Robert tugged at his tie, his face twisted in disgust. He wanted nothing more than to tear it off—it was unbearably uncomfortable.
Maybe he's the only person in the entire film industry who would rather hang himself than wear a tie.
"Just relax a little," Lucy suggested with a small pout. "Mr. Robert, maybe you'd like to wear your tie as a scarf?"
Robert looked down; his tie hung so loosely it nearly reached his chest. Frustrated, he ripped it off and threw it on the bed. "I'm done with this lousy tie."
As a former programmer, he was used to wearing whatever he wanted. But now, as the CEO of Dream Warriors, he was expected to maintain a polished image—even if it meant wearing a suit and tie.
"Mr. Robert, please keep your public image in mind. You represent Dream Warriors, and this is the International Film Summit. All the major media outlets are here," Lucy reminded him.
Robert sighed. "Fine, I'll wear this." He pulled a black tie from an elegant wooden box.
Lucy shook her head, exasperated. "A bow tie isn't formal enough for this event. It's more suited to banquets and dances."
He smirked. "Who cares? I'm my own brand, after all." With that, he happily put on the bow tie. It felt slightly stuffy, but at least it was more comfortable than a regular tie—and it looked good.
"My god…" Lucy mumbled, but let it go. If her boss wanted to be stubborn about the bow tie, there was little she could do. After all, she wouldn't be the one facing embarrassment at the summit.
Robert turned to the mirror, satisfied with his reflection. His plain face looked surprisingly refined.
"Mr. Robert, where's your speech? I can bring it to you," Lucy offered.
"Speech? Improvise," he replied with a grin.
Lucy took a deep breath, trying to contain her frustration. Up until now, she had thought his relaxed demeanor meant he was just dedicated to scriptwriting. But today, she realized her boss was a bit…unpredictable.
Once they got in the car, Lucy couldn't shake her worry. She imagined Robert standing on stage without a script, speaking off-the-cuff and possibly offending big names in the industry. That would be a disaster.
"Mr. Robert, maybe you should think over what you're going to say. As a guest of honor, you'll definitely be expected to speak."
Robert didn't even open his eyes. "Lucy, don't worry. I know what I want to say."
Lucy sighed and turned away. Her good intentions were wasted on him.
The International Film Summit was held in one of Manhattan's wealthiest districts. Thanks to Thomas, their experienced driver, the sleek car arrived within twenty minutes.
The summit venue, Bright Star, was an impressive location filled with cultural flair. Giant screens illuminated the area, displaying highlights from popular films, creating an electric atmosphere.
"Wow!" Thomas exclaimed as they entered the parking lot filled with Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Aston Martins.
Robert opened his eyes as the car stopped. The whole place radiated luxury.
Security guards paced back and forth, communicating through radios as they monitored the area.
"Hello, Mr. Robert!" Several people greeted him as he entered, and Robert responded to each of them with polite nods. He'd always been a well-mannered kid.
To enter the main venue, Bowen Hall, guests had to pass through security and present an invitation. Each invite was non-transferable and linked to the person's real name, ensuring the safety of all attendees.
After all, the summit was only open to the elite of the international film industry—people whose net worth could be in the hundreds of millions. A single mishap could lead to major fallout.
"Mr. Robert, we'll wait for you outside," Lucy said, adjusting his slightly crooked bow tie. "Good luck."
Robert smiled and handed his invitation to the doorman before stepping inside.
Bowen Hall lived up to its name, with the interior styled as elegantly as a palace. Soft lighting blanketed the space, creating a golden, dreamlike glow.
The summit organizers had truly picked the perfect venue. As soon as Robert entered, dozens of eyes were on him. These were influential people, each with their own reasons for attending, and Robert acknowledged their stares with confidence.
Outside the hall, the smaller execs and managers who didn't qualify to attend the summit watched the live feed on massive screens.
The summit was renowned for its talks by leading directors and screenwriters, sharing invaluable industry insights. Film company executives discussed topics like film selection, offering advice that any film enthusiast would consider a goldmine.
The event was also streamed online, but being here in person allowed guests to absorb the knowledge in a way no digital experience could replicate.
But perhaps the main reason for the crowd's excitement was the chance to see Robert in person. Some attendees had flown across the world just for this moment, knowing he would be present.
In recent months, certain terms had become buzzwords in the film industry: Soldier: 76, Overwatch, Overwatch Films, Ronin, Abel Hopkins, and Hank Black. Each of these terms related to the phenomenon that was Soldier: 76, an unparalleled hit in commercial cinema.
Only Dream Warriors could create a cinematic masterpiece of this magnitude.
Soldier: 76 had revitalized the stagnant film market, launching a new era of commercial films. As the CEO of Dream Warriors, Robert had redefined the concept of mainstream cinema.
Hearing him speak today could provide life-changing insights for the attendees. Just a glimpse of his strategy might be enough for them to produce a blockbuster of their own.
The impact of Soldier: 76 was undeniable. Robert's approach to commercial cinema had become the industry benchmark. In comparison, other film companies had produced lackluster content over the past two years, allowing the film market to suffer. Art films lacked engagement, documentaries felt poorly made, and even superhero films lacked flair.
As a result, Robert had become the summit's focal point, the person everyone wanted to hear from.
Security was tight; every guest underwent a thorough check to prevent any potential disturbances. Bowen Hall was set up with state-of-the-art security, and only a few key individuals were allowed direct access to the summit space.
The event buzzed with anticipation. Dream Warriors' meteoric rise had taken the film industry by storm, and Soldier: 76 stood as a testament to Robert's vision and determination.
At last, the keynote speech began. Robert stepped onto the stage, his calm yet confident demeanor captivating the audience instantly. The crowd hushed, leaning in to catch his every word.
Instead of following a prepared speech, Robert spoke from the heart, sharing his journey from programmer to CEO and the relentless pursuit of quality that led Dream Warriors to the forefront of the film industry. He spoke about the struggles and victories, the failures, and the thrill of building something unique in a competitive market.
For a moment, even Lucy, who had been skeptical, found herself entranced. Robert's honesty and passion resonated, and the audience absorbed every word.
By the end of his speech, the room erupted into applause. Robert's off-the-cuff remarks had left a profound impact, one that would linger with the industry for years to come.
As he left the stage, people approached him with questions, each eager for a bit of guidance. Robert greeted them with the same warm, unassuming manner he'd had all along.
The future of cinema felt bright, and as Robert made his way back to the car, he felt a quiet sense of accomplishment.
"Let's go, Lucy," he said, flashing a smile. Today, he'd spoken his truth, and it was clear the world was listening.