91-95

*Chapter 91: Kate’s Weakness*

“Damn it! Those damn reporters are so annoying, I really want to throw them into the Pacific to feed the fish.”

On the second-floor staircase, Kate scowled and cursed in frustration.

“Kate, you can't do that,” Luca said seriously. “As an environmentalist, how could you just toss garbage into the Pacific? That’s extremely un-eco-friendly.”

“Garbage?” Kate paused, then laughed. “Hmph~ you jerk, I’m the one being bullied by the trash, and you still have the nerve to joke around.”

Luca smiled slightly, “Of course. I’m an environmentalist too, so I absolutely can’t tolerate you feeding fish with trash. What if the fish get sick? They’re so cute, how could you let that happen?”

“Haha~ are sharks cute too? You really are a kind-hearted jerk!” Kate pressed her hands against his cheeks, rubbing them back and forth.

“Kate, don’t do that. We still have to attend the banquet later,” Luca said, pulling her hands away.

“So what if we’re going to the banquet?” Kate snorted, pointing at him. “Look at you, all slicked up in that blue suit. Why are you dressing up so handsomely for a party? Are you trying to make Lima jealous?”

“Uh~ wasn’t it you who told me to dress like this?”

“Did I?”

“╮(—︿—)╭”

“The more I look at you, the more annoyed I get. I should make you change. Hmm, how about women’s clothes?”

“Noooooooo~”

“Enough, you two!” Just as Kate was about to act, Ms. Nina, along with Emily and Gina, arrived.

Ms. Nina sighed, glancing at the pair. Kate had just been cursing angrily, and now she was laughing uncontrollably—not at all like the ice queen writer she appeared to be. And Luca? Well, without him, none of this chaos would’ve happened.

Nina sighed quietly and said slowly, “Kate, you don’t need to curse at those reporters. They were just doing their job—they were sent by someone to stir up trouble at the press conference.”

“Paid to do it?” Kate’s eyes lit up as she clenched her fist. “Bündchen! It must be Bündchen. That b*tch knows me too well. She knew my temper would flare, so she set them up to ask those questions. She knows my weakness is Luca—that’s why they kept bringing him up. It has to be her!”

“Kate!” Ms. Nina shook her head. “Bündchen is busy walking in Paris fashion shows. She doesn’t have time to care about a press conference.”

“Emmm~” Kate raised her eyebrows. “If not her, then maybe one of her friends. Doesn’t matter—it’s all the same.”

“Haha, Kate, that might not be the case,” Emily smiled. “You know, the publishing industry is just like fashion. Every year, people’s purchasing power is about the same.

“When readers choose ‘Twilight,’ they inevitably give up other books.

“As a result, the success of ‘Twilight’ is impacting book sales across the board.

“For example, Professor Pallard, whom the reporter mentioned, is also a writer. Your book became a bestseller, but his book, well, I heard he spent ten years writing it and has sold fewer than 800 copies in a month.”

“Ten years, and only 800 books sold?” Kate's face lit up with glee.

“Yes, yes! The reporter didn’t even finish the story,” Emily said, stifling a laugh. “Professor Pallard said sourly that it’s too bad Britney doesn’t fancy him; otherwise, he’d be willing to sacrifice for literature too.”

“Hahaha~” A burst of laughter echoed from the upstairs hall.

Ms. Nina pursed her lips, watching as Kate collapsed laughing onto Luca’s shoulder, completely losing her composure.

With a helpless shake of her head, Nina said, “Kate, the reason we’re telling you this is that you’re no longer just Kate the supermodel from the fashion world. You’re now Kate, the bestselling author from the literary world.

“Similarly, your competition isn’t just other models anymore; now you’re also facing a crowd of writers who make a living through their books.

“You need to expand your vision beyond the fashion world. The broader your perspective, the farther you’ll go.”

Kate nodded seriously. “Nina, you’re right. It might not be Bündchen. Hmm, it could be Annie Ness.

“Her books are in the same genre as ‘Twilight,’ and ever since ‘Twilight’ became a hit, her sales have plummeted. Haha, last week she even dropped off the bestseller list.

“I’m taking her cheese away—she definitely won’t let that slide. Nina, am I right?”

“Not exactly,” Nina shook her head slightly. “You’re affecting more than just her cheese. There’s also her publisher, her distributor, and more.

“It’s just like your competition with Bündchen—your opponent isn’t just her. It includes her agent, her assistant, and even the marketing VP above them.

“Kate, the stronger you get, the stronger your enemies become. But their strength also reflects your own. So don’t focus on Bündchen, Annie Ness, or any single person—it could lead to misjudgment.”

“I see. My opponent is a group, a force, or even more forces,” Kate said thoughtfully.

“Yes, every successful person inevitably disrupts someone else’s interests on their way to success, and in doing so, you’ll inevitably gain more enemies. But that’s why you need to push forward without hesitation.”

“Yes! I will!” Kate said excitedly, squeezing someone’s hand tightly.

“Hiss~” Luca sucked in a breath, wincing. “Nina, can’t we rise to power peacefully?”

Ms. Nina glanced at him. “You wish.”

“Luca, you idiot! You don’t understand anything. Stop talking and just listen,” Kate said, squeezing his fingers harder.

Luca covered his face and didn’t dare speak again.

Once he quieted down, Ms. Nina continued, “Kate, now that you’re a famous author, you need to be more careful with your language in public. Avoid swearing or insulting others—it will affect your public image.”

“Yes, Nina, I understand. I’ll be more mindful from now on,” Kate said solemnly.

Clap, clap~

“Nina, that was great!” Han Li and Felix lightly applauded.

“Kate, just like Nina said, the road to success is full of obstacles. Along the way, you’ll face many enemies, but equally, you’ll find more friends and partners!”

Han Li gestured to herself, then to the people around her. “We’re all in this together!”

“Wow~ Yes, yes! We’re a team,” Kate said, even more excited, squeezing someone’s fingers again.

Someone: “╥﹏╥”

As they chatted, the group arrived at an Oriental restaurant called “Three Birds Island.”

With its paper sliding doors, ancient vases with flower arrangements, and hardwood floors, the place had a classic oriental style. It was a secluded, elegant spot tucked into the eastern corner of a building, away from the shopping mall and supermarket—a quiet retreat amidst the bustle.

The oriental décor was combined with the luxurious, sophisticated ambiance of a Western restaurant.

“Everyone, we’re here!” Felix called out.

Whoosh~

Two waiters in white gloves opened the large double doors.

As the doors swung open, the restaurant was lit up brightly inside.

A red carpet stretched from the entrance to the center.

In the center stood a tall champagne tower, shimmering under the lights, filling the air with a rich aroma of wine.

Around the hall, more than a hundred well-dressed guests sat chatting.

As soon as Kate led the way into the hall, the conversations stopped, and all eyes turned to the door.

“Clap! Clap! Clap!”

Everyone applauded in unison, welcoming the newly minted bestselling author, Kate Kelly.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

Thirty-five bottles of champagne were opened in succession, creating a rain of champagne along the red carpet. The crowd cheered loudly as the atmosphere in the restaurant reached a fever pitch.

“Thank you, darling,” Kate whispered, gazing at the cheering crowd on the red carpet.

“You’re welcome,” Luca replied with a smirk.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 92: The Party*

“Haha, Kate, welcome, welcome!”

In the crowd, an old man stood up first and greeted her warmly.

“Mr. Schwartz, I’m sorry I’m late!”

Kate gave a reserved smile, then quickly returned to her serious expression.

“No worries, have a seat. There are plenty of friends who want to meet you.”

Old Schwartz gestured for Kate to join the crowd.

“Ms. Kelly, I’m Eric Wald. I love your book!”

“Ms. Kelly, I’m Fred from Greenlight Productions. Could we talk?”

“Kate, I’m the author of Glass House. Are you interested in joining our literary club?”

As soon as Kate sat down, people rushed up to greet her, handing her business cards. Some stayed to talk about literature, creativity, or business.

The room suddenly became lively.

Kate sat in the center, trying to maintain the air of a great author.

Nina and Hanli sat on either side of her, helping to manage the people who came over to chat.

Whenever Kate responded with just a few words, it drew a wave of enthusiastic replies, making her the star of the evening.

However, she didn’t seem to enjoy this kind of scene, occasionally casting someone a death glare.

Luca smirked slightly. The smile was somewhat bitter. He knew he’d be in trouble when they got home.

Sigh~

He let out a soft sigh and sat down on one of the curved wooden stools in front of the cooking station.

“Haha, Luca! It’s great to see you!”

Old Schwartz, leaning on a cane, came over and gave him a hearty pat on the shoulder.

Luca winced slightly. The old man might look frail, but his strength was still impressive. Luca wondered if Schwartz had ever fought dragons in his youth.

He subtly shifted his shoulder. “Mr. Schwartz, how’s your health?”

“Haha, not bad at all!”

Old Schwartz sat down next to him, grabbing a blue-and-white porcelain sake pot and pouring two cups of sake.

“Luca, how about a drink?”

“OK!”

Luca picked up his cup with both hands, clinking it with the old man’s in a perfectly formal manner. The sake was smooth and fragrant, with a refreshing, sweet aftertaste—a nice daiginjo.

“Luca, the success of Twilight is all thanks to you. I appreciate your hard work!”

The old man poured two more cups.

Luca shook his head and smiled. “Mr. Schwartz—”

“Call me Karl.”

Old Schwartz chuckled.

“Alright, Karl.”

Calling an old man by his first name felt awkward. “Karl, it wasn’t just me. My sister, Emily, Felix, and you, Mr. Schwartz—it was a group effort.”

“Haha, well said!”

Old Schwartz raised his cup.

Clink!

They toasted again.

“Enjoy!”

The chef behind the cooking station placed two servings of golden grilled miso-marinated cod in front of them.

The fish, about two fingers wide, glistened with honey glaze. The small plate held only three slices of fish, garnished with cilantro and shiso leaves.

The golden yellow paired with the fresh green was visually striking and artfully presented.

“Luca, try it. This Japanese restaurant is ranked in the top ten in New York.”

Old Schwartz smiled.

“Sure!”

Luca picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks, took a bite, and the tender, delicate fish melted in his mouth. It was fresh and had a slight hint of sake—delicious.

“Very nice!”

Luca smiled at the Japanese chef.

“Thank you!”

The chef bowed in gratitude.

“Haha, Luca, feel free to come by anytime. I’ll treat you!”

Old Schwartz said enthusiastically.

“Thank you!”

The two of them ate, drank, and chatted, like old friends from different generations.

“Hey, Luca! I’m exhausted, and you’re still drinking here?!”

In the middle of their conversation, Kate came over, glaring at him.

Luca laughed heartily, picking up a piece of fresh shrimp sashimi with his chopsticks.

“Try this!”

Kate opened her mouth and ate it. She glanced at his hands and said, “You’re pretty good with chopsticks!”

Luca shrugged. After decades of practice, he’d never forget.

“Kate, what were you talking about?”

“Flaubert, Maupassant, postmodernism, magical realism...”

Kate sighed, resting her head in her hand. “My brain’s about to explode.”

“Kate, have a drink. This’ll help with the headache.”

Old Schwartz poured another cup of sake.

“Thanks!”

Kate stopped pretending and downed the sake in one go. Afterward, she let out a long sigh. “Not bad!”

“Kate, you’re amazing! Compared to you, Luca’s like a little girl.”

Old Schwartz teased.

“Mr. Schwartz, didn’t you know? Luca is actually my little sister!”

Kate laughed softly, playfully shaking Luca by the neck.

“Great writer, mind your image!”

Luca pushed her arm away.

Kate raised an eyebrow and withdrew her hand.

“Luca, five production companies approached me earlier. They want to buy the adaptation rights for Twilight.”

She took another sip of sake.

Luca smiled slightly, unsurprised.

“How strong are the five companies?”

“New Line and Summit Entertainment are decent. I’ve never heard of the other three.”

Kate shrugged. The representatives from the other three companies had seemed sleazy to her, so she hadn’t bothered remembering their names.

“The other three are just licensing companies,”

Old Schwartz chimed in. “They specialize in buying adaptation rights for niche novels, then flipping them to major studios like Disney or Universal after some hype. But Twilight is a bestseller—it doesn’t need the hype. Working with them wouldn’t be worth it.”

Luca nodded. “Kate, what did New Line and Summit offer?”

“New Line offered $2 million for the entire series’ film rights. Summit offered $1.5 million plus 5% of the merchandising profits.”

“That’s not very generous.”

Luca shook his head slightly. “Kate, let’s hold off on selling the film rights for now. Wait until the entire series is published.”

“Got it!”

After a few more drinks and dishes, Kate was called away by Nina.

“Luca, when you signed Twilight, how did you think to retain the film rights?”

Old Schwartz furrowed his white brows.

Luca smirked. “Karl, I’m an actor. When Kate designed Twilight’s male lead, she based him on me. She hoped that one day I could play the lead role, so we kept the film rights. It was just a small dream.”

“Haha, a small dream?”

Old Schwartz took a big gulp of sake. “That ‘small dream’ is worth millions—maybe billions. Our publishing house lost big on this one.”

“Lost big? Wow, Karl, what are you talking about? I heard that when Felix signed Twilight, you were banging on the door!”

Luca teased.

Old Schwartz’s beard twitched. He chuckled awkwardly. “Haha, let’s not talk about that. Let’s drink!”

Luca smiled slightly, raising his cup. Just as he was about to imitate Kate and down his drink, he noticed a pretty boy sitting across from her, the two of them chatting happily.

Bang!

He slammed his cup down hard.

“Karl, warm the sake for me. I’ll be right back.”

Straightening his clothes, he marched off with determination.

“Warm sake?”

Old Schwartz raised an eyebrow and said to the chef, “Mr. Hiromu, please warm this cup of sake.”

“Of course!”

*Chapter 93: The Future Female Billionaire (Edited)*

Luca put down his cup and walked toward the long table.

The table was filled with a variety of Japanese cuisine: grilled Wagyu beef, tuna sashimi, chicken curry hot pot, papaya salad, tempura shrimp, avocado vegetable salad, and more—a feast for the eyes.

However, most people were too busy chatting and making friends to pay much attention to the food.

In the middle of the long table, Kate was softly talking to a pale-faced man.

The man had fair skin and was dressed in a Zegna suit, paired with a crisp white shirt. He looked quite presentable.

As Luca slowly approached the table, he heard the man, with exaggerated enthusiasm, saying:

"Wow~! In just over a month, Twilight has sold over 3.5 million copies worldwide. Wow, wow~! That's an incredible achievement.

Ms. Kelly, the news says you’ll be the next J.K. Rowling. But no, I think they're underestimating you! You're much younger than Rowling, and your future achievements will far surpass hers. I believe you're the next Emily Brontë."

"Emily Brontë?"

Luca walked up and calmly asked, "Sir, do you think Kate will become the next Emily Brontë?"

"Oh, it's Mr. Kelly. Hello, Mr. Kelly!" the man stood up, politely greeting him.

"I'm not doing well," Luca said with a stern face.

Kate smiled slightly and pulled him to sit beside her.

"Mr. Kelly, have I offended you in any way?"

"Heh, you just said Kate would become the next Emily Brontë, right?" Luca asked seriously.

The man was taken aback, confused. "Emily wrote Wuthering Heights in her twenties. Kate is equally brilliant, having written Twilight at just 23. Amazing! They're both genius female authors. What’s wrong with that?"

Kate rested her head on her hand, looking at him. She had already dealt with eight suitors earlier and was quite tired of it. Luca’s arrival was timely.

Luca snorted lightly. "Sir, do you know how old Emily Brontë was when she died?"

"Uh..."

"She didn’t even make it to 30," Luca said flatly.

The man's face darkened. He quickly explained, "Kate, I was talking about talent. You’re both incredibly talented."

"Hmph, do you know how Emily Brontë died?" Without waiting for a reply, Luca tapped the table and said, "Emily Brontë had a brother named Branwell. They were very close, and Emily adored him."

Kate couldn’t help but smile, thinking how she was quite like Emily. But then she heard Luca continue, "But Branwell died at 24, having fallen ill from years of alcoholism and drug addiction."

"Oh~" Kate covered her mouth, looking at him in surprise.

"Not long after, Emily died of a broken heart," Luca shrugged. "Comparing my sister to her, are you saying I'm Branwell?"

Swoosh~! Kate's face suddenly turned cold.

Luca used to struggle with alcoholism and drugs and had nearly died from it. He was better now and more important to her than ever. She couldn’t imagine what her life would be like without him.

"Apologies, Mr. Kelly, I was just using a metaphor. I meant no offense," the man said, wiping his forehead. He shot Luca a resentful glance, then smiled at Kate. "Kate, you know I was only speaking about your talent. Mr. Kelly misunderstood me."

"Leave," Kate said coldly.

The man's face darkened.

"Ha, ha~ okay, okay," he said with a sarcastic smile, walking away with a scowl.

"Kate, why were you talking to someone like him for so long?" Luca asked, eating a piece of sizzling Wagyu beef.

"He said he’s a travel writer and wanted to exchange writing experiences. Since I’m practicing my writing, I thought, why not?" Kate shrugged.

Luca chuckled. "Someone who doesn’t even know Emily Brontë's story—what kind of writer is that?"

"Are you talking about me?" Kate asked with a cold expression.

"Uh~ no, not at all," Luca quickly offered her some tea to make amends.

Kate snorted lightly and, furrowing her brow, asked, "Did Emily Brontë really die of a broken heart because of her brother?"

Luca nodded. "That’s what the books say. But the Brontë family had hereditary lung disease. Historically, none of the six Brontë siblings lived past 40, so don’t overthink it."

Kate let out an "oh," slowly smiling.

"Hey~ Luca, Kate, are you talking about me?" Hanli walked over and sat across from them.

Luca was momentarily confused, then remembered her name was also Emily.

"Emily, we were talking about Emily Brontë," he explained.

"Oh, her. I could never match her talent," Hanli said with a smile. She pulled out a black leather bag and took out two light green slips, pushing them over.

"What’s this?" Kate picked them up, surprised. "Two hundred thousand? Is this from book royalties?"

"Ha ha, yes. This is the first batch of royalty transfers. The money’s already in your account. You can check with the finance department later," Hanli said.

Kate nodded. "This is the first batch?"

"Yes. More will follow—a second and third batch. This time it's two hundred thousand. The next could be five hundred thousand or even a million. Congratulations, Kate! You’re a young millionaire now."

"A millionaire~ that sounds nice!" Kate smiled. "Luca, look, we’re rich now."

Luca waved his hand dismissively. "Don’t show me. I’m not interested in money. To me, it’s just a number."

"Is that so? I’ll halve your monthly allowance then," Kate teased.

"NO, that’s absolutely unacceptable!" Luca exclaimed.

"Didn't you say you weren't interested in money?"

". . . I was just talking," Luca said sheepishly. He quickly changed the subject to how they should use the money, suggesting they buy a villa and invest in tech stocks.

As they were discussing this, Nina walked in from outside.

"Kate, Emily, an important guest has arrived. You need to greet them," she said.

"Who?" Kate and Emily both asked, curious.

"Mackenzie Bezos," Nina replied calmly.

"Mrs. Bezos?" Luca was surprised. This was the future richest woman in the world, the wife of Amazon’s CEO. He had just been talking with Kate about buying Amazon stock, and now, here she was.

After a while, Felix walked into the room, leading a woman in her early thirties. She was stylishly dressed, tall, and carried herself with great poise.

As soon as she appeared, many people couldn’t help but stare at her, whispering amongst themselves.

"Why is Mrs. Bezos here?"

"The publishing house and Amazon bookstore are partners. Of course, she's here to congratulate them."

"Not necessarily. Mrs. Bezos is also an author."

"Yes, but her book sales are terrible. Maybe she’s here to ask Ms. Kelly for writing advice!"

"Hahaha~ makes sense!"

Luca chuckled to himself. So, the future female billionaire had once been a struggling writer?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 94: Found My Group (Edited)

With Mrs. Bezos joining the party, the atmosphere became even livelier.

Luca met her briefly, exchanged a few words, and then returned to the kitchen. Old Schwartz hadn’t moved from his spot.

The elderly figure had his back turned to the lively crowd, his head nodding as if he were dozing off.

The head chef across from him thoughtfully dimmed the lights, even quieting the noise of the cooking.

In the dim corner, it was almost too quiet.

"Hey, Karl, you can go ahead and rest early," Luca gently patted his shoulder.

Old Schwartz shook his head, turned to look at the lively party, Mrs. Bezos in the crowd, and the young Felix.

He opened his mouth but sighed after a long pause, "The publishing house hasn't been this lively in years. I like it this way."

"Don’t worry, Karl. Felix is very talented!" Luca poured him a cup of hot tea.

"Yes!"

Old Schwartz picked up the teacup, suddenly remembering something. "Luca, your wine's been warmed. Aren't you going to drink it?"

"What wine?"

Luca asked, confused.

Old Schwartz pointed to the table. There was a white porcelain bowl with half a bowl of steaming hot water, holding a wine cup, the same one Luca had just used.

Luca smirked. This old man was truly clueless, couldn't even take a joke.

"Haha, Karl, thanks for warming the wine for me."

Luca picked up the wine cup and downed it in one gulp.

"How is it?"

Old Schwartz chuckled.

Luca smacked his lips. Sake didn't have much flavor to begin with, and after heating, all the alcohol evaporated, leaving it tasteless.

He smiled slightly and gave a thumbs up.

"Tastes great!"

"Hey, Luca!"

As they were chatting, a middle-aged man in a suit approached, introducing himself.

"My name is Paul Rich, investment manager at Summit Entertainment."

Summit Entertainment? Luca looked at him quizzically. Could it be about rights?

"Hello, Mr. Rich. What can I do for you?"

"Yes, our company is preparing a major production, and I think one of the key roles would be perfect for you. Are you interested?"

Luca pressed his lips together. This guy was clever, taking the indirect approach.

"I'm somewhat interested. Please, have a seat!" Luca gestured.

"Thank you!"

After chatting for a while, Paul Rich left, satisfied.

"You agreed to it?"

Old Schwartz tilted his head and asked.

Luca shrugged, "I just agreed to persuade Kate. Whether she agrees is up to her."

"Haha, but isn't this your decision to make?" Old Schwartz laughed.

"No, no, Kate's in charge of this one," Luca insisted.

Before long, another person approached.

"Hello, Mr. Kelly. I'm the director of investments at New Line. I have a role..."

As Luca listened, he slowly smirked. So, everyone thinks I'm easier to talk to? Well then, let's chat.

"I'm interested. Please, Mr. Heyman, have a seat!"

"Thank you!"

By around 7 p.m., the party had ended.

Spring had come, and with longer days, it still wasn't dark by the time the party was over. The western sky was half-covered in night while the other half was still daytime, as the night slowly pushed the day toward the horizon, preparing for a prolonged encounter.

In the twilight, a Mercedes van slowly drove west.

Inside, Luca leaned back in his seat, staring at the sunroof, exhaling the wine's aroma.

Kate leaned on his shoulder, holding a white, violet-patterned invitation.

"Look, Luca, this is a gift from Mrs. Bezos — an invitation to the Betty Reading Club."

"What's that, some kind of book club?" Luca asked, puzzled.

"I don't know!"

Kate looked toward Nina.

"It's a semi-public feminist organization," Ms. Nina chimed in.

"The club was founded by Betty Friedan, a renowned American feminist activist and social reformer. She was also a writer. Her works include The Feminine Mystique, The Second Stage, and The Life So Far."

Nina paused. "Betty founded two organizations in her lifetime. One was the National Organization for Women, where she served as the first president. She even convinced the U.S. President to sign an executive order banning gender discrimination. The second organization is the Betty Reading Club.

The first group was a national women’s organization open to all, with low membership requirements. Any ordinary woman could join.

The second one is more like an elite club for intellectual women who’ve made significant achievements in various fields worldwide. To become a member, you need to be recommended by three board members.

Maggie Bezos happens to be one of the board members.

With Twilight’s success in North America and Europe, you've become a role model for female writers around the world, which is why you're qualified to be a provisional member. To become a full member, you'll need to pass a three-year assessment."

"Sounds pretty impressive," Kate suddenly felt the invitation in her hand getting heavier.

"Of course it is,"

Ms. Nina glanced at the invitation, her eyes green with envy. "The First Lady, Melinda Gates, Anna Wintour, and many other famous women you know are, or once were, members of this club. Pretty powerful, huh?"

"Wow~ Big names!"

Kate exclaimed, feeling the weight of the invitation increase even more.

"So, should I join?"

"Do you even need to ask?"

Ms. Nina looked at her helplessly. "Being a club member is a status symbol. If you were just a supermodel or millionaire, don’t even dream about it. Only because you're a world-class bestselling author do you qualify.

This invitation isn't just a club membership; it's practically a pass into high society. Countless women would kill for this. You really want to pass it up?"

"Is that so?"

Kate raised her eyebrows. "Luca, what do you think?"

"I don't know. Don’t ask me about women's stuff," Luca said, holding his head, feeling a headache coming on.

Kate was already quite overbearing. If she joined this feminist group, who knows what she would become.

To be safe, he didn't really want her to join.

But then again, this club sounded so prestigious, like the Skull and Bones society. Joining would definitely have major benefits, such as connections, resources, and information.

Having this status would be like having extra insurance, making Kate's future in the fashion world more secure.

Turning it down would be foolish.

"Emmm~, okay, I’ll join and see how it goes!"

Kate made a cheerful decision.

Luca sighed quietly. The future was looking tough.

The day after the party, Kate, Nina, and their group flew to Paris.

Luca was left alone in the apartment, resuming his two-point routine: apartment to set, back and forth.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 95: Passionate Performance*

"Let go of me, let go of me!"

The room was brightly lit.

Luca was dressed in a black suit with a gold-striped tie, looking sharp and dashing.

At this moment, he was tightly holding Jessica by her slender waist, lowering his head, attempting to kiss her red lips.

Jessica struggled hard in his arms, "You jerk, let go of me, stop!"

"Honey, I'm serious. I really like you," Luca whispered sweet nothings as he kissed the corner of her lips.

Slap!

Immediately, Jessica swung her hand, landing a hard slap on his face. The crisp sound echoed in the empty room.

"CUT!"

In the corner of the room, Director Billy was staring at the monitor, stopping the scene.

"What’s wrong, Director Billy?"

Luca touched the corner of his mouth and looked toward the director.

This was the set of the movie Honey.

It had been four days since Kate left, and Luca had completed most of his scenes. Today, they were shooting a key moment.

Luca's character, Michael, brought the female lead, Honey, to an important party.

Mid-party, Honey went upstairs with her phone to call a friend.

While she was on the phone, Michael entered the room, confessed his feelings for her, and tried to pin her against the wall.

Honey resisted fiercely, slapping Michael hard across the face.

Afterward, the two had a major fallout.

This scene marked the turning point in their relationship, from collaboration to conflict. It was also one of the most intense scenes in the film.

"You two, come here and take a look!"

Billy furrowed his brows and waved them over.

Luca and Jessica left the performance area while the camera, sound, and lighting crew adjusted the set.

"Do you see the issue?"

Billy played back the footage and, with his arms crossed over his belly, asked the two actors standing beside him.

Luca stroked his chin, deep in thought but said nothing.

"Director, just tell us directly," Jessica shrugged.

Billy chuckled, "Jessica, the character of Honey is a fiery, wild girl, like an untamable mare. Only someone special can ride her."

Snicker 

There was a faint laugh from behind.

Billy turned around, annoyed, "Blake, what's so funny?"

"Nothing," Blake, the assistant, grinned and walked away from the director’s area.

Billy shook his head slightly and turned back to Jessica, "Do you get what I mean? Honey is a firecracker, so your resistance should be more intense. You need to put more force into it during the performance, making it more passionate."

"Right," Luca smiled slightly. "The audience will enjoy seeing Honey slap Michael with full force and not give in. They'll like the heroine more for staying strong, isn't that right, Billy?"

Billy smirked a little, admitting that Luca had a point, but he didn't like the way it turned the film's interpretation into something less serious.

He let out a cold snort, then seriously said, "Jessica, Luca's suggestion is good. You should hit harder next time."

"No problem," Jessica responded calmly.

"Hey~ Billy, you can’t be serious. I’ve already been slapped three times today," Luca rubbed the corner of his mouth in protest.

"Why not?" Billy looked at him with confusion. "You can sacrifice for literature, but not take a hit for the sake of cinema?"

Jessica smirked, giving Luca a meaningful look.

Luca's face darkened. Ever since the last press conference, many newspapers had run with the joke about Luca "sacrificing for literature."

The incident had involved Britney Spears, making it quite the headline.

Then, Jimmy, the host of ABC’s late-night show, poked fun at it, saying, "Luca is the first person of the 21st century to sacrifice for literature. His name will live on forever with Twilight."

The joke spread around all circles, and acquaintances couldn’t help teasing him about it whenever they saw him.

"Okay~ Luca, Jessica, go prepare. We’ll shoot again," Billy clapped his hands, signaling the crew to get ready.

Luca and Jessica returned to the set.

"Luca, during the next take, can you ease up a bit? You’re holding me too tightly, and I can’t struggle enough to meet Billy’s direction," Jessica said calmly, spreading her hands.

"Sorry, Jessica. It wasn’t intentional. I’ll pay more attention," Luca nodded, then pointed to his cheek. "Could you go a bit lighter with the slap? My face is already red."

Jessica glanced at his face and smiled slightly, "Sorry, Luca. That’s Billy’s note. He wants me to hit harder. But alright, I’ll be careful this time."

"Thank you!" Luca sighed in relief and went back to his mark at the door.

Jessica took out her phone, preparing for the scene.

"Take 20, Scene 5, Third take, Action!"

Blake clapped the board, and the crew resumed filming.

"Remember, Gina, if it’s 16, stick with it. If it’s less, keep looking. Yeah, okay. I miss you, happy birthday!"

By the window, Honey hung up the phone, a hint of guilt on her face. It was her friend Gina’s birthday, and because of this party, she had missed the celebration. She was feeling awful.

"Huh~ this place is nice!"

Just then, Michael walked into the room, looking sharp in his suit.

Honey turned around, surprised.

"Oh~ Michael, you scared me."

Michael leaned against a liquor cabinet, wiping his forehead with his thumb, his gaze burning as he looked at Honey.

"Michael, what are you doing?"

Honey asked, nervous.

"I'm just admiring the view."

His eyes grew greedier.

"The view of the house?"

Honey pretended not to notice, glancing around.

"No, no, I’m looking at you."

Michael smiled, stepping away from the cabinet, moving slowly toward Honey, his steps heavy and deliberate. Each footfall landed like a drumbeat: thump, thump, thump~ His gaze, like that of a hungry wolf eyeing prey, was intense and scorching.

"Good!"

Behind the monitor, Billy stroked his beard and smiled slightly. "Luca’s acting has matured, hasn’t it?"

"Yes!"

Blake watched the screen intently.

On the monitor, Luca looked like a perfectly dressed predator.

At first glance, he appeared like the typical righteous male lead, sharp-dressed and handsome.

But his eyes, his movements, and his sly smile turned his image upside down, making him seem more like a villain in disguise.

Blake grinned, recalling rumors in the industry: "Maybe... he’s just playing himself."

"Playing himself? Haha~"

Billy stifled a laugh, then refocused. They were getting to the crucial part.

"Honey, do you know? When I first saw you, I told myself, ‘This girl is amazing.’"

Michael’s eyes roamed over Honey’s figure, lingering on her slightly exposed chest, slender waist, and long legs.

"Oh~ Michael, stop it."

Honey crossed her arms, stepping back.

"I’m not joking, who’s joking? I’m serious, okay?"

Michael stepped forward, tightly wrapping his arms around her waist. "Honey, I’m serious. I really like you."

"Michael, let go of me. No, stop!"

Honey pushed against his chest, struggling fiercely. "You can’t do this, let go of me!"

"No, I like you,"

Michael lowered his head, trying to force a kiss, but Honey turned her head away, and he only managed to kiss the corner of her lips.

Slap!

Honey slapped him hard and pushed him away with all her might.

"Stay away from me!"

Michael staggered back a couple of steps, touching his face. His expression turned dark, a mix of surprise, anger, and betrayal flashing in his eyes.

"Hmm?"

Behind the monitor, Billy was surprised. Luca’s performance was outstanding. That look in his eyes was perfect, as if he had really been deceived.

"Bitch~ how could you play me like that?"

Luca dropped his hand, glaring at Jessica in frustration.

Jessica froze. Seeing the resentment in his eyes, she suddenly remembered that they had agreed she would hit him lightly, but she had forgotten and slapped him hard again. The sound was loud and clear.

Guilt flashed in her eyes, and she forgot to say her lines.

"Director, uh..."

Blake was about to ask if they should stop, but Billy waved him off.

"This is fine. Honey didn’t want to ruin things with Michael. He helped her a lot, so it makes sense she’d feel a bit guilty after slapping him."

On set, Luca was waiting for Jessica to deliver her lines, but since she didn’t, and the director didn’t yell "cut," he had to improvise.

"Wow~, I get it now. I totally get it. You’re just like the others, using me, aren’t you?"

Luca sneered, stepping back a few paces.

"I’m not what you think. I didn’t come up here for this,"

Jessica said helplessly.

"Hah~ alright, alright, fine!"

Luca swung his arm, scattering the pool balls across the table with a loud clatter.

"CUT!"

Applause!

The director called cut, and the set erupted in applause.

"Wow~ Luca, that was fantastic!"

Billy laughed.

"Thank you

, Director Billy. My face still hurts, though,"

Luca smiled slightly.

"Jessica, that was excellent too! Now, let’s take a break."