[Chapter 217: A Solid Win]
Hayden didn't even have time to say a proper goodbye to the casting assistant. With just a hurried nod, he followed her and rushed toward the elevator like a gust of wind.
That youthful, energetic figure was now consumed by nothing but panic.
In less than two hours, five of the toughest competitors had dropped out. One stormed off in a rage, another left urgently because of a fire. One was injured by an "unexpected accident," another suffered a sudden, severe allergic reaction, tears streaming down her face. The last exited quickly due to a family emergency.
They all withdrew under strange yet plausible "accidental" circumstances.
The remaining auditionees in the hallway exchanged nervous glances. The atmosphere wasn't just tense -- it was downright chilling.
Many clearly became jittery, and their performances faltered one after another.
Sandra stood up straight, her arms no longer crossed. Her gaze, sharp like a searchlight, swept over the empty seats.
It scanned the uneasy faces of the others before finally locking onto Megan's.
Megan felt the weight of that intense, quiet scrutiny. Calmly, she met Sandra's piercing stare.
Sandra's heart skipped a beat, as if she suddenly understood something.
Megan's own heart raced. Could this be the power of that Seal water?
Her mouth went dry.
...
When it was finally Megan's turn, she stepped into the room and immediately sensed a change in herself.
It wasn't some sudden surge in acting ability, but a deep, smooth confidence that radiated from within.
Her lines came naturally, her reactions sharp.
Even when Michael threw out a spontaneous, tricky request, her body responded perfectly -- faster than her mind could catch up.
The physical control granted by the Elixir revealed itself in full force.
Megan sensed serious consideration passing between Michael and the producer.
...
After they left the Paramount Building, Sandra stared at Megan.
"Megan, all of this..."
Megan's expression was blank.
"I don't know anything. Take me to Daniel's place."
Sandra said nothing more and slid into the driver's seat.
The car stopped outside Daniel's villa.
"I'll be staying here for the next few days," Megan said, stepping out. "Let me know the moment you hear anything."
Sandra's face was complicated.
"I will."
...
Three days later, Megan's phone, placed on the nightstand, suddenly rang.
She turned toward the screen and saw Sandra's name.
Overjoyed, she jumped up, grabbed the phone, and answered.
"Megan, good... good news. We... we really did it. You got the female lead in Transformers."
Sandra's voice trembled with excitement.
"Yes!"
Megan pumped her fist but wasn't surprised.
"Megan, what exactly happened that day?" Sandra asked.
Megan's face turned serious.
"Sandra, just do your job as my agent. You don't need to know anything else."
Before, Megan would never have spoken like this. But now, she had confidence.
Sandra hadn't taken her seriously before -- but that was about to change.
"Fine, I'll trust you. I won't ask."
Sandra's tone softened. "Get some rest. I won't bother you anymore."
After hanging up, Megan collapsed into Daniel's arms on the bed.
"Daniel, I did it. You really are amazing."
Daniel smiled.
"Don't celebrate too soon. You've pulled good luck from your future to get here. The bad luck's coming next. You have to be careful. If anything feels off, you need to tell me immediately. That is, if you want to stay alive."
...
For the next two weeks, Megan acted like a startled bird.
At home, she clung to walls while walking and checked the bottom of glasses before drinking.
She even wore full protective gear just to make a quick run to the supermarket.
Still, the bad luck was slow to show.
"Daniel, it's been fifteen days without so much as a cold." Megan sat on the sofa, anxiety plain on her face. "Is this normal?"
Daniel set down the ancient book he was reading and glanced at her.
"It's not." Daniel's tone was cold. "It's like a bank loan. The longer you delay paying it back, the bigger the interest. The longer bad luck stays suppressed, the worse the fallout will be when it finally breaks free."
Megan shivered.
"Am I going to die?"
"If you don't tell me in time, yes." Daniel closed the book. "Keep your phone close. Watch every step you take. Report any oddity, no matter how small -- even if it's just a dead fly."
"I understand," Megan nodded firmly.
...
Days passed in an eerie calm.
June slipped by, and July arrived.
On June 1st, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, starring Amanda, opened nationwide in the U.S.
A few days later in the afternoon, Wendy pulled up to Daniel's villa in a brand-new Cadillac.
She rushed inside with Amanda.
"Mr. Cross, look at this!"
Before Wendy had even settled in, she pulled a freshly printed box office report and a summary of film reviews from her bag.
Her usually sharp, shrewd face was now lit up like a flower, and her gaze at Daniel held a hint of awe.
"Although the opening weekend box office ranked third... among the female youth demographic ages 15 to 25, the attendance rate was 95.8%!" Wendy lowered her voice, excitement shining in her tone. "Warner says searches for Amanda's personal merchandise have increased fivefold. She's famous, Mr. Cross. Completely famous."
Amanda sat beside Daniel, wearing a simple white dress. Her skin, nourished by the Elixir, glowed porcelain-white.
She leaned dependently on Daniel's shoulder.
"Daniel, you were right." Amanda whispered. "I never understood why I was cast in such a low-budget youth film before. But during the events these past few days, the sound of those girls shouting my name was almost scary."
Daniel picked up his coffee and took a sip. "These kinds of movies have long lifespans; they build the strongest fan bases. They're far more valuable than flash-in-the-pan blockbusters."
"Mr. Cross, you really have the Midas touch." Wendy stood and bowed respectfully. "I was hesitant about the path you laid out for Amanda. Now I admit, my professional judgment looks like that of an elementary student compared to yours. From now on, all of Amanda's contracts go to you first."
Daniel nodded faintly.
Amanda's gratitude was more direct.
That night, after Wendy left, Amanda practically melted into Daniel's arms.
Her feelings for Daniel were close to blind worship and dependence.
...
The tragic accident Megan had feared still hadn't come.
She had already joined the Transformers cast and started preliminary physical training.
...
Early July, Hollywood.
Outside the theater for the Fantastic Four premiere, the red carpet stretched out.
Reporters and photographers crowded every inch, making passage nearly impossible.
Jessica Alba, glowing in a well-tailored deep blue gown, smiled brilliantly amid the flashing cameras.
Daniel wore a simple black suit and had been invited.
But he didn't walk the red carpet -- instead, he entered directly into the theater.
Inside, Fantastic Four decor was everywhere, along with a small cocktail party featuring non-alcoholic champagne and pastries.
"Daniel! Over here!"
Jessica spotted Daniel immediately in the crowd.
Ignoring her companions' gazes, she lifted her skirt and hurried over. Her movement instantly drew countless eyes toward Daniel.
*****
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