"Entertainer" was squeezing the news value of the future boss, so Hook's interview was divided into four parts and published as a series. They aimed to gather more readers' attention by releasing one part every week.
The first article was about the topic of the "300 Million Director," which helped steer public opinion back in the right direction. The second article covered the "400 Million Declaration."
Hook's article was written in a very objective manner, striving to present the most authentic version of Laila through her own words. However, other media outlets that saw his report were not as polite. While they couldn't directly obtain an interview with Laila, it didn't mean they would refrain from sensationalizing topics about her.
The 400 Million Declaration? Many media outlets expressed doubts. Regardless of whether they had previously mocked Laila's "300 Million Director" title, the media knew that it wasn't a laughable achievement but rather something remarkable. However, their thoughts didn't matter; as long as the audience was interested, they were willing to promote such brainless topics.
But 400 Million? Even media outlets that trusted Laila couldn't endorse her arrogance. In their eyes, her limits probably reached this point. Looking at the movies she had made so far, it was evident that the scripts and shooting techniques she created were confined within the realm of 300 Million. Her work could be described as excellent and classic but not necessarily blockbuster material.
The gap between 300 Million and 400 Million wasn't just a tiny difference; it was more like an insurmountable chasm. Unless she could break free from the limitations holding her back, aiming for 400 Million in box office earnings would be nothing but a joke.
Laila found it amusing when she saw the judgments about her in the newspapers from those who didn't believe she could reach 400 Million. The thought of being able to show those people her success with 400 Million in box office earnings in the future brought her great joy.
Another week passed, and "Entertainer" released the third part of its continuous reporting—this time, it was about the pirate film for the whole family! The media outlets were ecstatic, feeling that Laila was digging her own grave. They couldn't believe that someone known for directing R-rated horror films and action movies would venture into a genre that even top directors were wary of touching. And she was claiming it would be a family-friendly film—wasn't that a joke? What was even more laughable was her assertion that it could gross 400 Million at the box office!
Some might argue that Laila had directed "Rush Hour," proving her ability to excel in comedy besides R-rated films.
However, the so-called experienced media commentators didn't share this view. They pointed out that Laila hadn't written the script for "Rush Hour" herself; she had merely filled in the content according to someone else's framework.
But this new pirate film was different. Let's not forget that all the movies Laila had produced were her own creations. Could someone who had made a name for herself in R-rated movies suddenly switch to another genre and succeed? The possibility was questioned. If it were that easy, countless others wouldn't have struggled with transitioning.
They "kindly" advised Laila to stick to her R-rated horror and action films. At least that way, she would leave a strong mark on the history of R-rated cinema. They suggested not wasting time on other genres that might tarnish her reputation.
Laila dismissed their "well-intentioned" words as nonsense. Those who only knew how to talk would wither if they had to make movies themselves. She wasn't unwilling to listen to others, but at the very least, they should have the ability to guide her, right? It was like a basketball player teaching a soccer player how to kick better—did that make any sense? She couldn't be bothered to argue with these mouthpieces.
However, her silence was perceived as a lack of confidence by others. So, those who were "advising" her continued to increase, presenting various seemingly reasonable arguments in the hopes of persuading her to return from her misguided path.
Laila didn't trust them at all. These people would love to see her fail. The reason they were spouting all these long-winded words was to lay the groundwork for the future. When she failed, they would surely unleash a storm of criticism.
This treatment wasn't exclusive to her; even those top directors would face similar situations. The result was that if they failed, they would hear comments like, "We told you so; you couldn't do it." But if they succeeded, those same people would conveniently forget what they had said and heap praise upon them.
Laila was all too familiar with such situations, so she didn't care much about what these people were saying. She would let her impressive box office data next summer speak for itself, demonstrating what it meant to prove others wrong and showcase her genius.
Another week passed, and "Entertainer" released the fourth part of its continuous reporting. This time, the focus shifted away from her movies and centered on her relationship with Roy. Hook had asked many questions about Laila and Roy's relationship, and Laila had provided him with the answers she had prepared in advance. Except for a few people close to her, no one else knew that her relationship with Roy was just a "rumor."
But was it really just a fabricated rumor for publicity? Laila, who had been very certain at first, was now less sure because of Roy's attitude.
Thinking back to that day, she felt like she had been walking along a smooth road when suddenly a speeding locomotive collided with her.
She had considered many possibilities, but she had never imagined that Roy might have feelings for her.
This question had also been on Ovitz's mind. As Roy's new manager, he had designed many plans for him. Regardless of which plan was eventually implemented, Laila was a troublesome figure in all of them.
Without love, there could be no hatred, and he was concerned that Roy might resent Laila out of love, leading to a complete rupture of their relationship. That would be detrimental to the company's growth, especially considering that the cooperative relationship they were seeking was just starting to show promise.