From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

The air was cold and still. Muscles were stiff, making it impossible to even turn his head, yet he could feel the gazes crossing, all sorts of thoughts churning in his mind.

John Quinn was caught completely off guard, but he still displayed the composure of someone who had weathered countless storms, giving a slight shrug.

"Alright, it seems someone is having a mental breakdown in the presence of a true Hollywood superstar. I better check quickly if the company's medical insurance covers the costs of a psychiatrist."

Light and humorous, he subtly flattered Brad Pitt while defusing the derailed situation with ease.

And, it was silky smooth.

"I better go check on things. Before things slide further into darkness, how about we take a three-minute break? I reckon a quick meditation should solve the problem."

He wittily and easily controlled the situation, not only finding a perfect excuse for his departure but, more importantly, John tactfully left space for Brad Pitt and his agent to communicate.

Whether they were having a serious discussion or a furious outburst, either way, leaving them the space was the right move. John refused to be a stumbling block or a punching bag by foolishly staying there.

A win-win situation.

Then, John managed to extricate himself, leaving the conference room. He looked around and immediately spotted Lucas standing by the elevator door, unable to suppress his anger any longer. He walked faster and faster towards Lucas.

Like a volcano erupting.

The remaining shred of reason kept John from completely exploding. After all, this wasn't San Francisco, not their own company's territory. There was no need to expose their internal conflicts in front of outsiders.

But such restraint had almost exhausted all his control.

He took a deep breath, and it seemed he could hear the sound of raging fire in his ears. John still noticed that Lucas seemed somewhat abnormal—

Lucas kept pressing the elevator button, knowing full well that pressing it multiple times wouldn't make it any faster, but he couldn't help but continue pressing it.

So, all of this wasn't a strategy of playing hard to get to temper Brad Pitt's arrogance? Lucas's hasty departure from the conference room was purely a personal act?

Whoosh!

The string of reason in John's mind snapped. "Lucas, what the hell are you doing? Do you freaking know that you are out of your mind? Even if your mother died, you still have to get this deal done for me..."

The words were abruptly cut off.

Lucas, who had remained indifferent all along, turned his head. His calm eyes were as deep as the vast ocean, without a trace of emotional surge, but suddenly grabbed John's throat. The murderous intent that burst out without warning sent a chill down John's spine.

The roar in his ears disappeared without a trace.

John had never seen Lucas like this before.

His heart still clenched fiercely, almost unable to breathe. He had to use all his reason to barely control himself.

Lucas barely grasped a shred of reason, "As for here, there's no need to worry. It's just Brad Pitt..."

John immediately realized his own embarrassment, exposed and vulnerable under Lucas's condescending gaze, and angrily interrupted Lucas.

"Just one?

"Heh. How many Brad Pitts do you think there are in Hollywood? Don't think that just because your brother is also some Hollywood actor, you can be so arrogant. Not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can be called a Hollywood actor."

"A hundred of your brothers can't compare to one Brad Pitt."

Taking a deep breath, John took a step forward, almost grabbing Lucas's collar to give him two hard punches, but he still managed to restrain himself.

"God damn it, Lucas Wood, do you know what you're doing? This is our chance, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enter Hollywood."

"I know those Hollywood idiots are all empty-headed and superficial. Discussing work with them is an insult to intelligence, but the checks in their hands are real. A casual check is worth seven figures."

"Once we start working together, we'll be the ones calling the shots. It's free money, so why not earn it? You're just like them now, your brain is muddled, not knowing what you're doing, wasting such an opportunity."

"We can make you a partner, but we can also join hands to kick you out. Have you forgotten what you relied on to become a partner?

"Even if something happens to your brother..."

John became more and more agitated as he spoke, not even realizing that he had inadvertently raised his voice, his face flushed red, veins bulging, his whole person looking hideous, yet completely unaware of his ugliness.

Until—

Ding.

The elevator door opened, interrupting the words. John watched as Lucas entered the elevator, only then realizing that his voice had lost control.

John quickly controlled his volume, looking left and right, worried about being seen, but not having time to look closely, just thinking about resolving the matter quickly. Turning back, he saw that Lucas was already standing in the elevator.

Still with a calm face.

In the past, they had always joked that Lucas had a facial nerve disorder, never showing any expression no matter what happened; but now, looking at Lucas's completely expressionless face, a chill ran down his spine.

Everything happened too fast. John couldn't keep up with Lucas's pace and didn't know what was happening, showing a rare look of panic.

"Leave? You're planning to leave?"

"Shit!"

"If you leave... do you know what it means for you to leave now?"

Originally, Lucas wanted to say that Brad Pitt had actually already taken the bait, and even if he left now, Brad would still follow the clues and come to them. There was really no need for John to be so alarmed.

But now, Lucas didn't want to explain, and he didn't have the energy to explain anymore.

"Yeah." Lucas nodded slightly.

John was stunned, not even reacting. What did Lucas mean by 'yeah'?

It was during this brief moment of daze that the elevator door slowly closed.

Actually... just like that... slowly closing...

John's brain crashed. For a moment, he didn't know how to react. Subconsciously, John raised his hand to stop the elevator door, trying to stop Lucas.

"Lucas Wood, do you know what you..."

However, before he could finish his sentence, Lucas interrupted him directly, "Get out of the way."

John's eyes widened, doubting his ears, "What did you say?"

Lucas repeated it word by word, clearly and precisely, "Get. Out. Of. The. Way."

John was stunned, not even realizing that he had actually obediently let go, watching helplessly as the elevator door completely closed and Lucas disappeared.

John: Huh?

Lucas ditched him right under his nose? Lucas cursed at him, pointing at his nose?

So, did Lucas just slap him hard across the face? Otherwise, why were his cheeks burning and aching so much?

Turning around, John could see the figures in the work cubicles all retreating like moles. After a brief commotion, they returned to calm, as if nothing had happened.

However, that calmness spread out, seeming to mock John's embarrassment.

His cheeks actually hurt even more.