446-450

*Chapter 446: The Kind-Hearted Luca*

The next day at noon, Luca flew to Los Angeles.

Once in Los Angeles, he first visited the Aniston residence, bringing New Year's gifts to see the two little ones.

He felt a bit guilty for not being able to stay home during the New Year.

"Why did you grow a beard?"

When they met, Ms. Aniston laughed.

"Doesn't it make me look more manly?"

Luca touched the beard on his chin as he asked.

"No, now that you have a beard, be careful Katherine and George might not recognize you."

"That won't happen. Katherine and little George are so smart, how could they not know me?"

"Don't believe me? Go and see for yourself."

"Let's go!"

Entering the kids' room, he held the gifts, wore the kindest smile, and slowly approached their toy bed.

"Katherine, George, Daddy's home. Did you miss me?"

The two little ones were almost nine months old, chubby and already able to wobble as they walked.

They were playing with building blocks when suddenly a bearded man appeared before them, startling them. They plopped down on the blanket, holding their blocks, blinking their big shiny eyes at him.

"Ahhh~ Mama~"

"Mama~ Mama~"

The two little ones opened their mouths and called out, and little George even began to cry.

"See? You’ve been gone for over two weeks, and with that beard, how could they recognize you?"

Aniston laughed heartily.

"Ugh~"

Luca touched his beard, disappointed. "I’ll shave it off later!"

"Katherine, George, this is your daddy!"

Aniston squatted down, holding the two little ones, pointing at him as she spoke.

Katherine stopped crying. She tilted her little face, looking at him with big curious eyes. Who is this bearded creature?

"Katherine, it's Daddy. Do you remember me?"

Luca got down on the floor, crawling forward a few steps, meowing like a cat. Meow~ Meow~

"Giggle~ Crawl~ Crawl~"

Suddenly, she clapped her hands and giggled.

"Haha, my daughter's memory is amazing!"

Luca picked up the little girl and happily kissed her.

"Careful not to poke her!"

Ms. Aniston chided.

"I know!"

After putting the little girl on his back, he crawled over to little George.

"Little George, want to ride a horse?"

George's dark eyes sparkled. He looked just like him, surely to grow up to be a super handsome man.

He held onto Aniston’s finger with his small hands, glanced at his sister Katherine, who was pulling on their dad’s hair, laughing as she rode the “horse.” He then looked at the "horse," feeling it was oddly familiar. Who could this be?

"Stop overthinking, George. You get on too!"

Ms. Aniston placed little George onto his back.

"Luca, crawl!"

Luca rolled his eyes and crawled around the room in circles. The two little ones were having the time of their lives, and Ms. Aniston couldn’t stop laughing either.

After a while, the two kids got tired of riding the horse and instead became interested in his beard.

Katherine pulled at his beard, tugging hard, and George followed suit, yanking as well, making Luca grimace in pain.

"Haha, let’s see if you ever keep a beard again!"

Aniston laughed.

"No more! I’ll shave it off in a bit!"

Luca muttered through gritted teeth.

After playing with the kids for a few hours, they slowly warmed up to him. Katherine was now calling him "Daddy" in her sweet little voice, and George was mimicking her.

However, Luca became a little worried. If he shaved his beard, would the kids still recognize him the next time?

After thinking about it, he shaved off his beard right in front of them.

As he shaved, the two kids sat on the couch, watching him intently, their eyes filled with curiosity. Would Daddy still be Daddy without the beard?

"Katherine, George, do you still recognize Daddy?"

"Crawl~"

"Crawl~"

The two kids recognized him right away. Katherine hugged his neck, snuggling into his arms, even tapping his chin with her small hand. Ouch~ It was prickly, like being poked by a hedgehog, and she quickly pulled her hand back.

"Haha, George and Katherine are the best kids ever!"

He laughed, holding the two little ones.

"Enough playing, the awards ceremony is about to start. You should go get ready!"

Ms. Aniston came down from upstairs, dressed in a sleek black gown, her hair done up and makeup flawless.

"Alright, see you later!"

He kissed the two little ones and gave Aniston a kiss before reluctantly leaving the villa.

Compared to the boring awards ceremony, spending time with the kids was much more fun.

He drove to the Ford modeling agency, where Ed, Tony, and a few makeup artists were waiting.

"You’re finally here, hurry up and get ready!"

As soon as he arrived, they all rushed over—some trimmed his hair, some shaved his face, others helped him change, while Tony held makeup tools, brushing and dabbing his face.

"Luca, it’s been just over two weeks, and your skin has gotten so much worse. When you get some time, you should go for a treatment, otherwise, you’ll start looking like a homeless person."

Tony complained.

"Is it that bad? Isn’t tanned skin sexy?"

"Tanned is one thing, but you’re looking a bit greasy. You were best when you had fair skin and a clean look. Don't mess with your style so much, or you’ll ruin that pretty face of yours."

Luca tugged at the corner of his mouth, feeling like Tony was talking as if he were a male beauty icon.

"Luca, you’re scheduled to enter at 5:10 PM. When posing for photos, remember to smile. Don’t keep a serious face, like you’re unhappy about something."

Ed reminded him.

"Got it, I’m an actor after all!"

"Also, your Zegna suit—your contract with them is about to expire, and several other brands are interested in signing you for endorsements. Do you want to take any offers?"

Ed flipped through his notebook, listing a few suit brands: Armani, Zegna, Burberry, and a few others, all top-tier names.

"You handle it. Pick the one that suits me best."

"Got it!"

A little after five in the afternoon, the annual Golden Globe Awards, one of the biggest events in the American film industry, was held grandly at the Beverly Hills Hilton in Los Angeles.

As one of the key indicators for the Oscars, the Golden Globes attracts a lot of attention.

That afternoon, the awards ceremony was filled with A-list stars like Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Johnny Depp, George Clooney, Jennifer Aniston, Pierce Brosnan, Anthony Hopkins, Gwyneth Paltrow, and many more. The red carpet was dazzling.

Luca, dressed in a black Zegna suit, with a subtle beard, looked mature and sexy.

He didn’t linger long on the red carpet, striking a few poses before heading straight inside for the ceremony.

This time, he had been nominated for Best Screenplay, and as the world’s most handsome screenwriter, staying a bit aloof suited him just fine.

"Hey, Luca, congratulations on your Best Screenplay nomination. Who would’ve thought we’d end up as competitors?"

At the hotel entrance, he bumped into director Woody Allen.

Woody Allen had received two nominations: Best Director and Best Screenplay.

"Director Allen, I’m not your competitor. Your real competition is ‘Brokeback Mountain.’"

Luca said as he supported the elderly director’s arm while walking.

The five scripts nominated this time were all impressive.

Woody Allen's Match Point, George Clooney and Grant Heslov's Good Night, and Good Luck, Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco's Crash, Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana's Brokeback Mountain, and Luca's The Blind Side.

The media was predicting Brokeback Mountain as the likely winner.

"But you’re an actor, and you got a Best Screenplay nomination, surprising everyone. You’ve got both talent and skill—you’re a real rising star!"

Allen laughed.

"I wouldn’t dare say that. I’m just following your example. You started as a screenwriter and not only won all the screenplay awards, but you also won an Oscar for Best Director and got an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. In terms of switching careers, no one does it better than you."

"Haha, and you’ve already won a Berlin Film Festival Best Actor award and now got a Golden Globe nomination for Best Screenplay. What’s your next move?"

Allen laughed.

"Emm~ I wrote a script and plan to direct it myself!"

"Directing? Are you serious?"

"Yes, just a short film, about ten minutes long. I want to practice."

"You young rascal~"

Allen shook his head. "Directing is no easy task."

"I know, that’s why I’d like some guidance from you!"

"Alright, feel free to come to me with any questions."

"Thank you, Director Allen!"

(End of this chapter)

*Chapter 447: The Award Ceremony*

Entering the awards hall, it was full of familiar faces: Scarlett, Emily, Matthew, Heath Ledger, Charlize Theron, Ziyi Zhang, Anne Hathaway, director Carol, Frances, Tom Hanks, and many more.

He greeted each one, and half an hour later, he finally arrived at the seating area for The Blind Side crew.

“You actually look pretty good now. Earlier today, I thought you were a homeless man!”

Jennifer Aniston commented with a smile as she looked him over.

“Even if I were homeless, I’d still be the most handsome one.”

“Yes, and also the vainest,” she joked.

Luca chuckled and continued greeting people around him.

At 6 PM, the 63rd Golden Globe Awards began, hosted by Tina Fey and Seth Meyers.

The Golden Globes, officially known as the American Film and Television Golden Globe Awards, are divided into two main categories: film and television.

There are 13 awards for films and 12 for TV.

The three big awards — Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Actress — are divided into Drama and Musical/Comedy categories.

The first award presented was Best Supporting Actress, with five nominees: Scarlett Johansson, Frances McDormand, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, and Shirley MacLaine.

Although three of the nominees were familiar, the award went to Rachel Weisz for The Constant Gardener.

Rachel was no stranger to him; she had auditioned for My Blueberry Nights, and they were expected to work together in the future.

Next up was Best Foreign Language Film. Two films from China were nominated, The Promise and Kung Fu Hustle, but the award went to Palestine's Paradise Now.

The fifth award was Best Director, which, unsurprisingly, went to Ang Lee.

The media had predicted this result after the nominations were announced, stating that Brokeback Mountain would be the big winner at this year's ceremonies, with its seven nominations likely resulting in at least five wins.

"Director Ang, congratulations!"

Luca greeted him when Ang came over.

"Thank you!"

Ang beamed, holding his trophy.

The sixth award was for Best Original Score, which went to Memoirs of a Geisha.

The seventh award was for Best Actress in a Drama.

The nominees were Charlize Theron for North Country, Gwyneth Paltrow for Proof, Maria Bello for A History of Violence, Felicity Huffman for Transamerica, and Ziyi Zhang for Memoirs of a Geisha.

Charlize had just won Best Actress in 2004, so it was unlikely she would win again, and as a foreigner, Ziyi's chances were slim.

The media predicted Felicity Huffman would win, and they were right.

Luca rubbed his chin. “We’re halfway through the ceremony, and The Blind Side, Match Point, and North Country haven’t won a single award. This is disappointing.”

“Why are you in such a rush? There are still six awards left,”

Aniston said with a light laugh.

“Jen, are you confident you’ll win Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical?”

“No, Walk the Line has been well received. Reese Witherspoon and I both have a chance. It all depends on the judges.”

Walk the Line tells the story of American music legend Johnny Cash, and Reese Witherspoon, who rose to fame with Legally Blonde, delivers a strong performance.

Media predictions for the Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy were split, with half supporting Aniston and the other half favoring Reese Witherspoon.

The eighth award was Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical.

Since The Blind Side wasn’t nominated in this category, the award went to Joaquin Phoenix for Walk the Line. His brother was River Phoenix.

“They’re about to announce Best Screenplay. Are you excited?”

Aniston asked.

“I’m completely calm,” Luca replied with a faint smile.

“You don’t have any confidence in your script?”

“It’s not about confidence. The competition is just too fierce. Crash tackles race issues, Brokeback Mountain covers LGBTQ themes and took seven years to bring to the screen, and then there are veterans like director Allen and George Clooney. The Golden Globes often favor experience, so my chances are basically zero.”

From what he understood, the media had summed up this year's awards as “steady and predictable.”

So he had no expectations for this award.

“The winner of the 63rd Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay is Brokeback Mountain! Congratulations to Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana!”

The presenter announced loudly.

Applause erupted across the room.

Luca clapped along, smiling, but he couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed inside.

The Golden Globe judges were so conservative, lacking any sense of risk-taking. If they’d given him the Screenplay Award, wouldn’t it have made for a sensational headline? And with headlines come controversy, right?

A bunch of old fogeys!

“Don’t be discouraged. Every nomination is like earning a point. Usually, after two or three points, you’ll get a win. Maybe next time will be yours.”

Aniston gently squeezed his hand.

“Jen, thanks for the encouragement. But my goal is to win Best Actor, not Best Screenplay, so it doesn’t really affect me.”

Luca smiled softly.

“But I think you have a better chance of winning Best Screenplay. How about you switch to writing full-time?”

Aniston teased.

“No way. My goal is to win Best Actor. Once I get that trophy, I’ll give it to Catherine and George as a toy. How’s that?”

“No need. By the time you win Best Actor, their kids will probably be born. Haha~”

"..."

Luca felt deflated and didn’t want to talk anymore.

On stage, Jamie Foxx and Annette Bening were presenting.

They were last year's winners for Best Actor and Actress, and now they were presenting the award for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical.

The five nominees were Jennifer Aniston for The Blind Side, Keira Knightley for Pride & Prejudice, Laura Linney for The Squid and the Whale, Sarah Jessica Parker for The Family Stone, and Reese Witherspoon for Walk the Line.

When Keira Knightley’s name was mentioned, Luca suddenly realized he hadn’t seen her yet today.

He glanced around and spotted her in the left rear seating area. She was wearing a teal gown with her hair down. Noticing his gaze, she rolled her eyes at him before looking back at the stage.

With a slight smile, he recalled a past incident between them, thinking they should probably have a chat.

“The winner of the 63rd Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical is…”

Aniston gripped his hand tightly, clearly nervous.

Luca squeezed her hand back, his eyes fixed on the stage.

“The winner is Jennifer Aniston! Congratulations, Ms. Aniston!”

Annette Bening announced loudly.

“Wow~”

“Aniston won!”

“She won an Emmy for Best Actress in 2002, a Golden Globe for Best Actress in TV in 2003, and now she’s won for Best Actress in film. She’s making history!”

“Jen is amazing!”

Applause filled the room.

“Jen, congratulations!”

“Thank you!”

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 448: The Movie Plan Is Underway*

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for your applause, I love you all!"

On the stage, as the audience quieted down, Ms. Aniston smiled while holding the award.

"Wow~ I finally got this award. This is unbelievable. It means so much to me. I have to thank many people. Thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for gathering everyone here and giving me this beautiful trophy. Thanks to all the other nominees. You all delivered incredible performances.

Thank you to director John Lee Hancock. You are always the busiest person on set. Thank you, Mr. Luca Kelly, for writing such an outstanding script. Even though you didn't win, don't be discouraged. You're still so young and talented. I still think you're better suited to be a screenwriter rather than an actor. Have you considered switching careers?"

"Hahaha~"

The audience erupted in laughter.

Luca forced a smile and clapped, feeling a bit awkward under everyone's gaze.

"Thank you, Quentin, Collins, Cathy, Broad, and everyone in the cast of The Blind Side. Thank you for your wonderful performances and dedication. This honor belongs to all of us. Over the past year, so much has happened to me — the good, the bad, the lucky, the unlucky — but I made it through. Looking back, I've gained a lot: strength, independence, confidence, courage, honor, and two angelic babies.

When I found out I was having two babies, it felt like winning two trophies at once. I was excited, touched, and thrilled. I often think how lucky I am to have been so blessed. From that moment, I learned to be strong.

Thank you, George and Katherine. Thank you for appearing when your mom needed you the most. You are the greatest gift from heaven. Mom will always love you~"

Aniston said with tears in her eyes.

Applause erupted from the audience.

"Thank you, everyone! Finally, in the words of The Blind Side: life is full of misfortunes that sometimes numb us and leave us scarred. But please hold on to kindness and hope. When we pass through life's blind spots and open our eyes again, the world remains beautiful. Thank you! I wish you all a pleasant evening!"

More applause filled the room as Aniston bowed and walked off the stage.

"Jenny, congratulations!"

"Thank you!"

Aniston greeted people as she made her way back to the seating area.

"Luca, are you jealous?"

Aniston asked with a smile, holding the Golden Globe.

"Jealous, but there's no point!"

Luca took the trophy and rubbed it, feeling its smooth and cool surface. It was heavier than he had imagined.

Aniston smiled, "Earlier, you said you wanted to win a Golden Globe for Katherine and George to play with. Well, now they have one."

"Alright! With such an amazing mom, how could George and Katherine lack for toys?"

Luca shrugged and passed the trophy to others to admire.

"Of course, they lack one thing — a big horse named 'Climb'."

Aniston sat down, holding his hand with a smile.

"Haha, alright then, I guess I'll just have to climb a few more times!"

After the Best Actress award, the twelfth award was for Best Supporting Actor, which went to George Clooney.

The final movie award, and the most important one, Best Motion Picture in Drama, was unsurprisingly won by Brokeback Mountain.

At this point, all the movie awards were handed out, and as predicted by the media, Brokeback Mountain was the biggest winner, securing four out of seven nominations: Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Original Song.

Walk the Line won two out of three nominations, taking home Best Comedy or Musical and Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical.

The Blind Side only won one of its three nominations, Best Actress. Match Point, North Country, Pride & Prejudice, and the other four nominated films went home empty-handed.

Despite not winning, no one was discouraged. Just being there at the Golden Globe Awards was an honor.

After the movie awards, twelve television awards were given out.

The awards ceremony ended at around 9 PM.

The next day, the major American media outlets reported on the event.

Before the ceremony, the media had already predicted the results, so there was no major shock when the winners were announced.

Only Aniston's news caused a stir. She had won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Series, the Emmy Award for Best Actress in a Drama, and now the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Film. Her work in the film industry was finally being recognized.

Besides that, there was the news about Katherine and George.

This was the first time Aniston publicly acknowledged their existence and even revealed their names.

Many people offered their congratulations, and many wanted to see photos of the two adorable babies.

But, of course, that was not going to happen.

Luca put down the newspaper with a smile.

"George and Katherine, you're little stars now. Are you happy?"

"Ya~ya~"

At the breakfast table, Luca and Aniston were eating while George and Katherine sat in their baby chairs, each holding a bottle and drinking milk, their little feet kicking around.

"Luca, what do you think George and Katherine will do when they grow up?"

Aniston rested her chin on her hand, gazing lovingly at the two little ones.

"They can do anything: scientist, doctor, writer, athlete, actor, lawyer. Anything is possible. If they don't want to do anything, that's fine too. They're so cute, they just need to keep being adorable."

"Haha, you're being silly!"

After breakfast, Aniston headed to work. She had won a Golden Globe last night and had a ton of interviews waiting for her today.

Luca had the morning free, so he took the little ones for a walk in the yard, teaching them to walk and working up a sweat.

During their nap at noon, he went to a café in Beverly Hills to meet with Director Allen to discuss a movie.

"Director Allen, what do you think of this script?"

He asked, holding a coffee cup.

Director Allen put down the script, thought for a moment, and then slowly said, "It's thrilling, with an unexpected twist, especially with the piano score as the background. I love it. How did you come up with such a great idea?"

Luca smiled slightly, "Last year, there was a French movie called Danny the Dog, starring Jet Li and Morgan Freeman. In the movie, Freeman played a blind piano tuner. I was inspired by that film and wrote this short film, The Blind Piano Tuner."

Director Allen nodded, "Not bad. This short film is perfect for practice. Are you seeking my advice for any particular reason?"

"Yes!"

Luca then discussed the script with Director Allen.

The story in this script takes place in France and contains many French elements, such as wine, piano tuners, and ballet dancers. Changing the setting would alter the essence of the film. After careful consideration, he decided not to change it.

However, to capture the essence of a French film, he needed expert guidance, and Director Allen was an expert. His films were more popular in France than in the U.S.

As it turned out, he had come to the right person. After listening to Director Allen's suggestions, Luca gained a new understanding of several aspects of the film.

"Director Allen, would you be willing to be the artistic director for The Piano Tuner?"

He asked at the end.

"Sure, I wouldn't want to see a good script ruined by you."

"Haha, alright, thanks!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 449: At Least I'm More Handsome Than Them, Right?

After resolving the script issue, Luca used the company’s resources to find a few helpers.

A successful movie always requires an excellent team, and a few key people in a film crew are indispensable. These include the producer, production assistant, casting director, cameraman, and assistant director. Their work involves budgeting, scouting locations, casting, and more.

After finding the right helpers, Luca returned to Brazil with peace of mind.

Last year, his work was mostly focused in the U.S., and he rarely paid attention to Toucan Films.

The company invested in two films last year, losing more than a million dollars. If it weren’t for the $6 million they made from Infernal Affairs, they would have been in a financial deficit.

The domestic Brazilian film market was sluggish, and it was hard to make money from films in the short term. Besides, Luca didn’t have time to manage things in Brazil.

After thinking about it, he decided to sell the company.

Upon hearing this, Márcio Kelly expressed interest in taking over Toucan Films.

Over the past few years, he had directed several movies and was now considered nearly first-tier in the Brazilian entertainment industry, with some money in hand.

However, Toucan Films had produced four blockbuster films, earning it quite a reputation, and the company still held the rights to several films. It was valued at around $8 million, a price Márcio couldn’t afford.

In the end, Luca decided to turn the company into a joint-stock corporation. Márcio received 20%, and several members of the management got 5%. From now on, they would manage the company.

Luca gave them a three-year period. If they did well, he would continue to be involved. If not, he would sell the remaining shares.

After sorting out the company, Luca took a trip to Salvador and stayed at Lima’s home for two weeks. In early February, the two flew back to New York together.

“Problem solved?”

In the apartment, Kate crossed her legs and asked.

“All solved!” Luca grinned.

“How did you solve it?” Kate asked again.

Luca smiled without saying a word.

"Lima, what did he do?" Kate looked at Lima, who was sitting on the sofa.

“Humph!” Lima glared at Luca. “This jerk rented a yacht and took my dad, uncle, brothers, cousins, and about a dozen others on a cruise. Oh, and there were some exotic dancers on board too.”

“What?”

Kate and Miranda were stunned.

“Not exotic dancers! They were professional dancers just there to liven up the mood. It wasn’t like what you’re thinking,” Luca explained.

“Don’t try to hide it. My cousin told me they were dancing provocatively,” Lima snapped.

“That happened just once. It was raining heavily, they’d been drinking, and things got out of hand. I couldn’t stop them!” Luca raised his hands in defense.

“You expect me to believe that? My brothers practically went wild after that trip; they almost didn’t want to come back,” Lima said, kicking him.

Kate smirked. “Luca, you were wrong before, and now you’re dragging them down with you. You really overdid it this time.”

“No, no, it wasn’t like that! It was a bonding experience. We spent ten days together, and now Lima’s family and I are closer than ever. They didn’t want to leave when it was over.”

“Ha! My mom and my sisters-in-law can’t stand you. They can’t wait for you to leave and have told me not to bring you back. You’ve corrupted my family,” Lima retorted.

Kate and Miranda burst into laughter.

“Luca, you’re such a scoundrel!” Miranda laughed.

“Luca, you didn’t do anything inappropriate on the yacht, did you?” Kate asked, rubbing her wrist.

“Absolutely not! I swear to God, not just me; no one did anything inappropriate. Lima’s dad and uncles are very proper and wouldn’t allow anything like that. We only brought the women on board to liven things up,” Luca said confidently.

Outwardly, everyone behaved themselves. Whether anything happened behind the scenes, he didn’t know. He had kept to himself the entire time and hadn’t let any women take advantage of him.

“Kate, I’ve wanted to beat him up this whole time, but I can’t. Could you do it for me?” Lima said, touching her stomach.

“Alright, he did go too far this time. He deserves it.”

“I’ll get the baseball bat!” Miranda said, dashing away.

“Is that really necessary? It was just an innocent trip for bonding! After Lima gives birth, how about we invite her mom, sisters-in-law, and cousins on a trip?” Luca suggested.

“No thanks. After a few trips with you, my family would be torn apart,” Lima replied.

“I got the bat!” Miranda returned, carrying two baseball bats.

“Why two?” Luca asked, annoyed.

“One for me and one for Kate!” Miranda replied cheerfully.

“You want to hit me too?”

“Why not?” Miranda blinked.

Just as Luca was about to face domestic violence, his phone conveniently rang.

“Wait, it’s Ed calling!”

Luca answered the phone. Ed told him that the audition for Becoming Jane had been set for the day after tomorrow, at noon.

“Great, I’ll fly to Los Angeles tomorrow!”

Hanging up the phone, Luca grinned. “I have an audition tomorrow, so you can’t hit me!”

“Ugh, what a buzzkill!” Kate sighed.

“No worries, we’ll save it for later. When you get back, we’ll beat you up!” Kate added.

“Ha, that’s more like it!” Miranda said, cheering up again.

The next day, Luca flew to Los Angeles for the audition. He had been traveling non-stop lately, both on the sea and in the air, and he was feeling quite exhausted.

Luckily, he had a day to rest. After returning to Big Tree Manor, he enjoyed a good nap.

In the afternoon, Ed arrived at the estate.

“Ed, who are my competitors this time?”

“There are four main contenders: Matthew Macfadyen, James McAvoy, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and your old buddy Matthew Goode. They’re all from the British Isles, and the male lead is supposed to be Irish, so you don’t have much of an advantage.”

Luca nodded. Aside from Matthew Goode, the other three were all powerhouses.

Matthew Macfadyen starred in Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley last year, which grossed over $100 million worldwide, earning him critical acclaim.

James McAvoy played the faun in last year’s blockbuster The Chronicles of Narnia, winning the London Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor. He was also in the spotlight.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers just won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a TV Movie for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in Elvis.

Luca stroked his chin. “Ed, you said I have no advantage? I disagree. At least I’m more handsome than they are, right?”

Ed smirked. “Okay, you’re definitely handsome. Do you want to play dirty this time? I can get you some room keys.”

“Haha, you’re my agent. How about you do it for me?” Luca joked.

“No way!” Ed waved his hand. “So, what’s your plan? Need any help?”

“What can we do now? Just go all out,” Luca shrugged and then dove into the pool.

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 450: This Place is Definitely Not Proper*

In the audition studio for Becoming Jane Austen, Luca was auditioning for the role of Tom Lefroy, the male lead.

"Miss, is this the custom in the countryside? Haven’t we already been introduced?"

"But you didn’t even remember my name. What’s the point of such introductions? In fact, you don’t even know how to observe the most basic courtesies in front of me."

"Ma’am!"

Luca held an imaginary cane, slightly bowing.

While filming The Prestige, he had learned British etiquette and speech, so his performance came naturally.

"These manners may seem too rustic for a gentleman like you, but I didn’t make them; I just follow them," said Luca, playing the part.

An assistant was reading the female lead's lines.

Luca shrugged and looked up at the ceiling, saying, "Before I came, they said taking a walk in the countryside offers splendid views. All I see are leaves and dirt."

"That’s because others observe more closely. There’s even a book written about this forest."

"A novel, I suppose?" Luca stroked his chin.

"A novel?! That boring, plain thing written for women's amusement? Or do you think women’s works cannot express the power of thought, human knowledge, natural humor, or the most beautiful language you can imagine?"

"Maybe I haven’t understood it deeply enough?" Luca nodded slightly.

"No, it's that you lack the ability to understand!"

This scene was where the male and female leads first meet.

Earlier at a family gathering, Tom criticized Jane Austen’s writing, calling it pretentious and poorly written, and Jane overheard. She was furious and disliked him immediately. When they first meet, they argue.

The scene had ten lines in total, and before the audition, Luca practiced them thoroughly. From the dialogue, accent, movements, and etiquette, to the size of his steps, he meticulously rehearsed each detail, making the performance smooth and effortless.

During his audition, casting director Gillian, director Julian, producer Graham, and screenwriter Kevin Hood watched attentively, with the director jotting down notes.

"Okay, Mr. Kelly, that's enough!" the casting director called out.

"Thank you!" Luca took a step back and bowed to the group.

"Mr. Kelly, it’s clear you’ve studied this scene in depth. Your performance is rich in detail and quite inspiring," Director Julian smiled.

"Not just this scene, but I’ve also researched Jane Austen’s life and works extensively. After all, I have a sister who’s often praised for writing as beautifully as Jane Austen. If I didn’t study, I’d be considered uneducated," Luca responded.

"Haha, Mr. Kelly, you’re too modest." A man who wrote The Blind Side wouldn’t be considered any less skilled than a bestselling author.

"Mr. Kelly, your accent and etiquette are spot on. Do you have any experience with courtly dances?" asked screenwriter Kevin.

"Yes, I’ve actually learned them. I think I’m fairly good at it. Allow me to demonstrate!"

"Please!"

"Thank you!"

Luca tipped his hat and performed a dance.

This dance was popular in early 18th-century England, often performed at public gatherings. The dancers faced each other, forming squares or circles, performing highly formalized moves.

The last time he auditioned for Pride and Prejudice, he had spent a month learning, but never got to use it. He hoped this time would be different.

After his performance, applause filled the audition room.

"Mr. Kelly, that was fantastic!" Director Julian praised.

"Thank you!"

After chatting a bit, Luca left the audition room. As he walked out, he overheard the director say that Luca was very suitable for the role and had a noble air.

Luca smirked as he exited the hall.

"Luca, how did it go?" Ed came up to ask.

"Pretty good. Try to connect with the two producers. I think there’s a good chance," Luca replied as they walked.

"Alright, I will." Knowing Luca, Ed figured there was a 70-80% chance of success.

"Hey, Luca! Did the audition go well?" Matthew Goode came over to ask.

"Not bad!" Luca smiled.

"Haha, you’ll get it for sure. The two people before you were out in less than ten minutes, and you were in there for half an hour."

"Does the length of the audition really matter?"

"Doesn’t it?"

"Alright, Matthew, when’s your turn? Afterward, I’ll buy you a drink."

"Haha, it's a deal. I'm up next!"

After Matthew went in, Ed had to leave for business. Luca waited outside for eight or nine minutes, and then a disappointed Matthew Goode came out.

"What happened?" Luca asked curiously.

Matthew shrugged, "Seems like they’ve already made a choice. They were pretty dismissive of my audition. Luca, they picked you. You lucky guy."

"Who knows? Let's go get that drink. Do you prefer wine or cocktails? Classical or modern? Proper or improper? You choose the place."

"Improper? You mean a strip club? Uh, don’t get me wrong, I’m just curious."

"I have no idea. How would I know about those places? Want to find out together?"

"Okay, you decide!"

"Alright, let’s go!"

They got into a car, and Luca took Matthew to the largest and most lively strip club in Los Angeles.

They spent hours observing with critical eyes, and in the end, they confirmed: this place was definitely not proper. *Pfft!*

That evening, after returning home, Lima came over. Luca accompanied her to a concert. Neither of them particularly enjoyed that type of music, but things changed with a third party involved—their baby.

Kate had said that nurturing a child starts with prenatal education.

Aniston agreed.

So, for the sake of the baby, Luca and Lima attended the concert. There, they bumped into Jolie and Pitt.

They only exchanged polite nods. Jolie smiled at Lima but was quite cold toward Luca, even more so than Pitt.

"Jolie’s belly is much bigger than mine," Lima said as they sat down, touching her own belly.

"Well, duh! She’s been pregnant three or four months longer than you. Of course, hers is bigger."

"She’s keeping her figure well."

"Your figure is great too!"

"Stop touching me and listen to the concert."

"Okay, okay!"

Luca released his grip and obediently listened to the music, nurturing his soul.

*Ding!* After the concert, his phone buzzed with a message.

"I heard you auditioned for a film?"

"Yes, your sources are fast!"

"You should be prepared to fail."

"?"

Prepared to fail? Was Pitt planning something?

Luca furrowed his brow, feeling a sense of warning. He called Ed to stay on alert.

"Hey Luca, I heard your audition went really well," Anne Hathaway called the next morning during his workout.

"I’m not sure. I just tried my best. The final decision is up to the production team," Luca said, sitting in a yoga pose on the gym floor.

"Haha, Director Julian was really impressed with you. It looks promising. Congratulations in advance!" Anne Hathaway laughed.

"Thanks, I hope it turns out well."

They chatted for a bit before hanging up. Luca continued working out, building his strength.

After an hour of exercise, he played badminton with Lima, took a walk, and then went to visit George and Catherine to play games with the kids.

In the afternoon, back home, he worked on his novel and sent an email to Britney to check in on her.

Lately, there hadn’t been much news about Britney. Reports said she was in a hospital in Munich, Germany, recovering from a leg injury. She needed to rest for a while.

Luca had sent several emails but hadn’t gotten any replies. He was worried and planned to visit her when he went to France for filming in a few days. Hopefully, he could find her.

Three days after the audition, Ed called.

"Luca, the audition results are in," Ed's voice sounded somber.

"What happened?"

"Unfortunately, you didn’t make it."

"Are you serious? From what I heard, the production team was satisfied with me." Luca frowned.

"I know. Yesterday, I heard the same thing. But today, things suddenly changed. I reached out to producer Graham, and he told me they had originally chosen you as the male lead, but someone interfered with the casting process," Ed explained.

"Who?"

"You can probably guess."

"Alright, I understand."

Luca's face darkened as he hung up the phone.

(End of chapter)