Feeling the car door open, Janette, who was leaning on the steering wheel, slowly turned her head.
She had none of the sparkle she'd shown during the performance, and her speaking tone hadn't quite reverted.
Her eyes, brimming with emotion, gazed at Simon, and her voice, still soft and sweet, said, "You little rascal, you bullied me".
Simon looked at Janette's appearance and immediately felt a pang of regret.
Six consecutive hours of repetitive filming was clearly an extremely draining task, and the woman had no acting experience.
The effort she put in throughout the entire process was undoubtedly far greater than anyone else on set.
Reaching out, Simon lifted Janette from the driver's seat.
Before he could say anything, she rubbed her cheek against his arm a few times, seemingly finding her spot, then opened her small mouth and bit him.
Simon was only wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt, and the sensation of her teeth startled him.
A moment later, he realized Janette was only gently nipping at a piece of his skin, clearly still rational enough not to bite down too hard, and Simon relaxed.
However...
The situation suddenly became a bit awkward.
The rest of the crew, who had initially gathered, thinking something had happened, mostly wore expressions of amusement.
Simon, feeling the two rows of tiny teeth clamped tightly on his bicep, simply continued to hold the woman in his arms.
He casually instructed everyone to pack up and told Jennifer to have Neil Bennett bring the car over.
After all that, Simon finally carried Janette out of the studio and directly into her Range Rover parked at the entrance.
Neil Bennett ushered the two into the car, and Kathryn also opened the passenger door and got in.
She turned to look at the two in the back seat and asked, "Simon, is everything really alright?"
Simon gently lifted his right arm, and Janette's small head moved with it.
He gave Kathryn a wry smile and said, "See, she's biting quite hard".
Then, he looked down and coaxed, "Darling, raw meat isn't tasty. How about we cook it at home before you bite, alright?"
"Mmm…"
Kathryn rolled her eyes slightly at Simon's words.
Seeing Janette hum and snuggle closer to the man, she felt relieved.
Just as she was about to get out, Neil Bennett had already started the car.
Not planning to return to Palisades with Simon and Janette, Kathryn was about to tell Neil to stop the car when Simon's voice came from the back seat: "Come to our place. It's been a while since we all got together; let's have dinner together".
It seemed that ever since 'Near Dark' wrapped, she hadn't spent much time with him.
Kathryn felt a bit nostalgic for last year's Halloween, when the three of them cooked dinner together and went to the carnival.
Hearing Simon say that, she didn't dare to look back again.
She glanced in the rearview mirror, caught his eager gaze, and then settled back into her seat.
The Range Rover exited the north gate of Fox Studios and soon turned onto Santa Monica Boulevard.
Immediately after Simon invited Kathryn to stay, Janette's small bite in his arms tightened slightly.
He gently tickled the woman's waist a few times.
Once she squirmed and loosened her bite a little, Simon spoke to Kathryn again: "Speaking of which, how are the box office results for 'Near Dark?"
Today was Thursday, July 30th.
It was the sixth week of 'Near Dark' in theatres. Remembering Simon's inherent desire to control everything, it was impossible he didn't know the film's box office.
Realizing he was actively trying to make conversation, Kathryn still replied, "As of last weekend, the cumulative box office has reached $32.19 million. It should hit $36 million before it leaves theatres".
As she spoke, she glanced at the rearview mirror again and said, "I haven't properly thanked you yet".
The little man's involvement in the back not only elevated the quality of 'Near Dark' but also, riding on the coattails of 'Run Lola Run' and 'The Butterfly Effect', allowed this film to garner such high attention and box office success.
Thinking this, Kathryn inexplicably felt some regret.
Last Christmas.
Perhaps...
She really should have taken the little man to San Francisco.
She glanced in the rearview mirror again, watching Janette curled up in his arms like a kitten, and couldn't help but feel a little self-pity.
She truly was a failure of a woman.
The car quickly returned to the mansion in Palisades.
Although her speaking tone still hadn't reverted, Janette seemed to regain some energy once they were home.
It was seven-thirty, and the sky had already darkened.
The three of them prepared dinner together in the kitchen, then watched TV and chatted after the meal.
Around nine o'clock, Kathryn intended to leave, but Janette pulled her back, insisting she stay the night.
Simon was, of course, sent to another bedroom.
In the master bedroom of the villa, after showering and changing into pyjamas, Janette pulled Kathryn to sit on the large bed with her.
She held up an atlas and showed it to the woman, saying, "It's right here, Tasmania. Simon and I plan to buy the whole island. Kate, guess how big it is?"
Kathryn, listening to Janette's still in character speaking tone and looking at Tasmania, which was still very noticeable even compared to the Australian mainland, said, "It's bigger than many small countries. How could you possibly buy it all?"
"Land in Tasmania is very cheap. We recently bought a 1,300-acre farm. The total area of this island is 16.9 million acres. As long as we persevere, it will all belong to us one day".
Kathryn imagined the vast difference between 16.9 million acres and 1,300 acres, shaking her head, "I really don't know where you get all these crazy ideas".
Janette gave Kathryn a very displeased look: "These aren't my crazy ideas; this is the little rascal's dream".
"Alright, a dream" Kathryn smiled and said, "And then what?"
Janette blinked, puzzled, "What 'then what'?"
Kathryn pulled out the pillow behind her and hugged it, saying, "I mean, even if you can buy this island, then what?"
Janette's little brain whirled for a moment, then she tilted her chin and said, "A dream is enough once it's realized; there's no need for 'then what'. Besides, there will definitely be many things to do afterward, and it will surely be very interesting. It's such a big island".
Kathryn didn't argue with Janette and instead said, "Are you just going to keep talking in this tone?"
Janette put down the atlas, raised a hand to rub her cheek, made a few hums and ahs, then spoke again a moment later: "How about now?"
Kathryn shook her head: "Still strange".
Janette said indifferently, "Then I won't change it. Anyway, the little rascal likes it too".
Having been busy all day, Janette quickly grew sleepy after a brief chat.
Kathryn turned off the light, and the two women lay down together.
In the dim light.
After only a moment of quiet, Janette rustled closer: "Kate, I'm used to cuddling with the little rascal to sleep".
Kathryn felt Janette's small paw on her waist, which felt a bit strange.
She reached out to hold it still, playfully chiding, "Then go find him.Why are you hugging me?"
"Heh heh," Janette simply pressed her whole body against Kathryn, embracing her completely, and said, "You're the same".
The same?
How could it be the same?
Why would it be the same?
A string of jumbled thoughts flashed through Kathryn's mind.
She gradually relaxed only when she felt Janette make no further movements.
It seemed...
This felt nice too.
So she slowly reached out her hand, carefully placing it on Janette.
Just as she thought they would fall asleep like this, after only a moment, Janette spoke again: "Kate, the little rascal probably isn't asleep yet, is he?"
Kathryn had a bad premonition: "Hmm?"
Janette said, "How about we call him over?"
Call him over?
Call him over for what?
For… what?!
No way!
Slap—
"Ow, that hurts".
"Don't talk nonsense anymore, or I'm leaving".
"Hmmph" Janette seemed to pout, saying, "I just made a big decision, Kate. Don't blame me for not giving you a chance".
Kathryn raised her hand again.
Janette quickly pleaded, "Alright, alright, I won't say anything else. Let's sleep".
After a tiring day, Janette quickly fell asleep.
However, Kathryn didn't sleep well at all the entire night; all sorts of jumbled thoughts kept drifting through her mind involuntarily.
She didn't know how much time had passed, but she vaguely heard some sounds.
Kathryn opened her eyes and saw that the sky outside the curtain gap had already brightened.
Janette was indeed still wrapped around her, and she couldn't help but wonder if she usually hugged that guy all night long.
Truly… then she felt her cheeks flush.
Completely losing her sleepiness, she gently and quietly slipped out of Janette's embrace.
Checking the time, it was only six in the morning.
After washing up, she walked out of the bedroom and found the door to the adjacent study open.
Only then did she realize that the sounds she had heard earlier were not an illusion; he was already awake.
Janette had only filmed for six continuous hours yesterday, and by the end, she was so tired she bit someone.
His work these days was clearly much more demanding, yet he was still up so early.
Perhaps...
This must be him.
If he hadn't always been so diligent, how could he possess everything he has now?
Standing at the bedroom door, Kathryn hesitated for a moment, then still walked towards the open door of the room.
Simon had woken up at five o'clock again today, even earlier than Kathryn had imagined.
At this moment, he was standing in a corner of the desk, holding a cup of coffee in his hand, talking on the phone with Noah Scott in Chicago.
With the same 20-point increase, the S&P 500 index took a month and a half to go from 270 points to 290 points, but only three weeks to go from 290 points to 310 points.
In Simon's memory, the limit of the S&P 500 index before 'Black Monday' was around 330 points.
Therefore, starting from July 27th, when the S&P 500 index broke through 310 points, he once again ordered Noah Scott to execute a rebalancing trade.
Over the previous four days, more than half of Westeros Company's original 6,800 contracts had already been closed.
At the same time, they began to establish new long contracts at a rate of 1,000 contracts per day.
A total of 6,800 contracts, calculated at an average increase of about 20 points, still yielded a theoretical profit of up to 10,000 dollars per contract.
Upon completion of this rebalancing, Westeros Company's principal in its account would reach approximately $200 million.
Simon also planned to increase the number of long contracts in this round to 10,000.
Next, with 10,000 contracts, from 310 points to 330 points, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Westeros Company would accumulate $300 million in principal before September.
The September delivery month in his memory was far more volatile than the previous June.
However, if he had $300 million in principal, Simon could still make a small profit by operating with light positions, given the overall downward trend in September.
Entering October, until the major crash on October 19th, Simon also had over two weeks to make his final arrangements.
Noticing Kathryn at the doorway, Simon smiled at the woman, mouthed "Good morning" and continued to discuss today's buying and selling plan with Noah Scott.
Seeing Simon on the phone, Kathryn originally intended to avoid him, but when he silently mouthed "Good morning" to her, she instinctively walked in, standing at the other corner of the large desk, pretending to listen with interest to his conversation.
However, she was completely lost regarding terms like 'long positions', 'closing positions', and 'rebalancing'.
She just couldn't help but want to stand by his side.
Listening distractedly, she noticed he had changed into a long-sleeved shirt today, and she almost wanted to laugh.
The bite marks Janette left yesterday probably hadn't faded yet.
Then...
The man suddenly handed her the coffee cup he was holding.
She was a little confused but still took it, holding it in her hands, not quite understanding, and glanced at the half-full cup of coffee.
What did this mean?
For her?
It would definitely be impolite not to drink it.
But...
You clearly drank from it, didn't you?
Hesitating, she still brought the cup to her lips and took a small sip.
Good coffee.
But, it felt strange.
Why did her cheeks feel warm after drinking it?
Then...
When the fax machine in front of him buzzed, and he used his free hand to start organizing the pages spitting out of the fax machine, her cheeks suddenly grew even hotter.
And, although you still look completely serious, do you think I can't see the smile at the corner of your mouth?
You little rascal!
The fax machine soon stopped, and he reached out his hand again.
She had a strong urge to pour the coffee on him, but she only thought about it; that would be too much.
So she handed it back, but she wouldn't give him any pleasant look.
That hand, however, didn't take the coffee cup.
Instead, it grabbed her wrist.
She wasn't Janette.
What was he doing?
Thinking this, she felt herself being pulled in front of him.
That hateful, smiling face leaned in, kissed her lips, then pulled away.
She didn't even have time to react.
You!
She glared at him fiercely, with a warning.
If he dared to do anything more outrageous, she would lose her temper.
He indeed didn't do anything more outrageous.
As if nothing had happened at all, he acted nonchalant, even emphasizing a few words to the person on the other end of the line.
What was this supposed to be?
So she lost her temper.
She reached out and pinched him hard on a spot on his other arm, not holding back at all.
I can't bite, but I can pinch, can't I?
You little rascal!
A sharp pain shot through his arm, and Simon gasped.
That was too cruel.
It hurt even more than Janette's bite.
The phone call was still connected, and he dared not show any abnormality, only silently pleading with the woman.
Kathryn saw his pitiful expression and quickly softened.
She released her hand, glared at him again, then turned and walked out of the study.
However...
Her unconsciously quickened footsteps definitely had a hint of fleeing in disarray.