After returning from New York to Hollywood, Laila contemplated how to cause trouble for the authorities. She really didn't want to get involved in this matter, but it was her grandfather's will, after all. With a stiff upper lip, she had no choice but to proceed.
When it came to causing trouble, the first step that came to mind was to pressure the police. For example, how those arrested individuals should be dealt with, or who was behind them. What? No leads yet? Well, then, you policemen who are spending taxpayers' money, what exactly are you doing?
Laila didn't need to personally handle these matters. She only needed her lawyer to represent her to convey her intentions. And just like other lawyers, Walton, the attorney, loved nothing more than going against the police and authorities, especially when he had the colossal Moran family standing behind him. So, why wouldn't he wholeheartedly help Laila with this?
Thus, the police found themselves in a bind, and the government sent people to communicate with Laila, hoping she would refrain from using the Moran family's media to criticize them, even if it came at a cost. However, they couldn't even catch a glimpse of Laila; she used the excuse of nursing her injuries to keep them at bay.
Indeed, she was nursing injuries, but it wasn't her, it was Roy.
His heroic actions during the recent events had earned the favor of Janet and other members of the Moran family. To facilitate his care, Janet generously had all his belongings, including little Abel, moved to the Moran estate. It was officially framed as providing the best possible care for his injuries, but everyone could see through her intentions.
This time, Laila didn't refuse. Since Roy had been injured because of her, if he could receive better care in her home, so be it. After all, he was the male lead of the movie. Every day he spent recovering translated to a delay in the shooting schedule. To complete the filming as soon as possible, she needed him to recover quickly.
Roy's injuries weren't severe, just cuts and bruises without any damage to his muscles or bones. Yet, the array of colorful marks on his back sent a chilling message and left an unsettling impression on anyone who saw them.
Laila watched coldly as the nurse changed Roy's bandages. Perhaps her gaze was too oppressive, as even the pretty nurse's hands trembled a bit while she worked. Even little Abel lay quietly on the nearby coffee table, doing his best to make himself invisible.
Amidst the nurse's sudden silence, Roy noticed something was amiss. When she turned around after finishing the dressing change, she was met with a pair of ice-blue eyes, so cold they could turn anyone into an ice cube.
"Don't look so stern; I said I'm fine." Roy flashed a bright smile that warmed up the room. His dazzling smile made the nurse, who had just been "frozen," suddenly feel as though she was bathed in sunlight.
"Mm," Laila responded without expression, but her mind remained far from calm.
Every time she saw those scars, she felt a burning anger within herself. They were like stamps displayed on her pillar of shame, a constant reminder of her arrogance, of her belief that she could control everything.
She had always thought that with a rebirth, her knowledge of the future and her own intelligence would lead her to a smooth path. However, the events of that day had taught her a harsh lesson and made her realize that she was not a deity but just an ordinary person. She couldn't predict everything with 100% accuracy.
Although she understood this now, she had paid a heavy price: her pride. Without her pride, could she still create movies that satisfied her? Could she still produce films that would become classics, given her diminished faith in the future?
Laila's foul mood was palpable to everyone around her, but there was nothing they could do for her. Whether it was her family or her assistants, Louise and Claire, they all knew that Laila had to overcome this obstacle on her own. They believed that her current low spirits were just a temporary setback and that she would rise like a phoenix when success came again.
But where would that next success come from?
The most recent one would be "Kill Bill," set to be released in May, but now it was already April, and the promotion hadn't officially started yet. With time ticking away, Laila was still unable to focus on her work. Finally, Louise made a decision - to initiate the rumor plan!
Using rumors for movie promotion was a strategy the company had planned from the beginning, but it had been postponed indefinitely due to unexpected events. This was unavoidable because, with such a major incident, all eyes were on Laila. How could anyone be in the mood for creating rumors?
Louise was indeed not as skilled in promotions as Laila, but when she saw the footage of Laila caring for Roy on television again, she came up with a solution that seemed perfect.
After spending so many years in Hollywood, Louise undoubtedly had some familiar contacts among the media and journalists. Therefore, the next day, a newspaper published an article with the headline "Hidden Romance Exposed: Director Is Not A Lesbian." The accompanying picture prominently featured Laila inspecting Roy's face with her hands, as he smiled brilliantly at her to comfort her.
Due to the subtle angle of the shot, Laila's side profile with tightly pressed lips was visible, and Roy, trying to lower her hands, was holding her with both of his. Knowing that Roy was merely trying to remove her hands, the photo gave the impression that there was something more between them, leaving very little room for misunderstanding.
Even Laila herself was taken aback when she saw the picture in the newspaper. She wondered who could have executed this plan so perfectly, turning a moment of her genuine concern into such a pink-tinted display. Even someone who knew what had actually happened at that moment would blush at the sight of this photo, not to mention those who were unaware of the truth.
The following day, as expected, the rumor began to spread even further, overshadowing the previously heated discussions about the thugs and the police's inaction. The police, who had been on edge, breathed a collective sigh of relief. As long as public attention wasn't solely focused on them, they could figure out how to deal with the aftermath later.
When Laila returned to her company, she finally learned the truth from Louise.
"So, it was you who did it!" Laila was genuinely surprised because the plan had been executed perfectly, without any signs of forcing a rumor. It looked as though everything had developed naturally.
Moreover, this accident-induced rumor would also add a heroic touch to Roy's otherwise plain background. Otherwise, when placed next to her, his status would seem mismatched with hers.
"Sorry, I didn't get your permission," Louise said apologetically, "I hope my actions didn't cause you too much trouble."