256-260

Chapter 256: Luca Says He's Not Acting Anymore

"Ugh~"

At noon, in a café beneath the BRA Studios building in West Hollywood, sunlight poured through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm, golden-orange glow, much like the comforting smell of hot coffee in the air.

Luca, seated on a beige sofa, yawned as he set down a stack of documents.

"Luca, what's up? You look so out of it."

Billy, the director, looked up from his paperwork across the table.

"I've been working on a new script the past few days, and last night I suddenly had a burst of inspiration, so I stayed up late writing."

Luca took a sip of hot coffee, the rich flavor waking him up a bit.

"Ah, I thought you were out partying at a nightclub."

Billy gave him a playful smirk.

"I don't like nightclubs. They're too loud and crowded."

"You don’t act like a young guy at all!"

Billy teased.

Luca smirked and tapped the folder. "Let's talk business. Everything seems fine, but why did we name the company 'BRA Studios'? People are gonna think we're selling lingerie."

After deciding to work together, Billy and Annie Fletcher had moved quickly, setting up the company within a week. Luca invested $2.2 million, Annie $1 million, and Billy $800,000, with Luca owning 55% of the shares.

During that time, Luca had been busy with modeling gigs, leaving company matters to Billy and Annie, only hiring someone to oversee the finances.

Now that he had some free time, he came by to check on the company’s progress.

The company had hired more than ten people and was running smoothly under Billy and Annie's management. But the name? A real issue.

BRA Studios? What kind of name is that?

Billy chuckled and swiped a finger across the table. "BRA wasn't just some random name. 'B' is for me, Beeley; 'R' is for you, Luca; and 'A' is for Annie. We could have gone with RAB or ABR, but this one sounded more... stylish, so we went with it."

Luca raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Alright, how’s the movie coming along?"

“The crew and production team are nearly set. We're aiming to finish casting before the end of the year and start shooting by March or April next year.”

Luca nodded. “Nice, anything you need help with?”

Billy hesitated for a moment. "Annie and I disagree on the lead actress. She knows a few dancers who can act and wants to cast one of them."

"Sounds good. You don't agree?"

"Yeah, those actresses have dance skills, but they're not well-known and aren't particularly striking. Plus, they’ve never played a lead role, so it’s a big risk."

"My suggestion is to cast someone with good looks, dancing skills, and box office appeal—a second-tier star like Natalie Portman, Jessica Biel, Anne Hathaway, or Katie Holmes. We have plenty of options.

"You're a second-tier star yourself. Pairing you with another second-tier actress would guarantee decent box office numbers."

Luca stroked his chin, thinking. Annie's approach was practical, while Billy's was more about marketability. Considering Annie was the original director, Luca leaned more towards her choice.

“Billy, your idea’s solid. A second-tier actress would minimize financial risks, but have you thought about this?”

Luca slyly added a transition.

“What?”

Billy frowned.

“Our production budget is only $8 million. Not a penny more. If we hire a big name, that’s at least $2 million in salary. Do you think you can make a high-quality film with just $6 million left?”

“...”

Billy went silent for a moment before responding, “So, you think we should go with a lesser-known actress?”

“For a coming-of-age dance film like this, it makes sense to cast a newcomer. 'Step Up' is an inspirational story, and using fresh faces adds to its authenticity. Besides…”

Luca paused for a moment. “I’m not planning to play the male lead anymore.”

“What?”

Billy was stunned. “But we agreed on this! Why the sudden change?”

Luca shrugged. “Billy, have you seen the papers recently? People have a lot of opinions about me, and there’s a lot of gossip circulating in the industry. If I take the lead role, it could hurt the film's success.

“To be safe, I suggest casting someone else as the lead.”

Before investing, Luca was eager to play the male lead. It would have boosted his star power if he did well, and even if he failed, it wouldn’t be a big deal.

But now that he was investing in the movie, he had to think more carefully. Should he take the lead, or let someone else handle it?

After much consideration, he decided to step back and focus solely on writing and producing.

Ever since "Honey" premiered, he’d been having a rough patch. The media kept bashing him, and it influenced how many American viewers perceived him.

Recently, some even claimed that many people refused to watch "Honey" because of him.

The situation was bad.

If he took the lead again, the risk was high.

His main goal in investing in movies was to make money. As long as the film made a profit, he didn’t care about much else.

Besides, part of the film's charm was the chemistry between the male and female leads. Right now, he had a girlfriend, and with all the rumors surrounding him, he wasn’t suited to play a wholesome young man.

There were other considerations too.

Since coming to Hollywood, he’d written songs, copied scripts, and acted in films, but none of it had amounted to much.

Although his two songs received positive reviews, they were only recognized within the music industry, and he was just a lyricist.

Since he couldn’t prove his acting skills on screen, he figured he’d focus on his writing.

If the script he wrote became a box office hit or won awards, it would certainly improve his reputation with audiences.

This would be his way of redeeming himself.

It would be a slow process, but it was necessary.

During this period of rebuilding his reputation, he’d focus on honing his acting skills by playing smaller roles, gradually shifting public perception.

Once things were more neutral—let’s say "Fifty Shades of Grey" neutral—he’d go for the male lead again.

“Luca, you don’t have to take those media reports too seriously. They’re just targeting you on purpose. Your acting is solid, and you look great for the part. I think you should reconsider.”

Billy earnestly tried to persuade him.

Luca spread his hands. “If I hadn’t invested in this movie, I would’ve jumped at the chance to play the lead. But now that I’m an investor, I’m more cautious, and it’s affecting my mindset.

“I’m not confident I can do this role justice, so I think it’s best we recast.”

“I see.”

Billy scratched his chubby chin and sighed heavily. “If that’s your decision, I respect it.”

“Thank you.”

Luca smiled softly and shook Billy’s hand.

“Let’s talk about the script. That’s my expertise. Also, regarding filming locations, I agree with Annie’s decision. Baltimore would be a better fit. I’ll be heading back to New York soon, and I can swing by Baltimore to scout out better spots.”

After discussing the casting, the two of them chatted about other matters until around 3 PM, when Luca finally left.

“Goodbye, Luca! I’ll be in touch if anything comes up!”

Billy waved as Luca walked away, then suddenly clenched his fist and shouted, “Yes!!!”

“Hey, Annie, I’ve got great news. You’re gonna be thrilled when you hear it!”

Billy excitedly pulled out his phone.

“What’s the news?”

Annie sounded tired from work.

“Luca said he’s not playing the male lead anymore.”

“Really?!!”

Annie asked over the phone, “Is this for real?”

“Of course, he told me himself.”

“Hahaha, that’s great news! Honestly, he’s not a good fit right now. Casting him would’ve been risky.”

Annie sighed with relief.

“Yeah, I thought so too. Looks like Luca was worried about that as well. I’ve got to give it to him—he’s pretty self-aware.

“That guy’s always in the tabloids, stirring up trouble and pissing people off. If a scandal broke out around the time of the movie’s release, we’d be done for.

“Now that he’s stepping back, I feel a huge weight off my shoulders. Hahaha~”

Billy laughed, but then suddenly felt a chill behind him. He turned around in confusion and froze.

“Uh, Luca, why are you back?”

“...”

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 257: You're Just Moved by Yourself*

"Honey, I'm serious, I really like you."

"Michael, let go of me, no, stop!"

"You can't do this, let go of me!"

"No, I like you."

Smack!  

In a large theater in the DC district of New York, Luca sat in the middle row. When he saw Michael getting slapped in the movie, he felt a faint sting on his own face.

"Ross, what do you think of my performance?"

He turned to look at his acting coach, Ross.

Back when he first entered the industry, Ross and Billy kept feeding him flattery, telling him that he had a natural talent for acting, a striking image, and great potential. They said he was sure to become a superstar.

He believed them.

Thinking he had decent qualifications and a unique edge, he figured becoming a big star like Leonardo DiCaprio or Brad Pitt wouldn’t be too hard.

But reality hit hard.

Again and again. Not only did outsiders criticize him, even his partners started to. He was on the verge of depression.

Returning to New York this time, he specifically found Mr. Ross and invited him to watch his movie, hoping to get some honest feedback.

"Wait, let's talk after the movie."

Mr. Ross waved his hand, his eyes glued to the screen, looking quite serious.

"Alright," Luca nodded quietly. Ross was paying close attention, truly professional—no wonder he was a seasoned Broadway veteran.

"Jessica's body is so hot," Ross suddenly muttered.

"What?" Luca frowned at Mr. Ross.

"Did I say something?" Ross shrugged nonchalantly.

Luca smirked. "Ross, is this your first time seeing this movie? I'm your student, my new movie is out, and you didn't even show up to support it. I had to pay for your ticket."

"I’ve been busy with rehearsals lately, no time to watch movies."

"Really?"

Luca shook his head. "Now that you've seen it, can you give me some feedback on my acting?"

"Emm, out of ten, I’d give you a six. Barely passing."

"Can you be more specific? A lot of the reviews in the papers are nonsense. Many criticisms are baseless. I'd like your professional opinion."

Luca said earnestly. He was completely lost in his acting career and was even considering giving up, so he needed some real advice.

Mr. Ross stroked his beard. "Luca, this is only your first film, so you don’t need to worry too much. Just the fact that this movie got so much attention is already surprising.

Most actors need to be in two or three movies before they even get noticed.

In terms of influence, you've achieved your goal.

As for how you did? Well, there's no definitive answer to that. Some say you can gauge it by critics and box office performance, but as a Brazilian actor and a Hollywood playboy, if you're expecting praise from American critics, you'd have to pay for PR yourself.

Now, about the box office..."

Mr. Ross shook his head. "In this movie, you’re just a secondary, no, a tertiary male character. Does the box office success even have much to do with you?

The main reason for a poor box office is usually related to the director, script, leading actors, marketing, and competing films.

As a minor supporting actor, your involvement might account for 5% at most.

So there's no need to stress over it."

Luca nodded slightly. That was exactly what he thought—without him, the box office would’ve been even worse.

"Let’s talk about your acting then."

"My acting?"

Mr. Ross stared at the screen for a while. After watching Jessica finish her dance routine, he slowly said, "I gave you a passing score—do you know where the missing four points are?"

"Please, tell me."

"First, it’s on the director. His directing skills are average, and he didn’t manage to guide you well or bring out your strengths.

Second, it’s your co-star. Acting requires a connection, and you and the lead actress didn’t have good chemistry. You both acted, but couldn’t create the atmosphere the script demanded. The emotions were off, like in the slap scene. The lead actress wasn’t tense enough, and you weren’t angry enough.

It lacked emotional impact.

The same issue appears elsewhere in the movie.

Third, it's your role choice and your acting itself."

After the movie ended, the two left the theater and went into a café on the street.

Mr. Ross ordered a black coffee and continued, "You said you spend a long time memorizing lines, blocking, and understanding your character before each scene, right?"

"Yes," Luca replied while stirring his coffee.

"But have you ever considered your co-star’s role? Have you thought about what their performance would be like? Different actors bring different skills, personalities, and professionalism. Have you considered that?"

Luca shook his head. "I thought about it during rehearsals but didn’t focus much on it."

"That’s your problem."

Mr. Ross sipped his coffee, wrinkling his brow. "Whenever I get a role, I spend over 70% of my time and energy before filming thinking about my co-star—not just their character, but who they are as an actor.

By doing this, you can trigger your co-star’s emotions during the performance.

You pave the way for them, they pave the way for you, and the scene flows smoothly. Sparks fly, and the effect is greater than 1+1."

Luca nodded thoughtfully. When filming this movie, he knew how his character should be played, so he didn’t prepare much. Let alone think about his co-star’s role.

And at the time, Jessica was distant, so they didn’t interact much off set.

"Let’s take the slap scene as an example. I remember the promotion said it was a real slap, right?"

Mr. Ross smirked.

"Yes," Luca shrugged.

"Then you got slapped for nothing," Mr. Ross laughed, adjusting his glasses. "A real slap is all about instinctive reaction. The moment you’re hit, you should instantly show anger.

But your anger was clearly acted.

You were ready to get slapped and then put on an angry expression. What’s the point of this other than moving yourself?"

"..."

Luca felt awkward. During the shoot, he did feel a sense of self-sacrifice, thinking he was being professional and dedicated. Now it seemed like it didn’t matter at all.

"Mr. Ross, how would you have done it?"

"Me?"

Mr. Ross thought for a moment. "I’d eat some garlic in advance and breathe on her as I got close."

"Ugh..."

Just imagining the smell disgusted Luca.

"Disgusting, right? That’s exactly the point."

Mr. Ross laughed while stroking his beard. "In that moment, you’re assaulting Jessica. To her, you’re disgusting. She hates you, so she’d be eager to slap you and push you away. That’s how you provoke your co-star and pave the way. Did you do that?

No, you didn’t!

You both treated it like a game. The emotions weren’t there, and the director didn’t push for it either.

This is what happens when a mediocre actor meets a mediocre director.

It’s a miracle this movie even did as well as it has!"

Mr. Ross lit a cigarette, waving the matchstick as the smell of phosphorus filled the air. "In my day, even an extra could act better than you guys. I can’t understand the film industry anymore."

Luca chuckled. "Back in the '60s and '70s, it took two or three years to finish a movie. Now it’s done in a few weeks. Can we really compare?"

"True. Today’s film industry is heading towards mediocrity."

Ross blew a smoke ring, sighing. It was one of the reasons he no longer wanted to work in movies—the gap was just too wide.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 258: My Goal is the Best Actor Oscar*

"Mr. Ross, I asked you out today because I have something I'd like your help with," Luca said after a moment of hesitation.

"Go ahead, what is it?"

"Well, recently, I partnered with someone to open a film company."

"A film company?"

Mr. Ross burst into laughter but accidentally inhaled some smoke, which sent him into a coughing fit.

"Luca, you're just a newbie in the industry. You're not even qualified to be an actor, and now you're opening a film company? Do you have that much money?"

"Not really, I only invested around two million."

"Two million is not a small amount! Are all models this rich? I've acted my whole life and never made that much. Being good-looking sure has its advantages," Mr. Ross said sourly.

"We're talking about the film company!" Luca emphasized.

"There's nothing more to say. Say goodbye to that two million; you'll never see it again."

"Is it really that brutal?"

"Of course it is! This is Hollywood we're talking about!" Mr. Ross sighed, looked up at the ceiling, and began recounting his story.

At 23, Ross graduated from NYU and worked as an opera actor on Broadway for four years, earning a bit of fame in the theater world. In the 1980s, when Hollywood was booming, he couldn't resist the temptation and moved there. He acted in over a dozen films, made some decent box office earnings, and even got an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

After more than ten years in Hollywood, he had earned over a million dollars, became a millionaire, and married a beautiful actress.

But, unable to resist his friends' encouragement, he partnered to start a film company.

The ending was tragic.

His wife left, his savings of over ten years were gone, his house and car were mortgaged, and he ended up owing tens of thousands. In the end, he slinked back to New York, scraping by on Broadway.

Every time he thought about it, he regretted it. Over a million dollars, gone in a blink.

"Sigh, if only I had known better!"

Mr. Ross finished his coffee in one gulp. "Luca, before you go any deeper, you need to have a clear understanding of Hollywood.

Right now, there are nearly a thousand film companies in Hollywood, and fewer than 50 make real money. New companies open every day, but more go bankrupt just as quickly.

You see the big seven studios in Hollywood? Well, there's really only one. They're united in their interests: they make money off audiences on the outside and off small film companies on the inside.

It’s a monopolized industry. You think you can make money off of them?"

Ross shook his head and swallowed the words “You’re being naive,” then simply said, "You're still too young. You underestimate how deep Hollywood goes."

"But I’ve already jumped in. 2.2 million— I’ve mortgaged my house."

"You're braver than I am!" Ross teased.

Luca shrugged. "So, things are already tough. I've prepared to lose money. My goal now is to complete the project and minimize my losses."

Ross nodded slightly. "So, what did you want my help with?"

"Well, I heard you have a lot of connections in the industry. I was hoping you could recommend someone who knows the ins and outs of film production— ideally someone with producer experience. I don't have much time to spend at the company."

The film was about to start shooting, and Luca was one of the producers of Step Up. But he hadn’t given up on acting and didn’t have time for all the administrative work. He needed someone reliable, preferably someone Ross knew well.

"And... what’s the salary?" Ross asked after a moment.

"Standard producer salary, with standard benefits!"

"Well, what do you think about me?"

"You?" Luca was surprised. "Mr. Ross, aren’t you in the middle of rehearsing a new play?"

"Yes," Ross shrugged, "I’ve organized another stage play, but we're halfway through rehearsals and running out of funds, so I had to pause. Otherwise, why do you think I have the time to sit here and have coffee with you?"

"Mr. Ross, this job is exhausting. Are you sure your health can handle it?" Luca hesitated.

"I run 5 kilometers every day; it’s part of being an actor."

"Then, we’ve got a deal!" Luca smiled, extending his hand.

Before coming to New York, Luca had spoken with his mentor, Nia, and learned about Ross's situation. He needed someone reliable, and despite Ross’s artistic inclinations, he hadn't turned his nose up at the paycheck— American dollars are still pretty tempting.

Ross was experienced and had a wide network of connections in the industry. His joining put Luca at ease. They spent the rest of the afternoon discussing the company's plans and the details of Step Up.

It was almost 6 PM when they finally wrapped up the conversation.

"Wait a minute, Luca!" Ross hesitated as Luca was about to leave. "Want to work on your acting?"

"Of course! My goal is to win the Best Actor Oscar."

"..." Ross was stunned for a moment. "You’re still holding on to that unrealistic dream?"

"Of course! My goal is unwavering," Luca said earnestly.

Ross shook his head. "Fine, if that's your goal. But if you want to be a real actor, you should start on Broadway. Do you know that more than 80% of Oscar-winning actors and actresses have performed in small theaters?"

Luca nodded. "I know that. Only the strongest actors dare perform in small theaters."

"Exactly. Small theaters are incredibly challenging for actors. The demands are high, and the improvement you can achieve there is enormous. Do you know the biggest difference between stage acting and film acting?"

"Tell me!"

"Immediate feedback!" Ross explained. "In film, it can take over a year to know if you did well. But on Broadway, you get that feedback immediately from the audience’s reaction. You can adjust on the spot.

In a small theater, the audience has a high level of aesthetic appreciation. They’re even more critical than professional film critics. If you perform well, they’ll applaud you. If you’re terrible, they’ll boo you off the stage, and sometimes they might even throw a shoe at you. They are your harshest teachers, supervisors, and critics."

Luca nodded in agreement.

Broadway was like traditional drama back in his home country— it was considered high art, catering to a cultured audience. The actors were all highly skilled, and it was almost impossible to fool the crowd.

"Luca, up for the challenge?" Ross asked with a sly smile.

Luca frowned in thought for a moment. This was a great opportunity.

It was hard for ordinary actors to get on a small theater stage to hone their craft. Competition was fierce, and only high-quality productions survived, which was why Ross hesitated earlier.

"Thank you, Mr. Ross!" Luca smiled.

"Don’t thank me. You’ll be crying later."

"I won’t!"

"We’ll see."

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 259: Finding Some Fun*

In the evening, Luca returned to his apartment on 76th Street.

He was the only one at home.

He changed into some loose clothes, grabbed a can of dark beer, and sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the sunset sky and the bustling street below. Cars flowed, and people hurried by.

Compared to his estate in Los Angeles, this place felt more like home.

Living here was more relaxing.

After thinking for a while, he took out his laptop and started typing, continuing to write Fifty Shades of Grey.

After playing a few games with Julie last time, he had a burst of inspiration and came up with several chapters over the next few days.

Compared to the original, the language was more concise, and the plot was bolder, more explicit.

Once the novel was uploaded to the website, it quickly attracted a large group of LSPs (Lustful Street People).

Hundreds of people urged him to update every day, and some even sent private messages asking for explicit photos, wanting to learn from his "experience." Some even asked if he was a member of certain clubs and expressed a desire to join in the fun.

Luca just smiled at the comments. He was using a pen name—if he accidentally revealed his real identity, he'd be labeled a playboy for sure, and no amount of effort could clear that name.

He opened his personal homepage. The novel Fifty Shades of Grey popped up. After being published for a little over two months, it had garnered over 1.2 million views, placing it in the top 50 on the entire site—a truly impressive achievement.

*Ding-dong~*

Another person wanted to chat privately. This one claimed to be an editor at a publishing house, expressing great interest in turning Fifty Shades of Grey into a physical book.

Luca ignored it. From the very start, he made it clear that Fifty Shades of Grey was a fanfiction of Twilight, and since the second book in the Twilight: Breaking Dawn series hadn't even been released yet, he wasn't considering a physical book at the moment.

He glanced at the comments section again—over 200 more unread comments.

Most of the readers of this book were LSPs, both male and female, who discussed some seriously perverse and filthy things daily. It was like a gathering of perverts.

Luca carefully read through the comments and learned quite a bit.

One reader described several of her sexual experiences in great detail. The content was realistic, intense, and vividly descriptive—something that could only come from personal experience. The comment reached over 2,000 words.

Without hesitation, he marked it as a featured comment, humorously adding that the author was still alive.

After finishing the comments, he closed the laptop and grabbed a bottle of fresh milk to replenish his nutrition.

*Ding-dong, ding-dong~*

The doorbell rang.

"Knock, knock, Luca! I'm here!"

Standing at the door was Fanny, dressed in a spaghetti strap top and short shorts, carrying a shoulder bag and a guitar. Her face was flushed, and she was breathing heavily, probably from running too fast.

As soon as he opened the door, she jumped into his arms.

"Fanny, why are you here at this time?" Luca asked curiously.

"I got your call this morning and wanted to come over right away, but I was afraid you'd say I was skipping class. I could hardly wait until school ended to come. So, how did I do? Was I good?"

Fanny wrapped her arms around his waist, her bright eyes looking up at him.

"Not bad at all!"

Luca smiled lightly and closed the door behind her.

"Have you eaten yet?"

Walking into the living room, he placed a bottle of soda on the table.

"No, Luca! Are you going to cook? I love your cooking," Fanny said eagerly.

Luca raised an eyebrow, "I can cook, but I didn’t prepare many vegetables. How about some spaghetti?"

"That works!"

"Give me a moment!"

Luca headed into the kitchen.

Since he was only staying for a couple of days this time, he didn’t buy much fresh produce—just some tomatoes, broccoli, onions, and of course, beef.

He planned to make braised veal with tomatoes, a side of broccoli salad, and spaghetti. It seemed like a decent combination.

"Luca, I wrote a song for you! Want to hear it?"

Fanny, carrying her guitar, eagerly followed him into the kitchen.

"For me?"

Luca stopped chopping, feeling a bit uneasy.

"Yep!"

Fanny perched on the counter, legs swinging, and began strumming her guitar.

Her playing was so skilled it made him blush.

He had tried learning guitar for a while but quickly gave up since he had no musical talent.

*Ding-ding-dong-dong~*

After finishing the intro, Fanny started singing:

**"Let's have some fun, this beat is sick.

I wanna take a ride on your disco stick.

I wanna kiss you..."**

"Uh..."

The song sounded familiar, but the lyrics were way too suggestive.

Luca, cutting tomatoes, couldn’t help but blush.

**"Don't think too much, just bust that thick.

I wanna take a ride on your disco stick.

Let's play a love game, play a love game..."**

Fanny danced around while singing, turning the kitchen into her personal nightclub.

*Ding-ding-dong-dong~*

After one round, she set down her guitar and grinned, "Luca, what do you think?"

Luca gave her a thumbs-up, "Amazing! You’re really good. If you release it, it’ll definitely be a club hit."

"Haha, you think so too?"

Fanny beamed, "I even showed the demo to The Matrix, and they loved it too!"

Luca twitched his lips, "But you said you wrote this song for me?"

"Of course! Didn’t you get that?"

Fanny raised an eyebrow, her gaze intense.

Luca shook his head, "Fanny, you really shouldn’t say that. If people find out, I could be in serious trouble. The lyrics alone are criminal evidence."

"I get it, I get it. You’re such a wimp!"

Fanny waved dismissively.

"It’s not that I’m scared. My reputation’s already bad enough. Haven’t you read the tabloids?"

"So what? Scandals just show you’re popular. The girls all like you. They all want to sleep with you, right? That just proves you’re awesome."

Fanny teased, leaning close to him.

"But too many scandals are ruining my career. I’m practically unemployed now."

Luca sighed.

"Who cares about that? When I become a star, I’ll make tons of money. Then I’ll take care of you!"

Fanny proudly patted her chest.

"Don’t talk nonsense!"

Luca laughed, realizing he might actually be well-suited for the role of a kept man.

Fanny giggled, hopped up on the counter, and watched as he skillfully chopped vegetables. She picked up her guitar again, strumming a playful tune. The kitchen was filled with a warm, cozy atmosphere.

"Dinner’s ready!"

After a while, the delicious spaghetti was served.

With the pasta, braised veal with tomatoes, beetroot soup, salad dressing, and a glass of Bordeaux wine, the meal looked and smelled incredible.

"Luca, being your woman must be pure happiness!"

Fanny said as she took a bite of the veal.

"Thanks!"

Luca smiled and swirled his wine. "I hope you find someone who makes you happy too."

"I don’t need anyone else."

Fanny lifted her chin and firmly said, "I’ll create my own happiness. I don’t need anyone to give it to me."

"Fair point!"

Luca had to admit, she had a strong argument.

Fanny smiled, then said, "Luca, can I be your woman?"

Luca froze for a second. "Didn’t you just say you’d create your own happiness? Besides, I’m a scoundrel."

"No, you’re my happiness."

"...Stop it. Eat your pasta before it gets cold."

"Hmph, you stubborn old man!"

Fanny wrinkled her nose and fiercely bit into the pasta.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 260: Sorry I Took Your Spotlight

"189, 190, 191..."

In the apartment gym, Luca was doing pull-ups, shirtless, his muscles tight and well-defined. His back formed a V-shape, and his skin glistened with a light sheen, making him look incredibly attractive.

"Uncle Luca, your body is amazing! If I live with you long enough, my hormones will definitely go crazy,"

Fanny said as she did planks on the floor, snapping photos with her phone while drooling at the sight.

The photos captured Luca's flawless physique—smooth, fair skin with beautifully shaped muscles, perfectly proportioned. Unlike bodybuilders, his body wasn’t overly intimidating but just right, making it impossible not to want to stare.

"Whoo!"

After two sets of pull-ups, Luca let go of the bar and exhaled.

His entire body felt alive with energy. His pecs, biceps, and abs were bulging, feeling as firm and hot as freshly baked buns. It gave him a strong sense of power.

He loved this feeling. Every time he finished a workout, looking at his toned muscles gave him a real sense of achievement.

"Uncle Luca, don't put your shirt on just yet! I need a few more pics,"

Fanny said, holding up her phone.

"Stop fooling around. When you're working out, you need to focus. Concentrate on each muscle for the best results,"

Luca said, wiping the sweat off his chest, then pressing down lightly on her waist.

"Hey!"

With just a little pressure, Fanny collapsed onto the ground.

"Uncle Luca, you're bullying me!"

She bit her lip, pretending to look pitiful.

Luca flicked her forehead. "I'm just keeping you on track. If you want to be a big star and perform hundreds of concerts, your body has to be in top shape. Ask Britney. Even with her packed schedule, she still carves out at least 15 hours a week to work out. You're not even in the industry yet, so now's the time to master the basics."

Fanny scrunched her nose and grinned. "Uncle Luca, Britney’s body is smoking hot, and she knows a ton of dance moves. I bet getting into bed with her is... ouch, okay, I’ll stop!"

She covered her forehead and quickly shut her mouth.

"Quit the nonsense. Back to your workout!"

Luca put his finger down and headed to the shower.

Around 10 a.m., after dropping Fanny off at school, he drove to 666 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan for the Zara clothing launch.

Zara, a top Spanish fashion brand, is well-known for its trendy streetwear, selling clothes, accessories, shoes, and perfumes.

Before his reputation tanked, he had signed an $80,000 contract with Zara, attending events in L.A., Las Vegas, and now New York.

"Luca, over here!"

Ed waved from a seat in the lobby.

"Hey, Ed! How did the talks go?"

Ed shrugged. "Not great. They took your opening spot and gave it to Ben Hill."

"Ben Hill?"

Luca smirked. That guy’s everywhere. "It's fine. I don’t care about the opening as long as the paycheck stays the same."

"Are you sure?"

Ed grinned.

Luca chuckled lightly. "I’ve got thick skin; a small setback like this doesn’t faze me."

"Glad you understand."

Ed sighed, relieved. He’d been worried Luca might quit over being sidelined, but it turns out he had nothing to worry about—Luca could handle it.

After a quick chat, Luca made his way backstage.

New York, being the heart of American fashion, had an even grander atmosphere than L.A.

There were many familiar faces backstage today.

David Gandy with his blue eyes, last year's top earner Noah Mills, and bad boy Eric Rutherford were all there.

He also spotted Thomas, whom he hadn't seen in a while. They exchanged nods.

"Hey Luca, long time no see!"

David Gandy was leaning back in a chair, smoking a cigarette while a makeup artist shaved his beard.

"Yeah, David, you look even better without the beard!"

"Haha, I think so too!"

"Hey, Luca, I heard you lost the opening spot?"

Noah Mills called out from beside a clothing rack.

"Yep, guess I wasn’t a good fit."

Luca shrugged and greeted a few more people before sitting in his chair.

"Don’t sweat it, man. It’s just the opening."

Tony reassured him as he fixed Luca’s hair.

"Nothing I can do about it. Too much drama around me right now."

"Yeah, you’re too popular,"

Tony laughed, then helped tidy his hair.

Suddenly, a smattering of applause broke out backstage.

"What’s happening?"

Luca glanced in the mirror and saw Ben Hill walking in with three assistants, looking very full of himself in a suit and glasses.

"Ben, congrats on landing the opening!"

"Ben, I heard you’re on the cover of the next issue of GQ. Impressive!"

"Go, Ben!"

The backstage chatter got louder.

"Thanks,"

Ben Hill smiled modestly and walked over to the preparation area next to Luca, giving him a sideways glance with a smug smile.

"Sorry I took your opening spot!"

Ben said, clearly gloating.

"No worries, I’m still the top earner, right?"

Luca grinned.

"Only by 300k. I’ll catch up soon."

"But 300k is still a gap, isn’t it?"

"Hmph!"

Ben scowled and sat down. A moment later, he snapped at an assistant.

"Why is my preparation area number 2 when I’m the opening model?"

"Apologies, Mr. Hill. I forgot they changed the lineup,"

a staff member explained.

"Well, fix it!"

Ben stood up, arms crossed.

"Mr. Kelly, could you please switch seats?"

The staff member asked apologetically.

"Does it really matter where we sit?"

Tony grumbled, putting down his scissors.

"Of course it does. Our Mr. Hill is the opening model, and opening models have privileges,"

Ben’s assistant gloated.

"Privileges?"

Tony scoffed and whispered something to the staff member, who nodded and switched the numbers on the seats.

"Mr. Hill, it’s been fixed. You’re now number 1."

The staff said.

"First is first. It’s the truth, and that can’t be messed up!"

Ben declared dramatically.

"Yes, Mr. Number 1,"

the staff member said sarcastically as they walked off.

"Heh,"

Tony chuckled and whispered to Luca,

"Don’t let this guy steal the top spot from you. He’s way too arrogant."

"I’ll do my best,"

Luca replied, though he was starting to feel the pressure. It was getting harder to stay on top.

"Luca, want to make some money?"

Thomas suddenly asked, leaning in.

"Money?"

Luca raised an eyebrow. It had been a while since he’d seen Thomas, but he looked to be doing well, reportedly making a lot of cash lately.

"Yeah, I know a few brands that love you. Want to meet them tonight?"

"Tonight?"

"Yep, they’ll be at the party later!"

"Alright then!"

Meanwhile, Ben Hill smirked.

Later that afternoon, after the Zara launch, they attended a cocktail party where Luca, in a fresh suit, met some brand reps.

What happened next left him completely stunned.

(End of Chapter)