Chapter 187: Let's Discuss the Conditions

[Chapter 187: Let's Discuss the Conditions]

It was early May.

In Hollywood, large studios stretched for miles, and groups busily worked on various projects, occasionally showcasing fantastical scenes.

Ian strolled casually, hands clasped behind his back, with Dan Mills, the head of Lockbridge Productions, trailing behind him. Further back were his assistant and others. The former small-time producer, who had once made a living from selling information, now followed Ian closely, wearing an ingratiating smile: "My Big Fat Greek Wedding was a hit, and Spider-Man is about to release. Your insight into the film industry is unparalleled."

Ian replied casually, "I'm not surprised."

Dan smiled broadly, "I've come across several good scripts recently."

Ian stopped and let out a smirk, "Lockbridge Productions doesn't engage in film production. If I see even a penny spent on scripts here, I'll fire you."

Dan jumped slightly and hurriedly said, "No money has been spent! But we have to do something. Maybe marketing?"

Ian shook his head.

He turned to Dan, speaking seriously, "I've never had any expectations for your developments at Lockbridge! I know you, Dan; you are not cut out for this, and neither am I. There's an old saying: don't earn money outside your understanding! You may not grasp it, but I do! Just do your job as I've instructed, and even if you spend your time in the office with your secretary, I won't blame you, got it?"

Dan frantically nodded in agreement!

This was exactly how Ian saw Lockbridge's mission. Lockbridge existed to leverage the films he had purchased to become a prominent name in Hollywood, collecting information while operating under the radar.

Thus, Lockbridge employees labeled themselves as film industry workers, but they really played the role of undercover journalists. It was these people who allowed Ian to gather high-profile stories more effectively rather than relying solely on chance like before.

As he spoke, Ian paused, gazing towards a nearby filming location.

...

Not far away, a production crew was shooting.

Ian spotted Anne Hathaway, seemingly filming an advertisement in an exquisite, glamorous gown, elegantly suspended in the air by wires.

He still remembered the day they first met; the moment her fingers brushed against him had struck a chord in his heart. Catwoman's charm, youthful infatuation!

Speaking of which, Halle Berry was also Catwoman! Truly, he seemed to have a connection with cats!

...

At that moment, Dan remarked, "At least I can get ready for news about upcoming films."

When film companies produced movies, if Ian Carr wanted to promote them, they nearly felt compelled to comply. However, they wouldn't just volunteer their new films, eagerly inviting him for collaboration.

In reality, they would keep information under wraps until Ian asked, then they'd cry out, "You're late! Everything's already been allocated; maybe I can squeeze something out for you."

There were always ways to evade Ian's brand of extortion, at least to reduce the quotas. To gain enough shares, people like Dan, Howard Stringer, and Harvey Weinstein needed to provide him with information at the earliest opportunity.

Ian nodded, "Exactly, that's your essential role. Don't worry, Dan, do your job well. Although I can't help you achieve your dream of being a renowned producer, I can ensure you have a satisfactory deal."

...

With that, he turned back to the scene, where Anne Hathaway was gracefully displaying her form in the air.

"Wow," Ian murmured softly.

Since acquiring x-ray vision, Ian had often used it early on, but over time, just looking was no longer thrilling. However, facing such beauty, he found himself still captivated.

He then raised his right hand, giving a subtle thumbs-up to the sky.

...

Seeing this gesture, Vincent immediately snapped awake, grabbing his camera and rushing over, aiming it at the crew where Ian was looking and began to focus.

...

Dan, recognizing the significance, exclaimed, "Is something about to happen?"

Ian was already walking towards the set.

A crew member shouted, "Don't come over, we're filming! Oh, hell, it's Mr. Carr. Please don't disturb the shoot!"

The voice immediately dropped an octave.

In Hollywood, no one dared to disrespect Ian Carr!

Ian stood a short distance away, pointing to Anne Hathaway in the air, speaking with an unhurried tone, "The wire is about to snap."

"What?" the crew member asked, astonished.

Ian directed at the suspended rigging, "Do you see? There's a crack forming; it won't hold! It's going to snap."

In the next instant, he shoved the crew member aside and darted forward.

...

At that moment, there was a loud snap in the sky as the wire broke, and Anne screamed as she fell.

Up in the air, panic spread across her pale face.

I'm going to die!

Then she saw a young, handsome man burst through the crowd, swiftly coming towards her, arms outstretched. As she fell right into his embrace, Ian caught her just in time.

Her body jolted, and Anne looked up in astonishment, "Ian Carr?"

Ian smiled at her, "Not bad, you're not too heavy."

"Oh my god!" The surrounding crowd rushed over, encircling them: "Miss Hathaway, are you okay?"

Anne Hathaway merely gazed at Ian, who had saved her, "You saved my life, Ian."

Ian smiled and replied, "Do you want to repay me right here on set?"

Anne stared at him in confusion.

Everyone else seemed dumbfounded.

"Is he really that straightforward?"

Vincent edged closer, eager to capture a close-up.

The director, wanting to shoo away irrelevant onlookers to keep filming, hesitated at Ian's presence, ultimately not daring to speak.

Ian looked at Anne Hathaway again, softly reassuring her, "Don't mind it; it's just for the show. Saving you isn't considered major news without some banter. Ian Carr saves Anne Hathaway, demands to be repaid on-site, is bluntly refused -- now that's a story!"

The crowd: "..."

Ian Carr never had a thought of allowing matters to proceed normally, did he? Anything he touched had to become sensational.

An unexpected scene unfolded.

With wide eyes, Anne Hathaway looked at Ian and gently remarked, "The thing is, I wasn't planning to refuse!"

Leaning in, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a long kiss.

Vincent excitedly filmed this moment, while nearby, Bryden pressed the button on the crew's camera.

"You folks aren't even news reporters, so why join in the commotion?"

...

In a restaurant in Hollywood, Ian and Anne Hathaway sat together enjoying dinner.

As they dined, Anne glanced at her computer.

WND News Network had already reported the incident of Anne Hathaway encountering danger while filming an ad.

"Anne Hathaway in peril during filming."

"Ian Carr once again saves the day."

"Anne Hathaway repays him on-site."

The comments below were buzzing.

"What a rare moment -- Ian Carr didn't kill anyone, but rather saved someone."

"He's saved others before!"

"But he's killed more."

"Damn it, shouldn't the focus be on Anne Hathaway kissing Ian? Oh my god, my goddess! Another goddess falls for Ian Carr!"

"Why can't I encounter such things? Why is it always Ian Carr? Why does it seem to happen to him all the time?"

"Great reporters are skilled observers -- Ian Carr spotted the issue before it happened, which is why he was ready."

"Now that's talent!"

"Ian Carr, come find me! I'm willing to jump from the 20th floor!"

"Jump, and he won't catch you, fat lady. Don't think he could catch you even if you fell from the second!"

The other journalists hadn't yet commented, but they likely felt the same envy and jealousy.

One thing everyone was sure of was that although Anne Hathaway's on-site repayment might not be enough, something more significant was likely on the horizon...

No one doubted this outcome.

They wouldn't even be jealous, just feeling envious.

...

Watching these comments, Anne Hathaway shook her head in exasperation.

Her bright eyes turned to Ian, "It's only been just under four hours since it happened."

Ian poured her some red wine, "My news always gets broadcast at record speed."

Anne smirked slightly, "Clearly, saving Anne Hathaway is nothing for you; the highlight is that you've gained another big news story."

There was a hint of jealousy in her voice.

"In your mind, even I'm not worth as much as news?"

Ian smiled faintly.

He shook his head, "In the news I've reported, this is among the least significant."

Anne was speechless.

Ian didn't dismiss the importance of news in his life but rather the value of this particular story... he actually considered it not a big deal!

"I'm not worth even a trivial news story?" Anne Hathaway grew a bit irritated.

Ian still didn't directly answer, shaking his head, "This news could be worth something. Do you know how it works? The ad director will be questioned about their negligence regarding safety, and insurers will express serious concern and hike their rates. Advertisers will be furious because this could hurt their product... if you were seriously injured, the news impact would be much greater."

Were you essentially confirming that I'm worth less than a news report?

Anne Hathaway felt frustrated but also impressed by his reasoning.

Is every media head this sharp, or is it just Ian Carr?

Ian continued, "You see, that's the nature of news. For every billion lost in the world, the news industry stands to gain ten million."

Anne Hathaway was completely pulled out of her emotional state, muttering, "Sounds like a bad deal."

"Well, that depends on how you view the media. It's fundamentally not a business, but a means of power. Power doesn't care about profit or loss!" Ian chuckled, serving her some black truffles. "Have some."

By now, Anne Hathaway's mood had been fully guided by Ian.

Even though she had her own interest in him, it was mainly about his identity.

At this moment, Ian's nonchalance and indifference showcased the unique charm of a strong man.

Why doesn't he care about me?

He's always had the right to not care!

He doesn't need to prove his level of concern for me; he doesn't need to prove anything to any woman...

Anne Hathaway quickly rewired her thoughts.

She lightly pressed her lips together, gazing at Ian with a hint of infatuation.

...

At that moment, a comment popped up on her computer screen.

Anne Hathaway glanced over and laughed, "Check out this comment, I like it. It might just contradict your so-called power theory."

She turned her laptop towards Ian Carr, her beautiful, big eyes shining with mischief.

Ian looked at it and saw it read:

"Why does something like this happen wherever Ian Carr goes? I doubt that wire just broke on its own; he probably sabotaged it himself to create news!"

Seeing this comment, Ian chuckled, "The biggest issue with the internet is that it struggles to filter out unpleasant comments, so you still end up receiving a lot of negative feedback."

Anne Hathaway looked at Ian in surprise, "You're not angry?"

Then she gave a shocked gasp, "Did you really do that?"

Ian shook his head, "I could have caused that wire to crack, but tell me, how could I choose which one the crew would use? And how could I dictate when it would break?"

Anne exhaled gradually, "Well, now I'm more reassured."

You were reassured too early.

The truth was quite the opposite.

...

The crack wasn't made by Ian, but that perfectly timed break was indeed his doing.

There aren't that many coincidences; it's all about countless calculations or seizing opportunities.

When Ian spotted that tiny fissure, he merely snuck in at the precise moment he needed it to snap, ensuring no one else would benefit from the chance.

Otherwise, what would one call a producer of news?

Many things begin to become habitual since the crew had burned down their sets. Ian's attributes as a "news maker" had been increasingly employed -- it's a downward spiral accelerated.

But it's also understandable.

He was different now than he used to be.

In the past, he was just a small fry, lingering in the slums, the chaos, and easily encountering luck to get news.

Now it's different; most of the time, a gang of bastards would show up with guns, but upon seeing Ian Carr, their faces would turn pale, exclaiming, "Oh my god, it's Ian Carr! Run!" and then they would vanish...

When he was with Megan Fox, he had to purposely hide in the shadows to create drama; otherwise, it was hard to acquire news as effortlessly as before.

This compelled Ian to exert more of his "initiative."

...

Ian looked at her and laughed, "But indeed, unusual events do seem to follow me."

"Isn't that due to your unique pursuits?"

"I pursue many things: explosive news, celebrity secrets, thrilling accidents, and of course, extraordinary women."

Anne Hathaway smiled, "I'm not Megan Fox; I won't let you leak any story about me paying you back on site."

Ian nodded, "But at the very least, you accepted to have sex."

Anne Hathaway laughed.

This beautiful, outspoken girl, when she laughed, looked far better than the Mother of Dragons!

She leaned in, exposing her fair neck, softly saying, "No leaks, you can't have your reporters following me, reporting on any negative stories -- none! If my friends need help, you also have to assist!"

Ian gently shook his head: "This isn't a transaction, Miss Hathaway. I prefer interactions with a bit of emotion."

Anne Hathaway stared at him in amazement.

Ian Carr, how dare you say such a thing?

How many of those women who threw wine on you did you have sex with? Did you have any feelings with them?

The only girlfriend you've ever admitted to having was Kate Beckinsale and Scarlett Johansson!

The rest didn't even earn the title of 'girlfriend!'

So, Anne Hathaway proudly responded, "You want feelings? Then you'll need to pursue me for at least three months, send me flowers daily, only say what I like to hear, be there when I need you, vanish when I don't, stand out from the competition, show your utmost enthusiasm every day, create romance and surprises from time to time, publicly declare you have feelings only for me, pursue me, and cut off contact with all other girls. Then you might have a 10% chance!"

Ian: "..."

After pondering, he set down his utensils and looked at the dark-haired beauty before him, "Let's discuss that last condition."

*****

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