In the lounge, Michael ordered two cups of coffee and chatted with Priyanka Chopra about America, beauty pageants in India, Bollywood, and Hollywood.
"Beauty pageants are neither fair nor just."
Under Michael's subtle guidance, Priyanka Chopra naturally began to share her thoughts. "There are so many behind-the-scenes manipulations; winning is incredibly difficult."
Even before the pageant started, Priyanka Chopra was already feeling immense pressure. Some decisions, if not made, would guarantee elimination, and there were always others willing to make those choices.
Meeting Michael through the Mountain Foundation required a lot of determination on her part.
Michael seemed to empathize with Priyanka Chopra's struggles. "This path is really tough."
Priyanka Chopra, thinking about her deal with the Mountain Foundation, fell silent.
For a girl born in 1982, making such a decision was no easy feat.
From earlier interactions, Michael could guess why Priyanka Chopra was sitting there. It was all about the Hollywood give-and-take.
"Priyanka," Michael said casually, "if this path is so hard, why not try a different one?"
Priyanka Chopra was taken aback. "A different path?"
If there were other options, why would she choose this one?
Michael asked directly, "Do you have any acting experience?"
"I was a member of my school theater," Priyanka Chopra said with some confidence. "I acted in several plays."
Michael continued to guide her. "You could directly become an actress."
Priyanka Chopra thought Michael might have some good suggestions, but when she heard this, she shook her head and quickly said, "If I go to Bollywood directly as an actress without any foundation, I would have to start from the bottom, requiring more time and effort."
Michael smiled, "Priyanka, with your looks, why waste them in Bollywood? Starting at the bottom in Bollywood, but you could go to Hollywood!"
"Go to Hollywood?" Priyanka Chopra was momentarily confused. "I tried looking for opportunities in Hollywood..."
She stopped speaking, looking at Michael, unable to finish her sentence.
Michael took a sip of his coffee and said slowly, "I am a producer and own a film company in Hollywood that both produces and distributes films."
Hearing this, Priyanka Chopra's heartbeat accelerated. She felt her heart pounding in her chest, her prominent chest rising and falling like an earthquake in the Himalayas.
Could Bollywood compare to Hollywood? Having studied in the US for many years, the answer was obvious.
Hollywood was the world's film center in her eyes, while Bollywood was only India's film center. She had gone to Hollywood looking for opportunities but returned to Bollywood when none arose.
Priyanka Chopra felt foolish for spending a whole day with Michael in Mumbai and forgetting his most important identity!
Besides being a good-looking young man, he was a film company owner!
A girl who had returned to India from the US to participate in a beauty pageant and agreed to a certain deal certainly wasn't stupid.
She might have overlooked some things, but she quickly caught on.
Priyanka Chopra stared at Michael and asked, "You mean... I can go to... I can go to Hollywood?"
Michael casually gave a reason. "I always like to use actors from around the world in my films, not just American or British white actors. I believe that inclusiveness is key for Hollywood films to further open up the global market!"
Priyanka Chopra was ecstatic. "Can I really?"
"Of course," Michael said sincerely. "If you're willing, you can come with me to Los Angeles. Entering Hollywood isn't difficult."
At that moment, Priyanka Chopra seemed to see her dream of stardom coming true, but she suddenly thought of the Mountain Foundation, and her excitement waned a bit.
Could it really be this simple?
Seeing the joy on Priyanka Chopra's face turn to doubt, Michael thought for a moment and said, "Of course, as a newcomer, you can't start as a leading lady or in an important role."
He appeared particularly "honest," as if he never lied. "If you go to Los Angeles, I can help you enroll in an excellent acting school for proper training and, based on your progress, arrange for you to play some supporting roles to gain experience."
Under the table, Priyanka Chopra's hands twisted nervously.
Michael continued, "Priyanka, you've been to Hollywood, so you know that such a start is better than 99% of other actresses."
"Yes," Priyanka Chopra nodded. "I know."
"Do you want to go?" Michael asked.
Of course, Priyanka Chopra wanted to go, but the deal with the Mountain Foundation flashed through her mind. Could this young man across from her really be so kind as to make her a Hollywood star?
Could it be that she had suddenly been blessed by Lady Luck?
Or did Michael Davenport fall in love with her at first sight?
Though young, Priyanka Chopra was no fool. Looking at Michael's smiling face, she knew this was unlikely.
Thinking of the Mountain Foundation and the discussions with her agency, Priyanka Chopra knew this probably required some sacrifice.
Since she had agreed to a deal with the Mountain Foundation, she didn't mind taking a step further. Calming herself, she asked, "What do you need me to do?"
Michael said, "After my work here is done, accompany me to Germany."
Priyanka Chopra was taken aback. "That's it?"
The answer was completely unexpected.
Michael added, "Of course, if you want to develop in Hollywood, you'll need to settle in Los Angeles."
"Sure!" Priyanka Chopra decided instantly, then thought of another issue. "But I have a contract here."
Michael asked, "Can the Mountain Foundation help with that?" Seeing Priyanka Chopra nod, he continued, "I'll speak with Laksh Roshan to have him help you terminate the contract."
Priyanka Chopra breathed a sigh of relief. Her previously uncertain future suddenly seemed bright.
Michael reached over and gently patted her hand. "Bring your documents tomorrow and give them to my assistant, Connie. She'll handle your travel arrangements to Germany."
Priyanka Chopra agreed. "Alright."
She glanced at Michael and thought of what her agency had said. A young, attractive Hollywood producer was certainly better than staying in Mumbai, dealing with countless older men...
Priyanka Chopra was bold and decisive. Otherwise, she wouldn't have agreed to the Mountain Foundation's deal at such a young age.
In an instant, she envisioned a different future. Confident in her looks and figure, she felt hopeful.
Maybe she could even win over a Hollywood producer?
The more she thought about it, the more she felt that moving to Los Angeles was a good idea.
If she stayed, even completing the deal with the Mountain Foundation would still leave her at the mercy of Laksh and Nick Roshan.
Given the way Indian men operated, who knew if both uncle and nephew might...
Priyanka Chopra shuddered. She had to go to Los Angeles and make it in Hollywood!
Once she had even a bit of fame in Hollywood, returning to India would be completely different. She would be an international star, looking down on these Bollywood scoundrels.
Michael checked the time and signaled the bodyguards. He told Priyanka Chopra, "I'll have someone take you home."
Priyanka Chopra was surprised and couldn't help but ask quietly, "You... you don't want me to stay?"
Michael smiled, "Priyanka, go home and get a good night's sleep."
Bodyguards David and Finch came over, and Michael instructed, "David, find a car to take Miss Chopra home."
David quickly arranged for a vehicle through the hotel's front desk. Soon, a Mercedes was waiting at the hotel entrance.
Michael escorted Priyanka Chopra to the car, opening the door for her. "Priyanka, see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
Before getting into the car, Priyanka Chopra leaned in and gave Michael a light kiss, then got in and waved to him.
Michael's restrained desire flared up, and he felt an urge to pull her out of the car. But he controlled himself.
This was karma. Those who set traps often worried about falling into them.
Watching the Mercedes drive away, Michael returned to the hotel, deciding to take a cold shower. If negotiations went well, he'd soon be off to Germany.
Away from India, there would be fewer concerns.
The next day, Michael specifically mentioned Priyanka Chopra to Laksh Roshan. Since the investment negotiations were going smoothly, Laksh Roshan readily agreed.
In Laksh Roshan's eyes, Michael had deeply felt the sincerity of the Mountain Foundation.
Michael had to admit, this sincerity was genuine and substantial.
Subsequent negotiations progressed even more smoothly. Representing the Mountain Foundation, Nick Roshan, and representing Sands Entertainment, George Clint, reached a preliminary agreement on the investment for 'The Bourne Identity.'
The Mountain Foundation would invest $40 million in 'The Bourne Identity,' taking 80% of the production's equity, while Sands Entertainment would hold the remaining 20%.
There were still some differences regarding profit sharing, but they wouldn't hinder the cooperation. The Mountain Foundation proposed moving the final negotiations to Los Angeles to inspect the project on-site.
No one's money came easily, and the Mountain Foundation was more cautious than the wealthy in Abu Dhabi.
Since there was no exaggeration or falsehood, Michael readily agreed. He arranged for George Clint and Robert Lee to accompany the Mountain Foundation team back to Los Angeles for the final negotiations. Meanwhile, he headed to Berlin with bodyguards, Priyanka Chopra, and his assistant, Connie.