[Chapter 277: Oscars]
After an unknown amount of time, the pitch-black Rolls-Royce finally stopped its violent shaking.
A window rolled down slightly, allowing a puff of heat mixed with sweat and a delicate fragrance to escape before being quickly neutralized by the cold air.
Ivanka leaned against his chest, her whole body feeling as if her bones had been removed. Her back, which she usually kept ramrod straight, was now soft and limp. Her long blonde hair was disheveled, covering half of her still-flushed face.
...
For the next three days, Ivanka completely disappeared from the New York business scene.
The dense schedule of meetings, ribbon-cuttings, and cocktail parties she had originally planned was all canceled.
She even gave Donald Trump a simple reply when he called: "I'm accompanying Great Master Cross to contemplate life."
On the other end of the line, Donald couldn't stop grinning, repeatedly praising his daughter for being "sensible."
Daniel accompanied her as they strolled through the streets of Manhattan.
From the tree-lined paths of Central Park to backstage at Broadway theaters, Ivanka was no longer that aloof socialite.
She changed into a simple hoodie and jeans, wore sunglasses, and naturally linked her arm with Daniel's.
She took Daniel to eat the street hot dogs she loved the most as a child.
She took him to hidden private galleries to see paintings by artists who hadn't yet become famous.
They left traces of their intimacy in many places, both public and private.
"Daniel, if you want to stay in New York, I can help you take care of everything," Ivanka said sincerely at a private restaurant overlooking the Hudson River, gazing at Daniel's profile.
Daniel cut the steak in front of him without looking up. "There's still much 'Karma' to be severed in Los Angeles; that place suits me better."
Ivanka felt a bit disappointed but quickly masked it.
She knew a man like Daniel could not be tied down by a single city, or a single woman.
...
Three days later, early in the morning. At the private tarmac of Kennedy Airport.
Raymond's Gulfstream G650 was already emitting a low engine roar.
Donald Trump had actually come in person to see him off. Still wearing his sharp suit, the look in his eyes when he saw Daniel was fervent.
"Great Master Cross, have a safe journey!" Donald grabbed Daniel's hand, shaking it vigorously, and lowered his voice to say, "You must come to New York often, come see Ivanka often. The doors of the Trump family are always open to you!"
Daniel smiled and nodded, withdrew his hand, and turned to look at Ivanka.
Ivanka stepped forward and, without hesitation in front of the public, gave Daniel a long kiss.
"I'll be waiting for you to come back to New York."
She whispered in Daniel's ear, then reached out to straighten his collar.
Daniel said nothing, turned, and walked up the boarding stairs.
The cabin door slowly closed.
With a violent roar, the silver Gulfstream cut through the New York morning mist and pierced into the sky.
...
A few hours later, the Gulfstream G650 landed smoothly at a private airport in Los Angeles.
Daniel walked down the stairs, greeted by a wave of heat carrying the characteristic dry air of California.
Raymond's driver was already waiting at the exit and drove him back to Beverly Hills.
...
Upon returning to the mansion, Succubus Chris appeared immediately.
She had changed into a fiery red evening gown and was walking barefoot on the living room carpet.
"Master, while you were 'expanding your territory' in New York, Hollywood has been turned upside down."
Chris tapped a floating virtual screen densely packed with entertainment headlines.
The hype for V for Vendetta was still ongoing, and Amanda's popularity in Europe and Asia had skyrocketed. Multiple luxury brands had already extended olive branches for global endorsements.
But the focus was no longer on Amanda.
With a swipe of Chris's finger, the entire screen was filled with Rachel McAdams' face.
"The 63rd Golden Globe Awards just ended." Chris giggled. "Miss McAdams won Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy for Walk the Line without any suspense."
Daniel walked to the bar and poured himself a glass of ice water.
Looking at the photo on the screen of Rachel crying while holding her trophy, his expression was calm. "This is just the beginning."
Chris leaned in, her breath like orchids. "All the major media outlets say she's the top seed for this year's Oscar Best Actress winner. Some are even calling her the 'New Queen of Hollywood.'"
Ring ring ring.
The phone vibrated.
Daniel picked it up and saw it was Rachel.
"Daniel! Where are you? I want to see you, right now! Immediately!"
Rachel's voice sounded extremely excited.
...
An hour later,
The nanny van practically drifted to a stop in front of the villa.
Rachel pushed the door open and entered, still wearing her celebratory outfit from after the awards ceremony.
She clutched that glittering golden trophy tightly in her hand.
As soon as she entered the room, she kicked off her high heels, threw herself into Daniel's arms, and pressed her lips against his without restraint.
"I did it, did you see? I won!"
Rachel spoke incoherently, her eyes red.
The shock brought about by such extreme fame and fortune left her in a state bordering on frenzy.
Daniel said nothing; he just wrapped his arm around her waist and carried her into the bedroom.
That night, the sky over Beverly Hills was lit up by various celebratory fireworks.
Rachel was incredibly wild, as if she wanted to pour out all her excitement...
...
Over a month passed in the blink of an eye.
Hollywood entered the most tense "Oscar Season."
The PR budgets of various studios were being poured into the major guilds like water.
And Rachel was at the very center of the storm.
February 25th.
The 78th Academy Awards ceremony.
The red carpet outside the Kodak Theatre was packed to the gills.
A pitch-black limousine stopped at the curb, and Daniel was the first to step out.
Today, he wore a dark suit with an extremely sophisticated cut. Although he wore no extra accessories, the profound aura brought by his Higher Ascendant Order instantly silenced the noisy press section for a moment.
Then, he reached out his hand to help Rachel out of the car.
Rachel wore a light violet backless gown. Nourished by the Elixirs, her skin was glowingly white. She looked like a goddess walking among mortals.
"Who is that man next to Rachel?"
"Oh my god, he has more presence than those male stars. Is he her true love?"
"I remember now! That Hawkeye from Halloween! He's the second boss of Marvel and the mastermind behind multiple Hollywood projects!"
The camera flashes merged into a blinding white light.
Daniel's expression was indifferent, while Rachel held his arm tightly, her fingertips turning slightly white from the force.
"Daniel, I'm a little nervous. This is my first time at the Oscars!" Rachel said in a low voice, though her smile remained flawless.
"Relax," Daniel said, looking down the long red carpet ahead. "Tonight, you are the protagonist."
The two moved forward on the red carpet, every step accompanied by the frantic clicks of shutters.
The broadcast cameras of major media outlets were locked onto them.
In Hollywood, a place that values both faces and power, a man like Daniel -- young, handsome, and wielding great influence -- was simply a black hole for attention.
Entering the theater lobby, Several acquaintances came forward to greet them.
After a few pleasantries, everyone took their seats.
The awards ceremony officially began.
After long opening remarks and technical awards passed, the final climax finally arrived.
"The winner of the 78th Academy Award for Best Actress is--"
*****
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