501-505

**Chapter 501: Engagement Party**

"Luca, how did the talks go?"
After seeing Neil Moritz and Vin Diesel off, Mr. Ross sat back down across from him.

Luca shook his head. "Mr. Moritz didn’t give a clear response. It’s obvious the two scripts haven’t convinced him yet.

But you might want to try reaching out to Vin Diesel. If he came with Moritz, it shows he has significant influence on this project. He’ll likely want to maintain that influence, so working with us is in his best interest.

As for Pitt and Leonardo, those two troublemakers... Ha, smart people wouldn’t choose them."

"..."

Mr. Ross stirred his coffee with a biscuit stick. When he heard Luca call them troublemakers, he felt slightly nauseous.
"Can you speak more... politely?"

"What?"

"Nothing. I’ll contact Vin Diesel."

"Alright, that’s that. If we can land this project, great; if not, no big deal. How’s the preparation for *Juno* coming along? When can we start filming?"

Luca asked.

"We’re still casting for the lead actress. We need someone who looks young, like a teenage girl, and has strong acting skills. Do you have any suggestions?"

"You might want to check out *Hard Candy*. The girl in that had a great performance."

"*Hard Candy*? Alright, I’ll take a look."

---

"Leon, congratulations!"

On October 10th, in Beverly Hills, on a rather gloomy day, Leonardo DiCaprio and Gisele Bündchen hosted their engagement party. Luca, carrying a gift, arrived at Leonardo’s villa.

"Luca, what are you doing here? I heard you’ve been busy lately, and I didn’t invite you."

Seeing him arrive, Leonardo’s smile turned into a zombie-like grimace, and his tone became dripping with sarcasm.

Luca chuckled lightly. "Leon, we’re friends. I heard about your engagement and dropped everything to come. Aren’t you touched?"

"Ha, thanks. I heard you’re trying to secure the rights to the *Fast & Furious* series. How’s that going?"

Leonardo sneered.

Ever since getting embarrassed on the red carpet last time, he’d been itching for revenge. But Luca was elusive, always busy, making it hard to find an opportunity.

When he heard from Pitt a few days ago about Luca’s project, he immediately expressed interest and quickly disrupted Luca’s plans. The thought of it still delighted him.

"Leon, is your company also vying for the rights to *Fast & Furious*?"

"That’s right. It’s a great franchise, and I think it has potential. How about a little competition?"

Leonardo smirked.

"Competition? We’re friends. If you’re really interested, just say the word—I’ll step aside. But have you thought it through?
This franchise will need billions in investment. B Plan, Weinstein Company, and my *Brassiere Films* all have strong backing. Your *Appian Way* is still just a small studio. Are you sure you can handle such a big project?"

"I..."

"Careful you don’t bite off more than you can chew. Or are you just planning to tag along behind B Plan and Weinstein, hoping to scrape some leftovers while Pitt eats the meat, and you sip the soup?"

"Bullshit! You—"

"Oh, Gisele, you look stunning today!"

Ignoring Leonardo’s furious expression, Luca opened his arms and walked toward Gisele.

"Dearest Gisele, Kate and Lima couldn’t make it, so I’m here on their behalf to send you the warmest blessings. May you stay forever young and beautiful, healthy, and always achieve your heart’s desires."

Gisele rolled her eyes at him but reluctantly hugged him.

However, noticing the murderous glare from Leonardo, she quickly pushed the cheeky Luca away. She felt helpless. Back when this guy was just an assistant, his skin wasn’t this thick. But now, not only was he shameless, but he also had a wicked streak.

"Luca, Ana and Fernanda are over there."

She decided to redirect the trouble.

"Ana’s here? I thought she was in Rio resting?"

"How should I know?"

"Alright, I’ll head over. See you later. Leon, let’s chat about *Fast & Furious* sometime. Maybe we can finally collaborate for real. Don’t forget, we’re friends."

"Hmph, no need."

"Ha, don’t be so quick to say that."

Luca waved his finger teasingly and walked into the main hall.

"That bastard!"

**Looking at his retreating figure, Leon waved his hand in frustration.**

"Leon, honestly, aside from being a bit of a flirt, Luca isn't all that bad. If you're willing to make amends, I think he wouldn't hold a grudge over past events," Bundchen advised.

"He wouldn't care? Are you implying I'm being petty?" Leon retorted.

"No, not at all. I just think being friends with him would be more beneficial than being friends with Pete," she reasoned.

"Hmph, that Brazilian hillbilly? Even if he's got money, he's still just a nouveau riche. How could he ever compare to Pete?" Leon sneered.

"Is that so? He's won an Oscar for Best Screenplay, founded the world's largest video platform, has a net worth exceeding a billion, and his sister is a world-renowned author. And in your eyes, he's still just a nouveau riche hillbilly?" Bundchen replied coolly.

"Dear, I didn't mean to look down on Brazilians. I just don't like him. That jerk has been against me from the start," Leon explained.

"From the start? When exactly?" Bundchen asked.

"Uh..." Leon was tongue-tied. From the start meant when he was dating Kate—was that something he could admit?

"Ha! Darling, today is our engagement party. Let's not waste time talking about that annoying guy. Look, the guests are arriving," Leon said, grabbing her hand and leading her forward.

Bundchen said no more and followed him to greet the guests.

---

"An, aren't you supposed to be in Rio resting during your pregnancy? Why are you here in LA?"

In the bustling living room, filled with the clinking of glasses and lively conversations, Luca spotted Alessandra Ambrosio sitting alone on a couch in the corner.

"Jamie cheats every day, and I’m tired of caring. I heard you were here, so I came to find you," Ambrosio sighed, rubbing her belly.

"You should take care of yourself," Luca said with concern.

"It's fine. I go for regular check-ups," she replied with a smile.

"What are you two talking about?"

Isabeli, Fernando, and Raquel walked over, curious.

"I'm asking him for tips on taking care of myself during pregnancy," Ambrosio replied with a laugh.

"You're asking a man for pregnancy advice? Luca, have you ever been pregnant?" Isabeli joked, laughing.

"Isabeli, don't laugh. Honestly, when it comes to pregnancy care, none of us girls can compare to him," Ambrosio teased.

"Oh, I see now," Fernando said, pointing at him. "You all forget—this guy's already a father to several kids and has taken care of multiple pregnant women. Tsk, scumbag!"

"Tsk, scumbag!" The others chimed in, laughing as they mockingly spat at him.

Luca's face twitched. "You all are too much. As Brazilians in America, we should look out for each other. How can you team up with Americans to insult me? That's not right. If you can take back what you spat, we can still be friends."

"Gross!" they exclaimed in unison.

"Luca, you just said Brazilians should stick together. If you're rich now, would you help us out?" Fernando asked, grabbing his arm with a playful grin.

"Fernando, are you seducing him?" Ambrosio joked.

"Don't interrupt. We're talking business," Fernando replied, folding his arms.

"Of course, I'd help. No question about it. If you trust me and are willing to work together, we can invest as a team," Luca replied earnestly.

"Good! Luca, you said it, no backing out," Raquel said with a laugh.

"Deal!" Luca grinned.

"Luca, why are you always surrounded by women? Come on, let's mingle. A lot of people want to meet you," Jamie Malzu said, walking over.

"Alright," Luca shrugged and followed him.

---

"Luca's becoming more and more charming," one woman remarked.

"Yeah, I remember when he was chubby and everyone bullied him. Who'd have thought he'd turn into such a big shot?" another sighed.

"Lima is so lucky," a third added, their faces tinged with a hint of regret as they watched his retreating figure.

---
**Chapter 502: Eduardo’s Roommate**

The party scene was vibrant, with dazzling lights and a lively crowd.

Luca followed Jamie around and met a few trust-fund kids. They were eager to exchange tips on dating and hitting on women, fascinated by Luca’s reputation. But Luca wasn’t interested and excused himself after a few polite words.

"Luca, you’re so unlike a young guy," Jamie teased as he caught up.

Luca chuckled softly, "I have kids now. Do I still count as young?"

Jamie smirked. "So what? Having kids doesn’t mean anything. Don’t tell me you’re planning to settle down and stop playing around for good."

"Of course. And for the record, I was never out there fooling around to begin with. The media just loves to twist things, throwing dirt on my name. My reputation is worse than reality—I’m not the player they paint me to be."

"Ha! You expect me to believe that? The world-famous playboy Luca, not a player?" Jamie sneered.

"It’s true, Jamie. And let me give you some advice. While Anna’s pregnant, you’d better behave yourself. Don’t go messing around and upsetting her—it’s bad for her and the baby."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Jamie laughed. "But come on, you, the ultimate player, giving me advice?"

Luca shook his head. "Alright, do what you want."

"Forget that for now," Jamie said, patting Luca’s arm. "You weren’t interested in the people I introduced earlier, but this next one—you’ll definitely be interested in."

"Who’s that?"

"One of your countrymen. A rising mogul. I met him a few times back in Rio, and I didn’t expect Bündchen to invite him tonight." Jamie pointed to a brown-haired young man in the crowd.

Luca glanced over and immediately remembered the name. "Eduardo Saverin."

"Ha, that’s right. Funny enough, you two have a lot in common. Both Brazilians, the same age, and both founders of massive platforms. You built YouTube, and he co-founded Facebook. Though I’d say you’ve got the edge—at least you didn’t get kicked out of your company." Jamie grinned.

Luca shook his head and walked toward his fellow Brazilian. Eduardo Saverin, born in 1982 in São Paulo, Brazil, had later moved to the United States with his family. While attending Harvard, he co-founded Facebook with his roommate, Mark Zuckerberg, during their sophomore year.

Last year, Eduardo and Mark had a falling out. Mark made the first move, diluting Eduardo’s shares to just 10%.

Eduardo sued Zuckerberg and Facebook, a case that grabbed headlines. Eventually, the two settled out of court, with Eduardo receiving a hefty payout. This infamous drama was even featured in *The Social Network*.

Currently, Facebook’s valuation stood at around $1.8 billion, making Eduardo’s net worth about $400 million. With 10% ownership, his stake was bound to become even more valuable in the future.

"Hey, Luca!"

Before Luca could speak, Eduardo extended his hand with a smile.

"Hey, Eduardo. Great to meet you," Luca said, shaking his hand warmly.

“Haha, this is something I should be saying. I’ve known you for a long time, probably since 1997.”

“1997? Back then, I was still playing soccer,” Luca said, puzzled.

“Yes, at the São Paulo stadium. Brazil’s youth team versus Argentina’s youth team. You scored two goals in that match, didn’t you?” Eduardo said with a smile.

“You actually remember that?”

“Of course! I had a friend who was a big fan of yours. He said you’d be the next Ronaldo. That left a strong impression on me.”

“Thanks, but I’m afraid I let your friend down,” Luca said with a shrug.

“Oh, not at all! Who would’ve thought that after your injury, you’d only be out of the spotlight for a few years before making a big name for yourself in the U.S.? I was so surprised in 2003 when I heard rumors about you and Britney Spears. Do you know how shocked I was?” Eduardo spread his hands. “I never imagined it’d be you. After that, your name never disappeared from the headlines.”

“Every now and then, there was news about you—like being the youngest Berlin Film Festival Best Actor, the first Brazilian Oscar-winning screenwriter, and Brazil’s ‘Number One Hunk.’ Oh, I don’t agree with that title, by the way. I think I could compete for it.”

“All right, I don’t mind sharing the title with you,” Luca said with a smile, noticing that his fellow countryman had a gift for talking.

Eduardo laughed heartily and clinked his champagne glass with Luca’s. “Luca, do you know what surprises me the most about you?”

“Is it my looks?” Luca joked.

“Of course not. I look in the mirror every day; I’m immune to handsome guys. What surprises me the most is that you’re one of the founders of YouTube. You created a website as cool as Facebook.”

“Wow. When I first saw that news, I was stunned. I never imagined that the guy who used to sprint across the soccer field would end up leading a trend like me,” Eduardo said, shaking his head as if still in disbelief.

Luca gave a small smile. This guy was quite the self-promoter. “Eduardo, I’m just one of YouTube’s investors, not a founder. Its success is primarily due to Chen and Hurley.”

“No, no, Luca, you’re being too modest,” Eduardo said, waving his hand. “I saw that video known as ‘the beginning of YouTube.’ You spoke so well in that video. You provided the creative ideas, direction, and even funding. With such great conditions, I think any studio in Silicon Valley could’ve made it a success.”

“No, Chen and Hurley are the best team. Without them, there wouldn’t be YouTube,” Luca insisted.

Eduardo smiled softly and said, “Luca, you’re a great collaborator. It’s their good fortune to have worked with you.”

“I’m lucky too,” Luca said, clinking glasses with him again, understanding Eduardo’s sentiment.

Eduardo, along with a few others, had co-founded Facebook. He was a co-founder and the CFO. But when Facebook became successful, Zuckerberg quickly removed the founding team, effectively consolidating power. In the end, when people talked about Facebook, they only thought of Zuckerberg.

As they continued chatting and became more familiar, Luca suddenly remembered something. “Eduardo, I’ve heard about your story of creating Facebook. I think your story could be made into a movie.”

“What? Turn our story into a movie?” Eduardo asked, surprised.

“Yes. Last year, when I read the news about you suing Mark, I looked into your story. It’s fascinating and full of twists—perfect for a film adaptation. I was planning to write the script before reaching out to you, but since we’ve met today, could we discuss it further? I’d like to gather some material,” Luca asked, pulling out a pen and small notebook from his pocket.

“Are you serious?” Eduardo asked, astonished.

“Yes, Eduardo. Is that okay?”

“Oh my God. A YouTube founder interviewing a Facebook founder? YouTube’s market value is even higher than Facebook’s. By the way, why don’t you make a movie about your story first?” Eduardo said, amused.

“You know, in the main YouTube founding team, I’m Brazilian, and Steve Chen is from Taiwan. A movie with Brazilian and Taiwanese leads wouldn’t sell well in the U.S.”

“All right, go ahead and ask your questions. But be gentle. I feel a bit nervous being interviewed,” Eduardo said with a smile, sitting up straighter.

“No need to be nervous. In my script, you’ll definitely be a handsome lead, while Mark will just be an odd guy with curly hair—nothing compared to you.”

“Haha, now I’m relieved. But I do have a request,” Eduardo said, his eyes twinkling.

“What’s that?”

“If the script becomes a movie, can you play me? We’re both equally handsome and young and born in Brazil. I don’t think anyone else would be more suitable.”

Luca chuckled softly. “I’ll consider it. But let me ask my questions first. We’ll talk about the rest after the script is done.”

“Okay!”

(End of chapter)

**Chapter 503: Another Wall-Pinning Moment**

The two of them engaged in a back-and-forth conversation for over an hour. Even when the party started, they were still deep in discussion about the script, making them the odd ones out at the event.

“You two are really something else. Today’s supposed to be Leonardo and Gisele’s engagement party, and you’ve turned it into your personal work zone. Seriously?” Jamie teased.

Luca glanced around at the lively party. “Alright, Eduardo, let’s call it a day. We can set up another time to talk about the rest. How does that sound?”

“No problem, Luca. Talking with you is always enjoyable. You have a knack for understanding me so effortlessly. Plus, your insights on Facebook are truly remarkable and very enlightening. I think you’d get along well with Mark.” Eduardo smiled warmly.

“Mark? After everything with the lawsuit, you two are still friends?” Luca asked curiously.

“Of course. We lived together for two and a half years. I’ll introduce you sometime.”

“OK!”

In *The Social Network,* Eduardo is the second lead, while Mark is the protagonist. Before this script could move forward, he needed to talk things over with Mark and get his approval. Eduardo was a key bridge in this process.

With work discussions wrapped up, the three joined in on the party’s excitement. Tonight’s guest list was packed with familiar faces: Tom Hanks, Kate Winslet and her husband, Cate Blanchett, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Tobey Maguire, and more.

Over twenty A-list celebrities attended, most of them Leonardo’s friends or collaborators. Meanwhile, Gisele had invited colleagues from the fashion industry, fellow Brazilian supermodels, and two young tycoons—Luca and Eduardo.

In terms of net worth, their side wasn’t losing.

“Hey, Luca!”

Kate Winslet called out to him from the crowd.

“Hi, Kate!”

Luca wasn’t particularly eager to see her. They’d previously agreed to collaborate on *Revolutionary Road*, but at the last moment, Leonardo snatched the script away. While the project had its flaws, Luca still believed in the saying: *What’s mine is mine. If I don’t give it to you, you can’t take it.* Too bad it had been taken.

“Luca, tell me—what made you come around and let Leonardo handle the script? I asked him, but he wouldn’t say.” Kate was curious.

“Pfft!”

Leonardo let out a snort from the crowd.

Luca gave him a sidelong glance, then smiled faintly. “I was under too much public pressure recently. I thought I’d have to leave the industry altogether. Keeping the script didn’t seem worth it, so I passed it on to Leonardo.”

“Heh, Luca, I appreciate it,” Leonardo said with a crooked smile.

“You’re welcome.”

After exchanging pleasantries with Kate, Luca stepped out of the crowd. He roamed the venue for a bit. There were too many rivals and too few friends. He felt like leaving.

After searching for a while, he found Gisele upstairs by a window. She was wearing a gold gown that exposed her smooth shoulders and back. From behind, she was simply captivating.

“Hey, Gisele. What are you doing up here?”

Luca walked over and asked.

“Oh, nothing.”

Gisele wiped her eyes and turned her head slightly. Under the bright lights, a tear slipped from the corner of her eye.

Luca raised an eyebrow and casually walked over to the window. Night had fallen, and the full moon hung high in the sky. Beverly Hills shimmered with neon lights, livelier and more glamorous than during the day.

“Ahh…”

He crossed his arms and sighed deeply.

“What are *you* sighing about?”

Gisele had composed herself and looked at him curiously. Then she noticed his tears and froze. “Wait, why are *you* crying?”

Luca rubbed his eyes. “The wind’s too strong. It got into my eyes. Aren’t you the same?”

Gisele burst into laughter. “Drama king!”

“Gisele, you have such a beautiful smile,” Luca said.

She rolled her eyes at him and replied coldly, “Is this your usual pickup line? Today’s my engagement party. Flirting with me here—is that appropriate?”

“It’s not. That’s why I’m simply offering an honest compliment,” Luca said earnestly.

“Oh, really? You think I’d believe that? Someone once said that compliments from a playboy are always loaded with ulterior motives. Their ultimate goal is to get women into bed. Isn’t that right, playboy?”

Gisele smirked, as if seeing through him completely.

“Haha! That’s not a bad take, but it’s a bit one-sided. It would be more accurate to say that a playboy’s compliments for beautiful women always carry a purpose: to possess all beauty. As for getting into bed, that’s way too crass. I don’t agree with it. I’m more of a fan of spiritual connections.”

“Ugh! Your shamelessness is astonishing!”

Gisele shook her head and asked, “What do you want?”

“I’m heading home. Just wanted to say goodbye.”

Luca said.

"Heading back so early? With so many beautiful women at the party, aren't you tempted to mess with at least one of them?"

Gisele smirked as she teased.

Luca choked for a moment, then glanced at her plunging neckline. "Aside from you, there's no one else I want to mess with. Too bad you won't give me a chance. Guess I'll leave now. Bye!"

"Wait!"

Gisele called out from behind.

"What is it?"

Luca stopped in his tracks.

Without a word, Gisele turned and walked into the room.

"...?"

Luca blinked. What did this mean? Was she inviting him into the room?

After hesitating for a second, he stepped up to the door. "Gi—" Before he could finish, his tie was yanked again, and he was pulled into the room. It was pitch-black inside.

Thud!
His chest was shoved, his shoulder slammed into the wall, and his head spun. Before he could react, a warm, sweet-scented body pressed against him.

"Gis—mmm!"

He tried to speak but was silenced by a kiss. Two roving hands—like greedy little paws—began exploring his body.

Luca's mind went blank. Am I... being wall-pinned again?
Wait, again?

Do people always treat me like this?

It seemed they did.

Luca's thoughts were all over the place. My name is Luca, not Lolita. Why do so many people want to bully me? What should I do? Should I fight back? Or just be a quiet little tool?

Ow!
This is way too rough.

In the villa's grand hall, the party was in full swing. Guests moved about with clinking glasses and lively chatter.

In a corner of the living room, Leon was talking to an elderly man and woman.

"Leon, I don’t oppose your engagement to Gisele," the old man said. "But after the engagement, I hope she leaves the modeling world. Modeling isn’t exactly a proper profession."

"Yes, Leon," the old lady chimed in. "Our family isn't short on money. She doesn’t need to parade around in lingerie in front of people. I hope you can convince her."

Leon kept his head down and said nothing.

"You've had over ten girlfriends these past few years. I must say, I liked Kate the most. She’s beautiful, has a great personality, and became a famous writer. Do you still keep in touch with her?"

"No!"

"Ah, such a pity."

The old lady sighed.

"Well, we’ve said what we needed to say. Whatever you decide, we’ll support you."

The old man patted Leon on the shoulder, took the old lady’s arm, and left the hall.

Leon escorted them out, then quietly sat back on the sofa.

"Leon, someone’s leaving," the butler reminded him.

"Got it!"

Leon saw the guest off, then asked, "Where’s Gisele?"

"Not sure. She talked to the old lady for a bit, then went upstairs," the butler replied.

"Ah..."

Leon sighed, pocketed his hands, and headed upstairs. Stopping outside the bedroom, he heard voices inside and pushed the door open.

"What are you two doing?"

"Nothing. Ana, I’ll walk you downstairs," Gisele said, her face flushed as she supported Ambrosio's shoulder.

"Fine. Bye, Leon," Ambrosio said with a sly grin as she slowly descended the stairs.

Leon glanced inside the room a few times, then followed her downstairs.

Outside on the lawn, Gisele’s face was still flushed. "Ana, you can't tell anyone about what happened earlier," she whispered.

"Pfft. What happened?" Ambrosio teased.

Gisele’s face turned even redder. "Stop joking! I wasn’t thinking clearly. That’s the only reason I did something like that."

"Relax, Gisele. I won’t tell anyone," Ambrosio said softly, glancing at Jamie in the distance. She leaned into Gisele’s ear and whispered something.

"What? You and him?"

Gisele covered her mouth in shock.

"Yeah, a few times before we got married. But it’s over now. So, stop worrying. Don’t overthink it. Just consider it... a friendly interaction," Ambrosio said with a laugh.

"I’m not as dirty-minded as you!" Gisele retorted, shaking her head.

"Really? Because it looked like you were the one bullying—mmph!"

"Stop saying nonsense!" Gisele snapped, embarrassed.

"Okay, okay!" Ambrosio chuckled, then leaned in again. "Maybe we could team up and mess with him together."

"Ugh, go away!"

"Bye!"

Ambrosio waved as she got into her car.

Gisele touched her warm cheeks, standing in the night breeze, still thinking about what had just happened in the room. Her whole body felt hot. It’s all Luca’s fault. Next time, I’ll definitely teach him a lesson.

"Sweetheart, where are you?"

Leon called out from a distance.

"Coming!"

Gisele adjusted her dress and walked back into the villa.

(End of Chapter)

**Chapter 504: This Is What a Scumbag Deserves**

The autumn breeze was chilly as November arrived. In the afternoon, Luca returned to Malibu from the film set and stopped by the supermarket to pick up some groceries—meat, fish, eggs, and milk.

Lately, Kate and Miranda had also been in Los Angeles, and Britney and Aniston would occasionally bring their kids over. The household went through supplies at an astonishing rate.

This time, Luca bought an entire cart full—steaks, seafood, fresh fruits, milk, and a few small toys—spending over $800.

"I'm back!"

Returning to the estate, Luca called out loudly.

"If you're back, you're back—why are you shouting?"

Miranda was leaning over the balcony railing, her tank top sagging dangerously low, revealing a mosaic-worthy view.

On the sofa nearby, Kate sat with her long, bare legs crossed, holding a book. She glanced up with a smile.

"Luca probably wants you to come down and help carry things, but being the steel-hearted straight guy he is, he's too shy to ask directly. So he just shouted, hoping you'd take the hint."

"Really?"

Miranda looked down, and sure enough, the trunk was stuffed full.

"Luca, why did you buy so much meat? Kate and I don’t even eat meat. Isn’t it a waste?"

"You say you don’t eat, but at the dining table, you eat more than anyone else."

Luca unloaded a few boxes from the car and glanced up. "Why are you still standing there? Come help!"

"Hmph, no way. A billionaire running errands and grocery shopping every day—aren’t you worried people will laugh at you?" Miranda wrinkled her nose. "Kate, did you hear what he just said? And you say he’s too shy to ask. Does that sound shy to you?"

"Ha! It just means he sees you as family—he doesn’t even bother being polite anymore. Now hurry up and help him!"

Kate playfully kicked Miranda on the backside.

"Ugh, fine, I’ll go!"

Miranda swayed her hips begrudgingly as she went downstairs.

Kate chuckled and returned to her book.

She was reading Luca’s new novel, *The Hunger Games*. The first installment had been released in early September, a completely different genre from *Twilight*.

When it first came out, the publisher wasn’t sure how well it would do and hesitantly printed only 100,000 copies as a trial run.

To their astonishment, all 100,000 copies sold out in under a week. Readers, staring at the empty shelves, were outraged.

"Only 100,000 copies of such a great book? Is the publisher brain-dead?"

"Kate needs to find a better partner. This publisher is so incompetent."

This outcry reminded readers of *Fifty Shades of Grey*. That masterpiece was also poorly promoted at first. Fans lambasted Greenwood Publishing for their lack of vision, and even book critics called the company unprofessional.

Since 2003, Greenwood—a mid-sized publishing house—had been on a lucky streak. First, they stumbled upon the *Twilight* series, which no one had high hopes for.

But *Twilight* became a runaway success, selling over 30 million copies, and made the publisher a fortune.

Then, they unexpectedly landed *Fifty Shades of Grey*, a book hotly contested by major publishers.

Although *Fifty Shades* originated as *Twilight* fan fiction, its final version bore no resemblance to the original. And no one knew why the mysterious "Ms. Devil," the author, chose Greenwood of all places.

With zero promotion, *Fifty Shades* quietly hit the shelves, starting with a modest daily sales count. But word of mouth catapulted it to over a million copies sold in its first year, and 40 million within two years. Translated into over 30 languages, it became a global phenomenon.

Greenwood once again struck gold with minimal effort, much to the envy—and curses—of the publishing world.

When the *Twilight* series concluded in June last year, many assumed Greenwood’s lucky streak was over. But not long after, the celebrated author Kate Kelly released another book.

The media was intrigued. Rumor had it she only wrote as a side gig, so how could she be so prolific?

Not only had she completed an entire series in three years, but she had also penned a 200,000-word romance novel in between. If this was her "side gig," how incredible would she be full-time?

Apparently, the Kelly family was full of workaholic overachievers.

In December, Kate Kelly’s new book, *Me Before You*, hit the shelves.

It was said to be inspired by her brother Luca’s life—a true story. Rumor had it that Luca, a notorious scumbag, had once been in a life-threatening car accident. While bedridden, he fell in love with his caretaker.

The book’s ending differed, though. The male protagonist chose euthanasia, while Luca survived in real life. Not only did he live, but he also went on to become the world’s most infamous scumbag.

Some joked that if he had actually died, this book would have sparked waves of posthumous tributes. Unfortunately, he didn’t.

*Me Before You* was considered a transitional piece for Kate, a breather between her last series and whatever she planned to write next.

---

When Ms. Kelly mentioned this, everyone decided to check it out. The result? In the first month, **800,000 copies were sold**. Within ten months, **6 million copies** were sold worldwide, and the book stayed in the **New York Times Bestseller List's Top 20 for seven consecutive months**.

Hearing this news, many authors felt a pang of despair. Selling **6 million copies in 10 months** while staying on the bestseller list the whole time—**and you call this a "transitional work"?**

If this is a "transitional work," how incredible must her *real* works be?

Soon, everyone found out.

In September, Ms. Kate Kelly released her "non-transitional work"—the first book of her second series, *The Hunger Games*. It sold **100,000 copies in the first week**, **2.5 million copies in the first month**, and **5.2 million copies in just 65 days**. It climbed to **#2 on the New York Times Bestseller List in September** and claimed the **#1 spot in October**.

When the stats came out, all the doubters were silenced. One word summed it up: **"Kate Kelly is a legend."**

Many authors dream of writing just one bestselling book in their lifetime to die happy.
But Kate Kelly? She delivered **2+1**: two major series novels *and* a "transitional" novel—all massive bestsellers, all dominating the charts.

With talent like this, there’s no room for jealousy—just awe and admiration. The only fitting response? "You’re a literary goddess."

But Kate knew her own limits. No matter how much praise she received, she remained humble and grounded. Why? Because she understood that she wasn’t truly a "goddess"—she was just a **beautiful messenger of the muse**.

---

*Slap!*
"How does this guy come up with such brilliant plotlines?!"

Kate slapped her long legs and exclaimed in amazement. The novel was so good, she’d read it three times and still wanted more, constantly floored by its ingenious twists and creative ideas.

Sometimes, after finishing the book, she’d glance at the cover: *By Kate Kelly*.
It always felt surreal.
"Am I really the author?" she wondered.
"Dear God, this can’t be true. This is all that rascal Luca’s doing."

Kate smirked, her slender fingers flipping to the next page.

---

“Yoohoo! Guess who’s here!”

Miranda burst upstairs, holding a chubby baby in her arms.

“Slow down! Be careful, you might fall!”

Kate set the book down, got up, and stretched out her hands.

“Don’t worry, this little guy is tough—he won’t break. Right, Max? You’re just as sturdy as your dad!”

Miranda playfully pretended to toss the baby, but the little guy wasn’t scared. He opened his toothless mouth and giggled uncontrollably.

“Haha, Kate, look at this! The little guy loves it. Wheee~ Up he goes! Wheee~ Down he goes!”

“Goo-goo-ga-ga!”

The baby just laughed harder.

Kate chuckled, picked up the little one, and placed him on her lap.
“Little Max, why are you getting so chubby? Look at these squishy little arms and hands—they look delicious!”

“Goo-goo-ga-ga!”

The baby kicked his tiny legs excitedly.

---

“He’s such a cutie!”

Miranda crouched beside them, poking the baby’s cheek.
“Counting George, Catherine, and Louis, little Max has two brothers and one sister. Kate, imagine if Luca married Jenny, Brandy, and Lima too. Wouldn’t the house be crazy?”

“That’s impossible. Luca can barely handle Lima as it is. If he had to deal with three women every day, he’d have a breakdown.”

Kate shook her head.

“Haha, that’s what he gets for being a player. Serves him right, huh, Max?” Miranda booped the baby’s nose.

“Goo-goo! Ga-ga! Eee-yaaah!”

“Kate, listen! The little guy’s singing again!” Miranda said in surprise.

“Max is definitely going to grow up to be a singer,” Kate joked.

---

“Kate! Miranda! Dinner’s ready!”

Brandy called from downstairs.

“Coming!”

*(End of chapter)*

Chapter 505: A Strong Woman is a Perfect Match for You

The next day, the weather was clear. Luca punched in for work at the studio as usual. Around lunchtime, he received a phone call.

“Mr. Ross, how did it go?” Luca asked.

“Haha, Luca, mission accomplished. We secured half of the rights to the *Speed* series,” Ross replied with a laugh.

“Excellent work. It wasn’t easy, I’m sure. Now that we have the rights, set up an independent team within the production department to focus exclusively on the *Speed* series moving forward. How about you take charge of this, Mr. Ross?”

“Thank you for the trust, Luca, but I’m getting on in years. I don’t have the time or energy to commit to such a big project. I recommend handing this off to a younger talent,” Ross suggested.

“Do you have anyone in mind?”

After a moment’s thought, Ross replied, “I’d suggest Mike Farrell. He played a major role in this negotiation, and I believe he’s up for it.”

Luca considered this. Mike Farrell was an Irishman in his early forties who had worked in MGM’s production department and held various producer and assistant producer roles before joining Bra Bra Films last year. He was known for his drive and enthusiasm. Luca had no objections to the recommendation and agreed to it.

“Mr. Ross, have the castings for *Juno* been finalized?” Luca asked.

“Yes. Ellen Page is exceptionally talented, and the casting team unanimously agreed to give her the lead role. For the secondary lead, we’ve chosen Jennifer Garner. She exudes a strong, confident energy, like a powerful woman—perfect for you,” Ross said teasingly.

“A powerful woman is perfect for me?” Luca chuckled, clearing his ear as if he’d misheard. “Ross, what are you getting at?”

Ross cleared his throat. “Ahem, Luca, where were we? Oh, right. Jason Reitman has already started scouting locations. Filming officially begins next February. We’ll need about two weeks of your time for your scenes.”

“No problem. Anything else?”

“Yes. For the company’s new project, *Inglourious Basterds,* the script has been given to Quentin Tarantino. He’s very interested and would like to discuss it with you when you’re available.”

“OK, I’ll make time for that. Anything else?”

“Nope, that’s all.”

“All right, let’s circle back to that bit about Jennifer—”

Before he could finish, the line went dead.

“Damn old man,” Luca muttered with a smile. He hadn’t even put his phone away when it rang again. This time, it was Eduardo, a friend from his hometown, asking if Luca had time to hang out. They set a time to meet.

After hanging up, Luca browsed the internet for news. The entertainment headlines were buzzing with stories: Leo DiCaprio and Gisele Bündchen’s engagement, *Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest* crossing $1 billion globally, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes welcoming their daughter before tying the knot, and Britney Spears recording music while raising her kids.

Luca chuckled and shifted to the finance section. Google, fresh off acquiring YouTube, was on a stock market surge, with shares surpassing $500 and its market value exceeding $100 billion.

This was excellent news. With his and Kate’s combined holdings in Google, their net worth would now surpass $3 billion.

“Good afternoon, Martina,” Luca said, calling his CFO to discuss the stock situation. Back in August, when YouTube was acquired, he and Kate jointly held 3.11% of Google. Martina had since purchased additional shares, raising their stake to 3.2%. With Google’s market value now soaring, their combined net worth was comfortably over $3 billion.

“Martina, how much liquid cash do I still have in my accounts?” he asked.

“Just a moment,” she said. After a brief pause, she replied, “After the Google stock purchases, you have $18.72 million left. Do you need funds?”

“Yes. I’m considering investing in a new project—Facebook. It’s an intriguing platform, and I’d like to acquire as much of its stock as possible.”

“You’re right, Luca. I’ve looked into Facebook, and it has immense growth potential. However, the company isn’t publicly traded yet. They don’t need capital, and Mark Zuckerberg is particular about his shareholders. Acquiring a significant stake won’t be easy,” Martina cautioned.

“I’m aware. I’ve been drafting a script about Facebook’s founding, focusing on the stories of its creators. A few days ago, I met Eduardo, their former CFO. I’ll also reach out to Mark Zuckerberg to negotiate directly. In the meantime, explore your own channels to acquire Facebook shares. Our goal is to hold 10% of the company.”

“To reach 10%, we’d need to allocate at least $300–400 million,” Martina calculated.

“I understand. If necessary, we can consider selling part of our Google holdings,” Luca said confidently.

Currently, it's not the right time to buy Google stocks in large amounts. When the 2008 financial crisis hits, all stocks will experience sharp declines, including Google, Amazon, and Apple. That will be the real opportunity. In 2008, Facebook hadn’t gone public yet, so its impact was minimal. The earlier you invest in Facebook, the greater the benefits.

The next day, he spent the day in Los Angeles hanging out with Eduardo. During their time together, he mentioned his interest in acquiring Facebook shares and asked Eduardo if he had any connections.

Eduardo was straightforward. He said he owned 10% of the company and would be willing to sell a portion if the price was right.

Luca offered a 60% premium to acquire 8% or a 30% premium for 5% of the shares.

Eduardo rejected the offer and proposed an alternative deal: a stock swap. He was willing to trade 2% of his Facebook shares for Luca’s Google stocks.

Luca agreed and handed the stock swap details over to their respective teams.

Five days later, both parties' financial management teams signed the agreement. Luca exchanged approximately $60 million worth of Google stocks for 2% of Facebook shares owned by Eduardo.

Judging by the recent surge in Google stock prices, Luca took a significant hit. However, from a long-term perspective, the deal still seemed worthwhile.

"Luca, if you’re interested in acquiring more shares, you should talk to Mark. I’m sure you could persuade him," Eduardo said with a grin after the deal was finalized.

"I’ll give it a shot. Eduardo, I’ve finished writing the script. Want to take a look?"

"Already? Sure, bring it over."

Eduardo spent an hour reading the script. By the time he finished, he seemed quite satisfied.

"Luca, the script is fantastic. My character is as cool as I imagined," Eduardo said with a laugh.

"Glad you like it. Take a look at Mark’s character. Does it feel like him?"

"Haha, I’d say it’s 80% accurate. I don’t know how you know him so well."

"I owe it to your explanations. I also sent Mark a copy of the script through the company. I’m not sure if he’s received it yet."

"He’s busy, but I’ll remind him for you."

"Thanks!"

After wrapping up the stock swap, Luca dove back into his work as a screenwriter on set.

Ding dong—

One evening after work, he received a message:
"Check out Universal’s new project, Wanted. The lead role seems perfect for you."

Wanted?

Luca thought for a moment. This movie also had another title, Wanted: Assassin. It told the story of an ordinary office worker who gets recruited by an assassin organization and eventually becomes a super assassin. The male lead is plain-looking, which indeed suited him.

"Shall we collaborate? Aren’t you worried about rumors?" Luca asked with a smirk.

"Not at all. Once you work with me, you’ll understand why I’m called Hollywood’s most difficult actress to work with and why I have so few friends."

"Haha, alright then."

Luca laughed and chatted for a bit before calling Ed, asking him to look into Wanted.

Ed jotted it down and then shared news about another project.

"Luca, I just got a great script. It’s about a superhero with severe character flaws. His public image is awful, and people dislike him.
Doesn’t this sound like you? You used to be a hero, and now you’re a ‘bad guy.’ You need some image rehab, and I think you’d nail this role. Want to give it a shot?" Ed teased with a chuckle.

Luca rubbed his forehead. Why did this story sound so familiar?

"What’s the script called?"

"Hancock. It’s a new project from Relativity Media. They just contacted me, inviting you to audition."

"Alright, send me the time and place."

"Got it! I’ll send it over right away."

(End of Chapter)