161-165

Chapter 161: Competing for the Spotlight

"What's wrong with your face?"

In the parking lot of Corte Tower One, Ed frowned as he stared at Luca, who had just gotten out of the car.

The purpose of attending the party was to promote Luca and get the attention of brands. But now, with him looking like he’s been roughed up, how can he make a good impression?

Luca shrugged. "Got a little too into filming yesterday, ended up with a minor injury."

"Injured while filming?!" Ed was surprised. "The promo says The Day After Tomorrow is a sci-fi movie. How’d you get hurt?"

"Sci-fi can still have action scenes, you know, like The Matrix. Lots of punches and kicks," Luca said while throwing a few mock punches.

Ed gave him a sideways look, then smirked. "You're really pushing it for just $500."

"Of course," Luca said with a wry smile. "Ed, I don't think I should attend the party like this. How about we head back?"

"No way. We're already here, so we might as well go check it out. If anyone asks, just say you got injured during filming and stick to that story."

"I really did get injured on set. What else am I supposed to say?" Luca emphasized.

"Exactly. That tone — firm, no doubt. Your acting is getting better," Ed said, nodding approvingly.

Luca shrugged, not bothering to argue further.

Beep beep~

Just then, a champagne-colored BMW pulled up in front of them.

"What are you two doing here?" Mrs. Nina asked through the car window.

"Same as you, here for Helmut Lang's party," Ed replied with a smile.

"Good afternoon, Luca and Ed!"

The rear window slowly rolled down, revealing a beautiful round face, dimples, and a sweet smile that seemed to add a sugary scent to the air.

"Hi, Miranda!" Luca waved.

"Luca, what happened to your face?" Mrs. Nina suddenly asked, frowning.

Luca sighed inwardly. He had tried to cover it up before coming but apparently hadn’t done a good enough job.

"I got a little injured while filming yesterday."

"Really?" Mrs. Nina stared at his face for a few moments, her expression tightening.

"You two go ahead, stay away from us."

"Why?"

"No reason!" Mrs. Nina rolled up the window and drove off to find a parking spot.

"Ed, shouldn't we wait for her?" Luca asked.

"Nope. If Nina says go ahead, we go ahead. No questions, or there’ll be consequences."

"You really don’t represent us men well."

"I don’t care!" Ed chuckled and marched towards the building's elevator.

Luca shook his head and followed him.

Today’s party was hosted by Helmut Lang, a famous Austrian fashion brand. Back in 1999, Helmut Lang — the renowned designer and owner — sold the brand to the Prada Group, making it one of their sub-labels.

Helmut Lang had a huge reputation in the design world, often referred to as the Austrian Scissorhands and the master of minimalism.

The brand specialized in high-end women's and men's fashion. Now, Helmut Lang was retiring, and the successors, the designer couple Conrost, were taking over. Today’s event was both a handover ceremony and a product launch.

Rumor had it that the brand was looking for a new spokesperson for their upcoming collection, which attracted many models and celebrities from the fashion and entertainment industries.

"Ed, do we have a chance?"

"The odds are slim, but it’s no big deal. Helmut Lang and the Conrosts have wide connections in the fashion world. A lot of brand designers will be here today, so it's a good opportunity to network."

When the elevator arrived, they stepped into the party venue with their invitations in hand.

The event was set in a large exhibition hall.

Inside, there were numerous glass cases displaying various outfits, with labels explaining that most of them were Helmut Lang’s designs or classics from the brand, like a fashion art exhibition.

Besides the fashion displays, the hall was filled with people — models, celebrities, designers, businesspeople — all dressed to impress. Some were gathered in groups chatting animatedly, others stood by the glass cases making comments, and some wandered around, looking for opportunities.

"Would you like some champagne?" a server asked, offering a tray with four glasses.

"Thank you!" Luca took two glasses, handing one to Ed.

"Don’t drink too much. It’s hard to find a bathroom here," Ed whispered.

"Got it," Luca replied with a smile. The hosts were definitely being strategic — providing drinks but making bathrooms scarce, probably saving a lot of money that way.

"Hey, Ed, you’re here too!"

Just as he was thinking this, a familiar woman approached.

Luca’s first thought was Friends’ Monica, but when he heard Ed greet her, he remembered her name — Courteney Cox, a model Ed had worked with. Judging by their conversation, they seemed to be on good terms.

"Ms. Cox, nice to meet you. I’m Luca," Luca greeted her quickly after Ed introduced him.

"Luca, I know you," Courteney Cox glanced at his face, then smiled. "Your makeup is eye-catching. Hope you find some success tonight."

"My makeup?" Luca paused, touching his mouth. This was a real injury, not makeup.

Without saying more, she turned back to chat with Ed, leaving Luca to wander off on his own.

The event was filled with many familiar faces, including Susan Sarandon, David Schwimmer, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Emmy Rossum, along with plenty of other stars whose names he couldn’t recall.

"Hey, Luca! You’re here too?"

As he walked, he bumped into a familiar face — the blue-eyed British model David Gandy, who looked utterly shocked, as if he’d seen a ghost.

Luca frowned. "What’s up, David? Is something wrong?"

David Gandy shook his head. "I’ve never seen you at a party like this before. What brings you here?"

"Haha, don’t be surprised. I know why!"

At that moment, a mischievous-looking French model, Eric Rutherford, walked over.

"Oh, and what’s the reason?"

David Gandy asked, puzzled.

"Of course, it’s about making money!"

Noah Mills, last year's highest-paid male model, chimed in. After ending his contract with CK, his income halved, and life hasn’t been easy for him. He said with deep feeling, "Isn’t everyone here trying to land a new endorsement?"

"Yes, exactly!"

Someone nearby echoed in agreement.

As Luca turned around, he suddenly realized a large group of handsome men had gathered around him. They were all supermodels, and even first and second-tier models were standing at a distance, pointing and staring with envy.

"Hey, Luca, I heard you made $500 as an extra on set yesterday?"

"Haha, Luca, you scored two big contracts earlier this year—why are you working as an extra now?"

"Luca, your sister is a famous author. Do you really need to work as an extra to make money?"

A group of men surrounded him, bombarding him with questions like a bunch of gossiping women.

Luca grinned. These handsome guys looked like gods when they weren’t talking or smiling, but the moment they opened their mouths, their cool aura completely vanished.

"Luca, did you really work as an extra yesterday? You’re a supermodel!"

Blue-eyed David Gandy asked in surprise.

Luca raised an eyebrow. "Is working as an extra that strange?"

"Of course it is."

Bad boy Eric Rutherford laughed. "You’re a supermodel with endorsements. You should be careful when taking side jobs. Have you ever seen a supermodel waiting tables at a hotel?"

Well, Luca actually had. One future supermodel worked as a bartender after retiring.

"Yeah, no matter how tough it gets, as a supermodel, you have to keep up appearances. Hey, Luca, what happened to your face?"

Former top earner Noah Mills asked in shock.

"Wow, Luca, is that makeup for an injury?"

"Luca, this is a clever move. I bet you'll catch the eye of every designer in the room!"

"Luca, you're a genius. At Fashion Week, you stunned everyone. You’ll definitely do it again today!"

The group of gossipers started clucking again.

Luca shook his head. "I got a minor injury on set yesterday. It’s a real wound, not makeup."

"Really?"

Eric Rutherford leaned in to take a closer look. "Looks real. You really pushed yourself hard for $500."

"Hey, it’s not easy for anyone!"

"True, do you guys know Matthew? I heard he slept with that old witch for a month to get the Bill Cardin endorsement."

"That’s nothing. Remember the seven-day trip to Phuket? Four models ended up in the hospital."

"That’s true. Some guy named Thomas Mitton from my agency went on that trip and came back a lot thinner."

"Sleeping with women is one thing, but have you heard about Ben Hill and a few—"

"Shh, stop! Ben Hill is coming."

At that warning, everyone turned to look. Sure enough, a pale, thin man with no beard was approaching. It was Ben Hill, the former bearded model and now the top-earning male model.

"Hey, Ben!"

As soon as Ben arrived, many people flocked to chat with him.

When the crowd moved away, Luca instantly felt a lot cooler.

Just as he was about to leave, Ben Hill pushed past everyone and walked straight up to him.

"Heh, nice makeup!"

Ben Hill sneered, raising his chin high. "Trying to use cheap tricks to get attention again? This time, you’re going to be disappointed."

Luca shrugged. "I’ve never used cheap tricks, and I’m too proud to. As for what happened last time, I should thank you. Without your encouragement, I wouldn’t have become so strong."

"You!"

Ben Hill’s temper flared at the memory of last time, which had completely changed his life, sending him down a path of no return.

That incident was like a ticking time bomb inside him, ready to explode with the slightest trigger.

Gritting his teeth, he spat, "That had nothing to do with me! It was all your scheming. You stole my endorsement and ruined my career with that shameless stunt. You’re despicable and sly—"

"Shut up!"

Luca's eyes suddenly turned cold. His dark pupils became sharp and arrogant as he squinted and said calmly, "Who do you think you are to bare your fangs at me?"

Ben Hill was momentarily stunned by Luca’s sudden burst of energy, standing frozen in place.

Luca gave him a cold glance and turned to leave.

"Oh my god, Luca just got so scary all of a sudden!"

"Yeah, Ben Hill looked totally freaked out."

"Luca seems so mild-mannered, but he can turn terrifying in an instant."

The surrounding crowd murmured to each other.

"Luca!!"

It wasn’t until Luca had walked far away that Ben Hill snapped out of it, his face flushing with embarrassment and anger. He clenched his fists tightly, looking ready to fight, and the people around him stepped back.

"Ben, calm down!"

His agent, James, stepped in and placed a hand on his shoulder. "The endorsement is almost locked in, and Ms. Aniston has given her approval. This is not the time to do anything stupid."

"Take your hand off me!"

Ben Hill gave him a disgusted look and said coldly, "I secured that endorsement myself. I know how important it is. I don’t need you reminding me."

"Okay!"

James raised his hands in surrender.

Ben Hill let out a cold snort, staring daggers at Luca from across the room. But just then, a woman approached, and his whole demeanor changed, a bright smile spreading across his face.

"Good evening, Ms. Aniston. I’m Ben Hill, and I’m thrilled to be working with you!"

"Hello!"

Jennifer Aniston nodded slightly, but as she was about to speak, her eyes lit up, and she walked toward another handsome man. "Hi, Luca!"

"Luca?!!"

Ben Hill froze, alarm bells ringing in his head. Luca and Ms. Aniston knew each other—and they were close?

The end of this chapter.

*Chapter 162: Self-Sacrifice Skill Maxed Out*

After putting on a bit of a show, Luca casually wandered around the exhibition hall.

As he was walking, he suddenly saw a familiar figure at one of the displays—Miranda Kerr.

She was wearing a long white dress, her wavy hair cascading down and revealing her fair shoulders. Among the crowd, she stood out elegantly.

And she wasn't alone.

Beside her stood another familiar face, the young and handsome Orlando Bloom—her future husband.

The two stood side by side, enjoying the fashion displays in the window, chatting happily.

Luca raised an eyebrow. So these two had still crossed paths. Should he break them up?

Orlando was a British actor who rose to fame in 2001 by playing the elf archer Legolas in The Lord of the Rings. He quickly rose to prominence, becoming the new teen idol.

Orlando was somewhat like a low-budget Leonardo DiCaprio.

Compared to Leo, Orlando's abilities and resources were much less impressive. He often played second leads in movies. Even when he finally got the lead role in Kingdom of Heaven, the movie flopped at the box office, and he never quite made it to the A-list.

Still, his popularity remained high. In the future, the Pirates of the Caribbean series would become a huge hit, boosting his fame even more. His relationship with Miranda would also help her rise quickly to become a supermodel.

Now, Miranda had already joined IMG and was on her way to becoming a top-tier model. Would they still walk the same path?

"Hey, Luca!"

Lost in thought, Luca was suddenly snapped back to reality when Miranda called out to him. She said goodbye to Orlando and, with the hem of her dress fluttering, walked toward Luca.

"Wow, Miss Kerr, you look stunning tonight!"

Luca clapped his hands, praising her in a theatrical voice.

"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Luca Kelly!"

Miranda gracefully held her dress and curtsied like a lady, lifting her head with a radiant smile. Her dimples were as sweet as honey.

"Miranda, who's this?"

Orlando Bloom followed her, standing by her side as he asked.

Miranda blinked, "Orlando, this is Luca, Super Luca. Do you know him?"

"Oh, you're the model Luca? Nice to meet you, Luca."

Orlando said indifferently.

"Hello, Mr. Bloom."

When handsome guys meet, it's especially awkward, and their tones were both rather cold.

"Miranda, shall we move on to the next display?"

Orlando asked with a charming smile, extending his hand.

Miranda blinked again, looking at Orlando and then at Luca. Standing between two handsome men made her a bit dizzy.

"Sorry, Orlando, I need to talk to Luca about something. I can't accompany you to the exhibition," Miranda said tactfully.

"Alright, Miranda, I won't disturb you two then."

Orlando walked away with a sullen face.

"What's up, Miranda?"

Luca asked curiously.

"Can't I just come over to chat?"

Miranda replied with a slight smile.

"Of course you can, but you just turned down the elf prince just to chat with me?"

"Why not? We're friends, aren't we?"

Miranda smiled sweetly, then shrugged, "Alright, recently I've had some trouble, and I couldn't find anyone else, so I had to ask you for help."

"Oh, what kind of trouble?"

"I've been stalked," Miranda said, frowning delicately as she began to explain.

Since last week, sometimes when she went home at night, she felt like someone was following her from the parking lot to her apartment. Sometimes, when she stood by the window, she also had the feeling of being watched, which was troubling her greatly.

"Luca, I don't have any evidence, so I can't call the police. I could only ask you for help."

Miranda sighed softly.

Luca nodded, "No problem. I'll take you home after the party tonight, and we'll figure out how to deal with it. How does that sound?"

"Sounds great!"

Miranda smiled, wrapping her arm around his, "In return, I'll accompany you to the fashion show."

"That's considered a reward?"

"Haha, then what kind of reward do you want?"

"Alright, watching the fashion show with you is good enough."

Luca smirked and was about to accompany Miranda around.

"Ahem."

Suddenly, there was a cough from nearby. A stern-faced woman walked over and said flatly, "Miranda, I told you to stay away from him, but you just wouldn't listen."

Miranda immediately let go.

"Nina, I haven't done anything wrong lately, right? Why are you treating me like this?"

Luca asked, dissatisfied.

"You know very well if you've done anything wrong. You're nothing but trouble, and getting too close to you is no good."

Nina snorted coldly, glancing at the laughing Miranda. "Let's go. Prada's designer, Michelle, has arrived. We should go say hello."

"Nina, can I go with you?"

Luca joked.

"What do you think?"

Nina replied flatly.

"Alright, alright. Have fun!"

Luca shrugged, looking around, trying to find a restroom. He had drunk too much water earlier.

"Hey, Luca, what are you doing here?"

Before he could move, another beautiful woman approached.

Jennifer Aniston was wearing a tailored blazer and a long pencil skirt, looking like a professional woman—sharp and chic.

"Miss Aniston, it's great to see you again!"

Luca greeted her, holding back his urge to use the bathroom.

"Call me Jen. I wanted to talk to you about something... Hey, what happened to your face?"

Jennifer asked in surprise.

"Uh, nothing."

Luca scratched his handsome face, "I accidentally hit a prop while filming yesterday."

"Really?"

Jennifer looked closely at his face, a playful smile curling at the corners of her mouth. "But these marks look like someone punched you. And judging by how delicate they are, it must have been a girl. Right?"

Jennifer seemed quite interested in this, leaning closer with a grin. "Was it your girlfriend who hit you? Or did you mess around with some girl and get caught by her boyfriend?"

"No!"

Luca quickly interrupted, spreading his hands. "Alright, I'll confess."

"Uh-huh."

Jennifer folded her arms, a look of anticipation on her face.

Luca shrugged, "My sister hit me."

"Your sister? Kate? The supermodel and author Kate? She hits people?"

Jennifer was even more surprised.

In media reports, Kate always appeared elegant and poised, embodying the refined style of an English lady. No one would have thought she could actually hit someone.

Suddenly, she recalled that interview where the host said Kate was the woman who had pulled Super Luca's ear. It seemed to be true. Kate not only pulled ears but also knew how to throw a punch.

Seeing Luca's pitiful state, she couldn't help but burst into laughter.

A tall, strong, handsome man getting beaten up by his sister every day—how envious she was of Kate, having such a handsome little brother to bully.

"Luca, why did Kate hit you? Did you get into trouble again?"

Jennifer covered her red lips, her shoulders shaking slightly.

Luca turned his head a little awkwardly. It wasn't that he was embarrassed to speak, but Aniston's blazer was a bit revealing. He glanced downward, unfortunately catching a glimpse of something indecent.

He whispered, "I was hiding some money, and Kate found it. So, this is what happened."

"Hiding money and getting beaten up? And beaten this badly? Hahaha!"

Jennifer laughed so hard that she almost fell over.

Luca gently supported her shoulder, feeling a delicate touch and the scent of peaches wafting into his nose, making him feel a little tingly.

He suppressed the fluttering thoughts in his heart, "Miss Jen, stop laughing. You said you had something to talk about, so go ahead."

"Haha... wait, let me laugh a little more!"

Jennifer covered her mouth, trying to laugh quietly so as not to disturb others.

But she was Rachel, recognized by the whole world, and wherever she was, she was the center of attention.

Seeing Jennifer Aniston laughing so heartily, people around couldn't help but start discussing.

"Wow, the rumors about Luca being funny seem to be true."

The blue-eyed David Gandy praised.

Former champion Noah rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "Being funny isn't the main point. The point is, how does Luca know Miss Aniston? Their relationship seems quite good."

"How envious. Luca not only knows Britney but also Miss Aniston."

A model admired.

"Is it just knowing them? Hehe."

The bad boy, Eric Rutherford, had a sly smile on his face.

Noah nodded slightly, "If Luca knows Miss Aniston, then the endorsement is his. No wonder he showed up today, even though he's injured."

"Not quite. I heard that Ben Hill has managed to hook up with a high-ranking person at Prada and has already gotten a recommendation."

A model whispered.

"Really?"

Noah touched his chin and said, "That's not necessarily true. Although Prada is Helmut Lang's parent company and has the authority to make recommendations, Ms. Aniston is a partner of the brand, so she has a greater say."

"Yeah, yeah, Ben Hill's in trouble. I heard he put in a lot of effort to get this endorsement."

"Haha, well, Luca put in a lot of effort too, didn't he? His 'sacrifice move' is at max level. No matter the status of the celebrity, they all fall for it."

"Hahaha~"

"Ben Hill is probably going to be disappointed. Such a pity for his pale butt."

"Hahaha~"

After Luca and Ms. Aniston left, the chatter among everyone became even more lively.

"Fuck!"

Behind one of the booths, Ben Hill clenched his fists tightly, his face contorted with anger.

Last time, Luca seduced Britney and secured his position as a top model. Now, is he planning to use the same trick to seduce Jennifer and secure the Helmut Lang endorsement through her?

Yes!

That must be it!

Luca never used to attend parties, so why is he here this time? It's definitely for the endorsement.

That bastard has been desperate for money lately, even taking on roles as an extra for 500 bucks. How could he pass up a contract worth tens of thousands?

Ben Hill felt extremely threatened.

Because Aniston is not just the spokesperson; she's also a partner of the Helmut Lang brand.

Since the brand's founder, Helmut Lang, is retiring, the new designers, the Conrost couple, don't have his level of fame.

To ensure a smooth transition, the brand sought a big-name collaborator—America's sweetheart, Jennifer Aniston.

The two sides have a long-term partnership to develop the brand together.

Ms. Aniston is not only the spokesperson but also holds a stake in the company. When the products sell, she'll get a share of the profits. This is the kind of treatment reserved for top celebrities.

When it comes to choosing the spokesperson, Aniston has a lot of say.

If Luca throws himself at her for the endorsement, would Aniston refuse?

"No, I can't just sit and wait!"

Ben Hill squinted at the two walking side by side. He glanced around before silently following them, faintly hearing Aniston say,

"... need to take it all off..."

"Completely naked?"

That was Luca's voice. They seemed to be negotiating terms.

Ben Hill gritted his teeth. Adulterer and whore, talking about such things.

"Does it have to be completely naked?"

"You can think about it. If you don't agree, I understand. But... it's very suitable for you."

"Why?"

"Haha, because you're Mr. Big."

Ben Hill strained his ears to catch a few words. When the two entered a booth, he had to stop following them.

There were few people around, and there was no place to hide. Ben Hill couldn't keep up with them any longer.

But based on their conversation, even an idiot would know what they were discussing. They were definitely negotiating an exchange of favors.

Ben Hill was very disappointed. He had always thought that Rachel on TV was a beautiful and kind girl. Who knew that the real Rachel was a shallow woman?

He heard that bastard Luca was packing half a meter, and she was instantly smitten. Shamelessly discussing unwritten rules in public—what a disappointment.

And that bastard Luca, why do women always want to trade favors with him? Is it because he's big? So what if he's big? Shameless, I wish I could cut it off and put it on myself.

"What should I do now?"

Ben Hill squinted and stared at the booth by the floor-to-ceiling windows.

In the dim light, Ms. Aniston was dressed in a women's suit with her golden hair tied up, sitting upright and looking dignified yet alluring.

And that bastard Luca was too damn good-looking—wearing a dark designer suit with black, medium-length hair slicked back. His head was well-defined, looking cool and imposing.

Under the lights, his facial features seemed even more chiseled, like a finely carved piece of art.

His sword-like brows, the high arches of his brow bones, and the deep-set eyes gazed intensely at Ms. Aniston, constantly throwing sparks like flashes of lightning in the dark.

And when he spoke, there was always a charming smile on his lips—ugh, more like a fake, hypocritical smile. That bastard, relying on his good looks, kept flaunting his charm. He's the disgrace of men.

"That shameless bastard!"

Seeing the two getting along better and better, Ben Hill felt a surge of crisis.

"No, this can't go on. I have to stop them. But how?"

Ben Hill looked around. Where was Brad Pitt?

Why wasn't Brad Pitt here at such an important event? If he doesn't come soon, he's going to get cuckolded.

"Sir, would you like some champagne?"

A server with a tray approached.

"No!"

Ben Hill was fuming; how could he think of drinking? But seeing the tray and the champagne on it, his eyes lit up, and he came up with a brilliant idea.

"Hey, wait!"

(End of chapter)

---

Chapter 163: The Attempt on Mr. Big

At a window-side booth, the two of them discussed a cameo in Along Came Polly. He hadn’t made up his mind yet, but now Jennifer brought up a script. She mentioned that she had read one of his scripts at Nia's place and couldn’t stop praising it.

“Jen, you're a big star. You can’t possibly be short on scripts, right?”

Luca raised his eyebrows. He had plenty of good scripts in his mind, but few that were suitable for Jennifer Aniston.

Aniston, a comedian at heart, was still somewhat trapped in her Rachel persona. Finding a role that fit her was challenging.

"You've got a whole bookshelf of books at home, why do you still feel like you're missing one?" Jennifer smiled softly.

Luca smiled, understanding what she meant.

No matter how many books you buy, you always feel like there’s one missing. That one elusive book is always the best.

“Luca, tell me about that script about race, struggle, and humanity. Nia mentioned it the other day, and it sounded great. Films on racial issues have been doing well lately.”

Jennifer elegantly raised her hand, crossing her pale legs. Her white, straight-cut skirt clung to her hips, adding an extra touch of allure.

Luca sipped his champagne but suddenly remembered he needed to use the bathroom and shouldn't drink more. He quickly set his glass down.

“That idea came to me in April. I was reading the paper and saw an article that sparked my interest. It was in the sports section, talking about a high school student named Michael Oher.”

His story was truly inspiring.

He was a homeless Black orphan, only eighteen years old, with an IQ under 80. Yet, despite his circumstances, the scouting website Scout.com ranked him as a five-star high school graduate and praised him as the best offensive line player in the country. The Carolina Panthers even signed him for $5 million."

"Wow! That's amazing," Jennifer was surprised. A story about an orphan, Black, and mentally disabled, rising to fame? It was the perfect underdog story.

"Please, continue!"

"In April, I read his story and became curious. Last month, while I was shooting in Carolina, I made a special trip to Columbia to watch one of his games. It was incredible, and Michael's performance was stunning. Someone is already planning to write his biography."

"At just eighteen, someone’s writing his biography?"

Jennifer raised her eyebrows in surprise, frowning slightly.

"His story is excellent, but I’m looking for a lead role for a woman. This story doesn’t seem like the right fit for me."

“Wait, Jen, I haven’t finished the story yet.”

Luca smiled. “Think about it—how could a Black orphan with an IQ under 80 make it to high school, let alone become a football star?”

Jennifer thought for a moment, her eyes lighting up. “Because of a woman?”

“Haha, yes, exactly.”

Luca chuckled. “Michael met a woman like the Virgin Mary. Her name is Mrs. Tuohy, and she’s beautiful, graceful, kind, and responsible, just like you.”

“Go on!”

Jennifer laughed, covering her mouth, then said seriously, “Luca, I love when people compliment me. Feel free to keep going.”

Luca didn’t want to come off as overly eager, so he continued the story, drawing from the news article and the movie The Blind Side, which was quite successful. It not only grossed over $100 million but also won Sandra Bullock an Oscar.

In the realm of sports movies, The Blind Side had performed remarkably well.

Though Jennifer’s acting might be a bit behind Sandra Bullock's, the comedic elements in the movie would suit her perfectly.

“When Michael was choosing a college, the NCAA got involved. They believed that the Tuohys only adopted Michael because of his athletic potential. Once they had groomed him into an athlete, they would send him to Ole Miss since both Mr. and Mrs. Tuohy were alumni and die-hard Rebels fans.

They accused the Tuohys of breaking the rules and denying Michael the freedom to choose his own college. They didn’t want him playing for Tennessee, so they influenced him to choose Ole Miss.

Michael misunderstood the Tuohys' intentions and ran away from home.”

"Luca, what happened next? Did they clear up the misunderstanding? Michael isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, so how did Mrs. Tuohy explain things to him?"

Jennifer eagerly asked, clearly hooked by the story.

“Ms. Aniston, would you like some champagne?” A waiter, Ben Hill, approached with a tray.

“No, thank you,” Jennifer waved him off, still focused on Luca. “Keep going!”

“Luca, would you like some champagne?” Ben squinted suspiciously at Luca, noting how close the two seemed. There was definitely something going on, and he had shown up just in time.

“No, thanks!” Luca glanced at him, puzzled. Why was Ben acting as a waiter?

“Luca, have one on me,” Ben picked up a champagne glass, offering it with a fake smile. Suddenly, his hand jerked, and the champagne spilled onto Luca.

Sulfuric acid?

Luca was startled. Ben was definitely jealous of his looks and trying to get revenge.

Without thinking, Luca jumped up.

Splash!

As he stood, the liquid from Ben’s glass fell onto his pants. It felt warm, slightly hot.

Was it really sulfuric acid?

Luca quickly realized that Ben wasn’t after his face—his target was Mr. Big. This was a clever misdirection, a true play of strategy.

He hurriedly touched his pants. It didn’t seem like acid after all, and he sighed in relief.

“Luca, I’m so sorry! That was careless of me,” Ben apologized, wiping Luca’s pant leg with a cloth from his tray.

"Ah, a shark!"

As he wiped, Ben suddenly recoiled in shock, as if he had seen something horrifying. Jennifer, eyes wide, glanced down a few times before bursting into soft laughter.

Her assistant stood in stunned silence. Was this the legendary Mr. Big? It seemed the rumors were true.

“I’m really sorry!” Luca sat down, covering his stomach, his face alternating between red and white.

He had been holding it in for a while and was about to excuse himself to Jennifer to use the restroom. But before he could take care of business, this unexpected incident had him flustered, unable to control certain things.

“Luca, that’s incredibly rude! Ms. Aniston is still here, how could you do that?” Ben chastised with righteous indignation.

Ben’s plan was to spill champagne on Luca and then apologize profusely. In front of a woman, Luca would have to play the gentleman, brush it off, and go change his clothes. This would stop him from getting any closer to Jennifer.

By the time he came back, it would be too late.

But to his surprise, Luca had reacted inappropriately, just like during the fashion show, revealing his true nature.

Ben couldn’t help but feel a bit gleeful. In high society, etiquette was everything. Luca had embarrassed himself in front of Jennifer, so how could he maintain his swagger now?

“Luca, you're so perverted! How can you let your mind wander like that while talking to Ms. Aniston?”

“Shut up!” Luca glared coldly at him, hands in his pockets as he stood up.

“I’m really sorry, Jen. I’ve got to go take care of something.”

“It’s fine, Luca, go ahead,” Jennifer said, holding back her laughter.

“Apologies!” Luca waved and walked off into the crowd.

“Ms. Aniston, did you see that? Luca is a total creep,” Ben said with a smug grin as he watched Luca leave.

“A creep?” Jennifer glanced at Ben and said coolly, “So you spilled the champagne on him to warn me about him, right?”

“Uh…”

This was a tricky question. If he admitted to it, he would seem too conniving. If he denied it, he’d lose his chance to earn favor.

“Yes, that’s right,” Ben's eyes darted as he quickly decided to go with the first option. Being sneaky wasn’t a problem, as long as it earned him some points. If he could gain Jennifer’s favor, maybe he could even replace Luca as her new beau.

With Aniston as his backer, future endorsement deals would be a sure thing.

He couldn’t help but feel excited.

“Yes, Ms. Aniston. Everyone knows Luca is ambitious. He’ll do anything for fame. He made a fool of himself at Fashion Week, then hitched a ride with Britney Spears. Now he’s acting disgusting in front of you. He’s completely shameless.”

“Hmm, indeed, he is shameless,” Jennifer smiled, thinking back on the incident. She stood up, smoothing her straight skirt, once again exuding grace and elegance.

“Your name is Ben Hill, right?”

“Yes, that’s me, Ms. Aniston,” Ben responded, thrilled.

“Thank you for the reminder.”

“You’re welcome, you’re welcome!”

Ben could barely contain his excitement.

Jennifer Aniston smiled slightly, then walked into the crowd with her assistant.

"Yes!"

After she walked away, Ben punched the air in excitement. He had worked hard to secure a recommendation from a senior executive at Prada, and now he had earned Jennifer’s recognition. Everything was falling into place.

“Today is a good day,” he muttered to himself.

“Vina, is that the model Helmut Lang selected to work with me?” Jennifer

In the crowd, Ms. Aniston casually asked,

"Yes, his name is Ben Hill. This year, he's ranked first on the male model income list. He's fairly well-known in the fashion world and was recommended by the Prada Group," replied her assistant, Vina, fluently.

"Male model income list?"

Ms. Aniston raised an eyebrow, a slight smile forming at the corner of her lips. "Luca is a model too, right? What rank is he?"

Vina thought for a moment. "Luca was ranked first in April, but now he's ninth."

"Ninth, huh?"

Ms. Aniston smiled slightly. "Looks like Luca owes me a favor."

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 164: Someone is Flirting with Your Wife*

The event organizers were truly shameless, hosting a function without even putting up restroom signs.

Luca ended up wandering a long way, holding his pants, before finally finding a restroom around a corner.

Once inside, he rushed to relieve himself.

Whoosh~

Was it a leak?

The person next to him looked up at the pipes but found nothing wrong. Following the sound, he turned around and was dumbfounded.

"Oh my god!"

Luca glanced at the man and thought he was overreacting. It reminded him to avoid using public restrooms in the future—it could make others feel insecure.

After taking care of business, he went to the sink and used a handkerchief to wipe his pants.

His dark trousers didn’t show any signs of the "flood" unless you looked closely.

Feeling content, he dried them under the hand dryer for a bit.

Ring ring ring~

“Luca, where are you? Hurry back!”

On the phone, Ed spoke quickly and sounded anxious.

“What’s going on? What happened?”

Luca was puzzled.

“Come back, there’s something we need to talk about.”

Click~  

Ed hung up.

About ten minutes later, Luca returned to the party.

The crowd in the hall had thinned out, with most people gathering near the front desk. David Gandy, Eric, Noah, Ben Hill, and others were all there, listening to someone speak.

Curious, Luca walked over and heard someone say loudly, “We’re honored to announce that we’ve invited Ms. Jennifer Aniston and Mr. Luca Kelly to be the new faces of our suit collection.”

“Wow~ It’s Luca!”

“Wait, it’s not Ben Hill? How is it that jerk Luca?!”

“Ugh, that sneaky Luca! He drew attention by deliberately using that makeup. What a shameless move!”

“No, Luca’s injury is real. I personally checked.”

“I see. He must have punched himself a few times to fake it. That’s how he caught their attention. Ms. Aniston must’ve been drawn to his wounds.”

“That makes sense. Otherwise, why would he come to a formal event injured? Does he have no shame?”

“Exactly! Luca is always so crafty. He’ll do anything for a contract. Last time, he used self-sacrifice; this time, he played the pity card. The annoying thing is, he always wins.”

“Hey, where’s that jerk Luca? He’s not here?”

“He wouldn’t miss such an important event, would he?”

“If he’s not here, could the brand switch to someone else?”

“Haha~ Maybe!”

A group of models stopped talking and glanced around, hoping he wouldn’t show up.

David Gandy, Noah Mills, and Eric turned around—and there was Luca, standing right behind them, his handsome face dark and visibly displeased.

“Uh~ Luca, you’re here!”

“Haha, Luca, we were just kidding. Congrats!”

“Yeah, congrats, Luca!”

The models awkwardly offered their congratulations, forcing smiles.

“Luca, what are you doing here? Come, meet Mr. and Mrs. Conrost.”

Ed Dominic pushed through the crowd, pulling Luca along quickly. Ed’s usually dark face was flushed, and he seemed to be floating as he walked.

“Ed, how did I become the spokesperson?” Luca asked, confused.

“You don’t know?” Ed blinked, surprised, then continued to pull him forward. “Now’s not the time to talk about it. We’ll discuss it later.”

“See that? See that? What a sneaky guy. He’s got the contract in his hands and still pretends not to know how he got it. We’re way out of our league compared to that shameless jerk.”

Eric Rutherford shook his head in exasperation.

“Yeah, super sneaky. That shameless guy pretends to be indifferent most of the time, but when he spots an opportunity, he strikes with precision. Such a devious guy,” Noah Mills sighed.

“Last time, he used self-sacrifice. I wonder how he got the contract this time,” David Gandy mused.

“He must’ve used the same trick. Didn’t you notice how close he was with Ms. Aniston?”

“Yes, yes, I saw it too. Luca and Ms. Aniston were chatting so well earlier that Ben Hill got nervous and spilled champagne on his pants on purpose.”

“Too bad for Ben Hill. His plan backfired, and Ms. Aniston still gave the contract to Luca.”

“Wait, where’s Ben Hill?”

The group of models looked around and finally spotted Ben Hill at the front, in the middle of the crowd.

Ben Hill stared blankly at the big shots in the room, his gaze hollow, as if he had lost his soul.

“Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Conrost, for trusting me. It’s an honor to be the face of Helmut Lang’s new suit collection,” Luca said in his speech.

“No!!”

Suddenly, a voice shouted from the crowd, “Why him?! I was Prada’s recommended candidate. You can’t do this! Ms. Aniston, you promised me!”

“It’s Ben Hill!”

“Has he lost it?”

Everyone turned to look at Ben Hill, who was being dragged out of the event by his agent, his mouth covered.

“Ben Hill was so close to getting the contract. He must be losing his mind now.”

“Yeah, first it was the CK deal that Luca took from him, and now this.”

“They’ve clashed before, not just over CK. There was also that Armani ad. Ben Hill argued with Luca and got kicked out. This makes three times now.”

“Ben Hill’s lost three major contracts in a row. Poor guy.”

“Oh~ Poor Ben Hill. Luca’s such a jerk!”

“No, no, no!”

Outside the party, in the hallway, Ben Hill waved his arms and shouted loudly.

“I got Prada’s recommendation and Ms. Aniston’s approval! Why did they give the contract to that scumbag Luca? This can’t be happening. It’s not real!”

“Ben, you lost,” James sighed softly.

“No, no, no, I didn’t lose! They must have made a mistake. I’m going back to ask. There’s no way they meant to give it to him.”

“Stop!”

James took a step forward and said calmly, “You’ve already lost. Accept it with grace, or you’ll lose all your dignity.”

“No, no, it’s not like that. Ms. Aniston had a great impression of me. I helped expose Luca’s disgusting behavior to her, and she thanked me. With Prada’s recommendation and her approval, the designer would never oppose it. They must’ve made a mistake!”

“What did you say?” James frowned. “You said you exposed Luca’s behavior to Ms. Aniston? What exactly happened?”

“I saw that scumbag Luca flirting with Ms. Aniston. I couldn’t let her fall for his tricks, so I spilled champagne on his pants.”

“What? How could you do that?”

James furrowed his brow. That was incredibly foolish.

“Hmph! What do you know? You don’t understand anything!” Ben Hill glared at him coldly. “After I spilled champagne on that scumbag, he reacted right then and there. I don’t know what he was thinking, but it was disgusting. It was even worse than at fashion week. He was wearing dress pants this time—there was no hiding it. Ms. Aniston was horrified.”

“Really?”

“Yes, Ms. Aniston even called him shameless and thanked me for exposing him.”

Ben Hill’s face lit up with a smile, and he hurried to head back inside.

“Stop!” James grabbed his shoulder. “Ben, do you realize that you just ruined your own chances?”

“What? What are you talking about? Let go of me!”

Ben Hill turned around, shaking off James’s hand.

James sighed. “Ben, do you know? Ed and Luca didn’t even plan to compete for the contract.”

“Bullshit!”

“It’s true. I asked Ed. Before the party, they hadn’t even submitted an application or model profile. Their goal wasn’t the contract.”

“You’re lying! You’re lying! You’re lying!”

Ben Hill shook his head, retreating as he spoke.

“It’s the truth. Even though I hate Ed and his ridiculous luck, I respect his honesty. He wouldn’t lie about this. I even bragged to him that you’d already secured the deal, and he congratulated me.”

“You’re lying, you’re lying, you’re lying! Ed’s a liar, just like Luca! You’ve been fooled, you idiot!”

Ben Hill mocked him.

“No, I wasn’t fooled. You know, when the brand called Ed in to fill out his profile, I was right there. I found it odd they invited him to submit his information. Now I understand—they were already planning to replace you.”

“That’s impossible, impossible!”

Ben Hill couldn’t believe his ears.

“But it’s true,” James sighed softly. “I think Ms. Aniston had a lot to do with it.”

“No way! Ms. Aniston approved of me!”

Ben Hill insisted.

“Haha, you’ve forgotten, haven’t you? Women can be so fickle. I think before you interrupted their conversation, Ms. Aniston didn’t plan on replacing you. But you did something incredibly foolish. Why did you have to go over with that champagne and interrupt them?”

"What do you know?!"

Ben Hill said with frustration, "That jerk Luca is trying to seduce Ms. Aniston. I have to stop him, or we'll lose the contract. You don't know anything! All you do is trust Ed. You're a useless, foolish guy."

"Yes, I am useless and foolish."

James sighed, "My failure was not stopping you sooner. My stupidity was forgetting your issues with Luca, not keeping an eye on you, and not advising you not to do something foolish at such a critical moment. But you did it. You interrupted their conversation, offended Ms. Aniston, and made her hate you. She doesn't like you. It would be easy for her to replace you."

"No, Ms. Aniston approves of me," Ben Hill insisted.

"No, Ben, you don’t understand people. You think you embarrassed Luca, but to a woman, it wasn’t embarrassing. Maybe, at that moment, Ms. Aniston was actually attracted to him. That's Mr. Big. Just like you wouldn't mind if a woman exposed a body as perfect as art in front of you, right?"

"…"

Ben Hill had nothing to say. He slumped to the ground, shaking his head repeatedly, "Impossible, impossible."

"Sigh."

Seeing him like this, James sighed softly, raising his hand as if to pat him on the shoulder but withdrew it at the last moment.

"Ben, do you know why I’m telling you all this?"

Ben Hill remained silent.

"Because you've made this mistake twice already. I don't want you to make it again with the same person. Ed told me Luca’s target is Hollywood. He’s already done three movies this year, all as supporting roles.

This time, they're just here to secure a couple of endorsement deals to keep Luca in the top ten rankings as a legitimate supermodel. Next year, they’ll leave the fashion world entirely and focus fully on Hollywood. So, Luca isn't your competitor. Why are you going after him?"

"Ha! Leave the fashion world? Only a fool like you would believe that crap. Luca’s a supermodel now, making hundreds of thousands to millions with a single contract. He’s going to give that up to make $500 on a film set? Is he crazy, or are you?"

Ben Hill sneered.

James shook his head, "Fine, let’s not argue whether he’ll leave the fashion world. Let me just ask you this: you’re just a model, what do you have to compete with Luca? He’s a former Brazilian national soccer player, a celebrity. He’s saved lives and has a good reputation.

His sister is a supermodel and writer, making millions this year alone. His girlfriend’s a supermodel. He’s friends with Britney, a superstar. And now, he’s friends with Ms. Aniston, a big-time celebrity. He’s flying high. What do you have against him?"

"…"

Ben Hill hung his head, silent.

"Ben, give it up. Luca’s not a petty guy. He didn’t expose you last time, and he hasn’t caused you trouble since. If you could apologize to him and befriend him..."

"Shut up!"

Ben Hill suddenly lifted his head, shoving James hard, knocking him to the floor.

"You useless fool! What do you know? All you care about is money! Do you even know what I’ve gone through to get those contracts?"

Ben Hill stood up, eyes red with rage, yelling, "I’ve sacrificed so much, more than you can imagine, more than I even want to think about. Those memories are too painful.

Do you know why I’ve suffered so much? It’s all because of Luca! That bastard Luca is the reason for everything! And now you’re telling me to apologize to him? Screw you!"

Ben Hill waved his fists, cursing loudly.

James sat on the floor, sighing softly.

"Ben, I was wrong. I take back what I said. But I still don’t want you to fight Luca. He’s a smart... no, a cunning guy. He acts innocent and unambitious, but his goals are crystal clear.

Every move he makes is planned ahead. Like this time, we don’t know how he managed to connect with Ms. Aniston, but he did. He even got the endorsement deal. This time it’s like that, what about next time? Do you know how many people he knows?"

James shook his head. "Ben, you can fight him if you want, but be careful. Investigate before you act, can you do that? Please don’t make another stupid mistake like today."

"Hmph. I get it. I was careless this time, but next time, I won’t make the same mistake. Never again!"

Ben Hill shouted and stormed toward the elevator.

Ding~

The elevator door happened to open.

A man in his forties stepped out, holding a pipe. He was tall, wearing glasses and a gray suit, followed by two bodyguards in black suits and sunglasses.

The three of them strode down the hallway like a scene from a mafia movie.

"Brad Pitt?"

Ben Hill froze for a moment. Then his eyes lit up, and he shouted, "Mr. Pitt, I have something to report. Someone’s trying to seduce your wife!"

*Chapter 165: My Husband Arrives*

"Mr. Pitt, please wait!"

Ben Hill called out, chasing after him.

"Stop!"

The bodyguard blocked him coldly.

Brad Pitt, without even glancing back, continued walking inside.

"Mr. Pitt, it's about Ms. Aniston. Someone is trying to tempt her!"

Ben Hill quickly shouted.

At the entrance of the hall, Brad Pitt stopped in his tracks. "Who are you? Do you even know what you're saying?"

"Yes, I do!"

Ben Hill caught his breath and politely said, "Hello, Mr. Pitt. My name is Ben Hill. I'm a model, currently ranked number one in male model earnings. I've endorsed many major brands, and maybe you've seen my ads. I'm not saying this to boast, but to show you that I'm not someone who speaks carelessly."

Brad Pitt adjusted his yellow-tinted glasses and glanced at him. He seemed somewhat familiar.

"Go on."

"Ben!"

His agent, James, called out, shaking his head. Still so impulsive—he's hopeless.

"Shut up!"

Ben Hill glared at him fiercely and continued, "Mr. Pitt, have you heard of Luca Kelly? He's Britney's rumored boyfriend. Some call him Mr. Big. There's a rumor that he’s... half a meter."

"Pfft, nonsense!"

Brad Pitt scoffed. That's not a man; that's a beast.

"No, it's true!"

Ben Hill mustered his courage and countered, "Mr. Pitt, just now, Luca exposed that in front of both me and Ms. Aniston."

"Jen was there too?"

Brad Pitt's tone changed slightly.

"Yes, I swear to God!"

Ben Hill raised three fingers, vividly recounting the story of Mr. Big, complete with dramatic gestures.

Brad Pitt took a drag from his pipe, his eyes narrowing, face expressionless.

Ben Hill gritted his teeth. "Mr. Pitt, Luca is despicable. He'll do anything to get what he wants. During Fashion Week in March, he publicly had... an incident in front of thousands of people just to get attention. To sell a book, he seduced Britney.

This time, to land a contract, he used dirty tricks to catch Ms. Aniston’s attention, and he succeeded.

After doing something so inappropriate, not only was Ms. Aniston not angry, but she also gave him the contract. She must have been seduced by that jerk!"

"Hmph, you underestimate Jen, and you underestimate me. Do you think my wife, Jennifer Aniston, is so easily tempted?"

Brad Pitt snorted, turning to leave.

"Mr. Pitt, I'm not lying. Luca and Ms. Aniston have become very close. They just spent half an hour chatting, and they even held hands."

"Shut up!"

Brad Pitt snapped angrily.

Ben Hill didn't stop. He raised his voice, "Mr. Pitt, you're not familiar with the fashion world, so you don’t know how skilled Luca is at dealing with women. Today, Ms. Aniston saw Mr. Big. Tomorrow, she might end up in bed with him."

Smack!

Before he could finish, Brad Pitt’s cane struck Ben Hill across the face.

"Shut your mouth!"

Brad Pitt said coldly. "If you dare spread these lies, you’ll regret it."

Ben Hill grinned through gritted teeth. "And what if it does happen, Mr. Pitt?"

Brad Pitt didn’t reply, only staring at him icily.

Suddenly, Ben Hill raised his hand and slapped himself hard twice, blood trickling from his mouth.

"Don’t worry, Mr. Pitt. No matter what happens, I won’t say another word,"

he said with a twisted smile.

Brad Pitt shot him a deep look before walking into the hall with his bodyguards.

"Thank you, Mr. Pitt! Thank you!"

Ben Hill bowed deeply, shouting.

"Was that necessary?"

James approached, handing him a tissue.

"Necessary?"

Ben Hill wiped the blood from his mouth with a cold smile.

"What do you know?

Didn’t you see? Brad Pitt is angry now. My words are like a seed, already planted in his mind. Whether Luca and Ms. Aniston slept together or not, he’ll never like Luca again.

That jerk offended Leonardo DiCaprio and now has a grudge with Brad Pitt. Even if he makes it to Hollywood, how will he have a good life?

Luca, you took my contract. Now, you’ll pay the price!"

---

"Ed, how did I become the spokesperson?"

Luca asked, stepping off the stage, still confused. He had only gone to the bathroom—how had he suddenly become the spokesperson?

"Didn’t you fight for it from Ms. Aniston?"

Ed was even more puzzled than him.

Luca shook his head. "Does this have something to do with Jen?"

"This was my oversight. I didn’t know you knew Ms. Aniston."

Ed shrugged, explaining the relationship between Aniston and the Helmut Lang brand and her influence on the brand's decisions.

This time, Helmut Lang had chosen two spokespeople: a big name, Aniston, and originally Orlando Bloom for the smaller role, but his price was too high.

To secure Aniston, the brand offered a $10 million endorsement fee, plus a 15% profit share. They highly valued this partnership and, as such, gave Aniston a say in choosing the model.

"I see."

Luca looked at Ms. Aniston on stage. She smiled as she spoke, her sweet appearance and elegant figure in a stunning suit commanding everyone’s attention.

At that moment, she seemed to glow.

Luca sighed softly. "I owe her a favor."

"Heh, she’s Rachel. Plenty of people would love to owe her a favor,"

Ed commented, looking at him quizzically.

Luca shook his head. He didn’t like owing favors, especially when personal relationships mixed with business interests.

It was the same with Britney.

Britney had as many endorsement deals as Aniston, but aside from appearing in her music video as a favor, he had no other financial ties with her.

It was his principle: no freeloading—except when it came to Kate.

Still, his relationship with Aniston was purely professional for now. Taking advantage of her favor wasn’t exactly freeloading, was it?

---

After Aniston finished her speech, a round of applause echoed through the hall.

"Jen, thank you for giving me the endorsement,"

Luca stepped forward, expressing his gratitude.

"You’re welcome,"

Aniston smiled sweetly. "Luca, will you be giving this money to Kate?"

"I think so,"

Luca replied.

"Would she hit you if you didn’t?"

Aniston teased.

"..."

Luca fell silent.

"Hahaha!"

Aniston burst into laughter, her cheeks flushing with amusement.

"Hi, Jen. Sorry I’m late."

A man with slicked-back hair and a cane walked over. The people in the hall straightened up and respectfully addressed him as "Mr. Pitt."

It was Brad Pitt, Aniston’s husband.

"No problem, I’m just glad you’re here,"

Aniston smiled, giving him a light hug.

"What were you two laughing about?"

Brad Pitt removed his glasses and casually asked.

"Nothing much,"

Aniston smiled slightly. "Brad, let me introduce you. This is Luca Kelly, a fellow acting school student and a friend."

"So, you’re Luca?"

Brad Pitt raised an eyebrow, his sharp gaze landing directly on Luca with an assessing look.

"Yes, Mr. Pitt. I’m Luca. It’s a pleasure to meet you,"

Luca extended his hand.

Brad Pitt stared at him for a few seconds before laughing. "So, you’re Luca? I’ve heard you’re quite the model. Jen, weren’t you looking for a spokesperson? I think Luca is a great choice."

"Yes, Luca’s reputation and image are excellent. After much consideration, we chose him,"

Aniston smiled.

"See, Jen? We have the same taste in people! Haha, Luca, congratulations on landing a big contract. You should really thank Jen, right?"

Brad Pitt patted his shoulder.

Luca’s expression shifted slightly before quickly returning to normal.

"Yes,"

he said with a faint smile. "Thank you, Jen."

"Luca, you’ve already thanked me,"

Aniston said with a smile, glancing at the two of them. "Brad, let me introduce you to some friends."

"Of course!"

Brad Pitt replied, patting Luca’s shoulder again, his lips moving slightly.

He then softly said, "Luca, don’t you agree?"

Luca pressed his lips together, his deep eyes revealing a hint of coldness. "Thank you for the advice, Mr. Pitt."

"What are you two talking about?"

Aniston blinked, curious.

"Oh, nothing, dear. Let’s go meet your friends,"

Brad Pitt said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders with a smile.

"Alright. See you later, Luca!"

Aniston waved.

"Goodbye, Jen,"

Luca smiled faintly, then let it drop.

"What’s the matter, Luca?"

Seeing the change in his expression, Ed walked over and asked,

"Ed, can that contract be canceled?" Luca asked calmly.

Ed was taken aback for a moment. "Why? That's a contract worth millions!"

"Can it be?" Luca asked in a deep voice.

Ed looked at him and slowly said, "There's no contract that can't be canceled, but the cost is too high. Canceling it unilaterally right after signing it would have a bad impact on both parties. Plus, you were recommended by Ms. Aniston. Before canceling, you should discuss it with her and get her approval. Are you sure you want to do this? No matter what you decide, I’ll support you."

 Luca blinked, quietly looking ahead. Aniston, standing in the crowd, looked like a bright moon, and even the once-dazzling Pitt seemed like just a background next to her.

Suddenly, he smiled and said, "I was just joking.

That's a million-dollar contract; only a fool would give it up."

 "Are you serious?"

"Of course! I’ve put in so much effort for this contract, giving it up would be such a waste."

"What did you give up?"

"My beautiful body!"

 "Gross!"