Chapter 249: Caught

"Hey, Luca!"

On the deck, Aniston had just finished a phone call and was about to head back when she heard footsteps approaching. She turned her head to see Luca walking over.

"Hey, Jenny! Long time no see!"

Luca hesitated at first, but seeing her greet him, he straightened up and walked directly over.

"Yeah, how have you been lately?"

Aniston leaned against the railing, a slight smile on her face, the same sweet smile as Rachel's on TV.

"Me? I'm doing okay."

"Are you sure?"

Aniston raised an eyebrow and laughed. "There's been quite a bit of news about you recently. I mean, negative news."

"Alright, you caught me."

Luca's face fell as he sighed. "I've been getting criticized like crazy lately. It's been tough."

Aniston chuckled, "Don't feel too bad. You actually did a good job acting, it's just that the role wasn't right for you. That's the director's fault."

"No, it's my fault. I didn't work hard enough on my acting. All I do is stir up gossip, so I deserve the criticism!"

Luca laughed bitterly, holding up a newspaper review to mock himself.

Aniston smiled softly. Some of that gossip involved her too—baseless rumors, mostly. But it seemed that wherever this guy went, rumors followed. Anyone who got close to him would end up in the gossip columns.

Thinking of those rumors, her smile faded, and she walked toward the bow of the ship with her hands behind her back.

"I heard you've been rejected from several auditions lately?"

"…"

Luca froze. "You know about that?"

"Of course."

Aniston smiled lightly. In her network of connections, Luca was a "friend+" level, and her assistant regularly gathered information about him. It wasn't hard to find out.

Luca didn't know this, so he just smiled helplessly. "Yeah, my reputation is trashed. No crew dares to work with me."

"Do you need help?"

Aniston paused, her heels clicking as she smiled. "I could recommend some good projects for you."

"Thanks, Jenny, but I think I can handle it."

He declined cleanly.

In the past, he had traded favors with Britney for a book deal, but rumors turned it into a story about him sleeping his way to the opportunity.

If he accepted a role from Aniston now, would people say he was sleeping with her to get it?

Thinking it over, they definitely would.

If those rumors spread, and Aniston and Pitt ended up divorcing in the future, the label of "homewrecker" would fall on him.

He wasn't Angelina Jolie; he couldn't handle such a heavy burden.

With that thought, he wanted to distance himself from Aniston.

A lot of people already blamed him for Britney and Justin's breakup. If he were also accused of wrecking Aniston and Pitt's marriage, his reputation would be ruined for good.

Britney and Justin, Aniston and Brad Pitt—these were America's dream couples.

If he destroyed both… 

Yikes.

He felt like his reputation was about to stink.

"What's wrong?"

Aniston noticed the sudden change in his expression, as if he'd seen something terrifying. She glanced at the sea, but there was no sea monster in sight.

"Nothing, Jenny. The wind's strong out here on the deck. Why don't we head back to the hall and talk?"

Luca tried to play it cool.

"It's fine. It's quiet here, perfect for discussing films. The last project you mentioned was called…"

"Step Up!" Luca reminded her.

"Yes, that one. The script is great, but there's no suitable role for me or Brad. We started Plan B to have more involvement in our own film projects, which makes things easier. For now, we don't plan to invest in other projects."

"I understand. Will Plan B be taking on *The Blind Side*?"

That's what Luca was interested in.

"No, Plan B is focusing on *Troy* right now. If we were to invest in *The Blind Side*, it would delay production by one or two years, but I want to start sooner."

Aniston shook her head slightly. The real reason was that Pitt didn't like the project and suggested postponing it, and their partner Brad Grey agreed with him.

This had led to several arguments between her and Pitt.

She sighed. "Luca, I'm currently looking for a director, but it hasn't been easy. Some have declined, others are too busy. You're a writer and familiar with the script. Do you have any recommendations?"

Luca thought for a moment. "Have you seen the movie *The Rookie*? It's also a sports film, and I believe the director was John Lee Hancock."

"You think he's a good fit?"

Aniston had heard of him, but his reputation wasn't big—maybe a B-list director at best.

"It's just a suggestion."

As someone made a phone call nearby, Luca shifted slightly to block Aniston with his body.

"Alright, I'll consider it. But Luca, why are you standing in front of me?"

"I, uh, the wind's strong up here. I'm shielding you from it."

"Oh~ really? Should I thank you?"

"No, no need."

"Hahaha~"

"Brad, Mr. Johnson has a project he'd like to discuss with you. Are you interested…"

On the yacht, Brad Pitt's assistant, Wilson, pushed open the door and walked into the lounge, seeing Pitt staring out of the window, lost in thought.

He walked over to check in, then noticed the figures on the deck.

The lighting was dim, but from their outfits, he could tell it was Aniston and Luca.

The two stood side by side on the deck, talking about something, their laughter occasionally carried by the wind.

Wilson was surprised. Mrs. Aniston had been in a foul mood recently, mostly due to issues with her film.

Pitt hadn't planned on attending this small party, but upon hearing that Aniston would be there, he decided to come along, hoping to ease tensions between them.

It wasn't going well, though.

Aniston had disappeared shortly after arriving, and now, to Wilson's surprise, she was with Luca, laughing.

Luca, that notorious playboy, certainly knew how to charm women.

"Brad, the dance is about to start. Should I go fetch Mrs. Aniston?"

Wilson asked for instructions.

Pitt raised two fingers and shook them lightly.

Suddenly, Aniston laughed and leaned into Luca's arms.

Luca held her tightly.

Wilson inhaled sharply, his scalp tingling. Could the rumors be true? Were they having an affair?

He glanced at Brad, whose eye twitched. Pitt removed the cigar from his mouth and crushed it into the ashtray.

"Jenny, the dance is about to begin. Are you joining?" 

Luca glanced around. The dim lighting could lead to misunderstandings if someone walked by. It was best not to linger in a place full of rumors.

"Luca, you seem really afraid of gossip now?"

Aniston smiled.

"Yes, my reputation is ruined. Smell it for yourself."

Sniff, sniff~

"It does seem pretty rotten, haha… Ah!"

As Aniston turned to walk away, her heel got stuck on the deck, causing her to stumble into Luca's arms.

Luca reacted quickly, catching her.

"Jenny, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, thank you."

Aniston crouched down to fix her heel.

"No problem. But the deck is probably heartbroken tonight."

Luca tapped the floor and said regretfully, "It almost got to kiss the beautiful Mrs. Aniston, but I ruined its chance. I hope it won't blame me."

"Hahaha~"

end.