in the future," Luca said, sipping his coffee.

After the small talk, Lafferty went straight to the point. "Mr. Kelly, what have you decided about the investment?"

Luca frowned. "Lafferty, is the information you gave me accurate?"

"Mr. Kelly, I can guarantee that the accuracy is at least 99%," Lafferty affirmed.

Luca sneered and slammed the document on the table. "Lafferty, this so-called internal information of yours has too many problems. The accuracy is less than half."

"How is that possible?" Lafferty's heart skipped a beat. Had he discovered the problems so quickly? It shouldn't be possible. How could he find problems in just two days? He took a breath and told himself to stay calm.

"Mr. Kelly, may I ask what the problems are? Maybe my secretary made a mistake. Please point them out, and I will immediately give you the most accurate information."

Luca shook his head. "According to my investigation, the total market value of real estate in Sicily is less than 150 million, and it's shrinking rapidly. Your company's non-performing assets exceed one-third.

Also, during the investigation, we discovered something very interesting, Lafferty. Do you know what it is?"

"What?"

"We found that some of the assets don't belong to you at all. You used fake documents and used them as collateral for loans."

Lafferty's heart sank. How was this possible? In just two days, how could this person find out the problems so quickly?

"Fraudulent loans, involving a huge amount of money, Lafferty, do you know the consequences of doing this?" Luca shook his head, truly feeling sorry for Anne Hathaway. What a refined woman, to have been with a fraudster for four years. What a waste.

"Kelly... Mr. Kelly, you need evidence to say such things. Our company absolutely has not committed any fraud," Lafferty said, looking up with a slight frown, appearing somewhat dissatisfied.

"Really?"

"Yes, all our assets have been audited. There is no problem at all," Lafferty said firmly.

Luca smiled faintly, took out a piece of paper, and placed it on the table.

Seeing the information on it, Lafferty swayed, his face turning extremely pale.

It was a document about three church properties in the Newark area of New Jersey.

When the real estate market was overheated, he needed more funds, so he used various illegal operations to turn the church's assets into the company's assets and mortgaged them to the bank.

He had personally handled this matter, and no more than a handful of people knew about it. Everyone had shared in the benefits, so there shouldn't be any traitors. But why was it exposed so quickly?

"Lafferty, for Anne's sake, I took the time to meet with you. I didn't expect you to try to deceive me with such a low-level trick. What do you think would happen if I hand this over to the investigation bureau?"

"Mr. Kelly, you can't do that!" Lafferty shouted excitedly.

"Boss, is something wrong?" the bodyguard shouted from outside the door.

"Oh, it's nothing," Luca responded, his face turning cold. "Are you ordering me around?"

Lafferty lowered his head, took a few breaths, and then pleaded, "Mr. Kelly, please don't do that. I know I deceived you. I can compensate you."

"Compensate me? Are you very rich?" Luca chuckled.

"I..." Lafferty's face became even uglier. The real estate bubble had burst too quickly, and the problems exposed in the company were becoming more and more serious. All his money was used to plug the holes, but there were too many holes to plug. This was also the reason why he was eager to find Luca to take over.

He clenched his fists and looked at Luca. "Mr. Kelly, do you like Anne?"

"What do you mean?"

"I know you like her very much. That day at my house, you had Anne's perfume on you," Lafferty said, panting.

Luca frowned at him. "Are you threatening me?"

"No, no, I mean, I can withdraw, give Anne to you, just ask you to give me the information and forget about this," Lafferty stared at him and said.

"Give her to me? Anne is a person, not an object. How can you give her to me?" Luca frowned.

"Then, Mr. Kelly, I can create opportunities for you and Anne to be alone," Lafferty said.

Luca laughed. "Lafferty, stop using Anne as a bargaining chip. If I really wanted to pursue Anne, you wouldn't be a threat at all."

Lafferty's face paled again. "Mr. Kelly, I was wrong. I shouldn't have deceived you. But I haven't caused you any losses yet. Can you let me go?"

Luca didn't respond and stared at him for a long time.

"Mr. Kelly, if you are willing to let go, I can sell you the company's shares at a very low price. I still have many high-quality assets in my hands."

Luca snorted coldly. "If I take your things, I'll be in cahoots with you. Besides, do I need your little money?"

"..." Lafferty lowered his head. Facing a multi-billionaire tycoon, his offer indeed lacked any appeal.

"Is there really no room for reconciliation?"

Knock, knock, knock. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!"

A middle-aged man in a suit with a stocky build walked in from outside.

"Lafferty, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Henry Olsen, the manager of the Real Estate Department of Thomp Real Estate. If you are willing to cooperate, then have a good talk with Mr. Olsen. Maybe before the crisis arrives, you can smoothly jump out of the whirlpool, avoid jail time, and even have a chance to start over."

"..." Lafferty was stunned. Thomp Real Estate?

He suddenly understood why Luca didn't fall for his trick. Thomp Real Estate was powerful and had extensive connections. And rumor had it that Luca was very close to the princess of the Thomp family. With the princess' help, his little tricks were indeed insignificant.

But how was the alleged fraud exposed? Even the Thomp family shouldn't be able to find out such a secret matter, right? Could there really be a mole in the company?

If that was the case, it might not be a bad thing to cooperate with Thomp Real Estate sooner.

"Mr. Kelly, I am willing to cooperate!" Lafferty said.

"That's your business. It has nothing to do with me. Mr. Olsen, I'll leave everything to you."

"Okay!"

Luca shook hands with Olsen and pushed the door open, walking out of the lounge.

The sun was shining brightly outside. There were mountains and water, and the scenery near the course was beautiful.

Luca took an electric car to the course. Katelynn and the others were wearing baseball caps and tight-fitting clothes, swinging their clubs and having fun.

"Luca, where's Lafferty? How did your talk go?" Anne Hathaway asked.

"It went very well. I introduced him to a better partner," Luca said with a smile.

"Then thank you," Anne Hathaway said with a smile.

"You're welcome."

He didn't know how to evaluate Anne. Was she foolish, being sold and still helping to count the money? Or was she not foolish? He hoped she was truly foolish.

"Luca, come over, let's have a competition and see who gets the higher score!" Miranda shouted.

"Okay, today I'll show you what a master looks like!"

"Alright, whoever loses will bark like a dog."

"That's childish. How old are we, still playing such childish games?"

"Humph, if you don't dare, just say it."

"Okay, I don't dare!"

Luca adjusted his posture, swung the club, and with a whoosh, he forcefully hit the golf ball. His body naturally twisted 180 degrees, his posture strong and graceful.

Thump!

The turf flew up.

Where's the ball?

The little white ball didn't move an inch.

"Hahaha~"

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 558: His Death Has Something to Do With You*

“Haha, Luca, six swings and not a single hit. You've really set a record this time!”

In the car on the way home, Miranda chuckled.

“Luca, you should practice golf more when you have time. Otherwise, it’s embarrassing to take you out,” Kate teased disdainfully.

“Exactly. Anne Hathaway almost laughed herself to tears earlier,” Lima added.

Luca shook his head and sighed. “Do you really think I missed on purpose?”

“We all saw it happen. How could it not be real?” Miranda laughed.

“Hmph. Think about it. I’m Luca Kelly, once the best striker in the league. I could score from 20 meters away. How could I possibly miss six times in a row with a golf ball right in front of me?” Luca said with a serious expression.

“Oh? Then why did you?” the three women asked, puzzled.

“Obviously, to entertain you all. Watching me miss made you laugh so hard. My goal was to make you happy.”

“Really?”

“Of course!” Luca said, lifting his head proudly.

“Well, your performance was convincing. Keep it up!” Kate laughed.

“Definitely!” Luca forced a small grin, feeling slightly helpless.

For some reason—maybe it was his back—Luca found that the more seriously he played golf, the worse he performed. He kept missing, which made Kate and the others laugh uncontrollably. He had unwittingly turned golf into a comedy routine.

So embarrassing!

He really needed to practice golf—improve his skills and strengthen his back.

After returning home, Luca resumed preparing for 21, taking a short break to film a cameo in The Dark Knight as a cop. His role had three scenes, all shot in a single day.

By early July, the scorching summer heat had arrived. Kate, Lima, Miranda, and the little one went to the Hawaiian estate to escape the heat, while Luca returned to New York with his assistant and bodyguards.

“Ed, aren’t you always busy? How do you have time to pick me up?” Luca asked Ed on the way out of the airport.

“You’re my boss. Isn’t it my job to pick you up?” Ed countered.

“It’s rare to see you so proactive,” Luca said with a laugh.

Ed smirked. “Did you hear? Ben Hill is dead.”

“Ben Hill?” Luca thought for a moment. “The model who clashed with me? How did he die?”

“Check online yourself. His death has something to do with you.”

“With me? Don’t scare me!” Luca took out his phone and searched. On Yahoo’s news section, a headline read: “Supermodel Hill Dies of Overdose, Once Luca Kelly’s Rival.”  

Three days ago, Hill was found dead in his Manhattan apartment at the age of 29.

According to the report, police discovered Hill’s body surrounded by spilled sleeping pills. Investigations confirmed the cause of death as a drug overdose, with a mix of sedatives, antidepressants, and other prescription drugs.

The article recounted Hill’s career: a top model before 2002, he rose to supermodel status in 2003, even briefly becoming the highest-earning male model. Unfortunately, he was overtaken by the rising star Luca Kelly and lost his title as the top earner.

After that, Hill’s career plummeted. By 2006, he had almost no work, turned to drugs, and contracted diseases from reckless behavior, ultimately dying in his apartment.

While sorting through Hill’s belongings, his family found a notebook. Several pages detailed his rivalry with Luca, from their initial conflicts to the fierce competitions of 2003. Hill blamed Luca for his downfall, believing Luca had stolen what was rightfully his.

“Without me, would he have been more successful?” Luca sighed.

“No way,” Ed replied. “In fashion or entertainment, competition is everywhere. Losing is just losing. Blaming others? That’s the mark of a failure like Hill.”

Luca chuckled lightly. “Even in death, Hill managed to tarnish my name. What an annoying guy.”

“Exactly. And you’re not the only one who disliked him. His notebook also mentioned some... unspeakable truths.”

“Such as?”

“The dark side of the fashion world—money, power, and trade-offs. He listed the parties and people involved. It’s caused quite a stir, though many stories were suppressed before publication. Our company had to do some PR work, which is why it’s been quiet.”

“If it all came out, it wouldn’t matter much,” Luca said with a smirk, scrolling through Hill’s background on his phone.

His record mentioned Luca and other familiar names: Thomas the “puppy-like” model, blue-eyed David Gandy, the roguish Eric Rutherford, former champion Noah Mills. Over three to four years, they each had different fates—some retired, some returned home, and some kept striving.

“Time really flies,” Luca mused, gazing out the window. Cars flowed like rivers, people like streams. He, too, was just a grain of sand in this endless river of time, growing and maturing—transforming from a young heartthrob into an overwhelmingly charismatic man.

“If only I could live forever,” Luca murmured, stroking his handsome face and admiring his reflection in the glass.

Ed rolled his eyes. This guy was insatiable.

Half an hour later, they arrived at 76th Street, and Luca returned to his empty apartment.

After a nap, he grabbed gifts for Britney and little Max and headed to her place. Britney was recording music in Manhattan, staying at an apartment on the West Side.

When Luca arrived, Britney wasn’t home—only little Max and the nanny were there.

“Little Max, guess who’s here!” Luca squatted down and picked up the baby.

It had been over a month since they’d last seen each other. Little Max had grown to over 50 centimeters, gained weight, and sprouted a few baby teeth. His big brown-black eyes sparkled as he stared at Luca.

“Ma-ma-ma~” the little one babbled, smiling brightly.

Hearing Max say “mama” made Luca envious. George, Charlotte, and Louis all started saying “mama” at six or seven months, but “papa” usually took eight or nine.

“Little Max, not mama—papa. Say papa!” Luca coaxed, holding the little one.

“Ma-ma-ma~” Max grinned, clutching Luca’s shirt and trying to climb onto him.

“You’re like a little monkey climbing a tree!” Luca laughed, not forcing him. They didn’t spend much time together, so it was natural for Max to not say “papa” yet. Over time, it would come.

Luca was looking forward to it.

(End of Chapter)  

*Chapter 559: Have You Considered Losing a Leg?*

After playing for a while, the little one got hungry. Luca gave him a bottle of milk.

The little one held the bottle, sucking eagerly. After finishing, he started dozing off again.

Luca carried the little one and walked around the room a few times, softly humming a tune and gently patting his back. Before long, the little one was asleep, looking as sweet as a little piglet.

But a very cute piglet—a head of soft golden-brown hair, chubby cheeks, an adorable little nose, and a tiny mouth. Even in sleep, he sucked on his thumb, occasionally smacking his lips as if enjoying sweet dreams.

Luca chuckled softly, kissed the little one’s forehead, gave a few instructions to the nanny, and headed downstairs.

It was almost 5 PM. He started washing vegetables and preparing dinner to treat the busy mother of his child.

While making vegetable soup, he suddenly felt someone behind him. Turning around, he saw Britney.

She was leaning against the counter, wearing a white tube top and shorts. Her golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her face bore a sweet smile.

"You’re back!"

"Mm-hmm~"

"Dinner will be ready soon. Just wait a bit."

Luca smiled.

"Alright!"

Britney walked over, gently wrapped her arms around his waist, and rested her face against his back, looking a little tired.

"Have you been busy lately?"

Luca asked.

"Yeah, the newcomers are really impressive. Fanny, Katie, Beyoncé... Compared to them, I feel old."

Britney sighed.

Luca smiled. "Why compare yourself to them? They're just fleeting sensations, while you’re the eternal Britney, a mark of an era."

"But my era is ending."

"Does it bother you?"

"A little. Fanny was once my fan, and now she’s so popular."

Britney suddenly playfully punched him. "By the way, her most famous songs are ones you wrote. Why didn’t you give them to me, huh? You jerk—are you involved with her?"

"Ha, no way. Those songs didn’t suit you. Besides, you’re a mom now; you need to maintain your image."

Luca tapped her nose.

"Ahh!"

Britney opened her mouth, pretending to bite his finger. Luca quickly stuffed a slice of ham into her mouth.

"Hmph! You bully me!"

Britney jumped up and hugged him tightly. "I missed you, darling!"

"Don’t mess around. I’m cooking."

Luca patted her bottom.

"I don’t care! I don’t want food. I just want you. Hurry up!"

Britney nibbled his nose and kissed his cheeks.

"Alright!"

Luca turned off the stove and responded to her passionately.

The wind howled outside, causing tree branches to sway wildly.

"Luca, what do you think about giving Max a little sister?"

After a while, Britney whispered into his ear while holding him close.

"Are you serious?"

Luca asked, kissing her cheek.

"Yes, look at George and Catherine—they’re always so lively together. Max is too lonely by himself."

"Then let’s have another one."

Luca laughed.

"Ahh!"

Suddenly, crying came from upstairs. The little one had woken up. Luca chuckled. "It seems Max has other ideas."

"He probably wants a brother."

Britney smiled sweetly, her face glowing with warmth and love.

"Then we’ll just have to work harder."

"Mm-hmm~"

After dinner, Luca and Britney took the little one out. Britney mentioned Christina was pregnant and wanted him to accompany her to visit, so they went for a walk together. Luca agreed.

Christina’s house wasn’t far, and they arrived in less than 20 minutes.

Christina, four or five months pregnant, had started gaining weight. She looked short and chubby, far from her diva days.

Seeing Britney, Christina looked annoyed. "You’re just here to show off your figure, aren’t you?"

Britney admitted with a mischievous smile, striking a sexy ‘S’ pose.

Christina almost rolled her eyes out of her head.

Luca chuckled but didn’t join their banter.

Instead, he sat aside and chatted with Christina’s husband.

Like countless ordinary couples, they talked about kids, work, movies, and politics, enjoying a rare leisurely moment amidst busy lives.

But retirement was still far off, and there were things to be done.

After five days in New York, Luca briefly met Eva and then traveled to Harvard University, over 200 kilometers away.

Located in Boston’s university district and near MIT, the area was the filming location for the "21" movie crew, set in both campuses and nearby residential neighborhoods.

The protagonist, Ben Campbell, is an MIT student who gets into Harvard Medical School before graduation. However, with a $300,000 tuition fee, he can’t afford it.

The movie begins with Ben in Harvard’s scholarship office, applying for the prestigious Robinson Scholarship.

"Ben, your resume is truly impressive!"

Professor Phillip, in charge of scholarships, said while reviewing Ben’s file.

"Thank you!"

Ben, dressed sharply in a blue suit and tie, replied confidently.

"You know, the Robinson Scholarship is incredibly generous, like winning the lottery. Such opportunities are rare. This year, we have 76 applicants, all with impressive credentials like yours, but only one can win. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I understand."

Straightening up, Ben said, "Professor Phillip, some kids dream of playing for the Red Sox, while others want to be firefighters. My dream has always been to attend Harvard Medical School. I’ve been admitted, but the tuition is an issue. I really need this scholarship."

Professor Phillip looked at him. "Have you rehearsed this?"

"Yes, about 14 times in front of a mirror."

Ben smiled.

"Unfortunately, no matter how much you want this, the Robinson Scholarship only goes to the best, like legends in books."

Phillip continued.

"Well, I also competed in a science fair where we built a mechanical device with a unique GPS system for auto-navigation. I designed that system," Ben said.

"Impressive. But do you know, last year’s Robinson Scholarship went to Hyun Jae-suk, a Korean immigrant with just one leg."

"Oh, well, I have two legs."

Ben replied helplessly.

"Have you considered losing one?"

"..."

"Haha, just kidding. Ben, you must understand—what stands out is personal experience. Can you tell me about something in your life that sets you apart?"

"My life experiences?"

"Yes, Ben. What incredible experiences have shaped you?"

Professor Phillip asked.

"..."

Ben fell silent.

"Cut!"

Director Robert Luketic reviewed the footage and approached Luca for a discussion.

"Your performance is solid, but you’re too composed. You lack the nervousness a weaker individual feels in front of authority."

Luca reviewed the footage and nodded. "Got it. I know how to fix it."

"Great!"

"Take five minutes and let’s go again!"

Five minutes later, the crew began filming the scene again. With the adjustment, Luca nailed the shot. The director reviewed it and gave the green light.

The early scenes weren’t too challenging. After just a week of shooting, Luca wrapped up his solo scenes.

Next, he’d be acting opposite veteran actor Kevin Spacey.

(End of chapter.)

Chapter 560: Still Got Strength?

Kevin Spacey, once an A-list actor and now considered more of a B-list presence, had starred in classics like L.A. Confidential, American Beauty, and The Usual Suspects.

There were two things about him that the industry always found intriguing.

First, his incredible luck. While many actors had to be nominated multiple times to win an Oscar, he hit the mark twice in a row—Best Supporting Actor in 1996 and Best Actor in 2000.

Second was a persistent rumor about his orientation and allegations of harassing men. Though unproven at the time, these speculations hadn’t yet tarnished his reputation.

At least when Luca met Kevin Spacey, he still carried himself as a respectable professional—serious about acting, with undeniable talent.

Luca admired his craft and knew he could learn a lot from working with him.

---

“Alright, can someone explain Newton's method and its applications?”

In an MIT classroom, Kevin Spacey, playing math professor Micky Rosa, lectured on mathematical theory. Rosa was the mentor who taught Ben Campbell card-counting techniques.

“It’s used to solve nonlinear equations,” answered Ben’s friend, Miles, raising his hand.

“Good job! I’m impressed. He even guessed the course title is ‘Nonlinear Equations’!” Micky joked, tossing a piece of chalk at Miles, prompting laughter from the class.

“Alright, anyone want to tell me something I don’t already know?” Micky asked.

Ben Campbell raised his hand. “Newton stole the idea.”

“Excuse me, what?”

“Newton stole the theory. Joseph Raphson published the same method 50 years earlier. And if the initial guess is too far from zero, the method doesn’t work.”

“What’s your name?” Micky asked.

“Ben. Ben Campbell.”

“Cut!”

“That’s a wrap for this scene!” called the director, Robert.

“Kelly, your performance was impressive,” Kevin Spacey said.

“Thank you, Mr. Spacey. You can call me Luca. I’m grateful for your guidance!”

“Haha, Luca, you’re a humble young man,” Kevin laughed.

Both were the biggest names in the cast—one an Oscar winner, the other a double winner at Cannes and Berlin. Their combined performances promised strong box office returns.

---

After the day’s filming, Luca returned to the Boston Harbor Hotel, a four-star establishment overlooking scenic bay views.

As he entered the suite, a stunning figure stood by the floor-to-ceiling window.

Her golden hair cascaded over her shoulders. She wore a blue silk blouse, an ivory pencil skirt, and black heels. From behind, her curves were mesmerizing.

“Eva, sorry I’m late. The crew extended filming,” Luca greeted.

“It’s fine. But I’m curious—you're already a big star. Why keep pushing yourself as an actor?” Eva asked.

Luca smiled. “Everyone needs a purpose, right? Like Mr. Trump, who dominates politics. My ambition is simpler—to become an actor worthy of a place in cinematic history.”

“Like Reagan?” Eva teased.

“No, a pure actor.”

“What a pity. My father says you have money, brains, and connections. If you wanted, you could be a big name, maybe even Brazil’s president!” Eva joked.

Luca chuckled. “I’m not interested in politics—at least not for now. If I ever change my mind, you’ll be the first to know.”

“Alright, I’ll support you, just as you’ve supported me,” Eva said, stepping closer and kissing him lightly.

“I’m happy to help you more,” Luca said, wrapping his arm around her waist and kissing her deeply.

“Fresh from filming, still got strength?” Eva teased.

“Let’s find out,” Luca quipped, lifting her into his arms and carrying her to the bedroom.

---

Over an hour later, night fell. They lay exhausted in bed, the room in delightful disarray.

“Have the Sicily real estate issues been settled?” Luca asked, his arm around her.

“Yes. Their problems weren’t too complex. By smoothing relationships on all sides, we removed most of the obstacles,” Eva replied, pulling out a document with a sly smile. “Guess how much we made?”

“How much?”

“About $15 million.”

“Not bad,” Luca said.

“Just ‘not bad’? This was my easiest, fastest deal yet. Even my father praised me,” Eva said, smiling proudly.

“You did great, Eva,” Luca said, pouring two glasses of white wine to celebrate their small victory.

Earlier, they’d secured damning evidence against Lavery, forcing him to cooperate. In exchange for resolving his company’s crisis, they took half of his assets as commission.

“By the way, Luca, you mentioned acquiring those four cinemas. Two had too many complications, but we successfully acquired the other two.”

“That’s a good start,” Luca said.

“Why are you so keen on cinemas? Planning to build a theater chain?”

Luca nodded slightly. “That’s the idea. In the film industry, distribution is king. Owning a theater chain means no one can choke you out, and you have more influence.”

Eva nodded thoughtfully. “If you’re serious, I can help. My family’s company owns over 150 theaters. We could spin them off and merge with others to form a mid-sized chain.”

Luca’s eyes lit up. “That’s a great idea. I’ll strengthen our partnership with your family. Eva, would you consider heading this theater chain?”

“I’d be delighted!”

“Then here’s to our partnership!”

They clinked glasses, drank, and once again, the night carried on with passion.