The entire film crew's attention followed Andy's figure as he strolled leisurely over. To those unaware, it might seem like he was here for a friendly chat. However, everyone on the set knew about the strained relationship between Vin and Renly, and the changes in the props department were plain to see. In light of Andy's actions, a sense of amusement arose.
The perspective focused on Andy, who had reached his destination. He halted and wore a smile as he spoke, "Vin, can we have a conversation?"
Vin looked up, a bit uneasy. He shifted his gaze, trying to find his manager Christian Wagner's figure.
Yesterday, Christian had scolded him fiercely over the phone, berating him for secretly causing trouble. It wasn't a problem that he had stumbled someone else; the issue was that he had been found out, and it was the second time. That was truly foolish. What was worse, even after the sabotage, he had come off worse, rendering him completely powerless and subject to criticism.
After thoroughly berating him, Christian had said he would rush to the airport and take the fastest flight to Rio de Janeiro to address the situation.
However, Andy had already arrived, and Christian was nowhere to be seen.
Vin forced himself to calm down. After all, it was just a manager. Why should he worry? He was about to speak when he saw Andy shake his head slightly. Despite the smile, his words carried an unyielding firmness that left an icy trail in one's heart. "I'm not seeking your opinion." After saying this, Andy turned away nonchalantly, paying no more attention to Vin. He walked straight toward the direction outside the filming area.
Vin hesitated for a moment before reluctantly following.
Christian was an agent from UTA, one of Hollywood's top five agencies. Despite being the second youngest among them in terms of establishment, it had risen swiftly. Currently, it represented top figures like Johnny Depp, Christopher Nolan, and the Coen Brothers. Even Michael Jackson had been affiliated with this agency during his lifetime. Its strength was not to be underestimated.
Yet, Christian had emphasized last night that CAA was an entity that couldn't be trifled with. Especially this time. He had reassured Vin, saying, "I understand the seriousness of this situation. So, rest assured, I'll rush over as soon as possible."
Taking a deep breath, Vin thought to himself: It's just a manager. What can he possibly do to me? Upon reaching outside, he immediately spotted Andy standing at the door.
Andy's slightly plump pear-shaped figure, the faint bulge of his paunch, and his fair double chin gave him a cute and amiable appearance. He seemed somewhat like a little penguin. The ever-present smile on his face conveyed friendliness, which put Vin somewhat at ease.
"Do you believe that I can ruin your reputation and bring an end to your acting career with a single blow? While Christian Wagner wouldn't dare utter a word?"
Andy's face maintained a warm smile, and he spoke calmly and unhurriedly. However, the content of his words carried no cushioning. They were direct, decisive, and filled with a chilling resolve that sent shivers down one's spine.
Caught off guard, Vin involuntarily swallowed a mouthful of saliva and subconsciously argued, "It was just an accident..."
"Heh." Andy chuckled, a light sound that even carried a hint of cheerfulness. "Then, shall I orchestrate an "accident" as well? How do you feel about that?"
Those simple words sent a shiver down Vin's spine. He wanted to speak, but looking at Andy's warm smile, all his words got caught in his throat. He could distinctly feel the thunderous rage concealed behind that smiling facade. It seemed that Andy could easily crush him into dust. The skin-crawling fear left him gaping, attempting to speak but producing no sound.
"Let me tell you how things will unfold from now on: You'll obediently finish the remaining filming of the movie, staying far away from Renly. Then, during the promotional period, you'll complete all your tasks according to the crew's requirements. You'll appear on stage for promotions alongside Renly, and he'll be your closest friend, just like Paul."
Andy even chuckled lightly, speaking cheerfully as if reminiscing about pleasant memories of a Disney vacation.
"Also, you'd better pray that Renly doesn't get hurt again. Even if he just scrapes his skin, I'll make Christian Wagner carve a piece of flesh from your body. Tom Hanks would be more than willing to handle the incident from the day before yesterday through SAG. You know, because they need to protect each actor's vested interests. Trust me, Christian will make the wise choice. The question isn't whether to send oneself to hell, but rather who to send—him or you. It's not a difficult puzzle."
Vin's lip twitched as he attempted to argue.
He was a long-established action star, while Andy was merely an agent from CAA. Renly was just a newcomer. What could they possibly do to him?
Not to mention that Renly was perfectly fine now. Even if he had been injured, accidents of this kind during filming were normal. As for the props department's mishap, it was pure chance. They had shown sincerity by firing seven employees. Did they expect him to be unreasonable?
At most, they might use public opinion to pressure him, but he could apologize sincerely, and the matter would end. They wouldn't be able to cause him any substantial harm, let alone ban him.
Andy's threats were nothing more than a joke.
Countless words surged in his mind, offering numerous ways to counter. He had even considered raising his fist and smashing it onto that punchable smiling face. Yet, he stood still, unable to utter a single word, let alone form coherent sentences.
"I didn't do it." This was Vin's only defense now—the props department had switched the iron door with a genuine one, but he wasn't behind it.
Andy's smile widened slightly, and a low chuckle escaped his throat. The slit-like eyes held a hint of pity, as if sympathizing with Vin's naivety. "Do you think anyone cares about evidence?"
This wasn't a courtroom or a police station. They didn't need evidence to convict. By following the trail from the props team's members, they could naturally find the true culprit. Without evidence or a confession, what did it matter?
Vin's blood turned ice-cold, as if all vitality had drained away. Then he caught a fleeting glint of severity and fury in Andy's eyes. The decisive cold-bloodedness and ruthless cruelty seized his heart, making his breathing vanish in an instant. The imminent threat of death caused every hair on his body to stand on end.
However, it was just a moment.
Then, Andy returned to his usual demeanor. He once again displayed a smile, his small eyes narrowing into slits, forming a crescent-like shape. This expression was brimming with warm humor. "Alright, I won't disturb your preparations any longer. The upcoming filming will be... lengthy, won't it? Work is paramount, and that's what I admire most about actors—always so dedicated."
After finishing his words, Andy nodded at Vin and started walking, making a slight turn before heading back to the set.
Vin stood alone in place, bathed in sunlight. But despite the golden rays, there was no warmth. The frigid sunlight seemed to penetrate his skin without any gentleness, sending shivers down his spine, one after another. It was November now, and in the Southern Hemisphere, November was midsummer. Yet, he felt like he was in the midst of a freezing winter.
Andy returned to Renly's side and took a seat opposite him.
In theory, he should have advised Renly on safety matters and explained how he had handled things, allowing Renly to feel at ease. However, looking into Renly's deep brown eyes, calm and serene, Andy couldn't help but chuckle.
After calming his surging emotions a little, Andy began, "Everything is fine on the set, nothing happened. Filming is progressing smoothly, and your interactions with Paul and Vin have been quite enjoyable. They've even been quite helpful to you."
"..." Nathan stood by the side, dumbfounded, entirely unaware of what had transpired, his face marked by confusion.
But Renly understood. His gaze shifted to Vin's stiff back, pausing briefly. "Like in the premiere of "Buried"?"
A smile curled Andy's lips, and indeed, Renly grasped his meaning immediately. "Yes, just like in the premiere of "Buried"" After pondering a moment, Andy realized he had nothing else to explain. "So, focus on your work with full dedication. Leave everything else to me."
Fifty hours of non-stop work, yet the matter wasn't over. He needed to maximize the situation's benefits. If possible, he might even increase Renly's role in "Fast 5", making sure that Renly's sacrifices and efforts wouldn't go to waste while staying within the script's framework.
"I'm taking a flight back to Los Angeles this afternoon," Andy mentioned briefly.
Renly raised an eyebrow. Clearly, Andy had flown over this time specifically to address his matters. Otherwise, with the awards season starting, CAA would have surely formulated an appropriate promotional plan. Andy wouldn't be able to leave. Therefore, within just a few hours of landing, Andy had to fly back to Los Angeles.
"That works out well. You can enjoy your dinner normally." The implication was that Andy needn't adjust his diet specially for weight loss, as long journeys were conducive to shedding pounds.
This jest made Andy smile, nodding in agreement. "I think so too." With that, Andy didn't linger unnecessarily. After greeting the main crew members and exchanging pleasantries, he turned and left with ease.
From his appearance to departure, it didn't take more than two hours in total.
As a side note, Christian didn't show up. He had merely called Vin and the two had conversed for quite some time over the phone. But that was all. It was said that Christian had some unexpected matters in Los Angeles that prevented him from coming. The contents of their conversation remained unknown. However, after hanging up, Vin diligently immersed himself in the filming, much like a dedicated and competent actor.