**Chapter 250: Infamy Is Still Fame**

After chatting briefly, the two walked back to the main hall together.

"Hey, darling, where did you go? I was just about to send someone to find you."

Brad Pitt approached them.

"I was on the deck making a call," Aniston shrugged.

"Is that so?"

Pitt suddenly turned to Luca, "Luca, it's been a while. Your progress is surprising."

"Good evening, Mr. Pitt!" 

Luca had intended to walk away, but hearing his words, he paused and greeted him.

"Good, very good!" 

Pitt exhaled a puff of smoke from his cigar and said coolly, "The last time I saw you, you were just a small-time model. Now you're a Hollywood star. You're impressive—ambitious, daring, and willing to do whatever it takes to get what you want. I admire young people like you."

Luca frowned slightly. Something about Pitt's words didn't feel right.

"Pitt!" 

Aniston interjected.

Pitt patted the back of her hand. "Darling, am I not speaking the truth? Luca is smart and ambitious. He knows how to make his dreams come true.

Going from a small model to a major star in just one year, a journey that takes others five, ten years, or even a lifetime—he managed it in no time. Isn't that incredible?"

Luca pressed his lips together, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

A year—from a small-time model to a star—was an undeniable fact. But to accept that truth would also be to accept Pitt's implication that he'd stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

"Luca, you remind me of my younger self. You know how to use your advantages to fulfill your ambitions. But you'll never be like me. Do you know why?"

Pitt stepped forward, his expression growing cold, eyes filled with disdain and mockery, completely unhidden.

"Oh?" 

Luca asked calmly.

"Because you're not smart enough."

Pitt leaned in, barely brushing Luca's shoulder, and whispered, "You don't know which people you can use and which ones you can't, what you can do and what you shouldn't. And you forget your place. A little mouse from Brazil, daring to challenge a lion's authority. Ha."

"A mouse?"

Luca shook his head. "I don't understand what you're saying. I'm not a mouse, and you're not a lion. I have no intention of challenging anyone, Mr. Pitt. Maybe there's a misunderstanding here."

"Misunderstanding?" 

Pitt sneered coldly. "You think you're even worthy of a misunderstanding with me? If there is one, it's your fault—and you'll pay the price!"

"What are you guys talking about?"

Aniston, having finished greeting someone, turned back and noticed the tension between the two, looking puzzled.

"Haha, it's nothing. Luca, take care of yourself."

Pitt patted Luca on the shoulder, took Aniston's hand, and led her toward the dance floor. "Darling, the ball has started. Let's go dance!"

"Alright. See you later, Luca!"

Aniston smiled faintly before following Pitt into the crowd.

Watching them leave, Luca squinted slightly, his eyes flashing with an unreadable emotion.

"Become someone like you?"

"Heh."

The sound of the orchestra filled the hall as the ball began, with elegant melodies playing in the background.

The guests quickly paired up, holding hands and gracefully dancing. Brad Pitt and Aniston, David and Victoria Beckham, Keira and Jamie, Miranda and Orlando—the event was lively and full of famous faces.

Luca wanted to find a dance partner as well. He glanced around but realized he was surrounded by empty space. No one approached him.

A few models considered coming over, but after taking a few steps, they were pulled back by their companions, whispering among themselves.

Clearly, Pitt's earlier attitude had affected everyone's perception of him.

Luca shrugged and turned toward a corner, sitting on a sofa, sipping his drink.

Compared to the lively dance floor, his corner seemed cold and lonely.

"Luca, I heard you had a run-in with Pitt?"

Nina walked over, a hint of concern on her face.

Luca smiled slightly. "Nina, don't worry. It's just a small misunderstanding."

Nina sighed. "Pitt holds a lot of influence in Hollywood. It's not good to be on bad terms with him. If possible, I hope you can take the initiative to clear things up."

Luca shook his head with a smile. "Nina, misunderstandings between men aren't something that can be resolved with a few words. These things are settled through battles."

"Battles?"

"Alright, Nina, you don't have a dance partner, right? Haha, neither do I. My dear Miss Nina, may I have this dance?"

Luca stood up and extended his hand, inviting her.

"Are you serious?"

Nina asked coldly.

"Heh, just kidding!"

"Hmph! You better behave. A handsome guy like you, without a dance partner at a ball—you're not embarrassed?"

Nina shot him a glare and walked away.

Luca scratched his head, a bit embarrassed.

"Haha~"

Suddenly, a teasing laugh came from the side.

Luca glanced over, curious.

On a nearby sofa sat a familiar girl. She wore a red off-shoulder dress, her long legs crossed, her well-developed figure accentuated, and her front assets quite... eye-catching.

Suddenly, he remembered who she was and his face turned pale as if he'd seen a ghost.

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean? Am I that scary?!"

The future first princess asked, clearly displeased.

"No!"

Luca quickly composed himself and replied politely, "Miss Yi, I apologize for my earlier rudeness. I was just stunned by your beauty. You're even more stunning in person than on TV."

"Thank you!"

The 22-year-old Miss Yi curled her lips into a subtle smile, looking at him with a mix of amusement and teasing. "The news says you're quite the ladies' man. I guess it's true."

". . ."

Luca cried out in his heart, feeling wronged. He really, really, *really* had no intention of flirting with this one—mainly because he didn't have the guts.

"Would you like to dance? I happen to be in need of a partner."

The girl stood up. With her model height of 179 cm, plus high heels, she was almost as tall as him.

Hearing her invitation, Luca raised an eyebrow. This didn't seem like something he could refuse.

"It would be my honor!"

He reluctantly took her hand and led her into the dance floor, swaying gently to the band's music.

But both of them had well-developed figures, and the occasional accidental touches made him sweat a bit. He suddenly remembered Pitt's words—some people are off-limits, like the one right in front of him.

"You're nervous?"

The girl stared at his face, puzzled.

"No, I'm not nervous. I'm just not very good at these kinds of social dances."

While speaking, his chest accidentally brushed against something, causing him to step back, only to bump into someone behind him. He quickly apologized.

"Haha, you're definitely nervous!"

"Alright, fine. I'm nervous!"

"Why?"

She asked curiously.

"Because..."

Luca sighed, shaking his head. "Because I have a scandalous reputation. Any girl who gets close to me becomes the subject of rumors. A lot of people are criticizing me now, saying I'm only good at creating scandals and not at acting."

"Are they wrong? Your acting isn't that great."

" . . ."

"Haha, Luca, you're funny. I didn't expect to meet someone like you at this party."

She laughed heartily, leaning into his chest as she giggled.

People around them started to notice, seeing how close the two were. They couldn't help but feel surprised.

"When did those two start hooking up?"

"They look like a good match!"

Luca, hearing the murmurs, felt his heart sink. Holding this time-bomb in his arms, what should he do now?

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