Chapter 17: Don't Waste Talent

[Chapter 17: Don't Waste Talent]

Bertram Leek's response made Ian Carr acutely aware of his own insignificance. Beneath their surface politeness lay arrogance, disregard, and contempt.

Ian struggled to suppress his anger as he smiled and said, "I still suggest that Touchstone Pictures seriously consider my proposal. The Herald's circulation is currently small, and partnering with us now would mean $300,000 for two months of full-page advertising. Plus, there's my involvement. Just because our current sales are modest doesn't reflect our actual reach; our subscription numbers far exceed our sales, and our hidden influence is enormous! If we wait six months, I worry you won't even get the same advertising for $3 million."

His words exuded strong confidence and pride. Bertram Leek laughed heartily, "It's good for a young man to be confident, but that isn't common."

Ian nodded. "I can understand. Perhaps to many, my ability to garner such coverage seems like luck."

He glanced over, noticing Kate Beckinsale slightly bow her head. Yes, perhaps in the eyes of most, Ian Carr was just a lucky guy, but she knew it was not luck at all. Ian Carr's achievements were unmistakably the result of his drive.

If there was anyone in this room who believed he would go on to make even bigger headlines, it would definitely be Kate Beckinsale. Unfortunately, she had no place in such discussions; in this environment filled with luminaries, she was still just a minor character!

So she took Ian's hand and said, "Come on, Ian, let's talk over there. Director Harnett and Mr. Leek need to discuss some collaborations."

Did I just lose my chance to even eavesdrop? Ian thought, sneering internally.

These high and mighty folks wouldn't stoop to belittle him outright; they would simply ignore him instead. They didn't care about him at all. They were far more refined than the petty jeerers, but in essence, there was little difference.

The mockers might have at least some conscience; the proud had their morals priced... and it wasn't cheap!

Not saying anything, Ian walked with Kate to the side.

They exited the grand hall and stepped onto the balcony.

...

Ian held a wine glass, gazing out at the twinkling lights of the city below. Kate, in her stunning evening gown, stood beside him, exuding breathtaking beauty. She leaned gracefully against the railing, her beautiful eyes looking at him. "Are you unhappy?"

Ian smiled. He leaned against the railing too, looking at the men and women in the hall. He quietly said, "Just a week ago, the staff at my newspaper looked down on me. My neighbor regarded me as if I were a maggot... After the news broke, they fawned over me, looking at me like I was a god. The rapid transformation surpassed even the speed of light... A blockbuster news story is like producing a box office hit in the media landscape!"

Kate quietly listened to him.

Ian continued, "But when you escape that cramped environment and enter a bigger world, you realize you still are nobody." He pointed at the people in the hall. "Before these folks today, I didn't even have the right to exchange a few words with them. But above them, there are bosses, and behind those bosses, there's another layer... The world is a pyramid, and you and I are still at the bottom!"

He turned back to Kate, looking at her beautiful face, and smiled. "They aren't my targets; I don't want to be them; I will leave them behind... So I won't be angry; their actions only allow me to see the reality of this world more clearly and even make me more excited... Because I owe them nothing. I can demand pricing confidently in the future; this is a good thing!"

He whispered in her ear, "The promotional campaign for Pearl Harbor will definitely be in my hands, but as I said, it won't just be $300,000 but even more than $3 million... There is half a year until next March, and I'm confident enough that the Herald can grow by more than ten times in that time!"

Currently, the Herald's daily sales didn't even reach 10,000 copies; starting from a low point means there's plenty of room for improvement -- hitting an average of 100,000 copies by March next year? No, that would just be the beginning!

Kate raised her eyebrows. She once disliked Ian's methods, but today, the indifference from the big shots made her truly understand him. Without status, you were nothing!

She looked at Ian seriously. "So you really aren't interested in me? Is it all just for the news? Is there nothing but business in your eyes?"

Ian thought for a moment and replied, "No, Kate, you're a charming girl. But do you know? Beauty in this world has never been in short supply -- good news is! If one day you acquire enough fame and fortune, beautiful faces will be plentiful. That might be harsh to hear..."

Kate interrupted him, "I'm fighting in Hollywood, I'm well aware of this reality. I won't be upset by such words. But I will be disappointed! Do you know why?"

She stared at Ian intently. "You're the most rational and craziest person I've ever met! You view everything rationally; when others despise you, you don't get angry; when others idolize you, you don't get happy; when others want to kill you, you don't feel fear; so when others love you, you don't return the same feelings... You're like a machine! You're too cold! Emotions may not matter in Hollywood, but because of that, they become rare, and rare things are more valuable!!!"

She expressed her disappointment. "You wouldn't part with even a tiny bit of emotion... Between us, there will only be rumors, nothing more."

Ian laughed.

Are you hinting that I need to give you some warmth? Sadly, I really can't!

When others offer you emotions, you should respond in kind -- emotion is a luxury for wealthy individuals, and I know that I will become rich! From the moment I entered this world, I understood my existence's purpose: to cast aside emotions and become a ruthless beast in my ascent!

So he simply gazed silently outside.

...

Across from the hotel, Ian saw a couple joyfully enjoying themselves in front of a large window. As he looked, the man across even waved at him, a cheerful smile on his face. It was quite ostentatious.

So, Ian decided to activate his x-ray vision to peer at the hotel further down. With the aftermath of the news, his right eye's vision continued to improve, surpassing 200, making his x-ray abilities increasingly formidable, and the discomfort lessening.

While watching, he slowly said, "You know, for a reporter to get a major news story is never an easy feat. It requires a lot of preparation, significant investment of time, energy, and money... But I'm different. I'm good at observing, able to see clues for major stories in the finer details... I can't waste this talent."

As he said this, his gaze swept over Kate, and he couldn't help but admire her beautiful figure, a primal reaction stirring within him.

Then he quickly turned away, slipping a hand into his pocket to hide his body's reaction. Damn, these powers turn a perfectly good world into something full of borderline issues!

Ian felt that for a long time, it would become his norm to walk around with hands in his pockets to conceal himself.

Then Ian smiled. "Wasting beauty, what you lose is just a beautiful girl... Wasting talent, you lose everything!"

Kate shook her head repeatedly. "I hate that explanation."

Kate looked a bit sad. In that moment, she felt she might actually have begun to like Ian Carr. But he was such a cold-hearted jerk.

Everything he said was true, but because it was so true, it came off as cold, cruel, and heartless!

Could you not find a bit of emotion in this heartless world? Isn't that the most valuable thing?

But she ultimately didn't say those words.

Those who could roll with the entertainment industry must see things for what they are!

Noticing her discomfort, Ian smiled again, looking back toward the outside. Just as he was about to say something casual, his expression suddenly changed.

...

"Fuck! That bastard!"

Kate turned back in surprise. "What did you say?"

Ian had grabbed the camera he always carried and took Kate's hand. "Come with me, there's breaking news!"

News? Kate was startled, her first reaction was, "I don't want to participate in another gunfight!"

"This time it's not a gunfight, but you and I will be heroes again!" Ian held her face seriously and said, "I promise, there won't be a hint of danger!"

Kate was stunned as she looked at him, He held my face?

Ian was already pulling her towards the exit. "This is my exclusive, don't shout!"

*****

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