516-520

Chapter 516: "When Will You Become a Golden Globe Best Actor?" 

After the New Year, Hollywood ushered in 2007, and the Golden Globe Awards for TV and film were just around the corner. Thirty films were nominated this year, including three featuring Luca. 

• "The Departed" received five nominations: Best Director, Best Actor, Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Screenplay.  

• "Little Miss Sunshine" received three nominations: Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actor.  

• "The Prestige" got one nomination: Best Cinematography. 

In the end, The Departed won one out of five nominations, with Martin Scorsese taking home Best Director. 

Little Miss Sunshine and The Prestige both went home empty-handed.  

At this year’s ceremony, Leonardo DiCaprio was the star of the show, receiving two Best Actor nominations for The Departed and Blood Diamond. 

Brad Pitt followed closely, earning a Best Supporting Actor nomination for Babel. 

Will Smith also shone, with a Best Actor nomination for The Pursuit of Happyness.  

Before the ceremony, The Departed was the hot favorite, with the media unanimously predicting that DiCaprio would finally win a Golden Globe.  

However, the judges’ choices left everyone disappointed. The Best Actor award didn’t go to the suave DiCaprio, the powerhouse Will Smith, or even Johnny Depp. Instead, it went to veteran actor Forest Whitaker.  

Brad Pitt also lost out unexpectedly.  

The ceremony turned out to be full of surprises and controversies, leaving plenty for people to talk about.  

As for Luca, it had little to do with him. After sitting through two hours of the ceremony, he drove away from the Kodak Theatre.  

“Luca, when will you become a Golden Globe Best Actor?”  

Tony, driving in the front seat, suddenly asked.  

“Don’t worry, it won’t be long,” Luca replied with a smile, putting down his phone.  

“Haha, I think it’s going to be tough. Just look at Leonardo—two Best Actor nominations in the same year, and he got nothing. Will Smith, Johnny Depp, and Brad Pitt are all S-tier actors, and they’ve all gone home empty-handed several times. The more I think about it, the more unrealistic your goal of becoming a Golden Globe Best Actor seems, let alone an Oscar winner,” Tony teased.  

“Knowing all that is fine, but do you have to say it out loud to demoralize me?” Luca retorted unhappily.  

“Haha, no, I’m just saying Hollywood is super competitive. For an actor to make it to A-tier or S-tier is really tough.”  

“True, it’s not easy. I’ve been in Hollywood for more than four years now, spending most of my time working on movies. But I haven’t even gotten a single Golden Globe or Oscar acting nomination. It’s pretty disheartening,” Luca admitted.  

“Haha, you’re way too modest.”  

Tony smirked. “By the way, Luca, Ed said your workload has increased and that you’ll need another assistant. Do you have any preferences for the new hire?”  

“None. The new assistant is to help you guys share the workload. If you and Ed think they’re suitable, just hire them.”  

“Alright. I suggest hiring a stunning beauty—easy on the eyes!”  

“Haha.”  

Luca couldn’t be bothered to argue. If Ed dared to hire someone like that, Luca would use them. But Ed, a henpecked husband, probably wouldn’t dare.  

A few days later, Luca met his new assistant, Annie. She turned out to be an ordinary-looking short-haired woman who seemed very professional. When she met Luca, she appeared nervous and overly cautious.  

Luca didn’t pay much attention, gave her a few instructions, and told her to focus on her work. He treated her the same as Tony, though Annie’s extensive training made her more professional and efficient than Tony.  

“How do you like Annie?” Ed asked over the phone.  

“She’s pretty good,” Luca replied.  

“Great. I handpicked her. By the way, she’s married, so watch yourself—no flirting!”  

“What’s that supposed to mean? Am I that kind of person?!” Luca said, annoyed.  

“Haha, just kidding. By the way, the company is hosting a New Year’s party soon, and Ms. Katie has invited you. Are you going to attend?”  

“Fine. Just make the arrangements,” Luca agreed. 

In the past, he rarely attended company parties, but this time, Mrs. Katie Ford personally invited him, so it was hard to refuse. 

After hanging up the phone, he headed to the production department of Brassiere Films. The movie Juno was about to start filming, and today the crew was holding a small meeting at the company. All the key cast and crew members were present. 

The executive producer, Mr. Ross, and producer, Luca Kelly, were there. 

The director was Jason Reitman, a tall and heavyset man in his forties who had directed several films, including Twins and God Believes in Us. Last year, his movie Thank You for Smoking received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy. 

The screenwriter, Ms. Diablo Cody, was a first-time writer. Her work was not yet very polished, and she didn’t speak much during the meeting. 

According to Ms. Cody, the script was based on her own personal experiences. The protagonist, Juno, is a 16-year-old high school girl. 

After a date with Brick, a member of the school’s track team, she accidentally gets pregnant. Not wanting to have an abortion, she decides to give birth and then place the baby for adoption with a kind-hearted couple. During the process, some interesting events unfold between the two families. 

The actress playing the protagonist is Ellen Page, a 20-year-old young woman who stands at 5’1” and looks very much like a teenage girl. Her acting skills are impressive. 

The male lead is played by Michael Cera, a 19-year-old actor who has appeared in two films previously. 

Initially, Luca had considered playing this role himself, but the character was too youthful and didn’t match his personal image or temperament. 

Instead, Luca took on the role of the second male lead, Mark Loring, a rock enthusiast who becomes the baby’s adoptive father. 

The second female lead, Jennifer Garner, is 35 years old and has starred in Alias, Daredevil, and 13 Going on 30. She is currently married to Ben Affleck. In the movie, she plays the baby’s adoptive mother, a strong-willed woman who keeps her husband firmly under control. 

This character’s personality was similar to Kate’s, and Luca originally wanted her to play the role. However, after her performance in The Devil Wears Prada, Kate had lost interest in acting. 

Besides, her and Lima’s new fashion show was just around the corner, and her book signing events were fully booked, leaving her no time to act in a film. 

“Mr. Kelly~” 

In the afternoon, after the production meeting ended, the young lead actress, Ellen Page, timidly approached. Her petite stature made her appear a bit nervous. 

“Ellen, what’s up?” 

Luca smiled warmly, trying to appear approachable. He didn’t want anyone thinking he was bullying a young girl. 

“Mr. Kelly, thank you for giving me this role. I’ll do my best,” Ellen Page said earnestly. 

“You’re welcome, Ellen. Keep up the good work!” 

Luca smiled and left the meeting room. 

Phew~ Once he was out of sight, Ellen Page let out a big sigh of relief and slumped onto the couch. 

She had been so nervous. Before, she had only seen him in TV movies and thought he seemed cold, aloof, and incredibly wealthy—a serious and unapproachable man. But now that she had met him, she realized he was quite kind, with a warm smile. 

But how could such a man be a playboy? 

Ellen Page silently added a question mark in her mind. 

(End of Chapter) 

 *Chapter 517: Falling Asleep Together*

After finishing the afternoon meeting, Luca returned to the estate.

Kate, Lima, and Britney weren’t home. They had been busy in New York for some time now, and little Louis had been taken there as well.

The estate was now eerily quiet, with only Luca and two servants remaining. Compared to the lively and bustling atmosphere of not long ago, the contrast was stark—it was like going from fire to ice.

Luca found it a bit hard to adjust.

He took off his jacket, swam a couple of laps in the pool to wash off the sweat, and dried off.

The weather was pleasant today, neither hot nor cold. He made himself a cup of tea, grabbed a bestseller, and lounged on a recliner, quietly reading.

Kate often joked that what attracted women to him was his looks and physique, but those advantages would fade as he aged.

Sometimes, he agreed. To avoid becoming the stereotypical middle-aged man, he started improving himself, aiming to cultivate a refined and intellectual image with a wealth of knowledge. Plus, reading gave him a sense of satisfaction he enjoyed.

---

By evening, as the sun sank low, he put his book away and left the estate.

Aniston and the kids were still in Los Angeles. Whenever he had time, he wanted to spend more of it with them.

“Have you eaten yet?”

On the villa’s lawn, Aniston looked up from her magazine.

“No, I didn’t feel like cooking just for myself.”

He crouched down and scooped up the two little ones.

But ever since they’d learned to walk, the kids didn’t enjoy being held anymore. They loved rolling around on the grass and climbing all over the furniture. Even the family pets weren’t safe—every time the kids came near, the animals would run away. If they didn’t, they risked shedding fur or being turned into plush toys, leaving them in sorry states.

“I haven’t eaten either. Why don’t you cook something?” Aniston smiled. “I’ll help you out.”

“Alright. Were you busy today? How come you haven’t eaten yet?”

Handing the kids off to the nanny, the two of them headed into the kitchen.

“Not really. I spent the morning at the office, and in the afternoon, I just made a few calls and sat on the couch watching TV while Catherine and George made a mess of the house. Before I knew it, it was evening.”

Aniston had a relaxed smile as she opened the fridge, revealing a stash of fresh vegetables. “What should we make?”

“Hmm... let’s make two dishes the kids like and two for ourselves. How about four dishes in total?”

“Sounds good!”

Little George loved ham, tender beef, chicken, and fish—basically, anything meaty. This made Luca smile, as George seemed to take after him. He decided to make a braised veal dish.

Catherine, on the other hand, had a sweet tooth—ice cream, cakes, and cheese were her favorites, much like Aniston. Perhaps because of all the sweets, Catherine was chubbier than George, with adorable little rolls of baby fat.

Catherine’s grandmother had once joked that if she continued like this, she’d end up just like Aniston—becoming a little chubby and struggling to find a proper job after school. The remark had earned a black look from Aniston, and Catherine’s sweets were soon rationed to just a small amount each day.

Luca, however, didn’t mind Catherine’s love for sweets. To him, a little extra weight just made his “little princess” even more cuddly.

“Don’t use too much sugar or cheese in the tarts. Catherine’s already over twenty pounds, and I can barely carry her anymore,” Aniston reminded him as they cooked.

Luca smiled. “A bit of chubbiness just makes her cuter.”

Aniston rolled her eyes. “You can’t let your preferences dictate her eating habits. If she grows up and struggles to lose weight, don’t blame me when I tell her it’s your fault.”

“Alright, alright!”

With a laugh, Luca got serious about cooking. Before long, four dishes and a ham-and-potato soup were ready, their aroma wafting into the living room. The kids toddled into the kitchen, their big eyes blinking in excitement, completely unaware that they were drooling.

“Alright, little foodies, wash your hands first before eating,” Aniston said, leading the grubby pair to the sink.

“Wash hands, eat!”

At two years old, the kids could say short phrases. They loved mimicking adults, so the household had been extra careful about using only polite language to avoid them picking up anything inappropriate.

After dinner, with the golden glow of the sunset still lingering, the family took a stroll in the park.

Perhaps because the couple had stopped hiding their relationship, the paparazzi seemed to have lost interest. There weren’t any reporters in sight, though a few people still tried to snap photos of Catherine and George.

For this reason, the kids always had to be shielded during outings, which they found frustrating.

Sometimes, when Catherine got upset, she would throw her little hat far away. But if someone put on some cartoon glasses for her, she'd cheer up immediately. In that way, she was just like her mom—a bit vain.

George, on the other hand, was much more easygoing. No matter how he was dressed up, he was fine with it. Once, they even put him in one of Catherine's little dresses, turning him into a tiny little girl. He happily posed for photos, and the pictures ended up being titled "Two Little Sisters Together."

After wandering around for a bit, the sky began to darken, and the family of four returned home to the small living room on the second floor.

The TV flickered with the glow of Tom and Jerry. The two kids loved watching it, so Luca and Anniston stayed with them to enjoy the show.

Luca sat on the left, Anniston on the right, with the two little ones nestled between them. At first, the kids were animated, chattering along with the antics of the cat and mouse.

But less than half an hour later, their eyelids started drooping, their little heads bobbing up and down like chicks pecking at grain. Soon, they were slumped against Luca and Anniston, fast asleep, their breathing soft and sweet.

Luca and Anniston exchanged a smile and chuckled softly. Each of them carried one of the children back to the nursery, tucking them in for a cozy sleep.

Returning to the master bedroom, the two took a shower together. Despite having been together for over three years, the spark between them was still very much alive, and their affection for each other only deepened.

"Darling, what do you think about having another baby?" Anniston asked softly.

"Another one?" Luca paused and laughed. "Are you planning to stop working? George and Catherine already take up most of your time. If we have another, you'll be a full-time stay-at-home mom."

"Being a stay-at-home mom sounds great. Ever since we had George and Catherine, I’ve come to love spending time at home more than working. I didn’t take on any projects this year because I’ve lost interest in chasing paychecks and awards.

Compared to those things, the kids are so much more meaningful. I want to focus on raising them—teaching them to be a little gentleman and a little lady. If we have more, it’ll give me an even greater sense of accomplishment."

Anniston wrapped her arms around his neck, her lips curling into a sweet smile.

"You’re an amazing mom," Luca said, kissing her.

"And you’re an amazing dad," Anniston replied, kissing him back.

The room filled with a deep sense of warmth and affection.

Luca couldn’t deny her request. At nearly 39, Anniston might face challenges with having another child. The odds were low, but even if they were successful, it wouldn’t be a problem. They weren’t short on money, and with Anniston stepping back from acting, she had plenty of time to dedicate to their children.

With that thought, Luca let go of his hesitation. As the full moon drifted past their window, the two fell asleep in each other's arms.

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 518: You Want Me to Wear Women's Clothes?*

After a few busy days, the preparations for filming Juno were complete. The $3 million in funding had been fully received, and the crew members headed to the Toronto set in Canada to begin shooting the main scenes.

Luca’s role was smaller, so he could delay his trip. Before leaving, he detoured to New York to visit his children and attend the company’s New Year’s party.

When he arrived home, Kate and Lima were both out. Only Lima’s cousin, Chris, was in the living room with little Louis. One of them was watching TV, while the other was amusing himself with toys, looking a bit bored.

“Luca’s back!”

Chris stood up to greet him.

“Chris, thank you for your hard work. Has little Louis been mischievous today?”

“Not at all. Louis has been very well-behaved,” Chris replied with a smile.

Luca chuckled, took off his coat, and washed up. When he came back out, he picked up the little one. Louis blinked his big, bright eyes at him and quickly recognized him, grabbing his shirt collar and laughing gleefully.

“Haha, your smile is so adorable. How can you be this cute?”

Luca sat the little one on his lap and played with him. Louis giggled non-stop, curling his short legs and bouncing on Luca’s thighs like he was on a springboard.

“You’ve got strong little legs! How about Daddy teaches you how to walk? Once you learn, you can go anywhere you want and won’t have to lie in the cradle all day.”

Luca touched his forehead to Louis’s.

Louis had a high, broad forehead—a sign of good fortune, as the saying goes. However, his forehead was so large that when practicing walking on the couch, he often toppled forward.

Each time Louis fell onto the couch, he’d stick his little butt up, supporting himself with his tiny arms like he was trying to pull a radish out of the ground. It took him ages to lift his head, as if the couch had a magnet holding him down.

“You did it! Louis is amazing!”

Luca helped the little one back up, holding his arms and guiding his tiny legs to take one step after another.

“Great job! Let’s take a few more steps!”

In the afternoon, Lima came home. She originally wanted to cuddle Louis but decided against it when she saw him sound asleep in his crib.

“Chris, why is Louis napping at this time?” Lima asked, giving the little one a kiss.

“Luca taught Louis how to walk. He got tired and fell asleep earlier than usual,” Chris explained with a smile.

“Lima, you’re back. Dinner will be ready soon,” Luca called from the kitchen doorway.

“Why do you always mess with the little one as soon as you’re home? Do you know how hard it is to get him to sleep on schedule? Now that he’s napped during the day, he won’t sleep at night. You’ll have to play with him then,” Lima scolded as she took off her coat, dress, and heels, revealing her stunning figure. After six months of training, she’d regained her sizzling physique.

“Alright, I’ll take responsibility for what I’ve done,” Luca said, kissing her.

Lima hummed in mock annoyance and pushed him away as she walked into the bathroom. “How long will you be staying in New York this time?”

“Three days,” Luca admitted sheepishly.

“Ha!” Lima scoffed, clearly unimpressed. Three days wasn’t enough time to do much with their child.

Luca chuckled helplessly. Ever since they had a child, balancing work and family had become even more challenging. Returning to the kitchen, he continued cooking while asking, “When is your fashion show scheduled?”

“Not until March,” Lima replied from the bathroom.

“Then why are you so busy now? You don’t even have time to take care of the little one. If you’re working at the office, why not have Chris take Louis with her? There are more people there, so neither of them will feel so bored.”

“That’s a terrible idea. The office is noisy and has poor air quality. Why would we bring him there? Do you want him to end up like Britney’s kid?” Lima retorted.

Luca shook his head, feeling at a loss.

A few days ago, Britney had called him, saying that her son, Max, wouldn’t stop crying at night, wouldn’t sleep, and wouldn’t eat. Alarmed, Luca rushed to the children’s hospital with her.

The doctor asked Britney about her child-rearing habits. She admitted that she’d been busy lately and had been taking Max to the recording studio and even to concerts.

The doctor quickly identified the problem: infants are too delicate for noisy, overstimulating environments. They need a calm, simple atmosphere to grow.

The recording studio was too confined, with poor ventilation—entirely unsuitable for such a young child.

Taking the doctor’s advice, Luca and Britney spent three quiet days at home with Max, who gradually returned to normal.

Since then, Britney hadn’t dared to overdo it with her child. If she had time, she stayed home with him; if not, she left him in the nanny’s care. Her plan to teach him music was temporarily shelved.

Luca sighed lightly and focused on cooking.

"Luca, when will your movie be finished?"

Lima stepped out of the bathroom, towel-drying her hair as she stood in the kitchen doorway.

"Filming starts next week. It should wrap up by March. I only have a supporting role, so my scenes should be done in less than a month," Luca replied.

"So, that means you'll have time in March?"

"Yeah, why? Do you need something?" Luca asked curiously.

"Yes, just a little favor," Lima said, eyeing him for a moment before explaining. It turned out to be about a fashion show in March, and she needed him to walk the runway.

Luca raised his eyebrows in disbelief. "Your new season's theme is maternity and parent-child outfits. What am I, a guy, supposed to model?"

"You’ll be the gimmick. You used to be a model, and you're still pretty well-known. If you open the show wearing maternity wear, it’s going to be a huge hit. What do you think?" Lima said with a grin.

"No way! I’m a big star and a millionaire. You want me to go out there in women’s clothing? That would ruin my dazzling image," Luca refused firmly.

"It’s not women’s clothing. It’s men’s maternity wear."

"Men’s maternity wear? Your creativity really knows no bounds."

"That’s fashion. You wouldn’t understand. So, it’s decided—either you do the show, or you get beaten up. Kelly, Miranda, and I can all gang up on you. Your choice," Lima said, hands on her hips, still smiling.

Luca scratched his head. "It’s really men’s maternity wear?"

"Yes, you can look at the designs tomorrow. If you’re not happy, we can make changes. We’d never let you run around on stage in actual women’s clothes. Even if you weren’t embarrassed, Kate and I would be."

"Fine, but it’s been ages since I practiced my runway walk. I’m worried I’ll mess it up."

"Don’t worry. You were never that great at it anyway. We’re not putting you on stage for your walk—we just want you to spark a conversation."

"Alright, fine!" Faced with her "domestic violence threat," he had no choice but to give in.

"Just make sure my maternity outfit looks stylish," he reminded her, still feeling uneasy.

"Got it!"

Lima stood on her tiptoes to kiss him, then used the towel to wipe his face. "Ugh, so greasy—I can’t even kiss properly."

"Nonsense. You just missed the right spot," Luca said, pulling her by the waist and pinning her against the counter as he kissed her deeply.

A loud wail suddenly erupted from outside—the baby, little Louis, had woken up. The two reluctantly ended their embrace.

"Dinner’s ready!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 519: Rumor Has It You're Easy to Handle

The next day, Luca brought the little one to Kate & Lima’s company. His goals were twofold: to check out their latest designs and to get his measurements taken as a reference for clothing.

"Luca, you’ve gained weight again," Kate remarked while measuring him with a tape.

"To be precise, I’ve bulked up! I’ve been working out a lot lately. Can’t you see my muscles are getting more defined?" Luca flexed his biceps with a grin.

"Don’t try to argue. Your waist, arms, and hips all got thicker, and your body fat percentage is up too. That means you’ve actually gained weight," Kate said matter-of-factly.

"Hahaha!"

Before Luca could reply, Miranda burst out laughing mischievously. "Haha, remember how you used to tease me for gaining weight? Look at yourself now—you’re like a bear!"

Luca shot her a glance. "And yet, you’re laughing with that little belly of yours still sticking out."

"You…you jerk!"

Miranda stomped on his foot angrily and stormed off.

"Heh, trying to outsmart me? One-second KO!"

Thud!  

Kate knocked him on the head with her hand. "Stop talking and stand up straight. Pull in your stomach. You’ve really gained weight, and you need to train more before March. Being too bulky won’t look good."

"But maternity wear covers everything! Who’s going to notice whether I’m fit or not? And come on, since it’s maternity wear, it’s fine to look a bit rounder."

"You’ve always got something to say, don’t you?"

Kate sighed as she continued taking his measurements. "Confidence comes from looking good on stage. Even a slight weight gain can make you self-conscious if people start pointing it out. You’re a supermodel—you should know this."

"I do. Honestly, I’m pretty confident. I wouldn’t say my physique is the best in the world, but I’m definitely in the top 99.99999% for my age group."

"Such a narcissist!"

Kate chuckled softly.

"Are we done yet?"

Lima entered the room, carrying three cups of hot tea.

"Yes, all done," Kate replied, jotting down the measurements and taking a sip of tea. "Where’s Louis?"

"He’s napping after his milk," Lima said with a smile.

"Actually, bringing the little one to the office isn’t a bad idea. We can check on him when we have free time," Kate remarked.

Lima shook her head. "You won’t feel that way when he starts crying."

Kate smiled faintly. "True. Taking care of a baby is hard work—and it’s all Luca’s fault."

She turned to Luca. "Finish your tea and get out of here. We’ve got work to do. Take good care of little Louis. If I hear him crying, I’ll make you cry."

"Alright, alright, I’ll take good care of him," Luca replied with a laugh before leaving the office.

---

Next door, in Lima’s spacious office, Luca found Chris lounging on the sofa reading a magazine while Miranda crouched by the cradle, murmuring something.

Luca walked closer and overheard Miranda whispering to the sleeping baby.

"Little Louis, do you know? Your dad’s a big jerk—a terrible person. You’re so cute, but how did you end up with such a horrible dad?"

The more Luca listened, the darker his expression grew. If he weren’t worried about waking Louis, he might’ve kicked Miranda out of the room on the spot.

"What are you saying?" Luca asked coldly.

Miranda jumped in surprise. "I wasn’t saying anything! I…I was telling the little one a bedtime story. Yes, that’s it!"

"Hmph. But Louis is already asleep."

"Really? That’s all thanks to me. No need to thank me," Miranda replied with a sly smile, flipping her hair as she walked out.

Luca shook his head. This girl was just asking for trouble.

---

That afternoon, Luca changed into a formal suit and drove to a hotel on Empire State Street, where Ford Modeling Agency’s annual party was being held.

"Didn’t they used to host this in the company’s lounge bar? Why the change this year?" Luca asked Ed as he got out of the car.

"Because business is booming! Maybe it’s your good luck charm, but the company’s performance has been soaring in recent years. We’ve climbed from the ninth-largest modeling agency to the fourth. That’s something worth celebrating," Ed replied with a grin.

"Don’t flatter me too much. My head’s not big enough to wear such a tall hat," Luca said with a chuckle.

"Ha-ha, I'm not just flattering you here. Think about it—what other modeling agency has a model who's worth more than the company's owner? None, right? Except for our company."

Ed laughed heartily.

"What's that got to do with the company's growth? I didn’t make my billions walking runways," Luca said with a shrug.

"Having you in our company proves our strength and connections. It also attracts models eager to strike it big. Some even join just to meet you, the notorious playboy. Rumor has it you're... easygoing and very generous."

*Smack!*

Luca slapped Ed hard on the shoulder. "Easygoing? What’s that supposed to mean?"

"Is it hard to figure out? Rumor has it you go for anyone, anytime. There was even that time with two call girls. Oh, and you didn’t pay them."

Ed smirked, continuing, "By the way, those two call girls? They became famous last year. People invite them to fashion shows and talk shows now, all to discuss their 'unforgettable' encounter with the youngest billionaire, Luca Kelly.

They claim you were... impressive, handling both of them with ease. They also mentioned you skipped payment, leaving it to Kate to cover."

"Enough!" Luca’s face darkened as he strode into the hotel.

"Ha-ha, Luca, don’t get mad. I’m not saying this to gross you out—just to remind you. Now that you’re rich and famous, more women are going to target you. Be careful who you date. What if someone tricks you into having a kid and goes after your fortune?"

"I’m aware of that," Luca said with a stern face. "You think I’ve been reckless these past few years?"

"Really?" Ed frowned, thinking. "Oh, right. You seem to prefer women with their own fame. That’s smart—less chance of exposure. You’ve got foresight."

"Shut up. I was in a good mood before you started rambling. Now I don’t even feel like going to the party."

"Ha-ha, as the wise say, some truths sting but are useful. I must’ve struck a chord with your soul. I’ll stop now," Ed said with a grin, quietly following behind.

Luca glanced at him. "Ed, there’s a new bar in Brooklyn. Their rum is exquisite. How about we grab a drink tonight? We’ve worked together for years, shared countless coffees, but barely any drinks. Time to change that?"

"No way. You, a Brazilian who’s always traveling, know of a good bar in Brooklyn? Don’t even try. I know your plan—you’re just trying to drag me to a strip club and snap some photos to send to Nina, right?"

"Uh..."

Luca looked at him in surprise. "Ed, is your last name Holmes?"

"No, I just sense malice. And let’s not forget Nina hitting me last time—that was your doing. Don’t think I didn’t know."

Ed’s dark expression grew darker, his resentment evident.

"Uh, ha-ha, misunderstanding! Total misunderstanding. I only told Nina you were getting cocky and suggested she calm you down. I didn’t expect her to get physical—oh, Ivanka! There’s someone I know over there. See you later!"

Luca waved and walked off.

"Be careful! Don’t do anything stupid!" Ed called out.

"Got it!" Luca replied with a middle finger raised.

Ed chuckled and followed him into the party.

*Chapter 520: Nothing Is More Beautiful Than You Tonight*

When Luca arrived, the party was already bustling with people—models under Ford’s banner, fashion industry elites, media figures, and corporate partners.

He nodded and exchanged greetings with familiar faces, though he didn’t find anyone he was particularly close to. A friend, Zhang Zilin, might have been here, but unfortunately, she had returned to China last year to further her career.

With a faint sense of regret, Luca moved forward, but the further he walked, the more crowded the path became, and the more greetings came his way—from increasingly stunning women.

At times, he had to decide whether to squeeze between two women or three. Ultimately, he chose the direction with the most women and boldly forged ahead.

“Hey, Katie!”

He greeted his boss cheerfully.

“Luca, you’re here! What do you think? Aren’t your colleagues warm and welcoming?”

Katie Ford, with a knowing smile, looked him over.

“Yes, seeing so many outstanding colleagues under the company, I genuinely feel happy about Ford’s growth,” Luca said, raising his glass in a toast.

Katie chuckled, giving him an appraising look. “Luca, you’re such an anomaly.”

“Oh?”

Luca was curious about her comment.

“Remember the 2002 Armani show? Afterward, there was so much chatter about how you underperformed on stage and rumors that you were using drugs backstage. Many people, myself included, thought your modeling career was over before it even began.

But just a couple of days later, things turned around completely. Not only did your career survive, but you also hit your first peak. At the time, I thought if you focused on modeling, you’d become a top male model within three to five years.

To everyone’s surprise, you achieved supermodel status and became the highest-earning male model within just one year. That accomplishment shattered many records in the fashion world—it was nothing short of a miracle.”

Luca smiled lightly. “I owe much of it to the company’s support.”

This wasn’t empty flattery. Back in 2003, when the wardrobe malfunction incident at Fashion Week occurred, it was Ford’s timely coordination with CK and joint PR efforts that saved him, even securing him an endorsement deal. Without that, his career might have genuinely ended.

“No, Luca, most of that success was thanks to you. After your rise, many models tried to replicate your journey. Some sought media attention through sob stories, others caused scenes on the runway, and some courted celebrities to stir up scandals. They did all sorts of bizarre things.

But none of them came close to achieving even 1% of your success. People in the industry began speculating—was your rise from model to supermodel a series of lucky accidents, or was it all part of a master plan?”

Luca shook his head with a smile. “What do you think, Katie?”

“Through Ed’s connections, I’ve learned that much of it was indeed accidental. But seeing your achievements over the years, especially after you founded YouTube, I find it hard to believe it was all luck.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re a smart man. You don’t need to rely on accidents to reach your goals.”

“That’s not entirely true, Katie. When I joined Ford in 2002, the agency wasn’t doing great in the male modeling sector. And Ed—let’s be honest—wasn’t exactly an exceptional agent. If I were that smart, would I have chosen Ed as my agent or Ford as my platform?”

“Hmm, fair point.”

Katie nodded. “So, you really are a lucky guy.”

“I won’t deny it. Ed once joked that Lady Luck must’ve stolen a kiss from me. How else could I have so much luck?”

“Haha, being lucky often makes people more envious than being smart. Luca, you’ve risen to fame in the fashion world and are so fortunate. Have you ever considered returning to the industry?”

“Return? As a model?”

“Of course not. Someone of your stature would be too expensive to book. I mean as an investor. Fashion never goes out of style, and there are always opportunities to make money here.”

Luca thought for a moment before shaking his head. “Not at the moment. You know, people call me the ‘part-time king.’ Plus, my sister Kate and my girlfriend Lima are still deeply involved in the fashion world. Their work includes design, brand promotion, and investments, so there’s no need for me to step in personally.”

Katie nodded. “Kate and Lima are both outstanding. Our company has collaborated with them on several projects. I’d love to chat with them more sometime.”

“I’m sure they’d be delighted. Everyone knows how successful Katie Ford is in the fashion industry. If anyone doubts it, they just need to look at Luca Kelly—that guy came from under your wing.”

“Haha! Luca, you’re such a charmer. I’d love to keep chatting, but I can’t. Look around—the ladies here are practically staring holes into you. You’re like rain to a desert or sunshine in the winter. So, my handsome young man, go join them. Have a wonderful evening.”

With a smile, Katie stepped aside, leaving him to face a crowd of eager women.

“Hi, Mr. Kelly, I’m Edita. So nice to meet you!”

“Hi, Luca! I’m Ana, from Rio.”

“Luca, I’m a huge fan! Can I get your autograph?”

It’s hard to remain indifferent to such enthusiasm. Flashing his charming smile, Luca stepped forward, willingly enveloped in their warmth.

*What a night!*

“Seriously, this guy!”

Watching from a distance, Ed grimaced. After a few minutes, he approached and called out,

“Luca! Luca! Ladies, excuse me, but someone wants to talk to him. Luca, do you have a moment?”

"Alright, ladies, we’ll chat more another time."

Luca waved politely and stepped out of the crowd. As he walked away, his pace quickened until he found a quiet corner where he finally let out a sigh of relief.

"Ed, you’re late! I almost got torn apart by those women!"

Luca gulped down a glass of juice and exhaled heavily.

"You looked like you were enjoying yourself. I wasn’t sure if you even wanted to leave, so I hesitated before coming to get you. Here, wipe this off. If the paparazzi catch you like this, your already terrible reputation will get even worse."

Ed handed him a wet wipe and pointed at Luca’s neck.

Luca used the wipe and noticed a bright red stain.

"Where did this lipstick come from?"

"Oh, don’t play dumb. I don’t believe you wouldn’t know if someone kissed you," Ed teased.

"I swear I don’t know. I swear to God, those girls were just too enthusiastic."

Luca sighed helplessly.

"Isn’t that what you wanted? Surrounded by beauties?"

"I’m not that shallow," Luca retorted, shaking his head as he wiped his face again.

"Need a hand, Luca?"

A tall, curvaceous woman approached with a glass of wine, her playful smile brimming with amusement as she looked him over.

"Miss Tomp!"

Ed greeted her before tactfully excusing himself.

"Eva, I saw you from a distance when I first came in, but I couldn’t find you after circling the room. I thought you’d left."

Luca set the wipe down and addressed her.

"I was planning to leave early, but when I saw you, I decided to stick around. Then I saw you surrounded by dozens of women—you’re quite the star tonight."

Eva smiled slyly, her lips curving into an elegant smirk.

Luca chuckled lightly. "Being surrounded by dozens of women doesn’t compare to standing face-to-face with you, admiring your playful eyes and cheeky smile. There’s nothing more beautiful tonight than this."

"Really?"

Eva blinked at him, her gaze sharp and inquisitive.

"Absolutely," Luca said sincerely.

Eva laughed softly, her chest heaving provocatively.

"You’ve still got lipstick on your collar. Need help dealing with it?"

"Do I?"

"I’ve got an office upstairs. We can go there to take care of it—and have a chat. I’d love to hear the story of how you became the youngest billionaire."

Eva extended the invitation with a smile.

"Alright, lead the way!"

Luca gestured for her to go ahead and followed her out of the hall.

"Ah, that guy really can’t change his ways," Ed muttered, shaking his head. Glancing at his watch, he noted two hours remained until the party ended. He could only hope Luca wouldn’t drag things out too long.

(End of Chapter)