They turned to see Carmen Kass standing nearby, holding a glass of champagne.
The Estonian supermodel, known for her icy elegance, was studying Leon with her striking, almost piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through people.
Her gaze lingered for a moment on Adriana's arm linked with Leon's before meeting his eyes directly.
"Leon Donaldson, right?"
Her English carried a melodic Eastern European accent, her tone not as fiery as Adriana's but calm, with a hint of a smile.
"I'm Carmen Kass. I watched Final Destination. It was unexpected, brilliantly unique."
"I hear you're working on a new project for Disney?"
Her lips curved into a faint, almost playful smile, as if she'd spotted an intriguing new target.
Adriana clearly wasn't thrilled with Carmen's intrusion, pressing herself closer to Leon as if staking her claim.
She flashed Carmen a polite but guarded smile. "Hey, Carmen. Have you two met before?"
"No," Carmen replied crisply, her eyes still fixed on Leon.
"So I figured now's the perfect time to introduce myself."
"After all, someone who can craft nightmares and dreams is pretty fascinating."
Her words were direct, both a compliment and a clear signal that she was deliberately making a move, fully aware of his new status.
Leon immediately sensed the subtle tension.
On one side was Adriana—close, fiery, and possessive.
On the other was Carmen—new, enigmatic, and boldly advancing with clear intent.
The clash of old and new allure, intensified by his shifting status, made the moment electric.
He savored the brief standoff, then smiled at Carmen.
"Great to meet you, Carmen. From the runway to the screen, it's all about creating some kind of ultimate fantasy, isn't it?"
His response made Carmen's eyes light up, her interest deepening.
Adriana, sensing the shift, decided to take charge. She wasn't about to let this "newcomer" steal her spotlight.
She tugged gently at Leon's arm, her voice sweet but firm. "It's getting loud here. Didn't we say we'd find somewhere quiet so you could show me those 'concept sketches'?"
She emphasized "concept sketches" like it was a private code only they shared.
But Carmen let out a soft laugh, unfazed, as if she didn't catch the exclusivity in Adriana's tone.
"Concept sketches? That sounds way more interesting than this party. Mind if I tag along?"
"I've always been curious about the early stages of filmmaking."
Her words cleverly turned Adriana's private invitation into an open discussion, making it hard for Adriana to refuse without seeming petty.
Leon looked at the two stunningly different yet equally captivating angels before him—one a passionate old friend, the other a cool, intriguing challenger.
He made his choice.
"Of course not," he said with a smile, his gaze moving between them.
"Art always benefits from different perspectives."
"I've got a private spot in Beverly Hills—quiet enough for us to… dive deep into the discussion."
His invitation extended to both.
Adriana's eyes flashed with surprise but no real displeasure, quickly shifting to a competitive spark.
Carmen, meanwhile, gave a knowing smile, as if she'd already won a small victory.
In the end, Leon didn't choose between them. Instead, he unexpectedly left the noisy party with both Adriana Lima and Carmen Kass in tow.
This impromptu "trio" was sure to be the talk of the town long after the party ended.
Under the starry Beverly Hills night, the lights of that private villa glowed softly, tinged with an intimate ambiance.
Outside the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, the city's glittering skyline sparkled. Inside, a silent battle of charm and power unfolded.
Leon stood at the center, keenly aware of the contrasting energies radiating from Adriana Lima and Carmen Kass.
Adriana was like a flickering flame, pulsing with raw, primal energy.
Her passion was unfiltered, carrying the wild, untamed spirit of a Brazilian beauty.
Every smile, every glance was brimming with vibrant life and a hunger to conquer.
When she drew near, the air seemed to hum with the heat and humidity of a tropical rainforest—her beauty aggressive, like a sleek, powerful leopard, eager to claim and be claimed.
Her world was vivid, emotional, her desires laid bare in those deep, soul-pulling eyes.
---
Carmen, on the other hand, was like a snow-capped mountain—calm, wise, radiating a crisp, mysterious glow.
Her approach wasn't fiery but carried a quiet, penetrating pull.
Her eyes were her weapon, those clear blue orbs that seemed to see everything, glinting with not just desire but a calculated, almost detached intelligence, and a trace of worldly compassion.
She spoke sparingly, but every word was precise, layered with meaning. She wielded subtle pauses and thoughtful glances to control the rhythm.
Her beauty was cerebral, a puzzle to be unraveled, inviting exploration and discovery.
---
That night, Leon truly experienced the ultimate allure of "top-tier supermodels."
It wasn't just their perfect bodies or faces—those were just the entry ticket.
This was different from his last encounter with Adriana and Heidi, which had been a wild, adrenaline-fueled release after a party, a carefree indulgence of youth.
This time, though champagne had set the mood, it was merely a garnish.
Leon's mind was razor-sharp, his senses heightened to their peak.
This was a deeper, fully conscious immersion, elevating his understanding of "beauty" to a new level.
What surprised him even more was the growing sense that his "reborn" advantages were still expanding.
His physical condition was almost superhuman—endless energy, heightened senses, lightning-fast thinking.
In moments like these, an inexhaustible stamina and control surged from deep within him.
Even facing two supermodels, whose careers demanded peak physical training, he handled himself with ease.
…
Morning light filtered through sheer curtains, casting dappled patterns on the floor.
The dining room's long table was set with a lavish breakfast Leon had arranged: fresh fruit salad, croissants, scrambled eggs, and coffee.
The tension of the night before had melted into a relaxed, almost friendly vibe.
Adriana, wearing one of Leon's white shirts that barely covered her hips, looked effortlessly sultry.
She was in high spirits, nibbling on fruit while texting her agent, occasionally glancing up to toss Leon a flirty look or murmur a spicy Portuguese phrase, as if the night's events had solidified something for her.
Carmen, meanwhile, was back in her own pristine outfit, sipping black coffee and scanning The Wall Street Journal on her tablet, calm as if nothing had happened.
Only when her eyes met Leon's did a faint, approving glimmer flicker in those cool blue depths.
They didn't talk about the future or make any demands.
The mood was as pleasant as a perfect date's end.
Soon, their agents and assistants arrived to whisk them away. The goodbyes were brisk.
Adriana gave Leon a searing, almost suffocating kiss, whispering in his ear, "Next time I'm at Disneyland, you're my personal guide, Mr. Producer."
Then, with a laugh, she slipped into her car like a gust of wind.
Carmen's farewell was entirely different.
She stepped forward, no kiss, just a light brush of her fingertips along Leon's shirt collar, as if dusting off an imaginary speck.
"That was a delightful night, Leon," she said calmly. "Your 'script' had more 'tension' than I expected."
She pulled a sleek card from her purse, bearing only her name and private number, and handed it to him.
"Stay in touch."
Not "call me," but "stay in touch."
Leon took the card, smiling. "Of course, Carmen. Your 'performance' had plenty of depth, too."
He understood perfectly: they weren't just drawn to last night or even his current status.
They saw the massive, visible potential in him—a rapidly rising star.
They were smart investors, planting emotional seeds for potential future rewards.
It was an unspoken understanding among adults.
After seeing the supermodels off, Leon stood at the villa's entrance, breathing in the crisp morning air.
The night's wild passion felt like it belonged to another world. His gaze sharpened, clear and focused.
Without lingering, he climbed into his sports car and sped toward a very different realm:
Disney's Burbank studios.