With the matters on the fans' side resolved smoothly, the media weren't as easily dismissed as the fans. After the fans dispersed once the issue was settled, some journalists intercepted the people for interviews, while others were eager to ask Laila about her feelings.
"Feelings?" When Laila heard the question, she pondered for a moment, facing the camera with seriousness. "I think my fans are wonderful. They genuinely care about me, and I'm glad to have gotten to know them through my films. I'm happy that they enjoy my movies."
The journalists, of course, wanted something more substantial: "Don't you think they're interfering with your freedom?"
"No, I don't feel that way," Laila shook her head. "If they didn't like my work, they wouldn't have come here specifically. Why should I blame those who like me?"
The journalists seemed to want to say more, but she waved them off and walked back to the company, clearly not wanting to say anything further.
It's easy to imagine how happy her words would make those fans if they were to see them. They truly had her best interests at heart and didn't want her to lose her way in the haze of success. In their eyes, Laila was not only a film director but also their idol, their aspiration. It seemed they drew energy and happiness from her as if she were their source of inspiration.
They were probably the ones more afraid of her failure. If she failed, they would feel the bitterness of failure too, as if they would taste it themselves. She was their spiritual pillar, and even if there was a glimmer of hope, they would persuade her to continue her legendary streak of success in horror films.
However, their wishes weren't fully realized this time, or rather, they only achieved half of what they wanted. After all, they couldn't bring themselves to force her, and when they thought about it seriously, they didn't even have the right to dictate what type of movies she should make.
Now, they didn't know whether to hope for the success or failure of "Rush Hour." If it failed, she would come back to making horror films, but she would also lose her flawless record of success. If it succeeded, she might continue to explore other types of movies, and that could mean they might never get to see her new horror film.
After Laila entered the office, Roy followed her inside.
"Is that all?"
"What?" Laila was preoccupied with other matters and didn't quite grasp where his sudden question was coming from.
Roy gestured towards the window. "The fans and journalists out there, aren't you going to arrange anything?"
In his view, every time journalists appeared in front of her, they would unknowingly be manipulated by her. Was it just going to end like this? It didn't match her character, did it?
Laila glanced at him, gave a slightly enigmatic smile, and retorted, "Do you think I need to arrange something?"
"If I knew what you were thinking, that seat you're sitting in would be mine," Roy slouched on the plush couch, pointing playfully at the executive chair behind her large desk.
"Are your classes done?" Laila couldn't be bothered with him and ushered him out. Unfortunately, there was no saying like "serve tea to guests and see them off" in Western culture, otherwise, she would have kindly asked him to leave considering their acquaintance.
"Alright, alright." Roy raised both hands in surrender, stood up, and walked towards the door while muttering, "Knowing what's going on would have been helpful!"
Laila's ice-blue eyes flickered, and she smiled mysteriously. "You'll find out tomorrow."
Roy looked at her with confusion, then left the room. It sounded as if she had already done something, but what had she done exactly? Besides talking to the fans for a few minutes and answering a couple of inexplicable questions from journalists, it seemed like she hadn't done anything else.
What did her cryptic words imply?
Filled with question marks, Roy had a less than-comfortable sleep. Fortunately, the newspapers and morning news the next day enlightened him about what she had done.
The overwhelming news revolved around a single name—Laila Moran. Journalists from various media outlets used detailed descriptions to narrate the process of her interaction with the fans, and they featured their agreement as a bold headline on the entertainment section's front page.
In the pictures in the newspaper, people could see the somewhat delicate Laila earnestly pleading with her fans, seeking their understanding and support. For those who saw the news on television, they witnessed an even clearer segment. Faced with the unreasonable requests of the fans, she didn't ignore them as most stars would. Instead, she used a sincere tone to make a pact with them, giving each other a chance.
Through this incident, Laila's image in the hearts of fans and the general public was elevated even further. A prominent Hollywood director and an affluent socialite, she could still treat her fans with such humility. Who could dislike her in any way?
At the same time, the yet-to-be-released "Rush Hour" became a sensation, a blazing one at that.
Originally, aside from Laila's diehard fans, few people would have been interested in a movie of this type. With an Eastern protagonist, it was a setup that was inherently unlikable. Moreover, from the trailers, it was apparent that the martial arts depicted in the movie were nothing like the powerful and aesthetically pleasing movements of Bruce Lee. Since it wasn't Bruce Lee, what could be appealing about an Eastern martial arts film?
But now, things had changed. The film's box office performance was tied to Laila's future choice of movie genres. Whether it was her dedicated fans or those interested in her films, all eyes were on "Rush Hour."
New Line Cinema loved this situation. The higher the attention, the higher the box office revenue. And higher revenue meant higher profits! They quickly ramped up their promotional efforts, aiming to leverage this wave of attention to boost the movie's publicity.
Roy was no newcomer to Hollywood, and he wasn't clueless about the entertainment industry. After reading the news, he understood why Laila had smiled so enigmatically the previous day. She hadn't wasted the opportunity. By capitalizing on the journalists' interest in her, she not only promoted the upcoming "Rush Hour" for the latter half of the year but also made her yet-to-be-made film known to countless people.
Imagine, her new film, which hadn't even had its name revealed yet, had already become known throughout the land. This was an effect that many film producers and companies would pay a fortune for!
If he didn't know the truth, he would have almost thought that the protesting fans had been organized by Laila herself. Their appearance had brought her countless benefits. Just the publicity for the two films had already brought her considerable profits, not to mention the unexpected delight of an improved public image.
"May God bless the man who will become her husband in the future. He must have been abandoned by God to marry her," Roy put down the newspaper and shivered a little, while silently lighting a candle in his heart for that unlucky guy.