Executives and producers stood up one after another.
With expressions of surviving a disaster, they surrounded Cassius in the middle.
"Cass! Beautifully done!"
Director Martin Campbell was the first to stride over, shaking Cassius's hand vigorously, the excitement in his eyes unconcealed: "I knew you could do it! This character brought the whole story to life!"
The favorability above his head shot straight from 75 to 85.
Greg Silverman followed closely behind.
This vice president, known for being calm and even harsh, also had an uncontrollable smile on his face at this moment.
He patted Cassius's shoulder: "Cass, you not only saved yourself, but possibly saved this project, and even the careers of many of us."
His words carried significant weight.
But those around who heard it, including COO Richard, showed expressions of deep agreement.
[Greg Silverman Favorability +20, Current Favorability 80]
[Richard Smith (COO) Favorability +15, Current Favorability 60]
Through the [Emotion] halo, Cassius could clearly perceive the emotions within these top Hollywood power players.
They were genuinely scared by Ryan's crudely made reel, as if they had already seen the bleak future of huge investments going down the drain and careers overshadowed.
And this version he brought, full of vitality and novelty, was like a timely life-saving straw pulling them back from the cliff edge.
"Seriously, Cass!"
A producer who had strongly opposed before spoke with lingering fear: "After watching Ryan's version, I almost thought we were done. Thank you for bringing a completely different perspective, making the audience more immersive and hitting the heart directly!"
"Mr. Cass, your performance was very infectious, especially that last scene."
Another female executive added, her eyes full of appreciation.
Various praises and favorability notifications scrolled past Cassius's eyes like bullet comments.
Rob stood behind him, face flushed with excitement, not knowing where to put his hands and feet, only able to giggle foolishly like an old mother whose child got into Harvard.
Faced with this sudden, almost one-sided praise and enthusiasm, Cassius was equally excited.
After all, this was the lead role in a DC A-list production, an opportunity countless actors in Hollywood would break their heads to get.
But under the effect of the [Emotion] halo, his internal emotional core was unusually stable.
He showed no sign of getting carried away, nor did he make pretentiously modest refusals.
Cassius responded calmly and sincerely.
"Thank you for your recognition, Director Martin. It was you who gave me the space to perform."
His tone was neither humble nor arrogant, his attitude steady and appropriate.
This calm posture of not being arrogant in victory made the young Cassius appear exceptionally steady at this moment.
Greg looked at Cassius, appreciation in his eyes deepening.
He had seen too many actors lose their composure when receiving this level of recognition.
Ecstasy, choking up, incoherence!
Cassius, however, seemed to have just completed a task within expectations.
——
This steadiness gave him a bit more peace of mind about handing this project worth over a hundred million dollars to the other party.
"Alright, gentlemen, ladies!"
Greg clapped his hands, attracting everyone's attention: "Celebration can wait. Now we need to talk business!"
He looked at Cassius and Rob, a businessman's shrewdness in his smile: "Cass, Rob, regarding contract salary and subsequent development matters, I think we need to start discussing as soon as possible!"
Rob jolted, instantly switching from ecstasy mode to professional agent mode, voice resounding: "Of course! Mr. Greg, we are ready anytime!"
Cassius also nodded.
The group moved to Greg's spacious and bright VP office.
Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows was the iconic view of the Warner lot.
At the negotiation table, the atmosphere was distinctly different from the celebration just now. Although still friendly, there was more verbal sparring.
Greg spoke first: "Cass, based on the tremendous value and saving contribution you brought to this project, we are willing to offer a very competitive contract!"
"Salary of 2 million dollars!"
This number was already quite generous for an actor taking the lead in an A-list production for the first time, one could even say rule-breaking.
Chris Hemsworth's salary for the first Thor was only a few hundred thousand dollars!
Rob's eyes lit up, suppressing the urge to agree immediately.
Cassius, however, shook his head slightly.
His emotion halo perception allowed him to capture the bargaining space reserved deep in Greg's heart when he offered this price.
"Mr. Greg, thank you for your generosity, but it's not enough!"
Cassius's tone was steady: "My value lies not only in performance. The story core and character settings of the new Green Lantern were co-developed by me!"
"I hope my salary and profit-sharing ratio can reflect this point. This is not just salary, but a shared undertaking of creativity and project risk!"
Greg and Richard exchanged a look.
They indeed reserved space, but didn't expect Cassius to hit the nail on the head so directly.
Director Martin chimed in from the side: "Greg, Cass makes a point. Without his core creative idea, we might still be spinning in circles with that doomed old script!"
Greg pondered for a moment. He was a businessman who valued profit, but also knew how to weigh things.
He could see Cassius wasn't the kind of actor to be blinded by immediate interests. This long-term vision and clear cognition of his own value were equally precious in Hollywood.
"Alright, you win!"
Greg smiled: "Base salary 3 million, we can refine the profit-sharing ratio. But, Cass, this means you need to participate more deeply in pre-development, including further polishing of the script!"
"That's exactly what I look forward to!"
Cassius extended his hand: "Pleasure doing business, Mr. Greg!"
"Pleasure!"
Two hands gripped tightly.
Leaving the Warner building, it was already late.
Rob was still immersed in huge excitement, walking with a breeze.
"3 million base salary, plus profit sharing! Bro! We fucking succeeded!"
Rob waved his fist excitedly: "You were too cool just now! Did you see how Greg and Richard looked at you? That was completely the look given to an equal partner!"
Cassius got into the car, feeling the [Emotion] halo inside gradually calm down.
He took out his phone and saw a message from Kristen: "How is it? Any news?"
Followed by a string of nervous emojis.
Cassius replied: "Mm! Successfully secured!"
Kristen replied almost instantly, a string of "Ahhhhhh!!!" and champagne clinking emojis.
Immediately after, her call came through, voice filled with irrepressible excitement and joy: "I knew it! You're amazing! Waiting for you to come home and celebrate!"