541-545

*Chapter 541: Do You Want Me to Take the Backdoor?*

"Director Wang, any good news?"

Outside the film set, in the shade of the stairs, Luca was flipping through a script while talking on the phone.

"Haha, Luca, our Blueberry Nights has been nominated for the Palme d'Or in the main competition category!"

Director Wang sounded thrilled.

"Wow, that's great news."

Or not!

Luca already knew that Blueberry Nights would snag a nomination. After all, with a director like Wong Kar-Wai and a star-studded cast including himself, Natalie Portman, and Rachel Weisz—all seasoned performers—it would be downright rude not to nominate it.

But just getting a nomination was meaningless; winning the top prize was what truly mattered. And realistically, Blueberry Nights had no chance of that.

"There’s more good news. You'll probably jump out of your seat when you hear it."

"Emm… did I get nominated for Best Actor?"

"Haha, that's right, Luca! Congratulations! You’ve been nominated for Best Actor at this year’s festival. Do you have time to attend? Want to come check out the festival?"

". . . No, not really. We're focusing on shooting the castle scenes right now. I’ve got three or four takes a day, all with my character. It’ll probably take another week, and by then, the festival will already be over."

"Is that so? What a pity. Do you know Zhang Manyu? She’s one of the jurors this year, and she mentioned that your performance was excellent. You stand a great chance of winning Best Actor at Cannes."

"Director Wang, I’m an adult now. Don’t try to fool me with that kind of talk."

Luca wasn’t buying it.

While his character was the lead male, his screen time wasn’t extensive. He was more like a glorified supporting actor. Could a glorified supporting role really win Best Actor at Cannes?

"I’m serious! It’s not just Zhang; other jurors have also praised your performance. And you should know, there are five female jurors in the main competition category this year."

Director Wang chuckled slyly.

"Five female jurors? What’s that supposed to mean? I don’t get it."

Luca was puzzled.

"Some things you either get or you don’t. I’m too lazy to explain. The real question is, will you come? I heard one of your main reasons for becoming an actor was to win awards. Doesn’t the title of Cannes Best Actor tempt you even a little?"

Director Wang pressed on.

Luca scratched his head, feeling a bit conflicted. Truthfully, he wasn’t that busy on set; he had at least one free day every three days. He could make the time to go to Cannes.

But what was the point of going if he didn’t win?

To sit in the audience?

No, thanks.

"Director Wang, do you really think I can win Best Actor?"

"Absolutely! Luca, your performance was incredible—so nuanced. Zhang even said you reminded her of Leslie. You know Leslie, right? Leslie Cheung."

Leslie’s performances were deeply aligned with the tastes of Cannes jurors. He was nominated three times for Best Actor but missed out only because he was from the East.

"But you’re handsome and incredibly talented. The jurors will definitely vote for you. And remember what I said—five of the eight main competition jurors are women."

Director Wang's tone turned conspiratorial.

Luca smirked. What did having five female jurors have to do with him winning? Was he supposed to use some kind of backdoor method?

"Fine, Director Wang. I’ll come."

Luca hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

After all, receiving a nomination was like receiving an invitation from the host of a party. Not showing up would be rude.

Plus, as an actor, he was confident in the roles he had portrayed. He believed his performance was exceptional—his looks alone could outshine everyone. The Cannes Best Actor title was his for the taking.

Yes, absolutely.

Borrowing the self-hypnosis techniques popular among MLM groups, Luca hyped himself up, inflating his confidence until he felt like he was floating.

He approached the director and producer to share the news. He explained that he had been nominated for Best Actor at Cannes and needed to take leave to attend the award ceremony.

Upon hearing the news, both were delighted. They quickly rearranged his schedule, freeing up two days for him.

From Prague to Cannes was just a two-hour trip. Two days would be more than enough.

"Boss, did you really get nominated for Best Actor at Cannes?"

Annie, his assistant, asked excitedly.

"Of course. Would I joke about something like that?"

Luca replied with a grin.

"Haha, boss, you’re amazing! A Best Actor nomination at Cannes—one of Europe’s top three film festivals! Now no one can ever say your acting isn’t good."

Annie beamed.

Luca raised an eyebrow. "Has someone in the crew been saying my acting isn’t good?"

"Uh, no, not really. It’s just that you’ve been an actor for five or six years now and haven’t won any major acting awards. Compared to your achievements in other fields, your acting career seems a bit… underwhelming. But this Cannes nomination will balance things out."

Annie smiled awkwardly.

"My acting career is underwhelming? Did you eat the Berlin Best Actor trophy I won in ’04?"

Luca retorted, clearly annoyed.

"Uh, that one doesn’t count!"

"Why not?"

Luca was even more annoyed now. He had spent a month in a coffin, almost killing himself in the process, to earn that award. And now she had the audacity to dismiss it?

Annie hesitated before answering, "The newspapers said that award was more about luck. You were young back then and Brazilian. The organizers needed some buzz, so they gave it to you."

"Hmph. Could you stop reading those tabloids? They’re full of nonsense. I won the Berlin award purely on merit."

"Got it, boss. I’ll go book the tickets."

"Go ahead."

Luca waved her off and stepped onto the set.

Before long, word spread throughout the crew that he had been nominated for Best Actor at Cannes. As he passed by, everyone paused to congratulate him.

“Luca, I heard you’ve been nominated for Best Actor at Cannes. Congratulations!”

Morgan Freeman smiled warmly.

“Thank you, Morgan. Just lucky, I guess.”

Luca replied with a bright smile.

“No, as a young actor, your talent is impressive.”

Morgan said with conviction.

“Morgan, your praise is more exciting than an actual award.”

Luca laughed.

“Haha, you’re the most eloquent young actor I’ve met.”

Morgan chuckled as he walked onto the set.

***

The next morning, Luca, his assistant, and his bodyguard arrived in Cannes.

Returning to this familiar place filled him with emotion. He felt the urge to recite poetry: Last year, on this very day, the peach blossoms mirrored her face in their glow.  

What came next? He couldn’t remember. But thinking about peach blossoms made him recall beautiful women.

The last time he was here, he had Scarlett Johansson, a stunning lady from the Gao family, and Zhang accompanying him. It had been a long time since he’d seen them, and he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of longing.

(To be continued…)  

*Chapter 542: Maggie Zhang’s Awkward Moment*

“Wow~ Cannes is so beautiful!”

Stepping out of the airport, Anne exclaimed with admiration.

“Want to explore a bit? I’ll give you two days off,” Luca suggested.

“No way! Boss, you’re such an important figure. By staying with you, I’m sure I’ll see more amazing things, eat tastier food, and have more fun. Plus, being with you is economical and practical. Why would I wander off?” Anne replied with a grin.

Luca chuckled. “You’ve got it wrong. You know me—I’m a homebody, stingy, and lazy. Once we’re here, I’ll only be in two places: the hotel and the Cannes Film Festival Palace. I won’t visit anywhere else. So, Miss Anne, reconsider. You still have a chance to change your mind.”

Anne thought for a moment. “Forget it. I’ve gained so much weight recently. I need to diet and can’t eat recklessly anymore.”

“Haha, alright then!”

At the airport exit, Director Wang’s assistant was already waiting with a car.

“Hello, Mr. Kelly. Director Wang and his wife are waiting for you at the Garden Hotel,” the assistant said politely.

“Thank you!”

Boarding the car, the group headed to the Garden Hotel.

During the ride, Luca told Anne about the hotel’s amazing desserts, claiming they were even better than those from Michelin-starred spots on Fifth Avenue. Anne looked thrilled. “Really?!” But then she added, “Oh no, I’m dieting and can’t eat. What a pity.”

Luca smirked, clearly not taking her seriously.

“Haha, Luca, you’re finally here,” Director Wang greeted warmly at the hotel entrance.

Luca had been in high spirits, but the words “finally here” soured his mood.

Am I known for being late? Don’t they know that being late is a divine right granted to Brazilians?

“Director Wang, sorry for being late.”

“No, no. Let me introduce my wife, Chen Yile,” Director Wang said, pulling the woman beside him forward.

“Hello, Mrs. Wang. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Hello, Mr. Kelly,” Mrs. Chen replied with a warm smile, her demeanor gentle and cultured.

Seeing such an elegant Mrs. Wang, Luca secretly sighed in relief.

At a previous wedding, Luca had noticed a peculiar trend—most of the men around him seemed to be henpecked. Ed? Definitely. Ross? For sure. Li An? Yup. Even Tony had that vibe. But Director Wang didn’t, which meant the saying “Birds of a feather flock together” didn’t apply to him.

After greetings, they all headed to the seafood restaurant on the fifth floor.

“Attention! Luca’s here!”

As he stepped out of the elevator, excited shouts echoed in the hallway outside the restaurant.

Standing in the corridor were seven or eight women and three almost invisible men. Among the women was someone very familiar—the renowned Maggie Zhang—who was chatting with her companions.

“Wow~ Luca is so gorgeous! That face, that body, those long legs—they’re making me swoon!” one girl exclaimed in Cantonese.

“He’s stunning! I heard he’s not only talented in writing, acting, and directing but can also compose music. He’s perfect!” another woman added, eyes sparkling as she gazed at Luca.

“And not just that. He’s super wealthy! His net worth exceeds 10 billion HKD. It’s dizzying how perfect he is,” a younger girl said, clutching her chest as she stared at Luca’s face, unable to look away.

The others joined in with exclamations of admiration.

“Enough, you guys!”

Maggie Zhang, who had intended to greet Luca earlier, felt deeply embarrassed by her companions’ behavior.

“If I’d known this, I wouldn’t have brought you along! All you care about is his money, talent, and looks. Do you even know how much of a player he is? Do you know how many girlfriends he has?”

“How many?” someone asked.

Maggie snorted and held up a finger.

“Ten? That’s not a lot!” one person remarked.

“Yeah, with his qualities, having a few girlfriends isn’t surprising,” another chimed in.

“He’s a king. He deserves a harem,” someone else added.

Maggie’s face turned dark. Waving her finger, she said, “Not ten. Not twenty. A hundred.”

“Wow~”

The women around her gasped in astonishment.

Not far away, Luca’s face darkened. A hundred? Really? Even if I wanted to, my aging back wouldn’t allow it.

“Cough, cough!”

Director Wang, equally mortified, cleared his throat and gave Maggie a warning glance.

Maggie caught the hint and switched to Cantonese. “Haha, now you know how much of a player he is? I heard he doesn’t spare any female co-stars he works with.”

“Wow~ Their crew’s benefits are that good? I want to be an actress too!”

“…”

Luca’s face turned purple. How did my reputation get this bad across the Pacific?

“Cough, cough, cough!”

Director Wang coughed so hard he nearly injured his throat, but he couldn’t stop the lively girls. He had no choice but to approach Maggie and say, “Stop joking. Luca understands Cantonese.”

“What? That’s impossible!”

In an instant, Maggie’s face went from red to pale. In her 40+ years, she had never been this embarrassed.

“Director Wang, is that true?” she asked hesitantly in Mandarin.

“Stop doubting it. His Mandarin is better than yours,” Director Wang confirmed.

“…”

Maggie’s face turned even darker. This was a large-scale social death. She looked around, contemplating an escape.

“Don’t worry. Luca is a good-humored person. He won’t mind,” Director Wang reassured.

“Ms. Zhang, I’m a big fan of yours. It’s an honor to meet you,” Luca said in English to ease the awkwardness.

“Mr. Kelly, hello. What I said earlier was just a joke. Please don’t take it seriously,” Maggie responded awkwardly.

“No problem, Ms. Zhang. Our cultures view these things differently. In the East, having too many partners reflects poorly on a man’s character. But in Brazil, the more partners a man has, the stronger and more charming he’s considered. If you say I have over a hundred partners, I should thank you for the compliment,” Luca replied sincerely.

Maggie turned to Director Wang, stunned. Was he serious?

Director Wang shrugged. “Who knows? As long as he’s not mad, why be embarrassed?”

“Luca, let’s head inside. Maggie is also a fan of yours and must have lots to discuss,” Director Wang gestured.

“Sure!”

As they passed the group of girls, Luca greeted them politely, prompting another wave of admiration.

“He’s so handsome!”

“So gentle! The closer I get, the more I feel his charm. I’m in love!”

“He’s perfect! He fulfills all my fantasies about men.”

“I’m ruined for life. I’ll spend the rest of my days pining for him.”

Hearing this, Luca silently sighed.

“Mr. Kelly, they’re a bit over the top. Please don’t mind them,” Maggie said apologetically.

“No problem!”

With a charming smile, Luca followed Director Wang and Maggie into the restaurant, where they discussed films and the differences between Eastern and Western cultures.

In the cheerful atmosphere, they enjoyed a wonderful lunch together.

That afternoon, the Cannes Film Festival awards ceremony began. Luca, accompanied by Director Wang and his wife, entered the venue as the wealthiest Best Actor nominee in Cannes history—according to French newspapers.

Luca found the whole thing dull. If he returned empty-handed, those papers would surely label him the wealthiest “runner-up” in history.

“Don’t worry, Luca. You’re bound to win,” Director Wang assured.

Luca brightened. “Did you get insider info?”

“No, I just believe in you,” Wang replied.

“…”

Luca’s face darkened. Another jinx. Why tempt fate like this?

Sigh. Leaning back in his seat, Luca resigned himself to the moment.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 543: Care to Come in for a Drink?*

"The nominees for Best Actor at the 60th Cannes Film Festival are as follows: Konstantin Lavronenko for The Banishment, Javier Bardem for No Country for Old Men, Song Kang-ho for Secret Sunshine, Robert Downey Jr. for Zodiac, and Luca Kelly for My Blueberry Nights."

Midway through the awards ceremony, the much-anticipated Best Actor segment finally arrived. The large screen began showcasing clips from the nominated performances.

Seeing those familiar faces made Luca feel uneasy.

Konstantin was a seasoned veteran of the industry.

Javier Bardem, with his naturally villainous features, played a chilling role in No Country for Old Men, carrying a pneumatic gun and terrorizing audiences, earning him a reputation as a nightmare-inducing performer for children. His acting was undeniably stellar.

Song Kang-ho, a dominant figure in Korean cinema, was a force to be reckoned with.

Then there was Robert Downey Jr., who, after serving two stints in jail, had enjoyed a resurgence, collecting numerous awards in recent years.

Facing these formidable competitors, Luca glanced at his mentor, Old Wang. "Are you sure I even stand a chance?"

"You're better looking than all of them, aren't you?" Old Wang replied confidently.

Luca considered this. It made sense. Women were visual creatures, and with five out of eight judges being female, he figured he might just have a shot.

After the clips concluded, Maggie Cheung opened a small envelope before handing it to her co-presenter.

Luca stared intently at her, hoping for some kind of hint, but she remained unreadable throughout.

"And the Best Actor award for the 60th Cannes Film Festival goes to…"

The presenter’s voice rang out, and the room fell silent. The music paused. All eyes were on the stage, waiting for the winner to be announced.

Luca held his breath.

Coming into the event, he hadn’t been particularly attached to winning.

He knew his chances were slim because of the nature of his role. But hearing Maggie Cheung’s praise and Old Wang’s encouragement had sparked a flicker of hope.

Winning this award would mean holding two of the three top acting accolades in European cinema—a remarkable achievement.

Thump thump. Thump thump.  

The wait felt endless, his heart pounding like a drum.

"The Best Actor is Konstantin Lavronenko for The Banishment!"

Applause erupted across the venue.

Whew.  

The suspense was over. Luca exhaled deeply, feeling deflated. He glanced at Old Wang, who looked equally disappointed.

"Luca, don't—"

"And… Luca Kelly for My Blueberry Nights!"

Just as Old Wang was about to console him, and just as the applause began to fade, Maggie Cheung’s voice rang out again. With a radiant smile, she read Luca's name.

The audience fell silent for two seconds, then erupted into applause and murmurs. "A tie? Luca won too?!"

"Haha! Luca, I told you you'd win something big! Surprised?" Old Wang laughed and clapped him on the back.

Luca managed a smile, though his emotions were conflicted. He had won, but a tie? What was this, some kind of consolation prize?

Sharing an award felt like splitting a divine title—two people sharing the spotlight diluted its significance. Being the second name announced made it even more awkward.

Luca's mixed feelings deepened. While his performance in My Blueberry Nights had been praised, he knew it wasn’t on the level of a Cannes Best Actor win.

With his already controversial reputation, he worried about the backlash. Would the media accuse him of pulling strings? Would critics claim Cannes had fallen from grace?

U.S. tabloids and rival actors like Pitt Leon would surely seize the opportunity to stir up trouble.

But that worry lasted just a moment. As the applause subsided, Luca rose, embraced Old Wang and his companions, and strode to the stage.

After all, the jury had decided to award him, so why not accept it? As Lu Xun famously said, “Walk your own path and let others talk.”

At the base of the stage, Konstantin extended his hand with a smile. "Mr. Kelly, it's an honor to share this stage with you."

Luca shook his hand warmly. "Mr. Lavronenko, the honor is mine. Thanks to the organizers for this creative arrangement."

The two shared a laugh as they ascended the stage together.

"Congratulations, Luca!" Maggie Cheung smiled as she handed him a black box containing the shimmering silver palm leaf trophy. Its intricate design could easily double as an elegant hairpin for Catherine.

"Thank you, Maggie. Do you have time to chat later?" Luca asked softly.

"Sure," she replied with a smile before stepping aside.

After Konstantin finished his speech, Luca approached the microphone and smiled at the audience.

"Wow! The view from up here is amazing. No wonder everyone wants to stand here."

The crowd chuckled.

Holding up the box, he continued, "Winning this is such a surprise. Thank you, Cannes, and thank you to this beautiful and always-surprising city. This is my second visit, and each time, I've left with something special. It's truly my lucky charm. If no one objects, I plan to keep coming back!"

Laughter rippled through the audience.

Luca smiled warmly. "I'd also like to thank the jury for this award. It means the world to me.

Some people call me 'Lucky Luca,' claiming I'm favored by Lady Luck. I used to doubt that.

But after tonight, I can’t deny it anymore. Facing such talented competitors, I can only attribute this win to luck. So, allow me to thank Lady Luck here and now—please keep favoring me!"

The room burst into laughter and applause.

After thanking the cast and crew, including Director Wang, Rose, Nora, Natalie Portman, and Rachel Weisz, Luca concluded his speech to resounding applause and returned to his seat.

"Luca, how does it feel to hold the Best Actor trophy?" Old Wang asked.

"Not bad, but not as thrilling as I expected," Luca replied with a chuckle.

"Still thinking about the tie?"

"Why do you think they did it?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe ask Maggie about it."

Luca nodded thoughtfully.

That evening, the Romanian film 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days won the Palme d’Or for Best Film, while the Japanese movie Forest of the Wooden Gods claimed the Grand Jury Prize.

Though My Blueberry Nights only secured Best Actor, Old Wang wasn’t discouraged. He took his wife out to enjoy the beautiful twilight.

Meanwhile, Luca and Maggie Cheung sat down at the hotel café to discuss the tie.

"Maggie, why the tie this year?" Luca stirred his coffee.

"Surprised?" Maggie asked with a smile.

"Absolutely. I’d prepared to lose, and then I heard you call my name. I was stunned."

Maggie smiled. "In the voting process, you and Konstantin had the same number of votes. In the second round, you actually edged him out by one vote."

"So why the tie?"

"Some jurors strongly opposed the result, saying you were too young, with too many scandals, making it a controversial choice. After much discussion, the decision was made to share the award. Since you're younger, your name was announced second."

Luca nodded, piecing it together. "Were my supporters all women?"

"Not at all," Maggie said firmly. "We’re professionals. Nationality, appearance, and age don’t factor into our decisions—only the performance matters. Your subtle and heartfelt acting impressed us all. That’s why we chose you."

"Really?" Luca grinned, feeling validated.

"Yes. Aside from the five female jurors, one male juror also backed you. Otherwise, you wouldn't have won."

Luca’s smile froze briefly. "So it really was because of the women."

Maggie glanced at him and laughed softly.

Night had fallen, and the two headed upstairs.

Both were staying at the same hotel but in different rooms.

As they were about to part ways, Luca casually asked, "Maggie, care to come in for a drink?"

She froze, staring at him in surprise. "What did you say?"

Luca shrugged. "Maggie, I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s still early, and I’d love to keep chatting about films. Do you have time?"

"...Fine," she replied hesitantly, blushing as she stepped into his room.

Click.  

Luca closed the door behind them.

(End of Chapter)  

Chapter 544: How About Tonight?

“Luca, you’re back! Congratulations, congratulations!”

“Luca, I heard you won the Best Actor award at Cannes. That’s amazing!”

“Luca, you’re only 26 and already have two Best Actor awards. Lady Luck is really on your side.”

The day after Luca returned to the Assassins League set, everyone in the crew rushed over to congratulate him after hearing the news.

Luca smiled and responded by inviting everyone to a celebratory drinking party that evening, promising a variety of drinks—red wine, vodka, and more—guaranteeing that no one would leave sober.

Because of director Lamo’s influence, there were quite a few Russians in the crew, and their love for drinking made Luca’s proposal an instant hit.

“Luca, congratulations! Becoming a double Best Actor winner at Berlin and Cannes by 26—I’m jealous just thinking about it,” Morgan Freeman said with a laugh as he approached.

“Morgan, if we lined up all your awards, they’d wrap around the globe twice. Why would you be jealous of a newcomer like me?” Luca joked.

“Ha! Of course, I’m jealous. When I was 26, I was still fixing air conditioners, while you already have everything. It’s true—people really can’t be compared,” Morgan sighed as he walked away with his hands behind his back.

Luca chuckled and continued greeting others.

“Hey, Brazilian boy. You actually won Best Actor? Color me surprised,” Jolie teased, holding a glass of juice as she walked up slowly.

“I’ve always been lucky,” Luca replied with a smile.

“Just lucky? Heh... The papers say you spent a lot of money at Cannes to win that award.”

“Do you really believe that?”

Ever since he won the award, the media had been buzzing with speculation. They claimed that while his performance was good, it wasn’t better than the other nominees’. Some even alleged he had bought the award through PR deals, accusing Cannes of losing its integrity and chasing hype.

Luca skimmed a few articles before tossing them aside. He knew he had nothing to hide and wasn’t worried about the baseless accusations.

“No money involved?” Jolie leaned closer and whispered, “Then maybe you used your charm to play some R-rated games with the female judges?”

“Shut up, or I’ll spank you,” Luca said with a faint smirk.

Jolie burst out laughing, biting her lip as she teasingly said, “Fine! How about tonight?”

“Isn’t Pitt around?” Luca asked, puzzled.

Jolie scoffed, “When he heard you won Best Actor, he smashed a table in anger and stormed off. I think he’s worried you’ll surpass him, so he went back early to work harder.”

“That’s great news. His presence on set was messing with my focus.”

“You’re so petty!” Jolie rolled her eyes at him before striding back to the set.

Luca had no scenes to film that day. Sitting outside the set, he pulled out his phone and texted Ed, asking him to monitor the public opinion closely. He emphasized the need to counter any rumors that could damage his public image and to watch out for Pitt, who had returned to the U.S. early.

Ed assured him it was under control but added, “Luca, how did you win Best Actor at Cannes? The media claims we ran some major PR, but we didn’t actually do anything.”

Luca smirked. “I won it with my role and my acting—why is that even a question?”

“Alright, alright, I believe you. Just don’t get caught up in any shady business for small honors—it’s not worth it.”

“I know. Get back to work,” Luca replied impatiently, putting away his phone.

Not long after, his phone buzzed again. It was a congratulatory call from Aniston, who chatted about her kids while congratulating him on his Cannes win.

Soon after, calls from other familiar faces in the industry—Charlize Theron, Rachel, Keira, and more—poured in, all congratulating him on his achievement.

“Luca, why are you so lucky? Has Lady Luck herself blessed you?” Natalie Portman called, her tone tinged with envy.

“Why not acknowledge that I’m talented and deserving?” Luca replied.

“But the papers say I gave the best performance in this movie. So why didn’t I even get a nomination?” Natalie protested.

“You weren’t the lead, Natalie. Yes, your performance was excellent. If Cannes had a Best Supporting Actress category, it would undoubtedly be yours. Unfortunately, they don’t.”

“Fine, I’ll accept that—barely. Are you still in Prague? When will you be back? I have a film project I want to discuss with you.”

“Another week or so. We’ll talk when I’m back.”

“Okay, it’s a deal,” Natalie said before hanging up.

The phone rang again—it was Anne Hathaway, who had already called earlier.

“Hey, Anne. What’s up?”

“Luca, how did you win Best Actor? I just watched Blueberry Nights. It’s visually stunning, but your role isn’t that prominent. There’s nothing particularly remarkable about it, except for the numerous beautiful close-ups. Did those alone win you the award?”

Luca rubbed his forehead. “Yes, Anne. Cannes judges come from all over the world, and their tastes vary. They appreciated the film’s style and awarded me accordingly.”

“Really? That kind of role doesn’t seem too challenging—just be good-looking, refined, and a bit artsy, with decent acting. Hmm... I think I check all those boxes. Do you think I could win Best Actress at Cannes with a role like that?”

Luca smirked, feeling like she was indirectly mocking him.

“Anne, you’re incredibly talented. Of course, you could do it.”

“Thanks! Maybe we should collaborate sometime. We’re both attractive, artistic, and talented. Together, we’d be perfect, don’t you think?” Anne said with a laugh.

“That’s a great idea. Let’s discuss it when we’re free.”

“Deal,” Anne replied cheerfully.

After agreeing to two potential projects in such a short time, Luca knew his schedule would be packed.

Before he could relax, Anne added, “By the way, Luca, Lafferty has a promising project he wants to discuss with you. Do you have time?”

Luca, unable to decline a second time, promised to talk when he returned to L.A.

“Great! And when you’re back, you’re welcome to visit my place. Just so you know, I’m a pretty good cook,” Anne teased.

“Are you trying to make me more jealous of Lafferty?”

“Haha, exactly!”

“Well, you succeeded.”

Luca laughed before ending the call and heading back to the set, where filming was still underway.

“Mr. Kelly!”

The assistant director approached him. “The next two days will focus on action scenes. Would you like to rehearse your moves?”

“Sure, a bit more practice won’t hurt.”

With no other plans, Luca spent the afternoon training in the set’s temporary gym, honing his skills for the upcoming high-intensity scenes.

“Haah—hiya!”

——

(End of Chapter)  

Chapter 545: "It Won’t Hurt If You Go Slower"

Clap, clap, clap!  

"Hey, go easier on me!"

"Does it hurt?"

"It’s manageable. If you go slower, it won’t hurt."

"Alright, I’ll slow down. If it still hurts, let me know."

Julie lightly tapped his waist, complaining, "You’re not some rookie actor trying to make a name for yourself. Why are you training so hard? What if you get seriously injured?"

"It’s not that dramatic. I just didn’t warm up properly before practice. The moves were too intense, and I accidentally twisted my back. I’ll be fine after some rest," Luca replied, lying face down on the bed.

Today had been an unlucky day. While practicing combat moves, his leg gave out, and he tumbled from the rig, landing awkwardly and injuring his back.

Not wanting to delay the shoot, he asked Julie to help massage his back that evening. However, Julie wasn’t exactly skilled in this area, and her attempts left him both in pain and on the verge of euphoria.

"There’s some safflower oil over there. Pour some on my back and rub it in. It’ll work better," Luca instructed.

"Got it!"

Julie poured some oil and massaged it into his back. "This stuff makes my hands feel hot, swollen, and a little tingly. Imagine if I used it somewhere else—what do you think would happen?"

"No idea!"

"Want to find out?" Julie asked mischievously, her hands moving lower along his waist.

"Cut it out!" Luca grabbed her hands. "I’m injured, and you’re trying to mess with me? Are you trying to send me to the hospital?"

"Alright, alright, I’ll let you off the hook today. Next time we play a game, we’ll try it out. Deal?" Julie laughed.

Luca sighed helplessly. This woman could turn anything into a naughty joke. Even ordinary items became props for her playful imagination.

"How’s it feeling now?" Julie asked after patting him lightly.

"Much better, thanks. Just don’t regret helping me later."

"Why would I regret helping you?" Julie replied with a chuckle.

Luca didn’t answer, smiling faintly.

After about half an hour of massaging, Julie worked up a sweat and decided to take a shower. The two of them went to bed early, skipping any other activities due to his injury.

The next morning, Luca felt significantly better, though he still wasn’t ready for physically demanding scenes. The crew postponed the action shots and focused on dialogue-heavy sequences instead.

---

"SLONE!!!"

After defeating the assassins outside, Wesley stormed into the castle’s main hall, shouting at the top of his lungs.

Click, click, click.  

The sound of guns cocking echoed around him. A dozen assassins from the Brotherhood emerged, encircling him with their weapons drawn. Among them was Fox.

Panting heavily, Wesley scanned the room. At the doorway stood Sloan, hands clasped behind his back.

"My father wasn’t a traitor!" Wesley shouted, pulling a piece of cloth from his pocket. "This is a kill order, and the target is Sloan!"

He turned to Fox. "Remember what you once told me? One name, one target. I didn’t want my father dead. It was fate’s decree. But Sloan couldn’t accept it, so he began forging targets for profit. My father found out and tried to oppose him. And you all used his son to kill him."

Wesley shook his head. "You’re no assassin of fate, Sloan. You’re just a twisted man who can make bullets curve."

Squinting, Wesley raised his gun and pointed it at Sloan.

Bang!  

Fox fired first, hitting Wesley in the hand.

Wesley fell to the ground but struggled back up, clutching his injured hand.

"Is it true?" Fox asked, turning to Sloan.

Sloan remained silent for a moment before stepping into the hall. He opened a folder and pulled out a kill order, handing it to one of the assassins.

"Your name was on it."

Then he approached Fox and gave her another kill order.

Fox took it, her face unreadable.

Sloan moved to the other assassins, distributing more orders from the loom of fate. "Every single one of you in this room—you were all marked for death. If I hadn’t intervened, you’d be dead already.

I saved your lives. Look at us now—we’re stronger than ever. We have the power to change history, to decide who deserves to live or die, and to shift power where it’s needed.

This is a world for the strong. The weak only have the choice to die. If you believe we must blindly follow the Brotherhood’s rules, then raise your guns, put them in your mouths, and pull the trigger."

Sloan surveyed the room. "This is the outcome Wesley wants. But if you’re unwilling to accept that, then raise your guns, kill this little rebel, and join me in leading the Brotherhood to unprecedented heights—a level fit only for gods."

Sloan turned and walked away.

The assassins all turned their eyes to Wesley.

"Screw the rules!"

They released their safeties.

---

"Cut!"

"Take a break and reset for another take!"

Director Timo called for a redo without even reviewing the footage, likely due to too many issues.

Luca stepped off the set to hydrate, rest, and run through his lines while reapplying makeup. Ten minutes later, the crew resumed filming.

The scene was critical and took two days to wrap up.

---

Two days later, Luca’s back was fully healed, and the crew resumed filming action sequences.

For over a week, Luca performed all his own stunts, earning applause and exhausting himself completely.

By early June, he boarded a return flight with his assistant and bodyguards.

Julie and Sloan had returned to the U.S. a week earlier. Among the leads, he was the last to leave.

---

"Boss, want to read some magazines? Two of them discuss your Cannes Best Actor win," Annie said, holding a stack of magazines.

"What do they say?" Luca asked with his eyes closed.

"Nothing new. Same old criticism—claims your award is undeserved, that art shouldn’t bow to capital. But the Cannes organizers defended their decision, emphasizing the fairness and transparency of the process.

Several judges supported you, saying your performance was outstanding and deserving of the award.

Judge Zhang, in particular, said a lot. She praised you as a true filmmaker who, despite your wealth and status, remains dedicated to acting, proving your passion for the craft.

She argued it’s unfair to dismiss your talent just because you’re young and wealthy. Giving you the award, despite the controversy, was the jury’s way of truly honoring cinema."

"Maggie’s got a good head on her shoulders!" Luca laughed, slapping the armrest. "Over the years, I’ve missed out on many awards because I’m too young, too handsome, and too rich. People resent me for it.

They keep slandering me and spreading negative stories, thinking they can bring me down. What a joke.

The truth is, their frustration only makes me happier. It shows they’re powerless against me. Their baseless criticism is the highest form of praise."

Luca raised his wine glass and took a satisfied sip.

Hah. Annie rolled her eyes discreetly. If not for that fling, Zhang wouldn’t have said a word.

She shuddered, recalling the day her boss asked her to buy a women’s outfit. This man’s eccentric tastes knew no bounds. Even a woman in her forties wasn’t off-limits to him.

Maybe Julie was right—working for a boss like this was dangerous. She glanced at his face, sighed, and gave up. He was impossible to guard against.

---

Three hours later, the plane landed in Los Angeles, and Luca returned to the bustling city.

Barely a day had passed before Mr. Ross called, summoning him to the office.

Luca sighed inwardly. This year felt like one endless performance, with no time for rest. They’re really treating me like a workaholic.

An idea struck him. He called Ed, instructing him to publicize his relentless work ethic. Maybe soon, his nickname would shift from "playboy" to "workhorse."

Ed stared at his phone, bewildered. Workhorse? What does that have to do with you? This guy’s skin gets thicker by the day.

---

(End of Chapter)