381-385

*Chapter 381: What Color Are the Child's Eyes?*

“The first-week box office hit $50.34 million! Haha, I’ve succeeded again.”

It was noon on June 9th at B Plan Productions in West Hollywood, inside the president’s office.

Pitt was flipping through the files in his hand, unable to hide his joy.

A few days earlier, Mr. & Mrs. Smith had been released, and its box office results were outstanding. It raked in over $20 million on its first day, crushing big productions like Cinderella Man and Stealth. That feeling of trampling the competition was exhilarating.

However, Pitt also felt a twinge of regret. It was a pity they didn’t release Step Up at the same time. If they had, that little movie definitely wouldn’t have made as much money.

“How much did Step Up make this week?”

He flipped the file to the next page, and upon seeing Step Up's numbers, he slammed his fist down on the desk, his face darkening.

The data showed that Step Up pulled in another $6 million this week, ranking 15th in revenue, bringing its total North American box office to $89 million. It was only a matter of time before it hit $100 million.

“Damn it! That hick’s movie is actually going to break $100 million!”

Pitt was livid.

Before Step Up was released, he had been keeping a close eye on it, even reaching out to people at Touchstone to make sure it was scheduled during a death slot — the same timeframe as Kingdom of Heaven and Star Wars: Episode III.

Kingdom of Heaven had a big budget and was a high-quality production with potential to blow up. Even Mr. & Mrs. Smith had to give way to it, and there was no need to mention Star Wars: Episode III, which was expected to easily rake in at least $300 million.

With these two films squeezing it from both sides, Step Up was surely doomed.

When Touchstone scheduled Step Up for release on the 2nd, Pitt had been elated.

When Kingdom of Heaven came out, he had even gone to support it, thinking the more money Kingdom made, the less the hick’s movie would. If Kingdom blew up, Step Up would be crushed.

But nobody had predicted Kingdom of Heaven would flop halfway through.

A $140 million epic was utterly crushed by a low-budget film. It was incredibly humiliating.

Kingdom flopped, his plan failed, and the hick’s movie became a huge hit, winning two consecutive weeks at the box office. Global sales surpassed $100 million, with an estimated total of $130 million.

Every time he saw news like this, Pitt’s heart bled. If it weren’t for his interference, there’s no way that guy’s movie would’ve made so much money.

He had indirectly helped that Brazilian hick?

Whenever he thought about this, he felt nauseous, like he’d swallowed half a fly. It wasn’t until Mr. & Mrs. Smith was released and claimed the weekly box office crown that his mood improved.

“Hmph, Luca, you think you can compete with me? Your success was just a fluke, but I rely on real talent. This time you got lucky, but next time I’ll make sure you lose everything.”

Pitt sneered coldly.

Knock knock knock.

The glass door to the office was tapped, and his assistant, Wilson, entered.

“What is it?” Pitt asked, reclining in his chair, a cigar in his mouth.

“Pitt, the production team for The Departed just sent word that Jenny recommended Luca for the role of Dignan, the fourth male lead.”

“What?!”

“She gave that role to Luca?!”

“She actually gave that role to that hick?”

Pitt was furious, crushing the cigar in his hand into pieces.

The Departed had been greenlit before their divorce. It was an investment that would only pay off after the box office results came in.

Thus, Aniston still had some say on the set and could recommend a couple of minor roles. But Pitt had never expected her to give this role to Luca, and so openly, too.

Pitt was enraged. The Departed was his project, his turf, and now this guy had shown up on his territory.

He felt sick again.

Bang! He grabbed a golf club and smashed it onto the computer, shattering it into pieces.

Wilson sighed quietly. The papers had speculated that Pitt had issues managing his emotions, sometimes losing control. It seemed they were right.

“Pitt, don’t be upset. Director Martin Scorsese takes this movie very seriously. He’s very strict about casting, so Luca won’t make the cut.”

Wilson tried to calm him down.

Director Martin Scorsese was a well-known, powerful director, nominated six times for Best Director at the Oscars and winning once. With his reputation and skills, his decisions carried a lot of weight.

Every main actor needed his approval during casting, and even if Pitt asked, it wouldn’t matter unless Scorsese agreed.

Luca, having only been in a few films and being a Brazilian, had almost no chance of passing his scrutiny.

“I know, of course I know. But… Jenny has really disappointed me.”

Pitt gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with anger.

“Pitt, you’re divorced now,” Wilson reminded him. Jenny’s actions were a bit harsh, but it was mostly Pitt’s fault.

If Pitt hadn’t cheated, hadn’t been caught with Jolie multiple times, Aniston wouldn’t have filed for divorce. Pitt was at least 70% responsible.

“Even if we’re divorced, she’s still my ex-wife! What gives that hick the right to be part of her life? Is he better than me? What part of that loser is better than me? Tell me, what part?!”

Pitt swung the golf club in frustration again.

Today’s incident was just the trigger. Since last year, he had been holding in his anger. He used to believe Aniston would never leave him, that all her talk of pregnancy and divorce was just a woman’s game.

But she had actually gotten pregnant and still insisted on divorcing him.

He had almost died of rage at that.

In truth, Pitt preferred being with Aniston over Jolie. It felt more like a home with her.

But it was too late for that now.

After the divorce, he had kept tabs on Aniston, hoping to see how she was doing and if there was any chance of reconciliation.

But to his dismay, Aniston was thriving post-divorce, working out every day, spending time with the kids, hanging out with friends, always smiling, glowing with health, looking like she’d aged backward by ten years.

It was as if losing him had freed her.

How could he not feel depressed? He used to be her god, her emotional rock. Now he was nothing.

Huff, huff…

After venting, he sat back down, covering his forehead, his face clouded with anger.

“Wilson, how’s the thing I asked you to handle last time?”

“No results yet. Jenny is very cautious. The kids have personal security, and the villa is regularly inspected. It’s hard to get inside.”

“Don’t tell me how hard it is. I want results! It’s been almost two months. I just need one picture of the kids. Why can’t you get it?”

Pitt snapped.

Wilson sighed quietly. In truth, there was no point investigating further.

After the children were born, Aniston had taken great care to protect them, stating publicly that she didn’t want them disturbed, that she wanted them to have a peaceful upbringing.

This also suggested one thing: the twins’ paternity was questionable. They certainly weren’t Pitt’s children. But whose were they? Wilson was curious too.

“Do you know what color the children’s eyes are?”

Pitt asked coldly.

Wilson hesitated. “I believe they’re black.”

“Black? You’re telling me they’re black?!”

Pitt froze, and an unpleasant face flashed before his eyes. That damn guy had black eyes.

Could the kids be his?

“No way!”

“That guy was either in Brazil or the UK during that time. How could they be his?”

Pitt shouted angrily.

“I don’t know, but according to the detective, George’s eye color is indeed black,” Wilson said.

“Then tell me, how did they get together? Our people were watching them the whole time.

In early July, Luca was in the US. They only met once at a party. How could they have hooked up, and how could she have gotten pregnant?

I was with Jenny for four years, and nothing happened. How could he be the one?”

Pitt grumbled. When he heard Aniston was pregnant last year, he thought it was her way of holding on to him. But it wasn’t. The baby sped up the divorce instead.

From then on, he knew something was wrong with the baby’s paternity. He just couldn’t figure out whose it was.

After they got married, Aniston had few male friends. That damn Luca could only be considered a casual friend. If no other man had appeared in her life, how could she have gotten pregnant?

“Pitt, our analysis suggests that Aniston may have undergone artificial insemination. Luca might have been the donor.”

"Artificial insemination?"

Pitt frowned deeply. "If it's artificial insemination, what's her goal? Isn't she trying to trap me? Why would she divorce me after getting pregnant?"

".I don't know!"

Wilson shook his head. "Don't try to guess a woman's mind. You'll never understand it. But the reason for the divorce is probably on you, Pitt."

"If you don't know, then go find out! Check the hospital, her family, friends, assistant—no matter the cost, I need to know who the child's father is. How dare he get involved with Aniston before our divorce? He'll pay for this."

Pitt clenched his fists, eyes bloodshot, as furious as a lion.

"I understand!"

Wilson sighed. Another tough task.

"And what about that role you mentioned? Did Luca audition?"

Pitt asked coldly.

"He did. He just met with Director Scorsese."

"Hmph. Keep an eye on him. One way or another, I don't want to see him on set."

"Understood!"

Wilson left the office.

"Damn hillbilly, why do you always oppose me?! Wouldn’t it be better if you just left America? Why do you keep appearing in front of me, always being mentioned? That cursed Amazon native!"

Pitt stared at the fragments on his desk, wishing he could smash the hillbilly into pieces too.

"Pitt, the audition's over."

A while later, Wilson walked back in, disbelief written on his face.

Pitt looked at him, his expression turning cold. "Don’t tell me Director Scorsese liked that Amazon native."

"Unfortunately, yes. According to the people at the audition, Luca's acting was superb. He handled the character skillfully. Even though he's in his twenties, he had no trouble playing a cop in his 30s or 40s.

Director Scorsese believes he's perfect for the role of Dignan, and ultimately decided to cast him."

Bang!

"He cast him?! Doesn’t Scorsese know about the conflict between us? Doesn’t he know we’ve blacklisted Luca?"

Pitt slammed the desk.

"Director Scorsese probably knows, but when it comes to work, he’s very serious. He only cares about what's suitable, nothing else.

If someone fits the role, he’ll do whatever it takes to keep them. And as for Luca, over the past couple of years, he's starred in several films and received guidance from renowned directors. His acting has improved dramatically, on par with veteran actors."

Wilson felt helpless.

Originally, Director Scorsese wanted Dennis Leary to play the role of Dignan.

But Dennis Leary had a scheduling conflict with his TV series Rescue Me, so he turned it down.

This forced the crew to hold another round of casting. Big stars like Mark Wahlberg and Ben Affleck were interested in the part.

In the end, Luca got the role thanks to a recommendation from Aniston and his outstanding performance during the audition.

This was beyond what anyone expected.

"Pitt, the film hasn't started shooting yet. If you personally talk to Director Scorsese, he’ll definitely respect your opinion."

Wilson suggested.

“.”

Pitt pondered for a moment before picking up the phone.

"Haha, Marty, I heard you’ve cast the role of Dignan? No, no, I’m not trying to interfere. It’s just that, Marty, you know how important this project is to us at Plan B. I want you guys to create a classic, so I can't allow even the slightest flaw in the movie.

Haha, Marty, of course I trust you—no one is more suited to direct this kind of film than you. But you know, sometimes a good audition doesn’t guarantee the actor will perform well on set.

I hope you'll hold every actor to the highest standard. If anyone isn’t up to the task, don’t hesitate to replace them, no matter the cost to the production.

Alright, Marty, I trust you."

After chatting for a bit, Pitt put down the phone, his smile cold.

"Pitt, why not just kick Luca out?"

Wilson asked, puzzled.

"Hmph, kick him out? That would be too easy. This is my turf, and if he dares step into it, it’s a challenge to me. How dare a lowly Brazilian native provoke me? If I don’t teach him a lesson, what will people think of me? That I’m easy to push around?"

Pitt sneered.

"Pitt, what are you planning to do?"

Wilson frowned.

"We're all adults. When you make a mistake, you pay the price."

"Pitt, don’t do anything rash. There are too many people on set. If something happens to Luca, the police will suspect us first."

Wilson was worried.

"Don’t worry. I’m a good guy. I wouldn’t do anything illegal. We’ll handle this the way things are handled in our circle."

Pitt picked up his phone again and called Leonardo and Matt Damon.

It was rumored that both of them had issues with Luca too.

Since the three of them would be working together on this project, what would Leonardo and Matt do to Luca?

Haha, this feels like using an Eastern trick: 'killing with a borrowed knife.'

"Hey, Leo, let me tell you something. The role of Dignan has been cast, and the crew’s about to start shooting. Oh, and you know the actor—your old friend Luca. Yeah, Marty himself auditioned him and thinks he’s great. I hope you guys have a pleasant collaboration."

After hanging up, Pitt smiled in satisfaction.

"Wilson, keep an eye on the set. Let me know if anything happens. And contact the media—get them to report on some set news.

For instance, about how Leo had a dispute with a certain actor the first time they worked together. That actor not only clashed with Leo but also had issues with Matt, and because of his poor performance, he got kicked off the set and had to compensate the crew for financial losses."

"Understood!"

Wilson left to carry out his orders.

"Hmph, you want to take me on? What makes you think you can?"

Pitt puffed on his cigar, squinting his eyes.

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 382: I Really Didn’t Intend to Cheat*

"Luca, the pay has been negotiated. Take a look!"

In the coffee room at the Ford Modeling Agency in New York, Ed placed a contract on the table.

It was the acting contract for The Departed, which he had just finalized with the production team.

Luca glanced at it—the pay was $800,000, a decent figure.

"Was the process smooth?"

"Surprisingly smooth."

"Did Pitt interfere?"

"No!"

Ed frowned. "I'm curious. In the past, just a rumor would make Pitt try to blacklist you, but now you’re auditioning for his movie, and he didn’t interfere? Could it be that after the divorce, he’s willing to make peace with you?"

"Make peace? That’s impossible," Luca shook his head. In Pitt’s mind, if it weren't for him, they wouldn’t have divorced. Pitt had always seen him as the culprit, and if he could, he'd have him killed. There’s no way Pitt would let it go. Recently, Pitt had been making small moves against him, but the public was unaware.

"You know he’s targeting you, so why join this crew?"

Ed asked, puzzled.

"Ms. Aniston recommended me, and I wanted to give it a try. I didn’t expect them to cast me. As for why Pitt didn’t interfere, I have no idea."

"Could there be some kind of conspiracy?" Ed frowned deeply.

"Probably, but I wouldn’t worry too much. The project is a multimillion-dollar investment, and if it fails, he’d suffer the biggest loss. Would he risk causing trouble? If he dares, don’t blame me for flipping the table."

Luca spoke calmly.

"Luca, don’t be rash. You’re there to work, not to fight. If something happens on set, tell me first. Let me handle it, don’t blow things up. It won’t benefit anyone, and Pitt has strong connections in Hollywood. You’re not his match yet," Ed advised earnestly.

"Ed, relax. I’m a pacifist. I don’t like conflict," Luca chuckled, taking a sip of his coffee.

"I hope that’s true!" Ed forced a smile. After nearly three years of working together, he had a decent understanding of Luca.

Luca might seem gentle and laid-back, but he was actually quite petty and vengeful. Like last time, Nina had just made one remark about his bad behavior, and the outcome was telling. If Luca suffered this time, he would certainly get back at them.

"Mr. Dominic, would you like a refill?"

A young woman in a blue apron approached with a coffee pot.

"Oh, thank you!"

Ed lifted his cup.

Noticing her peculiar accent, Luca glanced up. The woman had an East Asian face, about twenty years old, tall—over six feet—wearing a white dress with a sky-blue apron. Her long legs were striking, well over a meter in length. Her figure was perfect, with a beautiful, classic oval face that seemed somewhat familiar.

"Miss, are you Chinese?"

Luca asked.

"Yes, Mr. Kelly. I’m Chinese. My surname is Zhang, and my English name is Irene. It’s a pleasure to meet you!"

The woman seemed very excited to be addressed by Luca.

At present, Luca wasn’t just the top model at the agency and the reigning champion of the male model income rankings—he was also a Hollywood star and a film studio owner. Many of the agency’s models were his fans.

Seeing him enter the coffee room, many models had wanted to greet him, but there were rumors that Luca was aloof and didn’t mingle with the agency’s models, making them hesitant. Initially, Irene Zhang had been unsure, but on impulse, she decided to go for it.

The closer she got to Luca, the more nervous she became. In person, Luca was even more handsome than in films—his well-fitted suit, sharp features, and those beautifully shaped lips seemed like a dream.

With Luca so close, Irene’s heart raced uncontrollably.

"Irene Zhang?"

It really was that long-legged Zhang Zilin.

"Miss Zhang, I haven’t seen you before. Did you just join the company?"

"Yes, Mr. Kelly. I signed with the company earlier this year. Last year, I won the New Silk Road Model Contest in Han Capital. I met Ms. Monet from Ford Models, and she invited me to develop my career in the U.S., so I came. I’m still in training, and I work part-time here when I’m free."

Irene was so nervous she started rambling, her face turning red as soon as she finished.

She silently berated herself for being too foolish. Luca had asked one simple question, and she babbled on about model contests and championships. What did that matter next to the top-earning male model in the world? Even mentioning her part-time job seemed ridiculous—Mr. Kelly was far too busy to care about that.

So stupid, Irene Zhang!

She scolded herself as her cheeks turned crimson.

"Miss Zhang, is your work going well here?"

Luca asked.

"Ah, it's okay..."

Irene thought to herself that it was actually terrible; she was on the verge of being fired due to poor performance.

"Keep at it. There are plenty of opportunities in the fashion world. With your potential, it won’t be hard to make a name for yourself. You might even become a supermodel."

"Me, a supermodel?"

Irene was stunned.

Mr. Kelly said I could become a supermodel? He himself was a supermodel, his girlfriend was a top supermodel, and his sister, Ms. Kelly, was an iconic supermodel. His words couldn’t be taken lightly.

Irene was overwhelmed. After a few tough months in the U.S., where she struggled with everything from food to sleep, she had been considering returning to China. But hearing Mr. Kelly’s encouragement, she resolved to give it another shot and aim for a long-term contract.

"Mr. Kelly, thank you for your encouragement. I’ll work hard!"

Irene bowed, said a quick goodbye, and started to leave with her coffee pot.

"Wait!"

Luca handed her a card with just a phone number on it.

"Miss Zhang, here’s my number. If you ever run into trouble in the U.S., feel free to contact me."

"Huh?"

Irene was dumbfounded, taking the card before walking away in a daze. It wasn’t until much later that she realized—Mr. Kelly had given her his card! And she had forgotten to thank him.

So foolish!

She scolded herself again, holding the card tightly. She alternated between laughing, feeling dejected, and spacing out, like she was playing a game of emotions.

"Irene, what did Mr. Kelly say to you?"

"Yeah, and did he really give you a card?"

"Did Mr. Kelly give you his business card?"

Several of the agency’s new models gathered around her, their eyes full of envy.

They had all been planning to flirt with Mr. Kelly. He rarely visited the agency and was known for not engaging with the other models. A few models who had tried to approach him before were met with failure. Afterward, they were even scolded by the supervisor for spreading rumors, as Mr. Kelly’s girlfriend was Lima, and no one wanted to risk offending her.

They had expected Irene’s attempt to end in failure, but she had managed to talk to him and even received his card. Having that card was like having a lifeline in the vast ocean. Everyone had heard that Miranda Kerr had once been helped by him in the past.

"Irene, can we see Mr. Kelly’s card?"

"Uh, no, sorry. Mr. Kelly wouldn’t like that."

Irene wasn’t foolish. She quickly tucked the card away, made her excuses, and left.

"Ugh, lucky b*tch!"

The others grumbled in disappointment as they dispersed.

"Luca, do you really think she can become a supermodel?"

Ed sipped his coffee.

"Yes, she has a chance."

"Hah! No way. She’s average-looking, talks too much, and is a bit clueless. Her performance in training has been poor—mostly Ds and C-minuses. She’s not worth the investment. The only way she could become a supermodel is if you decide to back her."

Ed chuckled, shaking his head.

"Is she really that bad? I think she’s on par with Miranda, with a sweet vibe."

Luca replied.

"No, no, they’re different. Miranda is Australian with a Western face, which the fashion world accepts easily. Zhang Irene, on the other hand, has very flat features, not much distinctiveness. You might recognize her today, but in a few days, you’d forget her face."

Ed stated firmly.

Luca smiled softly. A tall, long-legged beauty like Zhang Irene, and she lacked distinctiveness? Perhaps her facial features didn’t align with Western standards, but her unique presence certainly left an impression. The future Liu Wen, for example, built a career in the U.S. based on her resemblance to Mulan.

"Ed, I don’t value her because of her looks, but because of her nationality. She’s a Chinese model, and there aren’t many Chinese models in the industry.

China is developing rapidly. Back in 2000, it was only the seventh-largest economy in the world, and this year it has surpassed both the UK and France to become the fourth-largest economy.

With China’s development, it means they now have greater purchasing power and demand. In the future, more and more international brands will enter China, and when they choose models, Chinese models will be prioritized. That’s where her value lies.

A few days ago, Kate and Lima were discussing opening a brand store in China, and they’ll need a Chinese model. I think Zhang would be a perfect fit, which is why I gave her a business card. Do you understand what I mean now?”

Ed nodded, “I understand. As countries develop, companies are becoming more diverse in hiring models, bringing in models from various nations. That’s how Zhang Yilin got in, but her performance has been pretty average. It’ll be hard for her to become a supermodel.”

“That’s fine. As long as she can make money, it doesn’t matter if she becomes a supermodel or not. Right now, there aren’t many famous Chinese models, so there’s less competition among them.

Ed, if I were you, I’d sign her, take her to fashion weeks, package her as a supermodel, and then have her develop in China. In less than five years, you’ll definitely make more than you would in the U.S.”

Luca said calmly as he stirred his coffee.

“I’ll seriously consider your advice,” Ed hesitated as he spoke.

Luca shook his head, knowing that Ed’s idea of ‘considering’ meant going home to consult with Nina. If Nina supported it, Ed would eagerly sign the model, but if she opposed it, no amount of persuasion would work.

“Alright, whether you sign her or not is up to you. I’m heading to the set tomorrow to start filming, so I won’t have time to deal with the fashion industry anymore.”

With that, Luca left the company in his car.

“Luca, you’re back!”

At home, Kate had just returned as well. She had been busy with her new book signing event.

On May 7th, the third book in the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn, was released to great fanfare. It first made waves in the U.S. and then caused a worldwide sensation. The first printing was one million copies, and on the first day alone, over 150,000 copies were sold, knocking Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince off the top of the bestseller list.

In one week, it sold 250,000 copies, topping the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.

With the fourth book's release, the first three in the Twilight series (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse) also climbed back onto the bestseller lists. In a little over a month, they had sold over 800,000 copies.

Now, the four Twilight books (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn) had sold a total of 10 million copies.

Among female authors, Kate Kelly had quickly become a representative figure. In 2004, she earned $25 million in royalties, placing her second on the list of wealthiest female authors.

This year, between March and April, she also won book awards in the U.S., UK, and Brazil.

“Kate, how was the book signing event?”

“Not bad, just a bit exhausting!”

Kate lay on the sofa, lifting her left hand, which trembled slightly from all the signing she had done today.

“You’ve worked hard!”

Luca sat down and began massaging her wrist.

“Today, Emily mentioned your new novel Before I Met You. She’s planning to release it soon. What do you think?”

Kate leaned on his shoulder and asked.

“That’s fine. I’m working on another novel now. By the time this one is out, the new one should be ready, and we can release it next year.”

Luca said nonchalantly.

“You’ve written another one?”

Kate looked at him in surprise and grabbed his ears, inspecting him closely.

“What’s wrong?”

Luca asked, confused.

“How are you so amazing? Other people struggle to write one novel a year, but you write several! Did you get hit on the head by an apple or something?”

“What’s the big deal? A novel is just an expanded screenplay. You write a framework first, then slowly add the details. It’s really simple. Didn’t you try it before? How’s your practice coming along? Want to try writing a few short articles?”

“Me?”

Kate shook her head. “I can’t do it. Last year, the book club wanted me to write a feminist novel.

I tried for a week and only managed to write a hundred words. No matter what I wrote, it felt awkward. I almost pulled all my hair out. I thought about it and decided to give up. I just don’t have that skill.”

“You want a feminist novel? I’ll write one for you in my next book.”

Luca laughed.

Kate chuckled. “Didn’t you say you were a straight man through and through? Why do you keep writing women’s novels? Is there a little girl hiding under your macho exterior?”

“Of course not. My scripts are all straight-man series.”

“Liar. You’re totally my sister, Luca!”

Kate teased him, wrapping her arms around his neck and playfully roughhousing with him.

The next day, Luca got up lazily and drove to the Boston set, ready to begin filming."

(End of chapter)

Chapter 383: I Hope You Can Leave

At the beginning of June, the crew of The Departed arrived in Boston to begin filming.

This movie is a remake of the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs, but the story has been fully Americanized.

The setting was changed to Boston, focusing on the story of a gang and police force infiltrating each other with undercover agents, each trying to outwit the other.

The two protagonists are played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon. Leonardo plays the police mole, while Matt Damon plays the gang's infiltrator.

Compared to the original, the mafia boss Frank has significantly more screen time, becoming the third major male character. This role is played by veteran actor Jack Nicholson.

Luca plays the fourth male lead, Dignam—an officer from the State Police Special Investigations Unit, who primarily manages informants.

After half a month of shooting, they reached Luca’s scenes. Today's shoot involves the two main characters entering the state police headquarters, where Luca’s character accompanies the Special Investigations Unit leader Quinn to interview the two newcomers.

The shoot took place near Orange Avenue, in a high-rise office building. The key players in this scene are Luca, Matt Damon, Martin Sheen (playing the team leader), and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Once filming started, Luca stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows with his arms crossed, scrutinizing Matt Damon as he walked onto the set.

Luca wore middle-aged makeup, dressed in a wrinkled brown shirt, looking in his 30s or 40s.

"Congratulations on passing the police exam, and welcome to the Special Investigations Unit," said Quinn to Matt Damon's character.

"I really don’t know why they hired you," Luca quipped.

Damon, dressed in a suit, stood with his hands behind his back at the desk. He glanced at Luca after hearing his comment.

"You’ll be working with Captain Ellerby from now on. Even though you're not under me, I'll be watching every one of you," Martin pointed to the window. "If you work hard, you’ll be promoted in no time."

"Like a twelve-year-old kid growing up fast," Luca joked.

"Thank you for the reminder, sir!" Matt Damon responded.

"You're welcome," Luca said indifferently.

"Good luck!" Quinn said.

Matt Damon left the office.

“Cut!”

"That’s a wrap for this scene. Let’s prepare for the next one!"

They shot this scene three times and got it right.

The next scene involves interviewing the other lead, Leonardo’s character Billy.

Billy is a police mole. When he was young, his father was killed by the gang boss Frank for not paying protection money. Billy grew up determined to become a cop and fight crime.

However, Billy's two uncles were involved with the gang, and his family had close ties to the mob, which made his background check difficult to pass.

During the interview, Luca’s character, Dignam, aggressively tests him with harsh words.

Before shooting, Luca and Leonardo rehearsed the scene several times, making it run smoothly.

"Do you know what our department does?" Quinn asked.

"Yes, sir. I know!" Billy nodded.

Leonardo’s Billy looked like a young man after makeup, making him appear much younger when standing next to Luca’s middle-aged character, almost like father and son.

"You know? No, no, you don’t know. You don’t know anything, got it? Not a bit," Luca said sharply, arms crossed. "If you knew, that would mean we’re doing a terrible job, get it? That would make us crap. Do you think we’re crap?"

Billy looked at him, wanting to retaliate but holding back.

"Officer Dignam has his own way of handling things. We all need to adapt," Quinn mediated.

"Now, let's talk about your family's connection to the South Boston gang. Your family has ties to the mob, right? Let’s start with your uncle Jesse," Luca stood up, hands in his pockets, looking down at him.

"...He worked for George Marsh," Billy hesitated.

"Worked for? He was just a low-level bookie, running a small bar in Somerville. He got whacked in ’95, and we found his body at the airport, didn’t we?"

Luca smiled lightly.

"Yes, you're right," Billy nodded, loosening his tie. "I remember his funeral."

"Was the casket closed?"

"Yes."

"Cut!"

"Hold on. This scene needs a little adjustment," called director Martin Scorsese.

Luca stopped acting and walked to the director’s area.

Director Scorsese, art director Kristi Zea, and writer William Monahan were all gathered together discussing the scene.

"Luca, your tone needs to be sharper," Scorsese said.

"Yes, Luca, this scene isn’t just about showing Dignam’s style. It also serves to test Billy. Billy grew up in a mob-connected neighborhood and is now entering the state police. Dignam is wary of someone like him, and before accepting him into the Special Investigations Unit, he needs to test if Billy is really on the side of the police, or if he's a mole sent by the mob," writer William Monahan added.

"Got it. I’ll pay attention to the tone."

The key to portraying Dignam isn’t about being handsome. Trying to look cool would ruin the role. To nail it, Luca needed to emphasize Dignam’s sharp tongue and odd personality. Once that was captured, the role wouldn’t be too difficult.

"Leonardo, hold back a bit at first. You’ll have more of an emotional explosion later. Your performance needs to build gradually," Scorsese told Leonardo.

"I’m good with that," Leonardo replied casually.

"Luca, you’re antagonistic towards him. Your tone needs to be sharp, like a sword, piercing him bit by bit. The harsher, the better. Leonardo, your character is a rookie. When he attacks you, hold back your response. Try to capture that feeling," Scorsese explained.

"Understood!" both actors responded.

After some discussion, they went back to prepare.

"Hey Luca, want some coffee?" Leonardo offered, holding a cup of coffee.

"I’ve got this," Luca lifted a thermos with red pellets floating inside.

"What’s that?" Leonardo asked curiously.

"Herbal tea from the Far East," Luca answered.

"Tea? It looks nice."

"Yeah, want a cup?" Luca offered.

"No thanks," Leonardo shook his head, sipping his coffee. "Luca, there’s something I need to tell you."

"What’s that?"

"Uh, your performance earlier... it was terrible," Leonardo laughed.

Luca raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"I mean you’re seriously slowing down the crew’s progress. We used to finish a scene in three takes, but since you’ve been here, every scene takes at least five. Do you know what that means? It means I have to spend more time on set."

"Thanks for the advice, Leonardo. I’ll try to adapt quickly," Luca said calmly.

"No, no, it’s not about adapting. You need to wake up and leave this crew. You should know this role doesn’t suit you. You’re in your twenties; you can’t play this part. Acting with you has been awful. Do you know why I’ve been so agitated in the scenes? It’s because of you! Your performance is too raw, and it doesn’t give me the intensity I need. If you were stronger, my performance would have no problems. Understand?"

Leonardo pointed at him.

"Are you finished?"

"So, are you leaving? If you do, we’re still friends. If not, I’ll make sure you feel the pressure during future scenes."

"Leonardo, you’re hilarious!" Luca waved him off and returned to the set. He wasn’t worried about the pressure. The more intense it was, the more he thrived.

"That guy’s improving fast," Leonardo shook his head. "Pitt, I’ve done all I can."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 384: I Will Kill You

"Wilson, how's everything going with the production recently?"

In the office of Plan B Company, Pete lightly hit a golf ball with his club, watching it roll smoothly into the hole.

"Everything's normal!"

Wilson, standing nearby, replied.

"Everything's normal?"

Pete frowned, "Leon and Matt didn’t step up? With their acting skills, it should be easy for them to suppress that country bumpkin. If they overpower him, Martin will be very disappointed."

"No, Pete, you haven’t watched Luca’s films in a long time. His acting has improved tremendously, now matching his status—he’s reached a B-level performance, on par with Matt, though a bit below Leon. Completely overpowering him is difficult."

Wilson paused before continuing, "A few days ago, when Luca first joined, Leonardo tried to suppress him in a few scenes."

"And?"

Pete asked curiously.

"Leonardo suppressed him in three scenes, but Luca handled them all. After that, Leon didn’t try anymore, and there hasn’t been any conflict between them since."

"And Matt?"

"Matt Damon and Luca don’t share many scenes. Their relationship on set is rather distant, but both are professional enough not to disrupt the shoot."

"So, Luca has been fully accepted by the crew?"

"I believe so!"

Wilson responded.

Smack!  

Pete swung his golf club hard, sending the ball flying out of the window, drawing an arc through the air before landing in the park below.

"Pete, I think this is a good thing. The company has invested heavily in this project. If the crew runs into trouble, we’ll lose a lot of money. If they finish the shoot smoothly, we can make a fortune once the movie hits theaters. Luca is working hard, making us money—what's wrong with that?"

Wilson reasoned.

"Do I care about the money? No, I don’t. What I want is a scandal. I want Luca humiliated and thrown out of the entertainment industry! But that hasn't happened. Have you read the news lately?"

Pete pointed angrily at several newspapers. "Look at these! They’re saying I’ve buried the hatchet with him and that we’ve put aside our differences to collaborate on a film. Absolute nonsense—clearly that hillbilly is behind it!"

"Well, Pete, this type of news isn’t necessarily a problem."

"No problem?"

Pete scoffed, "Everyone used to know I was trying to blacklist Luca. Friendly film companies even cooperated by boycotting him. Now, suddenly we’re working with him? What will those companies think? They’ll stop boycotting him. We broke the unspoken agreement first—no one else will want to blacklist him anymore."

"Damn it! I’ve done something really stupid."

Pete clapped his hand to his head, regretting his earlier decision. At the time, he had only wanted to bring Luca into the production to humiliate him, forgetting the consequences of giving him a role. Those consequences had led to the breakdown of the blacklisting effort, making it much harder to blacklist Luca in the future.

It was only recently that he realized his mistake, and once he did, he was filled with regret.

"Pete, the blacklisting has been ineffective for a while. Ever since Step Up became a box-office hit, several film companies have extended olive branches to Luca. The blacklisting effort was already over."

Wilson added.

"But I don’t want to let him go!"

Pete shook his head, tossing aside the golf club and grabbing his phone.

"Hey, Leon, how’s the shoot going? I hear that Brazilian guy’s acting is terrible. I’m thinking of replacing him. What do you think?"

"Replacing him?"

Leon’s voice on the other end sounded hesitant. "Pete, you know how busy I am this year. I’ve got Blood Diamond coming up next. If you want to replace him, do it quickly—I don’t have time to waste."

Pete frowned, "Okay, I understand."

"Pete, are you really going to replace Luca?"

Wilson asked.

"Yes, though Leon doesn’t seem to agree."

Pete ran his hand through his slicked-back hair.

"Pete, I don’t think replacing Luca is a good idea either. If he makes some dumb mistake on set and the crew turns against him, sure, we can replace him. But right now, both Martin and the other leads are happy with him. Replacing him forcibly would mean compensating him under the terms of his contract—it’s not worth it."

"The money doesn’t matter. I want that hillbilly out of Hollywood!"

Pete slapped his forehead in frustration. "I shouldn’t have trusted Leon and Matt. I should have kicked him out during the audition. Now he’s settled into the crew. How am I supposed to deal with him?"

"Pete, there’s no need to worry about that. Luca’s really enthusiastic about investing in films right now. After Step Up became a hit, he’s been planning to invest in another movie. But he seems to have forgotten that investments come with risks. Not many people make money in Hollywood. Give it a year—when his next movie flops, he’s going to lose a ton of money. Wouldn’t you love to see him suffer then?"

Wilson laughed.

Pete stroked his chin, deep in thought. "But what if his next movie is also a hit?"

"I don’t know. We can beat a Superman, but we can’t beat someone blessed by Lady Luck."

Wilson shrugged.

"Good point."

Pete smirked. "But what if Lady Luck abandons him and Lady Misfortune takes over?"

"What do you mean?"

Wilson asked curiously.

"Heh, I’ve got a plan. Go to the production department and find a project that looks great on the surface but has a fatal flaw. Make sure it requires a big investment."

"Pete, what’s your plan?"

Wilson asked, puzzled.

"You don’t need to know that yet. Just find the project."

Pete waved his hand dismissively.

"Alright, Pete!"

Wilson left the office, but as he reached the door, he paused, sighed softly, and went into the restroom.

"Pete isn’t giving up on getting revenge on Luca. He’s got a new plan."

After sending a message, Wilson glanced at himself in the mirror before leaving the restroom.

*Ding!*

On the Boston set, during a lunch break, Luca received a text message.

"A big conspiracy is heading your way, details unknown. Stay alert!"

"Thanks for the heads-up, Jenny. How are the kids?"

Luca texted back.

"They’re great! Adorable and chubby. If I didn’t have to work, I’d just cuddle them all day."

"I miss them too. When I get back, I’m going to hug them as much as I can."

"They’re mine. You’re not allowed to hog them."

"I know!"

Luca smiled.

"Mr. Kelly, we’re ready!"

The stage manager called out.

"Got it!"

Luca replied to the message, straightened his clothes, and walked onto the set.

The scene was under a bridge, and the wind was strong, ruffling his hair.

Today's scene involved Leon's character, Billy, meeting two investigators. After spending a year undercover with the mob, Billy had reached his breaking point and wanted out. Luca's character, Dignan, coldly rejected him, which led to a confrontation.

"Leon, Luca, remember to stick to the rehearsal choreography."

Director Martin instructed.

"Understood!"

Both replied, moving into position.

"Leon, Luca, during the fight, follow the routine carefully. Leon, you’ll strike Luca on the side of his face—do it quickly. Luca, make sure you dodge faster."

The stunt coordinator explained.

"Got it!"

"Luca, how about we make this a real fight?"

Leon joked.

"No need. Not worth it!"

Luca wasn’t interested. It was a simple fight scene, and he’d mostly be defending. If they fought for real, he'd be at a disadvantage.

"Luca, you’re not dedicated enough. Not very professional."

Leon teased.

"I’m still learning. When I’ve mastered that professionalism, we’ll spar for real. Deal?"

"Not interested!"

Leon flicked his cigarette away and took his position.

"Scene 5, take 3, action!"

"You think you can just hit people? You broke Jimmy’s jaw—he’s a Boston PD undercover officer!"

Luca walked up, angrily confronting Leon.

Leon retorted with more anger, pacing around. "I’m losing it! I can’t keep pretending to be someone else. It’s been a year, and I’ve had enough!"

"Calm down. Most people are pretending in some way—it’s not a big deal."

Luca’s character was indifferent.

"I’m not one of those people! I can’t take it anymore!"

Leon growled.

"You signed the contract, do you understand? We're the only two people in the world who know you're a cop. What if we destroyed your file?"

Luca smirked, "If we destroy your file, you'll really just become one of Frank's lapdogs. Then, you can just wait to be arrested. Who knows how many crimes you've committed."

"I'm gonna kill you! I'm gonna kill you, you son of a—!"

Leon swung and hit him in the arm.

Luca stepped back and sneered, "Oh, are you mad now? I thought you were a tough guy, but you're just an Irish wimp."

BAM!

Suddenly, Leon rushed at him without warning and punched him square in the face.

Luca tried to dodge, but the punch still grazed his cheek.

“Cut!”

“Luca, are you okay?”

Director Martin shouted.

"I'm fine. I'm good," Luca replied, rubbing his cheek, though it hurt a little.

“Sorry, Luca. I got a little too into it and forgot to give you a heads-up. You alright?”

Leon asked apologetically.

"I'm good, let's keep filming!"

This jerk definitely did it on purpose. Normally, during a scene like this, the person throwing the punch would give a signal so both actors could work together. But Leon hadn't.

Could this be Pitt's scheme? No, it can't be that simple.

Luca clenched his fists. So, you dare hit me? Don't you know I never forget a grudge?

"Scene 5, take 3, action!"

(End of chapter)

Chapter 385: The Man Kissed by the Goddess of Luck  
New York, Kate & Lima Design Company.

 “Luca, the newspaper says you fought with Leon. Is that true?”

 Behind the desk, Kate asked with a smile while typing on her computer.

 “Not at all. Last time we were filming an action scene, we got too into it, and it looked real. People on set thought we were actually fighting. Later, someone leaked it to the press, and that’s how the rumor started.”

 Luca shrugged, a bit helpless.

 During the last fight scene, Leon punched him for real, and when they tussled, the acting got pretty intense.  
People around them thought they were genuinely fighting, and rushed over to break it up, but nothing had happened.  
Someone later told a tabloid reporter about it. 

 The **Boston Evening News** published the story in their entertainment section.  
The article detailed the history of their supposed feud—from Leon's breakup with Kate, to rumors of his relationship with Bundchen, then claims that Leon was involved in blackballing him. The first time they worked together, Leon supposedly gave him a hard time, and the reporter even wrote about their first day on set.

 The report spanned over 5,000 words with several pictures, taking up nearly half a page.  
After the article came out, the **Boston Evening News** had a brief surge in popularity. Normally, their daily sales were around 10,000 to 20,000 copies, but this time they sold over 40,000. Other media outlets picked up the story, causing quite a stir.

 Eventually, both Luca and Leon stepped forward to clarify that none of it was true, and that it was all a misunderstanding. Things finally began to calm down.

 “Luca, you and Pitt don’t get along. Did you get bullied on his set? Leonardo and Matt Damon are there too. I heard from Kate that you clashed with Matt when you first met. He’s the lead this time—did he give you any trouble?”

 Lima leaned against the floor-to-ceiling window, sipping on a bright red strawberry juice.

 “No, Martin is the one with the most authority on set. With him in charge, no one dares to cause any trouble. Delaying filming would mean getting yelled at. As for Matt, apart from acting together, we barely interacted. We’re like strangers,” Luca explained briefly.

 “What about the leading lady, Vera Farmiga? How did you get along with her?” Lima asked.

 Kate snickered, “Luca, this is the real question. You better be honest or you’re in trouble!”

 Luca shook his head. “We didn’t have any scenes together. I only saw her twice on set, said hello, and that’s about it.”

 He added, “She’s not particularly attractive, especially compared to us handsome guys. A newspaper even said she lacked presence and wasn’t stunning enough for the lead role in this movie.”

 Originally, Martin Scorsese had hoped for Kate Winslet or Hilary Swank to play the female lead.  
However, with the film's $90 million budget, hiring a big-name actress would push it over $100 million. Since the role wasn’t very significant, more like eye candy, both actresses weren’t interested.  
Eventually, they settled on Vera Farmiga.

 Last year, Farmiga won the Best Actress Award at the 20th Sundance Film Festival and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress for her role in **Down to the Bone**.  
She had decent acting skills and was affordable, which is how she landed the role.

 “Lima, are you satisfied with his explanation?” Kate asked, spinning a pen in her hand with a smile.

 Lima rolled her eyes, “I was just asking out of curiosity, I wasn’t suspicious of him. There’s no ‘satisfaction’ or ‘dissatisfaction’ here.”

 “Luca, did you hear that? Lima was just asking casually. So why are you explaining so much? Are you hiding something? Maybe there *is* something between you and Farmiga!” Kate teased.

 “Stop it, I’m a professional actor. Even though I might be a bit of a mess in my personal life, I don’t fool around on set.”

 He glanced at his watch. “It’s five o’clock. Weren’t you just saying you wanted to go shopping and attend the Madonna concert together? When are we heading out?”

 “Alright, since you’re so eager, let’s get going,” Kate said, standing up and stretching. 

Luca smiled gently and draped her coat over her shoulders.

 The three of them left the building together.  
The evening view of New York was beautiful, and the trio spent the evening shopping, having dinner, and attending the concert.

 Britney Spears made an appearance too as a guest performer. She went onstage and sang **Queen** with Madonna.  
During the performance, the two suddenly kissed, sending the crowd into a frenzy. It was certain that tomorrow’s headlines would feature the kiss.

 After filming the first half of **The Departed**, Luca and a few other supporting actors were given a two-week break.  
Half of the movie was shot in Boston, the other half in New York. Originally, director Martin Scorsese had wanted to shoot the entire movie in Boston, but New York offered a 15% tax incentive, so plans changed.

 The crew filmed in Boston for about six weeks starting in June, with Luca’s scenes taking less than two weeks.  
The rest of his scenes would be shot in August in New York, where he had another week of work left.

 During this break, although it was supposed to be time off, Luca didn’t get much rest. He spent a day with Britney on Long Island Beach, two days babysitting at Jennifer Aniston’s house, and on top of that, he had to manage a few of his companies.

 His life was busier than on set.

 A few days later, director Woody Allen called him to Cannes, France.  
The 58th Cannes Film Festival was about to begin, and **Match Point** was set to screen in the non-competition section. 

 “Good afternoon, Director Allen. Good afternoon, Ms. Soon-Yi,” Luca greeted as he arrived at the Blue Coast, a tourist beach in the southern port city of Cannes.

 “Hey, Luca, congratulations!” Woody Allen said, sitting up.

 “Congratulations on what?” Luca took off his sun hat and sat down beside them.

 “On your movie’s success! It’s hard to believe that a film with a $9 million budget made over $108 million in the summer box office. Sometimes I wonder if you’ve been kissed by the Goddess of Luck,” Woody Allen said enviously.

 Allen had seen **Step Up**, and while he didn’t care much for it, it wasn’t his kind of movie.  
Yet somehow, the film grossed over $100 million at the box office and earned $132 million globally.  
The success of such a small production had shocked many, especially during a summer crowded with big-budget films.

 Big productions like **Kingdom of Heaven**, **Cinderella Man**, **The Island**, and **Stealth** all flopped.  
Meanwhile, **Step Up** managed to climb to fifth place among more than fifty summer releases. 

Some newspapers jokingly claimed that Luca had hired an Amazonian shaman to curse his competitors.  
Others said his success was simply due to good luck, as if kissed by the Goddess of Luck.

 “Maybe,” Luca laughed. “I guess I am pretty charming, so getting kissed by the Goddess of Luck doesn’t sound too far-fetched.”

 “Haha, you rascal,” Woody Allen chuckled. “But don’t get too cocky. There’s a lot of risk in investing in films. You might have struck gold with your first film, but that doesn’t mean your next one will be as lucky. People are watching you now, so be careful with your next project.”

 “You’re absolutely right. I’ll be more cautious,” Luca nodded.

 After a day of fun in the beautiful town of Cannes, the next day marked the beginning of the Cannes Film Festival, with several films scheduled to be screened at the Palais des Festivals.  
The opening film was Woody Allen’s **Match Point**, and Luca would be attending with the rest of the cast.

 (End of chapter)