Behind The Spotlight Chapter 204
After breakfast, the two went their separate ways… Well, not really, their cars were still in the underground parking lot of Uni-versus Pictures, so they returned to the building to retrieve them.
Collin called Axel to inform him that the negotiation was done, with a $10 million salary plus 5% North American box office. Axel had no reason to be disappointed. In fact, he was happy and satisfied with what he got. That was his biggest salary so far. Perhaps Brody Paige had the same reaction.
After talking to Axel and reminding him to go to Uni-versus Pictures the next day to sign the contract, Collin didn't return to ANT. Instead, he spent time in a park to cool down.
Recently, Collin had been visiting parks in Los Angeles and various places in California to discover talent, treating public spaces as scouting grounds. So far, he hadn't seen anyone worth signing. Still, considering that most parks were popular with daily visitors, he knew he would discover a talent eventually.
Wearing his formal attire of a white shirt, black tuxedo, and black pants, clearly out of place among casual visitors, he sat on a bench and observed the people passing by or families having picnics. If not for his professional attire, he might have looked like a creep, silently observing strangers.
Actually, Collin had discovered a golden talent a week ago while sitting in a park. Unfortunately, the person was a crackhead, and his golden talent was tied to his drug addiction.
At that time, Collin was just resting when a crackhead walked awkwardly by, carrying his backpack. Golden words floated above his head brightly. At first, Collin was interested in talking to him, but when he read the talent, he was stunned: "Ultimate Drug Addict!"
The fact that his talent was glowing meant that the crackhead was actively using it. He was currently high on drugs.
As for what kind of talent it was, Collin had no idea and didn't care to find out. He also had no intention of signing the crackhead. Perhaps the crackhead's talent allowed him to ingest any drug without overdosing. Yeah, Collin didn't need that kind of talent in any capacity.
However, the discovery reminded Collin that even sitting in a park could lead him to people worth signing.
Unfortunately, today was fruitless. He saw some people with yellow talents, while most had white talents.
He opened his phone, and a text message from his secretary reminded him of a business meeting at a restaurant, scheduled earlier. Collin sighed. He didn't want to show up, but the person in question was troublesome and persistent.
He had only interacted with her a few times and didn't want to keep doing it. Unfortunately, he was required to attend… as if he were part of a real-life movie.
Aside from his secretary's reminder, he also received a text message from Director Summerbelt, short and direct:
-- As much as possible, don't enrage her. Just play with her ego. If she asks about Lawrence, answer without making Lawrence look bad, keep everything neutral.
'…I have no idea what's happening here. So I became a real-life actor, literally?' Collin thought.
He had to participate in this whole farce. He was impressed with how Lawrence maintained his composure despite everything. In fact, Collin felt Lawrence's acting skills had improved significantly after taking on this troublesome "role."
Anyway, Collin went to the restaurant. The receptionist confirmed the reservation, and when Collin went inside, he was surprised, Emma Blackstone had reserved the entire restaurant for this meeting.
'Fucking rich.'
Only Collin understood what he meant by that.
The woman was already there, waiting, unbothered. Emma glanced at him but didn't greet him at all, visibly bored and uninterested, not even touching the coffee on the table.
"You can order, I'm on a diet. Lawrence and I are trying for a baby," Emma muttered, casually dropping it.
"...Alright."
Collin almost had a heart attack. If Lawrence and Emma had a child, God knew what would happen. Fortunately, Collin knew Lawrence was practicing safe sex… he just hoped Lawrence could control himself, or things might get crazy.
'I have no idea what the connection is between diet and having children, though.'
Collin ordered carbonara but had no appetite.
Once the waiter left, Emma began firing questions at him without delay.
"What's Lawrence doing these past few days? Is he always in the studio? Who are the people he always talks with? Why can't he introduce me to his family? Can you give me his itinerary?"
The questions came fast.
"Here."
Collin passed her a sheet of paper prepared in advance, a complete schedule of Lawrence's itinerary for the whole month, provided by Lawrence's assistant. The document had been double-checked by the assistant, Director Summerbelt, the psychiatrist, and Lawrence himself. They were all aware of what was happening and were just playing along, giving Emma the illusion of control.
"Thank you." She became excited as she scanned Lawrence's schedule.
"As for your other questions… Lawrence has been working the entire week. He's in the studio most of the time. He talks to the director, his assistant, and his bodyguard most of the time."
Collin didn't answer the question about Lawrence not introducing her to his family. There was an obvious reason why.
Also, Lawrence interacted with some co-stars, some of them women… Collin omitted that to avoid trouble.
'Besides, she probably knows more than I do… She's stalking Lawrence almost 24/7.'
"Does he want a son or a daughter?"
"Only Lawrence can answer that," he deflected smoothly.
'Please, don't invite me again…'
Well, he had earned more than $5 million from this charade, so Collin had no choice but to play his role. The commission was worth it despite the hassle.
Fortunately, after a few questions, Emma left satisfied. Collin persevered and ate the carbonara, despite his lack of appetite. He didn't like wasting food.
Tomorrow, he would attend Axel's contract signing, another obligation. The contract was mostly finalized, the money talks were done, and now Axel just needed to sign as the final step.
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[Thank you for reading this novel.]