Chapter 835: Chapter 241: Another Gain
It’s interesting, when Adrian initially had his team produce "Lizzie McGuire" and specifically chose Hilary Duff to star, it was just to preemptively capture the teen market before Disney. AC Media may not be as established as Disney, but with significant operational efforts and Adrian at the helm, they could at least split the market.
And indeed, this proved to be true. Disney’s comprehensive domination of the teen market began after the Millennium, which was exactly the opportunity for AC Media. If it weren’t for the lack of a more skilled team, capturing more market share would have been possible.
Hilary naturally rose to fame as usual, becoming a hot teen idol, and Adrian then formally shifted his focus onto her, and also on her sister Hayley. Since Hayley was also an actress, of course, they should be brought together for a threesome, right? The two sisters, so young and lively, don’t need to be collected, consuming them one by one is too much hassle.
That being said, Hayley, whether in luck or vision, was much worse than her sister. Hilary was already a hot teen idol, but she was still revolving around some ordinary movies and TV shows. If "The O.C" weren’t also part of the plan to capture the teen market, and if Adrian hadn’t intervened in the casting, she probably wouldn’t have gotten that role.
But precisely because of this, the chance of getting both sisters into bed at the same time increased significantly. If both were hot idols, it would take a lot more effort.
Regardless, they both ultimately ended up in his bed, and then that was it, Adrian was still just playing around. For one, the Duff sisters weren’t anything exceptional; just play with them several times while they’re young. Secondly, Hilary’s ambition and brains were higher than he anticipated.
She was not only proactive but also involved her sister every time. For instance, during a threesome, Adrian didn’t intend to use many tricks, but she and Hayley used their mouths that time. Adrian never minded women with ambition and brains; in fact, the dumber a woman is, the more stubborn she is, and it’s easy to blow up small matters unless she’s nurtured like a little pet from a very early stage.
Women with ambition and brains can also handle relationships better, as long as they have matching vision, like poor Anne Hathaway, who had both ambition and brains—otherwise, she wouldn’t have so decisively and shamelessly begged in the most degrading way—but because of her poor vision, she made wrong moves and ended up in her current situation.
Adrian wasn’t sure if Hilary was the same, after all, he didn’t pay much attention to the Duff sisters. So, if he plays with them again, it’s better to do it in New York rather than Los Angeles. In short, don’t give the other side a chance to exploit.
As for Anne, to be frank, she did a great job. If it weren’t for her step-by-step approach to gaining the trust of the Duff sisters, followed by her relentless persuasion, they wouldn’t have ended up in his bed so easily for the first time.
"I’m very satisfied." After returning to Los Angeles, Adrian immediately called Anne to the office and praised her face to face.
Anne made a very obvious movement of relief and then put on a smile, "I’m glad everything I did satisfies you, Ed."
Even so, her hands were still tightly clenched, and there was still some nervousness and fear in her expression, which Adrian noticed and laughed softly.
"Don’t worry, Anne," he stood up and walked from behind the desk to stand in front of her, looking down at her, "Since I said I’m satisfied, then it’s certainly satisfaction. So as a reward, there’ll be a new movie starting production in March, and one of the supporting roles is yours."
"Really...really?" Anne completely exhaled, with more flattery in her smile, "Thank you, Ed, thank you, I... I will continue to do my best, I promise!"
Hollywood doesn’t lack women who act as go-betweens; many are quite well-known. But usually, it’s just introducing someone to someone, at most implying slightly: This is no big deal when someone seeks their opinion. Women who reach this level are generally second-tier stars, while those big names are usually just the first kind. Yet, as a near first-line actress, like Anne, who deliberately approaches and goes on about urging others to do things like this, are unprecedented.
The New Year harvest was more than just the Duff sisters; another long-planned matter was nearing completion as Adrian returned to Los Angeles.
"Hey, Blake, what are you daydreaming about?" With her father’s voice ringing in her ears, the girl at the dining table finally came back to her senses.
"Probably still worrying about the audition. It seems dear Blake has made up her mind to be an actress too." Her eldest half-brother teased.
"Jason," her mother called, reminding.
"It’s okay, Mom, Jason is right. I am indeed a bit worried, but I believe I can get it," Blake Lively shrugged and then stood up, "I’m done eating."
A few steps back to her room, and once the door closed behind her, the girl’s expression immediately darkened. She paced irritably around her room a few times, sat down, then stood up, her hands clenched into fists, her mind full of today’s audition scenarios, especially the haughty look of that bitch.
"So sorry, Blake, seems like you’ll be my sidekick again," Leighton said with a teasing tone to her when no one was around after the audition.
"Your arrogance is about to burst your clothes, Leighton," Blake remembered retorting.
"Since I could snatch one role from you, I can naturally snatch two," Leighton replied with a scornful expression, as if she were an overconfident little ant.
Damn it, where does she get such confidence?! Blake was very annoyed, but just recalling the scenes from the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" audition, she dared not take Leighton’s words as a joke.
Hopefully, Dad can help. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, saying this to herself in her heart.
Blake doesn’t want to be like her brothers and sisters, nor does she want to be like her parents. Her family of seven, except for her, are all actors who’ve appeared in various movies and TV shows. Let’s not mention the parents; her elder half-brother Jason, has appeared in well-known TV shows like "ER" and "Days of Our Lives," but...never in any major roles.
In fact, everyone at home is like this. Checking their resumes, there’s a long list of TV shows, and her father even directed a low-budget independent film, but there are almost no significant roles or works. Although they live in Burbank, enjoying a better-than-average middle-class life, compared to real big stars, they fall short, far too short.
The gap was not welcomed by Blake, every time she saw Leighton flaunting in school, this feeling of dislike was particularly prominent, especially after "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" screened and became more pronounced. The film was very popular among teenagers, and discussions were everywhere in school. As one of the important roles, Leighton naturally also garnered many attentive gazes. After she spread a bit of word, the fact that Blake had auditioned and lost to her became known by all.
One can imagine how big a blow this was to her; though her reputation at school didn’t plummet, the previously balanced or even advantageous situation started to sway. Blake couldn’t accept it, knowing that she was close to driving out that bitch before—the guilt of spreading rumors had long evaporated into thin air.
So despite her father helping her with many opportunities afterward, she never took to any of them. A lead role in a mediocre film is far better than being an unnoticed supporting role in ten box office hits. So when Blake received the script for "Accepted," she was determined to get the lead role, but what she hadn’t expected was that Leighton was also auditioning!
Is she doing this on purpose to target me? Blake thought, but then she shook her head. That’s too far-fetched; what power does she have to deliberately target me? So she was sure she would get the part this time.
The more Blake thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. A few days later, her premonition was confirmed when her father regretfully told her that the production had chosen someone else.
"Can I know who got the role?" Blake asked, feigning nonchalance.
"Well... it was your classmate, Leighton, Leighton Meester, she’s been to our house," her father recalled, giving her the answer she least wanted to hear before adding insult to injury with a suggestion: "She’s also a well-known young actress, and it seems like you have a good relationship. Maybe you can ask her to introduce you to some opportunities."
Kids always have their own secrets as they grow up, and parents can’t always know what they’re thinking. So Blake’s father wasn’t very aware of his daughter’s situation at school.
"Got it." Blake, though pale, managed to support herself back to her room, and it wasn’t until the door was closed that she went crazy, grabbing the pillow and furiously pounding it on the bed.
"Bitch! Bitch!" she cursed harshly, hitting the pillow until she was exhausted, then collapsed on the bed panting.
It wouldn’t matter if she lost to anyone else, but losing to that bitch was absolutely unacceptable! The thought of her strutting smugly past her at school every day, further squeezing her space at school, made Blake feel utterly disgusted. How could she lose to that bitch from a shady family connected to drug dealers? Why is it like this?
Wait! Blake suddenly jumped up from the bed, staring ahead with wide eyes, then growing a bit excited, the nervous tension slightly twisting her otherwise pretty face — there was one possibility that could lead to such a situation...
"That’s the decision. I’m graduating this year, and many things will be handed over to Allison. Afterward, I’ll also recommend you to be captain." In the cheerleaders’ locker room, surrounded by a few girls, Leighton assigned tasks.
"Thank you, Leighton, thank you." The girl named was visibly ecstatic, and there was a smattering of applause around.
"Well... what about Blake?" someone asked at an inappropriate time, instantly drawing disapproving looks.
"Don’t mind it, Lisa just wants to be thorough," Leighton mediated for her, "Don’t worry, Blake will graduate next year too, unless she can find a way to turn things around in the next six months. Without my suppression, she can sit in this position... too pathetic, frankly speaking. If she knows what’s good for her, she should quit the cheerleaders after I graduate."
"That’s true, Blake Lefley is already history." A girl laughed, then changed the subject: "By the way, aren’t you planning to apply to college, Leighton?"
"No, my agent tells me the timing is perfect right now. I should be working hard to solidify my career, not getting complacent over small achievements like some people." Leighton said lightly with a smile.
The girls joined in with a laugh, their eyes bright with envy, currying favor.
They continued this discussion for a while before dispersing one by one. Leighton was the last to leave, and after ensuring everyone was gone, she checked the locker room again before changing out of the cheerleader uniform.
"I saw it." After walking out of the locker room, a voice suddenly echoed in her ear, startling Leighton.
"Blake?" Recognizing the person who appeared from the side, Leighton squinted her eyes to show a subtly sneering expression, "Since when did you start enjoying peeking?"
"I saw it." Blake crossed her arms, walking up to her with a cold snort, "With that old man, outside the studio. Although there wasn’t anything overly intimate, anyone could see you two have an issue."
"So what?" Leighton showed no hint of panic, nor did she intend to deny it, "That’s my skill."
Blake bit her lip, showing a mocking smile: "Yeah, the skill of selling your body. How much does he pay for each night you spend together, or how many roles does he give you?"
"Much more than you’d imagine, Blake." Leighton shrugged, then approached her, "You know who he is, right? I’ve known him for a long time, so as long as I want, I can take any role you fancy. As long as I want, I can become a superstar like Gwyneth Paltrow or Nicole Kidman."
Blake’s face paled involuntarily, her body leaned back, not sure if it was from the words or the oppressive presence Leighton exuded.
"You think you can intimidate me like this? Dream on, Blake," Leighton glared at her, speaking fiercely in a low voice, "At most, you’ll cause a tiny ripple, bringing disaster to your family. I might not be the most pampered, but I’m not someone a high school girl can bully! What I’ve sacrificed is beyond your wildest dreams!!"
"How good you are at flattering yourself, Leighton. You’re just a bit lucky." Blake gritted her teeth, struggling to appear tough.
"What, you think everyone can, you think you can be like me?" Leighton sneered coldly, "Don’t be silly, Blake, you have or had a boyfriend."
She straightened up, looking down at her with a dismissive look: "In front of me, you’re just a small unnoticed stone that might cause inconvenience but is ultimately fated to be kicked aside."
After finishing, Leighton turned and left without sparing another glance at Blake, who stood there dazed for a long time, until Leighton’s silhouette disappeared, and only then did she lean against the wall, her head hanging down, eyes widened staring at the floor, her hands tightly clenched, her face growing paler.
After considering a certain possibility, Blake had been quietly monitoring Leighton’s movements at school, and just over the weekend two days ago, she followed her all the way to a studio. Wandering around like a headless chicken for a while, she accidentally discovered Leighton privately chatting and laughing with a middle-aged man. Although there wasn’t much transgression, Leighton’s fawning, coquettish smile clearly hinted at something, not to mention the man ambiguously tucked her long hair behind her ear before leaving. When his finger brushed her cheek, Leighton squinted her eyes, seemingly enjoying it.
Even though she stood at a distance, surrounded by clutter, Blake managed to capture the scene quite clearly with her phone, albeit the photos were a bit blurry. But upon returning home, she quickly identified the man’s identity via the internet — one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood, known as a miracle-making director!
Gradually, Blake steadied her breathing and then curled the corners of her mouth into a smirk. I really should thank you, Leighton, if it weren’t for these words, I wouldn’t have known how to proceed. Do you really think... I can’t do it? (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian () to vote, your support is my greatest motivation.)