Chapter 196: I Never Chase Girls

[Chapter 196: I Never Chase Girls]

The brawl continued inside the bar. Fueled by alcohol, money, and a hypnotic atmosphere, everyone attacked one another as if they had gone mad. Amidst the chaos, Britney Spears swayed her hips and softly sang Baby One More Time.

The song took on a special meaning in this setting. But Britney didn't hesitate; she twisted and turned, her voice rising above the cacophony of violence -- an angelic sound amid the turmoil. Only the lack of music and the surrounding clashes overshadowed her melody.

However, that didn't matter. The key was to nail the performance, as they could later add backgrounds and produce both an a cappella version and a polished edition to sell for two prices. Her singing intermingled with the swinging fists, alcohol splashed around like blood. Initially scared, Britney felt emboldened looking into Ian's calm eyes.

As Ian moved closer to her in rhythm with the song, she focused solely on him. That moment made her bolder, and she stepped closer to the fighting crowd with Ian trailing behind. A drunken man swung at her, and Ian quickly intervened, knocking the guy down in one punch. At that moment, Britney was singing, ♫When I'm not with you I lose my mind♫, and the sudden attack made her gasp.

Ian caught her just in time and fended off another approaching drunk. Britney looked up at him excitedly, her confidence swelling. Her voice soared higher, even drowning out the violence outside. She took Ian's hand, moved through the chaotic floor, and sang loudly while Ian ensured her safety by taking down anyone approaching too closely.

Beauty and violence clashed elegantly at that moment! The surrounding fighters looked bewildered. What was happening? A woman was singing amidst a brawl? And she looked familiar! What about that guy?

...

As Britney and Ian strode past, everyone stared, completely stopping in their tracks, forgetting to fight and even to pick up money. The noise subsided, and Britney sang with more joy and confidence.

Around them, the crowd began murmuring, "Oh my God, it's Britney Spears!"

"It's Ian Carr!"

"What are they doing?"

"What are we doing?"

A crowd stood stunned until Britney finished her song. The fighting finally ceased. Ian pulled Britney close, smiling, "Music can soothe the soul and stop battles; that's the charm of Britney Spears!"

This was going to be great for the news!

Britney bit her lip, looking at Ian just as everyone began to react. Suddenly, Ian pulled her aside, "But we need to leave now."

He tugged her toward the bar's exit.

"No! Wait!"

Everyone lunged at them simultaneously. Brydon smirked, smoothly drawing a gun from his waistband, aiming it at the crowd -- Finally, he could pull out a gun!

The drunken mob halted, stunned by the sight of the weapon, as it's illegal to carry guns in South Korea. Normally, no one had a gun. But there were exceptions for celebrities' bodyguards. Brydon, as a bodyguard, was one of the few permitted to carry.

He swung the gun around the crowd and chuckled, "Congratulations, at least now you have a chance to be on camera, but don't expect more than that." He then exited the bar.

...

Outside the bar, Britney laughed, hands on her chest, "Oh my God, what did we just do?"

"You sang, your bread and butter," Ian replied with a grin.

Britney chuckled, "How did you end up here?"

Ian responded, "I wanted to see what made you change your mind and stop tracking me."

Hearing that, Britney blushed, "So you noticed! Okay, I admit I was following you, but halfway through, I got bored. I didn't expect..."

She didn't mind admitting her actions, viewing them as mere fun. But she found tracking someone else inherently unexciting; she just got bored and gave up.

Ian shrugged, "It's alright; I know you meant no harm. I should thank you for giving me a great news story."

Britney paused, suddenly realizing something. She scanned the area and said, "But you didn't get it on tape! I didn't see your camera."

Ian nodded, "That's true."

Britney exclaimed, "So that was all for nothing?"

Ian replied, "I didn't need to film you. Others were already filming."

"What?" Britney asked, bewildered.

Brydon chimed in, "While you were tracking us, several reporters were following you, capturing everything. So we didn't need to film anything; we could just use whatever they got!"

"What?" Britney gasped, "Where are they? You can't let them report that I was tailing you!"

Ian smiled, "You don't have to worry; my team is already on it. Right now, you need to head back to the hotel, or you'll make your people anxious."

With that, Ian took Britney's hand, saying, "Let's go."

Britney exclaimed, "My car is still here!"

Ian casually waved his hand, and Britney's car keys landed in his palm. He tossed them to Brydon, saying, "He'll help you drive it back."

Britney was taken aback. How did he get my car keys?

...

As they sat in Ian's car, Britney dialed a number, "Don't worry; I'm okay... I'll be back soon... Yes, I'm with Ian. You don't need to ask so many questions."

After hanging up, she turned to Ian, "So, are you really going to make an MV?"

"Yes, but it won't be released immediately; I'll create some buzz first. Then I'll buy RCA, and finally release the MV to increase the company's value."

"I knew it," Britney mumbled.

The delay in releasing the MV was also due to the need for a remix and dealing with Britney's song ownership issues. But once they secured RCA, the real event footage in the MV would undoubtedly enhance its impact! This was akin to using extensive real-life footage in a film; it became a selling point.

However, that came with a caveat...

Britney said, "If I tell RCA you're using this for the MV, they won't sell it cheap."

Ian turned and looked at her, smiling slightly.

He said nothing, nor did he offer any promises, signaling that if she wanted to talk, she could go ahead.

Britney understood, "So you don't really care about that, right?"

Ian spoke softly, "I honestly don't care; any improvement from it will be minimal."

"Then why do it?"

"Because making money is a habit. Creating good news, a solid business plan -- sometimes, it's not about how much you earn; it's about completing a perfect idea and gaining a sense of achievement." Ian replied casually, "People need that psychological satisfaction. As the head of Carr Media Group, my support comes from..."

He paused.

He intended to say it was due to the need for exclusive content, but that felt wrong. He changed his words: "The main reason I enjoy this work is because of that sense of achievement. That is my greatest psychological satisfaction."

This was the truth.

Other than the desire to create exclusives, Ian's journalism lately was more about pursuing that immense psychological satisfaction.

Otherwise, with so many shooting incidents in the U.S. daily, he wouldn't willingly report from inner-city neighborhoods known for violence.

But simply repeating stories without innovation served no purpose; innovation was the true pursuit! And this time, that was innovation.

Britney understood.

She gazed out the window, "No wonder you've built such a significant career; you really are a madman, Mr. Carr."

Ian replied nonchalantly, "You can't survive without a bit of madness."

...

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the hotel. Ian escorted Britney to her room, saying, "Next time you want to know about me, just contact me directly; no need to follow me around."

He flashed a small smile and headed to his own room.

Watching his back, Britney couldn't help but ask, "Is that it?"

Ian paused and turned to look at her.

The girl's bright eyes looked at him, carrying a hint of temptation.

Ian was surprised, "Are you suggesting my room or yours?"

Britney quickly shook her head, "I didn't mean that... Uh... Okay, I meant I can give you a chance to pursue me, considering you helped me once."

Her tone was slightly awkward yet carried a touch of seduction. Her gaze toward Ian was especially complicated.

As a superstar, she had no business agenda with Ian, but she still couldn't deny he was an incredibly charming man.

He really was charming.

But don't expect me to easily surrender to you; you better show something first.

Looking at him, Britney felt an internal stir.

As her cheeks flushed, Ian recalled what Anne Hathaway had told him about the process of pursuing her.

Dealing with big stars was always complicated!

Ian chuckled and shook his head, "No, I never chase girls; I'm always the one being pursued."

With that, he turned back to his own room.

Britney stood there, dumbfounded.

Did I just get rejected?

Was I turned down?

What a bastard! How could he do this to me?

Even though she knew Ian Carr was right, what about her? You... bastard!

*****

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