Get Out. You Are Fired

…..

If the ranks of the script could change… so do the actors grade.

Meaning, is it also possible for something to go beyond [SS]?

Stephen Hawking Sr. is by far the highest with acting grade [SS].

So, Was there a grade higher than [SS] in skills too?

But before his thoughts could wander any further.

Ben suddenly exhaled sharply.

He still hadn't fully processed what Regal had just told him.

Because he had been practicing.

Practicing like hell.

Day after day. Audition after audition.

He was putting in the hours, the late nights, and the early mornings. And not just for the sake of it.

No, he wanted to improve.

He wanted to be good enough to act like Keanu… like Stephen… and many others.

But more than anything….

He wanted to work with Regal - not as some background extra, nor as a minor side character.

He wanted to stand there with him.

"It's… true…?" His voice cracked slightly.

And before he realized it—

Tears spilled from his eyes. No sound. Just silent, heavy tears.

?!!It caught him off guard. He didn't even notice it at first until he felt the faint dampness on his cheeks.

Blinking in confusion, he ran his fingers over his face and stared at his wet fingertips.

For a moment, it was as if he didn't recognize his own reaction.

Meanwhile, Darren stood a few feet away, watching it all.

And for once—

He was completely stunned.

Because this was the first time he had ever seen Ben, the ever-energetic, loudmouthed Ben, break down like this.

But Ben, feeling the tears wouldn't stop anytime soon, quickly turned away.

He roughly wiped his face with his shoulder.

"Gimme… gimme a minute, guys." He muttered hastily.

His voice was shaky and uneven, and before anyone could say anything, he spun around and bolted off in some random direction.

Anywhere away from their eyes.

Darren instinctively took a step forward, ready to follow.

But he stopped.

Because when he glanced at Regal - He saw the look on his face.

And that made him hesitate.

….

.

Ross sat in the back of his car, his eyes fixed on the passing cityscape beyond the tinted window.

Danny, seated beside him, finally spoke in a fiery tone. "He is truly an arrogant person, sir."

Of course, Danny hadn't been on set.

But he didn't need to be.

He had his ways of keeping tabs on everything. He hadn't managed to dig up the exact details—

The people on Regal's team were surprisingly tight-lipped. But the fact that something had happened was enough for him. Also, there is no way he is gonna use a chance to destroy Regal, no matter how small it is.

However, Ross barely spared him a glance. "Mind your words, Danny."

"...." Danny didn't expect such a response.

Ross added, his tone clipped. "There is nothing more crude than speaking carelessly behind someone's back."

"…I will keep that in mind, sir." Danny replied, though his voice was far from convincing.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

The soft hum of the engine was the only sound filling the car.

Then, Ross finally broke the silence.

"He wasn't the type of person I expected him to be."

Danny finally felt he saw the chance again. He added dismissively. "At best, he is just a storm in a teacup."

But Ross's lips curved into a slow, deliberate smirk. "And what if that teacup…" He drawled, his voice low. "…Is big enough to contain all of Hollywood?"

"!!!"

Danny's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by the implication.

Because Ross Oakley wasn't one for exaggerated metaphors.

Not unless he meant them.

And he definitely meant it.

Ross leaned back against the leather seat. He muttered, almost to himself. "For that old man to present a film after so many years…"

His fingers tapped lightly against the armrest. "…It's as good as an indirect declaration."

Danny's brows furrowed.

"Declaration…?"

Ross's eyes narrowed faintly, the corners of his lips tugging upward in something that wasn't quite a smile.

"As if he is naming him as his spiritual successor."

"!!!!"

Danny stiffened.

Spiritual successor.

That name wasn't one to be thrown around lightly.

But if Ross was saying it—

Then it wasn't just a metaphor.

It was real.

Danny swallowed, suddenly uneasy.

"Stephen Hawking…" He murmured slowly, his voice low with disbelief. "...really sees potential in him."

Ross exhaled, his expression unreadable.

His eyes were distant, focused on nothing in particular.

Danny hesitated, then glanced at him carefully.

"Do you… also see that, sir?" His voice was cautious, as if wary of the answer.

"...." For a moment, Ross didn't respond.

He simply stared out the window, the city lights reflecting faintly in his eyes. Then, after a beat, his fingers drummed softly against the leather seat.

"The brat…" He muttered slowly.

"…has certainly shown an unexpected side of himself."

His voice was thoughtful, almost grudging. "But not enough to warrant Stephen Hawking personally giving him his name."

His gaze darkened slightly. And then, almost under his breath—

"That's why I am annoyed."

Danny blinked.

"Sir…?"

Ross's jaw tightened faintly.

His eyes narrowed.

He didn't see it.

Not yet.

But Stephen Hawking did.

And that was what gnawed at him.

He clenched his jaw slightly, his voice lowering.

"I feel like I missed something… again."

He exhaled sharply, his tone bitter.

"…something that Stephen Hawking saw."

And that—

That was what frustrated him the most.

Then, suddenly, he shook his head sharply. As if dismissing every thought that had been lingering in his mind until now.

He spoke. "Stop the car."

The driver was caught off guard. But didn't dare to question. "Y-Yes, sir."

The car slowed down, gliding to a stop by the side of the road.

Danny's brows furrowed slightly.

"Sir…?"

But before he could ask—

Ross's eyes turned to him, cold and flat. "Get out. You are fired."

"...What?!" Danny blinked in disbelief.

Ross's gaze didn't waver. He stared at him with the same disinterest one would have for dirt on their shoes.

"Do you have a hearing problem?" His voice was cold, cutting. "Why do you keep making the people around you repeat themselves?"

His eyes narrowed slightly, his voice lowering. "I said… get out of my sight."

?!!Danny stared at him, stunned.

Just a moment ago, he had finally thought—

For once—

That this stubborn old man was treating him like a proper human being.

Ross had actually spoken to him.

Answered a few of his questions.

Had acknowledged him.

But now—

Now, he was being tossed aside without a second thought. Danny's stomach twisted slightly.

And this—

This was the reason he was always in a foul mood on set.

Because no matter how hard he tried.

No matter how close he stood.

This old man didn't even see him.

He was just a placeholder.

A temporary assistant.

A disposable name.

The title he had fought tooth and nail to acquire.

Just how many times had he bent his back before his boss for this chance?

He didn't even remember anymore. But he wasn't about to back down so easily.

Danny clenched his fists. "Sir…" His voice was low but firm. "…My boss isn't going to overlook this."

For a brief moment, Ross didn't respond.

Then, his gaze shifted slightly.

Without even looking at Danny, he turned his eyes toward the front. "Idande." He called out evenly.

The driver glanced at him through the rearview mirror. "Yes, sir?"

Ross's lips curled into something resembling a sneer. "Could you drag this 'thing' out of my car?"

His voice was almost casual. As if he were asking someone to take out the trash.

Danny stiffened. "Thing"?

Ross didn't even consider him a person. The word hit him harder than he expected. Meanwhile, Idande, without batting an eye, gave a small nod.

"As you wish, sir."

And without hesitation, the man stepped out of the car.

Danny's gaze flickered toward the driver as he walked around the front.

Only now did he actually look at him properly.

Idande was tall. Lean. But with a build that left no room for doubt.

Strong. Solid. Muscle beneath the fine suit.

Danny's throat tightened slightly.

If this guy touches me, it's over.

He quickly drew in a deep breath.

And before he could be humiliated any further.

Danny threw open the door himself and stepped out.

His feet hit the pavement with more force than necessary.

I will leave myself, damn it. But just as he straightened-

He felt Ross's eyes on him.

He turned.

Through the windshield, Ross was watching him.

Expressionless.

Cold.

Detached.

Then, slowly, Ross's lips curled into a faint, sardonic smirk.

"Go ahead…" His voice was low, almost lazy.

"Go and complain to your boss all you want." His eyes narrowed slightly, his tone sharpening. "Let's see what that brat is actually capable of."

Danny's lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

He could feel his stomach sink.

And then-

Ross's voice lowered.

"The only reason I even let someone like you breathe near me…" His gaze hardened. "…was because of that brat's whining to his father."

Danny's eyes widened slightly.

His boss' father…? The CEO?

Ross's voice was sharp. 

"…And now that your job is done…" His lips curved into a faint sneer. "...since my part in the film is complete—"

He leaned forward slightly. "…You can leave now."

The windshield slowly began to close.

But just as it was halfway down - It paused.

And lowered again.

Ross's eyes cut through the narrow gap.

Flat. Emotionless. But his next words were anything but.

His voice was low. "The reason I spoke about that child Regal in front of you…"

His eyes sharpened. "…was to tell you that he isn't someone the likes of you can afford to mess with."

He exhaled softly. His lips barely moved as he finished. "Convey that to your boss, too."

And with that final warning- The windshield closed.

For good.

A second later, the car began moving.

Without so much as a backward glance.

Leaving Danny standing alone in the night.

.

….

[To be continued…]

★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★

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