"Good morning, boss."
As Ethan walked into the company, his employees greeted him with warm smiles and nods.
Ethan acknowledged each of them with a nod but didn't say a word.
His office was bright and spacious, so vast that one could even hold a 50-meter shuttle run inside.
A gray carpet covered the entire floor, soft and much more comfortable to walk on than any hard surface.
Yuffie, his secretary, wore a dark gray professional dress, revealing two long legs wrapped in black stockings. She wore black-framed glasses and a pair of black heels with red soles, exuding a restrained allure.
But this was merely a disguise. Anyone daring to make inappropriate jokes about her looks or figure would soon learn the true meaning of regret.
Once, a department manager made a crude remark, comparing her chest to a pair of searchlights. The result? He ended up in the hospital for a week. And when he was finally discharged, Ethan fired him on the spot.
After that, no one dared to make such comments about Yuffie again. People only speculated in private about the nature of her relationship with Ethan.
But in reality, there was nothing between them. Ethan had hired her purely on merit—she was recommended by Fernando after he retired and happened to be his niece.
Yuffie graduated from Columbia University, with an outstanding academic background and impressive work capabilities.
Most importantly, she was a fan of Ethan's films and found him fascinating, displaying a strong professional attitude.
So Ethan hired her without hesitation as his personal secretary.
"Good morning, boss," Yuffie greeted him as she opened the office door. Once Ethan sat down, she handed him a cup of warm milk.
Unlike most people, Ethan disliked coffee. Instead, he preferred drinking milk in the morning.
To ensure he always had the freshest supply, he bought a farm and raised his own dairy cows.
Of course, besides cows, he also raised pigs and sheep and even had farmers growing various vegetables. The reason was simple—he wanted fresh and organic food.
He could eat out if necessary, but Elena couldn't.
The little girl had developed a picky taste. After drinking fresh milk from their farm, she outright refused any store-bought versions, even the sweetened ones.
To satisfy this little princess, Ethan had gone to great lengths.
From her clothes to her shoes, even her early childhood education, everything was top-notch and custom-made. One of her outfits alone could cost as much as a luxury handbag.
Jessica often teased Ethan, saying he spoiled their child more than she did. Now, whenever Elena saw her father, she would instantly light up with joy.
Thinking about Elena, Ethan finished his milk, set the cup down, and Yuffie promptly took it away.
She then began briefing Ethan on the company's latest affairs.
"Bernays Public Relations has submitted a new budget request for salary increases and recruitment. They aim to expand their team to counter Weinstein Company's lobbying efforts on the awards circuit."
"Kane Mosley from Angel Declaration has also put in a new budget request. He wants to purchase Republic Records' recording studio to expand the company's production capabilities."
"Additionally, Rico Dash from the publishing division has submitted the six-month sales data for Fifty Shades Darker and Inception."
Ethan interrupted, saying, "Approve Angel Declaration's request. Let them buy more if needed. We do need to expand our production capacity. Also, tell them to recruit more scouts and sign promising singers. Not just in New York—talented musicians from anywhere should be brought in."
"Understood." Yuffie quickly jotted down Ethan's instructions.
"As for Bernays, deny their budget request. Tell them to dig deeper into these award voters' backgrounds instead of just wining and dining them. Playing golf is another good approach. Also, if someone is particularly difficult to crack, then target their family members. I refuse to believe that if we win over their loved ones, they'll remain stubborn."
"Of course, that's only a temporary fix." Ethan leaned back in his chair, crossed his hands, and pondered for a moment. Then he said, "Yuffie, let Tom handle this."
"Understood." Yuffie knew Tom was Ethan's personal bodyguard and the head of company security.
Whenever he got involved, it usually meant trouble for someone.
Over the past year, numerous competitors had mysteriously seen their scandals exposed in the press. Yuffie was well aware that these weren't coincidences.
But Ethan was meticulous—no one could trace anything back to him.
Then again, business was like war. Yuffie didn't think Ethan was doing anything wrong.
After all, their rivals were always looking for dirt on Ethan too; they just hadn't succeeded.
While Yuffie was thinking, Ethan suddenly asked, "I don't need to see the sales report—just summarize it for me."
"Alright." Yuffie picked up the report and skipped the excessive data, getting straight to the point.
Fifty Shades Darker was a sequel written by Camilla and released in 2008. It inherited the popularity of Fifty Shades of Grey, making it an instant bestseller.
Although its story focused on Black characters, making it less popular with white female readers, it carved out a significant niche in the Black community, becoming the best-selling book of 2008 in that market.
As for Inception, it was an adaptation of Ethan's screenplay, featuring not only the script but also his personal notes and inspirations.
Though not widely known among the general public, it was well-received by film buffs and professionals, making it a successful experiment.
After finishing the report, Yuffie asked, "Boss, MGM's President Harry has scheduled a meeting with you at 10 a.m. Should I confirm it?"
"Hmm…" Ethan glanced at his phone, where Harry's name was displayed. He waved his hand dismissively. "Let him wait."
"Understood." Yuffie nodded and left the room.
Neither of them felt that making Harry wait was inappropriate.
After all, MGM was on the brink of bankruptcy, unable to bear its massive debt burden.
For this legendary studio, bankruptcy was merely a temporary restructuring. Once the bankruptcy protection process was complete, it would reemerge under new ownership in Hollywood.
However, Harry, the current CEO, might not retain his position.
The new owners would likely replace him with someone they trusted.
That was why Harry had come to Ethan—seeking help to secure his standing at MGM and avoid being kicked out.
But Ethan had no intention of accommodating him.
The film Valkyrie had exceeded MGM's expectations, grossing $300 million worldwide, making it a significant financial success.
Eager to capitalize on this momentum, Harry wanted Ethan to fulfill their agreement by directing another historical film.
However, when Ethan read the script, he tossed it aside and told Harry to get lost.
The script, written by a group of third-rate writers, was utterly mediocre, yet they expected him to direct it. It was laughable.
Clearly, Harry was grasping at straws.
Just then, the phone rang again, interrupting Ethan's thoughts. He picked it up.
"Hello? Oh, Paul, no need to thank me. It's what I should do. Mm, how's Heath now? That's great. Tell him I still want to collaborate on more films in the future."
The caller was a close friend of Heath Ledger in the industry. Though it was much later than the original date, Heath Ledger had still gone down the same path—an overdose, nearly dying in his apartment.
The reason he didn't die was that Ethan had happened to call him at the time to talk about a movie.
Because Ethan had saved Heath Ledger's life, the industry was once again marveling at his so-called "Lucky Ethan" reputation. Anyone associated with him always seemed to encounter good fortune at critical moments.
Over the past year, many of Ethan's close acquaintances had achieved great success.
Those within his company were naturally thriving, but even those outside of it, like Nolan, had benefited.
His Batman film had become yet another billion-dollar blockbuster following Inception, making Heath Ledger one of the few Hollywood actors to star in two billion-dollar films.
This had pushed his salary close to that of Leonardo DiCaprio.
Robert Downey Jr. had a similar turnaround. Thanks to Inception and Iron Man, he had reclaimed his status as a top-tier Hollywood actor.
But the past year hadn't been all good news. Other film studios had begun recognizing the growing threat of Norton's Eye and had started targeting its films.
If Ethan had continued making only small-budget productions, the major studios wouldn't have cared much. No matter how profitable those films were, they didn't compete in the same space as the big-budget blockbusters.
But things had changed. The success of Inception had overshadowed other major studio releases, and Norton's Eye had even announced its next ambitious project, Lucy. This immediately made the other studios realize the serious threat they faced.
If Norton's Eye truly built a new wave of IPs, the industry landscape might shift, and the major studios' market share could be further eroded.
So over the past year, these companies had launched various smear campaigns against Ethan and Norton's Eye.
Luckily, Ethan had already settled matters with the women in his life, leaving the major studios without a scandal to exploit. They could only resort to weak, passive-aggressive remarks, like questioning whether Ethan was secretly gay since he hadn't announced a girlfriend in so long.
As a result, over the past six months, Ethan had frequently received messages from male actors—things like:
"Did I leave my backdoor key in your car?"
Of course, Ethan didn't take these attacks lying down. He dug up plenty of dirt on the major studios and leaked it, causing them a fair amount of chaos.
But in the entertainment industry, no matter how much behind-the-scenes maneuvering happens, success ultimately depends on quality and box office performance.
This industry is ruthless. If a film isn't good, even the biggest directors will face failure.
Ethan had to keep making hit films to maintain his foothold in Hollywood's upper echelon.
Lucy was his latest ambitious project.
The original script was far from sufficient to match his vision. The pacing and storyline had many issues, so he had spent the past few months hiring top-tier screenwriters to help him refine the script.
The other studios, seeing Norton's Eye's growing ambitions, had also announced their upcoming release schedules for the next two years.
Paramount announced that Iron Man 2 had entered pre-production and was set for a 2010 release.
Warner Bros. announced that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 was in production, also set for a 2010 release.
Sony announced the official launch of The Karate Kid, starring Jackie Chan, slated for 2010.
20th Century Fox brought out its strongest weapon—James Cameron's Avatar, set to premiere at the end of 2009.
This was an absolute bombshell. Audiences had been eagerly awaiting Cameron's next film for far too long. When it hit theaters, it would undoubtedly create a viewing frenzy.
No studio wanted to go head-to-head with Cameron. Even their flagship films were pushed to 2010 to avoid competing with Avatar.
Ethan naturally aspired to have such a status. But unlike Cameron, he wasn't going to spend years crafting a single movie.
Instead, he had to make every single film a hit—so much so that other studios would fear the name "Ethan" whenever they saw it.
Achieving that would be a long and arduous journey.
"Knock, knock."
Not long after Ethan hung up the phone, a knock sounded on the door.
Yuffie entered, followed by Harry in a black suit.
"Long time no see, Harry."
Unlike their first meeting, which had been full of warm pleasantries, Ethan remained seated this time, making no move to stand.
His eyes remained fixed on company reports, not even glancing up.
Harry sat on the sofa. From his angle, he could only see Ethan's tall figure shrouded in the shadows cast by the curtains—mysterious and unapproachable, exerting immense psychological pressure.
Harry pursed his lips, forced a smile, and said, "Ethan, I've brought a new script this time. You'll love it."
"Sorry, Harry."
Ethan sat up and tapped his pen against the desk, the tap tap echoing in the room.
"This is the third time you've said that. You said the same thing last time."
"Uh… Ethan, I swear, this one is on par with Valkyrie."
Harry's smile widened, his tone confident, trying to persuade Ethan.
But Ethan chuckled lightly. "Unfortunately, I don't have time for another Valkyrie right now."
"I know you're busy with Lucy, but didn't you used to make multiple films a year? Why now—"
"That was then, this is now."
Ethan tossed his pen onto the desk. "And Harry, you were the one who broke the agreement first."
Previously, Harry had publicly announced that Ethan would direct his new film, generating buzz and attention—even though Ethan had never actually agreed to it.
"I'm sorry, Ethan, I didn't think— But we have a contract, don't we?"
"It's for within five years."
Ethan could simply wait until MGM went bankrupt and restructured before directing a film for them—there was no need to prop them up in the meantime.
"Alright..."
Harry stood up, looking somewhat dejected. Throughout their conversation, he had never been able to close the gap between himself and Ethan—much like their current disparity in status.
But just as he was about to leave, Ethan suddenly spoke.
"Parent."
"Hmm?"
Harry turned back, surprised. He doubted Ethan would change his mind—Ethan had always been a hard man to sway.
"MGM has no place for you, but Norton's Eye does."
Ethan's face remained in shadow, but his eyes gleamed brightly.
"If you're willing to come over, I'll welcome you with open arms."
Harry hadn't expected Ethan to outright try and poach him. He was momentarily stunned before realizing it wasn't so surprising.
Norton's Eye was now a rising star in Hollywood. With its rapid expansion, the company needed an experienced leader.
Ethan's offer stirred some thoughts in Harry, but he didn't accept or decline outright. "I appreciate the offer."
Ethan understood that Harry wasn't completely desperate yet, so he didn't push further. He simply nodded, letting Parent leave.
Once alone, Ethan contemplated Norton's Eye's leadership. He needed someone to manage the growing company—he couldn't oversee everything himself.
As a company expands, responsibilities become more specialized.
Meetings, for example, were a crucial part of leadership. Some might think executives just sat around in meetings all day, but in reality, running a company was about holding effective meetings.
Ethan needed someone like Harry—an experienced executive who could balance various demands.
But for now, Parent still believed he could turn things around.
"Once he hits a dead end, he'll realize the truth."
Ethan put the matter aside and called in the next person.
This time, an agent and an actress walked in.
"Hello, Ethan! Just call me Bondo." The agent wore an exaggerated smile, looking exceedingly eager to please.
Ethan glanced at him and saw a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair and a thin mustache.
"Hello."
Beside him, the actress was dressed in a black spaghetti-strap gown, her brown hair cascading down. Her makeup wasn't too heavy, but her lipstick was strikingly bold.
"Jessia Fee, correct?" Ethan read out the actress's name.
"Yes, that's right." The actress answered nervously.
She had been recommended by others, and Ethan thought her appearance suited a supporting role in The Hangover, so he agreed to let her audition.
Now, Ethan's casting process no longer needed to be a formal and serious affair. Neither investors nor the crew dared to interfere with his choices.
That was the privilege of a top director.
Ethan observed the actress's posture and noticed that as she walked, her hips swayed seductively. He found that quite appealing and decided to see how her acting was.
"Go ahead and perform this scene," he said.
Ethan placed a page of the script on the desk. The agent, Bondo, immediately stepped forward, picked up the script, and handed it to Jessia.
At the same time, he discreetly retreated toward the door and, with a considerate gesture, closed it behind him.
Jessia glanced at the lines on the script, then slowly stepped forward. As Ethan was writing something with his head down, she leaned against his desk.
Hearing the movement, Ethan looked up—only to see Jessia biting her lip, her gaze sultry as she reached for the strap of her black dress.
With a soft swish, the dress slid to the floor, revealing an expanse of pale, bare skin.
She hadn't even bothered with nipple covers and now stood completely exposed in front of Ethan. She lifted a finger to her lips, her tongue gliding up and down suggestively.
Then, she bent down, attempting to slip under the front of his desk.
Only to realize the front panel of the desk was solid and sealed.
"Damn it."
Jessia muttered under her breath, then straightened up and leaned one hip against the desk, launching into a sensual dance.
Clap, clap, clap.
Halfway through, Ethan started clapping, his face expressionless. "Not bad. But this scene should take place in a strip club. Yuffie?"
"Boss." Yuffie, who had been silently watching from the shadows, stepped forward without any emotion, startling Jessia.
She hurriedly pulled her dress back on.
Yuffie walked over and handed her the outfit.
"Maybe I should put up a sign outside the door," Ethan rubbed his temples. "Something like No Striptease Allowed Here?"
"That would be too low-class," Yuffie replied, perfectly composed.
"True." Ethan thought for a moment and abandoned the idea. Then, he turned to Jessia, who had finished dressing. "Take her away. And tell that greasy agent that the role has changed."
"Changed to what?" Jessia looked at them in surprise, thinking perhaps her performance had impressed Ethan and she was getting a promotion to a lead role.
Ethan lowered his head, returning to his company affairs. "The stripper in The Hangover."
"Understood." Yuffie nodded. Whether or not such a role existed in The Hangover didn't matter—if it didn't, they'd just add it in. The boss's vision had to be realized.
"What?!" Jessia was stunned. She had put in all that effort, only to be demoted? She wanted to plead with Ethan, but Yuffie firmly grabbed her arm and swiftly dragged her out the door.
This woman had a terrifying grip—it actually hurt.
But Yuffie had no intention of being gentle. She tossed Jessia out, then firmly shut the door.
"Boss," she returned to Ethan's side and considerately massaged his temples.
"Hmm." Ethan leaned back in his chair, propping his feet up on the desk, enjoying his secretary's massage.
"Your technique keeps improving."
"Yes, I went to Chinatown and found a master to learn from."
"You've worked hard."
"It's nothing. This is my job."
At this moment, the usual coldness in Yuffie's demeanor had noticeably faded. Even her voice had softened.
As she massaged Ethan's shoulders, she gazed out the window.
Skyscrapers stood tall, shining brilliantly—just like Hollywood, filled with the scent of money.
....
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