426-430

*Chapter 426: You Know What You Did That Night*

The movie was nearly finished filming when Luca fell ill.

After a check-up at the hospital, the doctors found that his body was suffering from extreme fatigue, severe dehydration, a slight cold, and heavy mental stress. All these factors combined, and it took him down.

Fortunately, it wasn't serious. After lying in bed for a day, he slowly began to recover his strength.

The only bad thing was that somehow the media caught wind of the situation. The next day, several newspapers reported it, with some claiming he collapsed from exhaustion on set and fell into a coma.

Others reported that he had been involved in an accident while filming in London and was rushed to the hospital. Some even claimed he was admitted as an emergency case, while others fabricated wild rumors that he had been in a drunk-driving accident, or that he was assaulted by Britney Spears fans.

"Luca, there are many reporters outside the hospital who want to interview you. Do you want to talk to them?" Tony came in and asked.

"No need! Go out and explain for me, just say I had a bad cold but I'm fine," Luca replied, setting down the newspaper.

"Why not just say you were exhausted from filming? Wouldn't that make you seem more dedicated?" Tony asked, confused.

Luca shook his head, "I'm a grown man, and if I got worn out just from a few days of filming, would I still be called a man? It would ruin my tough guy image. So, just tell them it was a severe cold. No need to go into details."

"Alright then!" Tony opened the door and left.

Luca sighed softly, feeling a bit helpless. The illness was largely due to overwork, but much of it was also from mental stress.

The filming had been intense recently, with heavy workloads and constant pressure. He had been running on adrenaline for days, never daring to relax for a moment.

Now that the filming was done, he could finally let go, but as soon as he relaxed, his body gave in.

Another reason was the emotional toll of the role. The character he played, Angel, died at the end.

To make his performance more convincing, he kept telling himself, "I'm dying, I'm dying, I have no strength left." He had been mentally hypnotizing himself like this all day, and as a result, both his spirit and body felt utterly drained.

"Luca, are you alright?" Director Nolan walked into the room and asked.

"I'm fine, just a cold from the chilly weather. I'll be better soon," Luca said casually. He didn't want to admit that he had collapsed from exhaustion. That would be too embarrassing.

"Oh, that's good to hear. I heard you were hospitalized, and I felt guilty. Looking back, I realize I pushed you too hard. It was more than anyone should have to bear. I owe you an apology," Nolan said with a sigh.

Luca shook his head and smiled, "Chris, it's just a cold. I'll be discharged this afternoon. No need to apologize."

"Haha, alright then. But I have to say, you're one tough guy. You pushed through the illness and finished the shoot. That's impressive," Nolan praised.

Luca blushed slightly. Truly impressive people wouldn’t get sick in the first place. He didn’t feel like he deserved that compliment.

"Chris, please don't praise me. I'm an actor. Filming is my job. I just did what any actor should do," Luca said modestly.

"Haha, high standards and dedication. Luca, you're a great actor, and it's been a pleasure working with you," Nolan said with a smile.

"Really?" Luca raised an eyebrow. "At the beginning of filming, I had to do multiple takes for every scene. Working with me must have wasted a lot of film and time, right?"

"Haha, we didn’t waste time at all. We planned to finish the main parts of the shoot in a month, and it only took 36 days. That’s not too bad. As for the film, we didn’t waste any of that either."

Nolan hesitated slightly.

"Didn’t we?"

"Nope," Nolan looked around. "The hospital environment is quite nice. You could rest for a few more days."

"No need, I’m leaving this afternoon. It’s inconvenient staying here."

"Alright, I'll catch up with you later tonight."

There were still a few scenes left to shoot, so Director Nolan couldn't stay long. After a few more words, he left.

"Wait, Chris, what did you mean earlier about the film not being wasted?" Luca asked, puzzled.

"Did I say that? No, no, take care of yourself. I’ll be off now."

Nolan quickly waved and left.

What’s the rush? Luca thought, confused.

After Nolan left, a few friends from London visited Luca in the hospital, including Emily Mortimer and Matthew Goode, with whom he had worked on Match Point, as well as Jamie Dornan and some colleagues from Ford Models. Some friends from out of town also called to check on him.

By the afternoon, the news had spread to the U.S., and his phone was buzzing non-stop.

He had to juggle two phones, constantly answering and sending messages. From the hospital to the hotel, he was on the phone the entire time.

"Kate, it's just a cold. I didn’t call earlier because I didn’t want to worry you. No need to come over. I’ve already booked a flight for the day after tomorrow. By the time you get here, I’ll be back in New York."

"Lima, don’t worry, it’s just a cold. The weather in London has been changing a lot. I’ll be careful, and you take care too, darling."

"Britney, I’m fine. Don’t worry. When I get back, I’ll have some time off, and we can take a trip together. Anywhere is fine. I’d be happy to follow you around. You know, before I became a model, I was Kate’s assistant."

"Jenny, I’m doing well. How are the kids? What? Catherine can say 'mommy' now? She’s only five months old! That’s amazing. I bet George must feel the pressure. Haha, you take care too and set a good example for them."

"Felix, I’m fine. How’s the deal for Twilight going? Alright, take your time. We’re not in a rush. The fifth and sixth books are coming out next year anyway, so we can negotiate all at once."

After dozens of calls, his ear was burning. Though he wasn’t dizzy anymore, the constant phone calls were making his head buzz.

Ding! A message came through just as he put his phone down.

"You there?"

It was from Keira.

Luca smiled softly, replying, "Yes, I’m fine. The newspapers are just speculating. Don’t worry."

"Who said I was worried? I’m just disappointed that you’re still alive!"

"Disappointed?"

Luca almost spat his drink out when he saw that.

"Yes, the papers said you were carried into the hospital. I thought you had gone to meet Satan. Too bad you’re still on Earth. Satan must really favor you."

"Keira, that message borders on personal attack. Did I offend you somehow?"

"Don’t play dumb. You know exactly what you did that night, scumbag!"

"That night? What did I do? I drank so much, I’ve pretty much forgotten everything. Can you remind me?"

"You! You’re lucky, Luca, very lucky I’m not in London today, or you wouldn’t be leaving that hospital alive!"

Seeing her angry message, Luca smirked and replied, "Keira, what are you trying to do? I honestly don’t understand why you’re mad. Care to enlighten me?"

Ring~ The phone rang.

He answered, and a voice full of fury came through the receiver.

"Scumbag! Just wait. I won’t let you off the hook!"

"I—"

Click. She hung up.

Luca shook his head. The world is so beautiful. Why be so angry? Not good, not good.

"Goodnight!" he texted.

She replied instantly with a bloody knife emoji, followed by "Rest in peace!"

Luca chuckled softly, realizing this girl was kind of fun.

Knock, knock~

"Luca?"

Director Nolan’s voice came from outside.

"Coming!"

Luca set his phone down and walked out.

*Chapter 427: Kate's Noble Cause*

After finishing the shoot, Luca returned to New York, where Kate came to pick him up.

"Are you feeling better?" Kate asked after they got into the car.

"I'm almost there, just need a bit more time," Luca replied. He originally wanted to say he was fully recovered, but remembering Kate's tone during their last phone call, he thought it safer to pretend he was still sick. After all, Kate wouldn't bully a sick man, right?

"Do you want me to take you to the hospital for a check-up?" Kate asked as she started the car.

"No, no, it's fine. I get a physical every year. There's nothing wrong with me. I got sick because I spent a whole day in the water, and the weather suddenly turned cold. I caught a cold by accident. I think I just need another month of rest, yeah, one more month should do it."

Luca nodded as he explained.

"Really?" Kate suddenly reached over towards him.

"Kate, don’t hit me, I’m still sick," Luca said, shrinking back into the seat, covering his head.

Kate smirked. "I was just checking to see if you have a fever. Why are you so nervous?"

"I don’t have a fever; I’m just wearing a lot of clothes because it’s warmer in New York," Luca sighed in relief, slowly lowering his hands.

Kate touched his forehead with the back of her hand. "Be more careful when filming. We’re not short on money, so don’t take on dangerous roles. And avoid working with eccentric directors who push you too hard. What’s the point? Also, take fewer projects each year. One or two films a year are enough. Don’t exhaust yourself. Remember, your goal in Hollywood is to have fun with women, not to sacrifice yourself for art. If you ruin your health, how will you enjoy the women?"

Luca blushed. "Kate, I became an actor because I love cinema, not for anything else."

"Are you lying to me?" Kate raised an eyebrow, and the temperature in the car seemed to drop by nine degrees.

"No, no!" Luca quickly laughed. "Okay, fine, having fun in Hollywood is part of it, but as an actor, I also want to leave my mark on film history. Hundreds of years from now, when people watch old movies, I hope they’ll say, ‘Look, that’s so-and-so, he was amazing.’ I want to make a few classic films that will be remembered for generations. Like The Prestige—even decades or a century from now, it will still be a great movie. So, all my efforts are worth it."

Kate looked at him in surprise. "Since when did you become so noble?"

Luca smiled. "I’ve never been as bad as you think. When I’m filming, I take it seriously. When I’m having fun, I do that seriously too. If I only thought about playing around without any goals or ideals, life would be meaningless."

"Is that your ideal?" Kate frowned slightly. "And what about mine? Ever since I became a fake author, it seems I’ve been blinded by this fake success. I gave up my modeling career, and I’ve been half-hearted about fashion design. Compared to you, Lima, and Miranda, I feel like I’m the most lost."

"Uh, how could that be, Kate? You’re not lost. You’re always the most noble angel."

"Stop flattering me." Kate’s face was filled with frustration and unease.

"I used to have dreams, too. I wanted to be the greatest model, a famous designer. I don’t know when I gave up on all that. Luca, this is all your fault!" Kate suddenly stopped the car, poking him in the chest. "Because of those books, I abandoned my dreams and got lost in false praise. They say I’m one of the most influential writers in the world, but these honors don’t belong to me. They should be yours. I need to return them to you and pursue my dreams again."

"Wait, Kate!" Luca slapped his mouth, regretting bringing up ideals and goals.

"Kate, of course, you have dreams. How could you not? You’re doing something incredibly meaningful right now. It’s more significant than anything else, and you haven’t realized it yet?"

"That’s nonsense. This year, aside from shopping, buying luxury goods, and occasionally working, I haven’t done anything. I’m wasting my life."

Kate grabbed her hair, looking like she was about to lose it.

"Kate, have you forgotten your identity?" Luca said seriously. "You’re the Cultural Ambassador for South America, the Image Ambassador for Rio, the UN Women’s Representative for Brazil, and a member of the First Women’s Rights Organization. You’re actively promoting South American culture, showing the world the beauty of Brazil. Didn’t you just attend a UN conference a few days ago? You’re defending women’s rights, advocating for gender equality, and improving the treatment and welfare of women. What you’re doing is more important than what 99.9999% of people are doing. How could you think you’re wasting your life? If you’re wasting your life, then all of us filmmakers are doing something meaningless, because compared to women’s liberation, the movie business is trivial."

"My work is that meaningful?" Kate pondered, resting her chin on her hand.

"Of course! What you do affects the lives of billions of women around the world. Right now, you’re just Kate, but in the future, you’ll be as great as Joan of Arc or Florence Nightingale. So, don’t doubt yourself. Just stay firm in your beliefs and keep doing your job well, and you’ll become greater and greater."

Luca spoke with passion.

"But I feel like I haven’t done much," Kate said, still unsure.

"It’s not about how much you do. Your existence is already meaningful. You’ve achieved incredible success through your own efforts, becoming a role model for women everywhere. In the future, more girls will look up to you, striving to be independent and strong. You’ve given speeches at the UN, defended women’s rights, and held book donation events worldwide, spreading knowledge. You even filmed promotional videos for the Brazil Cultural Festival and Rio’s tourism. You’ve done so much; how can you say you’ve done nothing?"

Luca questioned her seriously.

"But those books were written by you. The honors should be yours."

"Kate, why are you still saying that?" Luca held her hand and said earnestly, "We agreed a long time ago that what’s mine is yours, and what’s yours is mine. We’re one. I write the books, you promote them. We’re a team. You spend so much time organizing book signings and selling the books, and in the end, we both enjoy the profits. If anything, you spend more time than I do. And stop worrying about whose books they are. Whether they’re yours or mine, they belong to the Kelly family. Other families might leave their kids cars, houses, or fortunes when they grow up, but in the Kelly family, the legacy is a few books. These books are like an inheritance from the Kelly family, a gift. You can accept them without guilt. Why are you still hung up on this?"

"Then what inheritance did you get?" Kate asked, pursing her lips.

"Me? I got a lot," he pointed to his face and smiled. "For example, my handsome looks, strong physique, a talented writer sister, and your money is also mine, so I got more than you."

"You’re getting better at talking, huh? Is it because you’ve been practicing on so many girls?"

"Of course not. Everything I said is the truth." Luca shrugged.

Kate smiled lightly, then suddenly became serious. "You’re right. I have many titles and roles. They aren’t just honors, but responsibilities. I can’t just drift aimlessly anymore. I need to take on more responsibility."

"Uh...what are you planning to do?" Luca had a bad feeling.

"Fight for women’s rights!" Kate clenched her fist.

"How? Please don’t join any dangerous groups or do anything risky. Your safety is the most important thing."

"I know. At most, I’ll attend more international women’s conferences and donate more money to women’s organizations."

"Donate money?"

Luca regretted talking too much again.

"Donating is fine, but be careful where the money goes. Make sure it’s spent wisely."

"You don’t need to tell me that. Do you think I’m that easy to fool?" Kate elbowed him playfully.

"Ow! Fine, you’re the one who does the bullying."

Luca rubbed his shoulder and laughed.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 428: Should I Feed You?*

After returning to his apartment, Luca took a bath and changed into some light, casual clothes.

He sprawled out lazily on the sofa, feeling utterly relaxed after finishing his scenes. With the weight of filming lifted off his shoulders, he felt light and carefree, which was a very pleasant sensation.

“Here, have some vegetable juice. It’s detoxifying!”

Kate walked over, holding a glass of green juice.

“Do you have a straw? I don’t feel like using my hands,” Luca said lazily, his neck resting against the back of the sofa.

“Should I feed you then?”

Kate looked down at him, her long golden-brown hair flowing loosely. She wore a black silk camisole and sleek white Chanel trousers, looking both sexy and commanding.

“Uh... never mind, I’ll do it myself,” Luca said, sitting up.

“Don’t be shy. You’re a patient and should be taken care of,” Kate smiled slightly as she sat down beside him, bringing the glass to his lips.

Luca blinked, feeling suspicious. Was this a trap?

“If I drink it, you’re not going to hit me, right?”

“Hurry up and drink, or I really will hit you!” Kate said coldly.

“Alright, alright...” Luca smiled faintly and took a small sip. The taste was sweet and sour, a mix of apple, mango, frozen pineapple, kale, spinach, and yogurt.

“How does it taste?” Kate asked.

“Not bad. Very refreshing,” Luca nodded.

Kate smiled softly, “You’re a big star now. You can’t just have Tony around. How about hiring another assistant? Preferably a woman. Women are more attentive.”

“No, thanks. I don’t like people hovering around me. Besides, I can take care of myself,” Luca said, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

“Worried it’ll get in the way of your flirting?” Kate teased, bringing the glass back to his lips.

“A little. My relationships are complicated. If word got out, it could become a huge scandal. I don’t really trust anyone—except you,” Luca replied.

Kate smirked, “You know your personal life is messy. You should be more careful. Have fun, but don’t just chase thrills. Stay away from Jolie, Rachel, Theron, Scarlett, and Ann. They all have boyfriends, and things could get messy.”

“I know. Honestly, the thrill’s worn off. I prefer staying home... staying with you.” Luca buried his face in her soft hair, inhaling its wonderful fragrance.

“Get up!” Kate tugged at his ear and gave him a few more sips of juice. “You’re bored of playing around and now you want something new. The Victoria’s Secret show is rehearsing, and Lima and Miranda are both there. If you’re free, you could go check it out. There are lots of new faces in the modeling world. Maybe try setting up a date—plenty would be willing.”

“With Lima and Miranda around, are you trying to get me beaten up?” Luca asked, laughing.

“No, but you could sneak in and arrange a few dates. With your skills, no one would notice. Want to try?” Kate teased, blinking mischievously.

Luca shook his head firmly. “Stop tempting me. I’m not interested in them. When I modeled, did you see me fooling around with anyone?”

“What about Ann?”

“Ann was an exception. I was just a tool for her to get back at her boyfriend. Honestly, I got the short end of the stick.” Luca pouted.

“Haha, you’ve always been the tool—Ann’s, and many others’. Those women crave your body more than you crave theirs. It’s lust, not love. Otherwise, why didn’t they break up with their boyfriends to be with you?”

“It’s fine. I don’t mind. The more you gain, the more you give. I don’t have that much love to give anyway,” Luca shrugged.

“Ah, so it’s not that you’re generous, you’re just indifferent,” Kate laughed lightly, setting down the glass. “Speaking of the Victoria’s Secret show, they invited me to walk this year. I haven’t decided yet. What do you think?”

Luca rubbed his chin, “If you’re interested, go for it. I heard it’s the tenth anniversary, so it should be fun.”

“Yes, they took a break last year, and now they’re throwing a big celebration. Lots of supermodels will be there. But Emily and my PR team are worried it might affect my reputation since I’m also a writer.”

“Reputation is something we build ourselves, not something given by others. We’ve never relied on anyone, so do what feels right. Besides, you’ve got me—I’ll always have your back!” Luca said, pounding his chest with a smile.

“Haha, you’re so sweet!” Kate pinched his ears and playfully rubbed her nose against his.

After a while, Kate went to the kitchen to prepare dinner, while Luca headed to the gym to work out.

To prepare for his role, he had lost over 20 pounds and hadn’t trained much during the past month in London, only doing some light running. His body was a bit out of shape. Luckily, he didn’t have any filming for the rest of the year, so he had plenty of time to get back in form.

“Huff... huff...”

Luca, the true man, was hard at work training.

“Wow, I came back just in time to catch an R-rated scene. I might get a nosebleed,” Miranda entered the gym, arms crossed, her eyes glued to him, clearly enjoying the view.

“Was rehearsal fun?” Luca asked from the stretching machine.

“Very. So many beautiful women. I even recorded some videos. Want to see?”

Miranda leaned closer, asking.

“There’s a catch, right?”

“Haha, you’re too smart. My request is simple,” Miranda bent down, her glossy chestnut curls hanging down. She whispered, “I saw a video on YouTube of a guy doing push-ups with a girl sitting on his back. I want to film you doing that with me. Deal?”

“Will you post it online?” Luca asked.

“Of course! I’m one of the hottest creators on YouTube right now. I might even win an award this year. So, what do you say? Do we have a deal?”

“We’ve been rumored to have a thing before. Are you sure about this?”

“Totally! I don’t care about rumors. Plus, if you agree, I’ll tell you a life-or-death secret,” Miranda’s eyes sparkled as her fruity scent filled the air.

“Life or death? Isn’t that a bit dramatic?”

“I’m serious!” Miranda pointed to the wall, “Follow my finger. What do you see?”

Luca saw several baseball bats lined up on the wall, eight in total.

“Why so many?”

“Agree to my request, and I’ll tell you,” Miranda smiled, dimples forming.

“Fine, as long as Lima and Kate don’t mind, I’ll do it.”

“Leave that to me,” Miranda patted her chest, laughing. “But Luca, if I were you, I wouldn’t be working out right now.”

“Why not? You still haven’t told me about the bats.”

“The two are connected. A few days ago, Kate said you deserved a beating. Lima agreed, so the two of them spent three days shopping all over New York for the best-quality baseball bats.”

“Wait... you’re telling me they bought those to hit me?”

“Of course! What else? To play Whack-a-Mole?” Miranda grinned, clearly enjoying his discomfort.

Luca felt a chill run down his spine, his bones aching.

“Haha, scared? They were going to beat you, but since you got sick, they’ve postponed it. Now that you’re back to doing hundreds of reps, though, you seem healthy enough. Are you ready for your beating?”

“Miranda, what are you talking about?” Lima entered, stretching, dressed in a tank top and shorts, perfect for a workout.

“Lima, look! Luca’s doing great. He just knocked out over a hundred reps,” Miranda backed up, laughing.

“No, no, I’m not feeling well. Just look—I’m sweating and my legs are still wobbly,” Luca said, holding onto the machine as he shakily stood up.

“If you’re still not well, why are you working out? Should we take you to the hospital?” Lima asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“No, no need. I just got out of the hospital. The doctor said I just need some rest,” Luca panted.

“Alright then, let’s go get dinner.”

“Sounds good!”

The two walked out slowly.

“Hahaha!” Miranda was bent over with laughter, barely able to stand.

“What a coward!” she teased.

“Miranda, come eat!” Kate called from the kitchen.

“Coming!” Miranda replied.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 429: Luca Gets Shot*

"Do you want to take a shower?"

That night, Lima walked into the bedroom, drying her long hair. She was wearing a silver nightgown, with a white ribbon tied around her waist, her full chest tempting to burst out, and her long, tanned legs radiating allure.

"No, I already smell good."

Luca put down the book in his hands and kissed her. "Sweetheart, you look so stunning!"

"More stunning than those women outside?"

Lima asked with a playful smile.

"Of course! No one can compare to you."

Luca wrapped his arm around her waist, helping her dry her hair as he asked, "Has it been busy with the rehearsals these days?"

"Not too busy. We're still in the selection and fitting stage. Want to come and see?"

"Sure."

He suddenly thought of the baseball bat on the shelf and quickly changed his mind, "Actually, maybe not. 'North Country' is coming out soon, so I probably won’t have time these days."

"It’s fine. We have over a month before the show begins. When you’re free, you can come check it out. There are lots of beautiful women there. Want me to introduce you to someone?"

Lima smiled mischievously.

"I'm not interested in them. You’re the one I love the most!"

Luca pressed her shoulders down, leaned in, and kissed her.

"Luca, if you want to look, go ahead. I'm not that jealous."

Lima laughed softly, running her fingers through his hair.

"I know you're not jealous," Luca replied. Not jealous enough to hit me. "I just don’t like being in public too much. I’d rather stay home, read, and work out. It feels more meaningful."

"Alright, I was going to introduce you to some of my fellow Brazilians. This year, a quarter of the models at the Victoria's Secret show are from Brazil. There are even a few girls under twenty. When I see them, I feel like I’m getting old."

"Don’t be ridiculous. How could you be old? You're Lima, the supermodel, the famous designer Lima, and my Lima. How do they even compare to you?"

Luca slapped her butt in disapproval. "Why would you even compare yourself to them?"

Lima chuckled softly, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. "I know. What I meant is that starting next year, I plan to focus more on fashion design and brand promotion. Plus, I think it's time for me to have a baby. What do you think?"

"Great! Then what are we waiting for?"

Luca untied her ribbon.

"Wait a second. Will our baby have the last name Kelly?"

"Of course, what else would it be? Stop overthinking things."

"Hmm, you said it. If you ever leave me, I'll kill you and then myself."

A cold shiver ran up Luca’s spine. Was Lima about to turn dark too?

"Stop thinking like that. Am I really that unreliable in your eyes?"

"Haha, reliable? You?"

"Of course. You’ll see soon enough how reliable I am."

Luca let out a little huff and kissed her lips, not giving her a chance to say more. Otherwise, he’d be sleeping alone again tonight.

After two days of resting at home, Luca was back to work.

First, "North Country" was released in the U.S. on October 21. Luca attended the premiere in New York and joined the crew for several promotional events.

After the movie was released, the box office numbers were decent, and the reviews were even better.

It came in third place at the box office in its first week. For a small indie film, that was quite impressive.

At first, Luca was pretty happy, but one day Ed handed him a stack of newspapers, and his mood quickly shifted, his face turning dark.

The last time, he was still discussing career directions with Mr. Ross. But now, there was no need. A bunch of unscrupulous media had already labeled him—the best new-generation villain actor.

One paper even summarized his filmography.

From his first movie, Step Up, to Match Point, and now North Country, he had always played villains.

The critics praised him highly, saying he was perfect for villain roles, that the villains he played had depth. They even suggested he should continue playing more villains, assuring him he would achieve great success in that direction.

Reading these comments, Luca wanted to spit in their faces. I have a leading-man face. How do I fit into villain roles?  

"Luca, what do you think of these reviews?" Ed asked, holding a cup of coffee with a grin.

Luca snorted, "They’re trying to box me in as a villain. I won’t fall for it."

"Haha, Luca, don’t take it too hard. Playing villains isn’t so bad. A lot of people become famous for their villain roles. You should give it a shot."

Ed grinned.

"What do you mean, give it a shot? Look at my face. How does this look like a villain’s face?"

Luca grumbled.

Ed glanced at him seriously for a moment, then nodded. "Actually, it does. From our point of view, anyone with a good-looking face is a big villain. Oh, and a few days ago, I went to a darts club and saw some dartboards with your face on them."

Luca was stunned. "You’re joking, right?"

"Nope, I’m serious. Apparently, a lot of the club’s members are fans of Britney or Aniston, so they put your face on the dartboards. It’s quite popular."

"But don’t worry, I’ve sent them a legal notice demanding an apology and compensation. They cooperated quickly, taking down the dartboards and paying you $15,000 in damages for emotional distress."

"Fifteen thousand dollars? Do I look like someone who needs that money?"

Luca was annoyed.

He considered himself a good person. Aside from being a little flirtatious, there were no other blemishes on his character. Yet these people had turned him into a dartboard target just because of a few rumors.

The thought of darts piercing his face made him even more frustrated.

"Ed, they didn’t just violate my image rights; they threatened my life. Our lawyer should sue them for attempted murder."

"Are you serious? American laws protect Americans. You think you’ll win a case like that?"

Ed shrugged.

"Fine. I’m a good person and don’t deserve this kind of treatment. It’s so unfair."

Luca muttered unhappily.

Ed rolled his eyes, not feeling the least bit sorry for him.

Since the beginning of 2003, he had been advising Luca to clean up his image, but three years of advice had done nothing. If anything, the rumors had only grown. It made him feel completely defeated.

"Ed, if you want to maintain a good public image, you need to stay low-key."

"Low-key? Am I not low-key enough? I live like a hermit!"

"Hah! Even when you’re not around, the tabloids never stop reporting your scandals. This has been going on since 2003. You might as well keep going and try to break a Guinness World Record."

Ed laughed.

"Are you working for the enemy?"

Luca asked, his face darkening.

Ed quickly wiped the smile off his face and said seriously, "I’m not happy about it at all. I just think you should stay away from women for a while, or more and more people will hate you."

"Alright, I get it."

Luca took a sip of his coffee.

Ed shrugged, knowing his advice had fallen on deaf ears again.

He pulled out two scripts and placed them on the table.

"Forget about those critics. PR will handle it. Let’s talk about your next project. I’ve got two scripts here for you."

"What scripts?"

Luca wasn’t too excited at first, but when he saw the titles, he raised an eyebrow.

"Ed, did you pick these?"

"Check them out."

"Haha, your taste is improving."

Luca praised as he looked through the scripts. "Director Wong’s My Blueberry Nights, I’ve heard a lot about it. And this one, Atonement, based on the bestselling novel. I’ve read the book, and it’s fantastic. Ed, your professional skills are really getting better. Keep up the good work!"

Luca smiled.

"Do you want both projects?"

Ed asked.

Luca thought for a moment. Besides The Proposal next year, he had no other plans. He could take on a few more projects.

"I’d like to do both."

"Alright, I’ll do my best."

"I’ll be waiting for the good news!"

Luca smiled as he flipped through the scripts.

(End of chapter)

---

*Chapter 430: After All, You're a Man*

"Mr. Ross, how’s the distribution deal for Little Miss Sunshine going?"

In a Manhattan café, Luca met Mr. Ross again to discuss work. Little Miss Sunshine was completed in August, and in September, it was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The Toronto International Film Festival is different from Cannes and Berlin film festivals, which feature both screenings and awards. Its primary focus is showcasing new films, without a jury, competition, or awards.

However, each year, there is a People’s Choice Award, where the audience votes for their favorite film. This year, Little Miss Sunshine narrowly lost to the South African film Tsotsi by just 12 votes.

Even though it didn’t win, Little Miss Sunshine made a huge splash at the festival, attracting attention from many distributors. Several companies were eager to acquire the distribution rights.

Distribution rights are the legal permission to release the film or its copies to the public. The company that acquires these rights gets to decide the film's release date, quantity, pricing, and geographic regions.

More than ten companies submitted bids, but the offers were generally conservative. Luca wasn’t quite satisfied, so negotiations were ongoing.

"The highest offer is from Fox Searchlight, $11.5 million for global distribution rights. This is the best offer so far. What do you think, Luca?" Mr. Ross asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

"$11.5 million? I invested $8 million and only stand to make $3.5 million profit?"

"Only $3.5 million?!"

Mr. Ross choked on his coffee, coughing as he clutched his chest.

"Luca, 80% of indie films lose money. Not only is your film not losing money, but you're making $3.5 million! How are you not satisfied?"

"Of course, I’m not satisfied. Step Up was a $3 million investment, and I made $15 million. I spent $8 million on this film and only get $3.5 million? That's not even doubling my money! How could I be satisfied?"

"Doubling your money? Is that what you expect?"

Mr. Ross shook his head. I've never seen someone so greedy, he thought.

"Luca, the fact that this film is breaking even is already beyond anyone's expectations. The $11.5 million offer is solid. Trying to push for more isn’t realistic, so you should take the deal. Summit Entertainment already regrets passing on this film; don’t make the same mistake and end up with regrets too."

Luca smirked. "Mr. Ross, don’t you want to make more money? If we sell the film for more, your bonus will increase too. Wouldn’t you be happy about that?"

"Of course I want to make money, but the $11.5 million offer is the result of over a month of negotiations. We can’t push it further. No other distributor is going to increase their offer," Mr. Ross replied.

Luca paused for a moment. "Aside from Fox Searchlight, who else had the next best offer?"

"Touchstone Pictures. We worked with them on Step Up, and they made a killing from it. They offered 26% of domestic box office revenue, 12% of international box office revenue, and 5% of home video sales revenue."

"That sounds like a good offer! Why would you prefer the lower one instead of this better deal?"

Luca was puzzled.

Mr. Ross shook his head. "Revenue sharing is risky. What do you think the total box office will be for this film?"

Luca thought for a moment. "Conservatively, $70 to $80 million."

Pffft 

Mr. Ross spit out his coffee. "Conservatively $70 to $80 million? Luca, have you been blinded by the success of Step Up? You think every film you make will be a blockbuster? $70 to $80 million? You’ve got some nerve!"

Luca wiped his face, feeling a bit helpless.

He had originally wanted to say that it might gross over $100 million, but he held back to avoid shocking Mr. Ross. Even so, the reaction was still intense.

"Mr. Ross, you need to have more confidence. Little Miss Sunshine is a great film. I don’t think $70 to $80 million is out of reach."

"You're dreaming. According to data from FCT, the total box office will likely be around $40 million, with a margin of error of less than $2 million. This data is based on extensive analysis and comparison, and they’ve been right nine times out of ten. Their projections are far more reliable."

Mr. Ross didn’t want to argue anymore. Since Luca had entered Hollywood, everything had been going smoothly for him. He hadn’t yet faced the harsh realities of the business, which led to his overconfidence. Maybe it’s time to let him take a hard fall, Mr. Ross mused, stroking his beard.

"Mr. Ross, I trust my judgment more. Don’t forget, when no one was interested in this project, I saw its potential and spent heavily to make this film. Now that it’s doing well, doesn’t that prove my instincts are good? You should trust me."

Luca’s tone was firm.

Mr. Ross frowned. The kid had a point. The script had been passed around for five years, rejected by multiple studios. But Luca saw it, immediately invested, and even starred in the film himself. Maybe there was something special about this film that he had overlooked.

"Fine, even though I don’t understand your confidence, I’ll support your decision to go with the revenue-sharing model. Just remember, it’s a risky strategy. It takes time, sometimes a year or two, to see any returns. There was once an indie film company that went bankrupt waiting for their revenue share to come in. You need to be prepared for that."

"Uh..."

Luca hadn’t thought about that. It was true that revenue-sharing meant slower returns, whereas taking the money upfront was safer. If he invested it, he might make more in two years.

After thinking it over, Luca still chose the revenue-sharing option. First, he trusted that Bra Films wouldn’t go bankrupt, and second, he wasn’t confident he could double the money within two years. Sharing revenue seemed like the safer bet.

“I still want to take a gamble!”

“Alright, I support your decision!”

Mr. Ross patted his hat and thought to himself, "If we make money, everyone will be happy. If not, we’ll treat it as a lesson learned. It’ll be good for the kid either way," so he didn’t bother to say much more.

Just as he was about to leave, something suddenly came to mind. He stared directly at Luca, sizing him up several times, and the more he looked, the deeper his frown grew.

“Mr. Ross, is there something wrong?”

Luca felt uncomfortable under his intense gaze.

Mr. Ross hesitated for a moment, then whispered, “Last time when I visited Jennifer with Ms. Nia, I saw two little ones. Why do I feel like little George looks a lot like you?”

“Well... um…”

“Say no more, I get it. You’ve got guts, kid!”

Mr. Ross grinned, put on his hat, and walked out of the café.

Luca shrugged, holding a cup of coffee as he quietly gazed at the bustling street outside the window. Despite the noise and the crowd, he felt a rare sense of calm and leisure.

After sitting for a while, he glanced at the time, stood up, and left the café. It was time to check on the kids. They were almost six months old and still couldn’t say “dad,” which was really starting to worry him!

(End of Chapter)