Chapter 145: The Whimsical Rachel

[Chapter 145: The Whimsical Rachel]

How did such a sophisticated, artsy young woman turn into this?

She'd become a wild, out-of-control woman throwing a tantrum.

But her basic intelligence was still intact; she was just causing a ruckus within CAA, more like venting her emotions.

It was both an attack on Halle and an expression of her own dissatisfaction.

Charlie sighed deeply. Why had she ended up like this? Why was she only daring to express her frustration by indirectly targeting Halle?

...

"It's all that shameless bastard's fault!"

In a high-end apartment Rachel had just leased in Beverly Hills, she vividly recounted her dealings at CAA, brimming with excitement and delight, still basking in the satisfaction of getting some relief.

Across from her sat a slightly plump young woman wearing a red top, who looked on with a mix of sympathy and disbelief. She took Rachel's hand gently and said with concern, "Rachel, you're not that kind of woman in my memory. You've always been the elegant English rose."

Rachel, full of indignation, blamed it all on Charlie. "So Emma, you have to help me come up with a plan. Now there's a real opportunity. I guess that bastard really values Peter Jackson. And this poor director has no idea he's being played."

"I'm thinking, can we promise Peter something, get his directing contract signed with a company we control? I want to keep tying that bastard economically, career-wise, and personally. Then one day, that guy will kneel before me because of my power. Just thinking about him begging makes me want to laugh myself awake at night."

The woman opposite her was Emma Thomas -- a Londoner Rachel met at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and a good friend of Rachel's sister.

Emma's boyfriend was a director, and they both hoped to make it big in Hollywood.

Not long ago, Rachel needed an assistant for her growing career, and Emma joined in, since they got along well; they were more like close friends.

Watching Rachel's excited fantasies, Emma rolled her eyes. "Okay, let's momentarily ignore Mr. Corleone who at 19 already pulled off such tricks and built a career in less than six months getting played by us so easily. Even so, what then? He begs you for help -- what do you do?"

"I'd of course refuse!"

"Okay, so he loses your help and ends up with nothing. Then what?" Emma stared into Rachel's eyes, probing.

Rachel's face crumpled; after a few seconds, she gave up. "I don't know."

"See, Rachel, that's the problem -- you don't really know what you want!" Emma said. "I can tell your feelings for him are tangled, a mix of love and hate. More love denied, and anger from being trampled and mocked."

Emma sighed thoughtfully and continued, "Rachel, dear, stop this. I can't bear to see you like this. I think you've got Stockholm Syndrome; he must have used some strange sorcery skill to train you to be his servant."

Rachel rolled her eyes. "Emma, are you writing a script for your boyfriend?"

Emma shook her head laughing. "I know it sounds ridiculous, but don't you think your mental state is already pretty crazy? As a friend, or even as your assistant, I don't want to see you like this. Half your day you talk about him. So, like he said, let him go -- it's more about letting yourself go free."

Rachel fell silent, her face downcast and her expression vacant.

Emma held her arm and after a while continued to persuade, "Rachel, whether you love or hate him, you have to let yourself go. From everything you say, I imagine Corleone is a naturally cold capitalist and master politician. Being his friend or enemy is fine. But don't fall in love with him, and don't have messy feelings. In the end, you'll be the one who gets hurt!"

"It's not that I haven't let him go, it's that bastard who won't let me go! He's a devil; he treats me like a toy to play with! God, why did he have to appear in my life?"

Rachel lost control, sobbing and yelling curses.

Emma sighed deeply, knowing her friend was deeply wounded; all rationality regarding Corleone was gone. Time was the only cure.

So she held Rachel silently, afraid to upset her further.

After a long while, Rachel calmed down, took a deep breath, then rallied her spirit and said, "Alright Emma, if you're still my good friend, stop saying those things. Let's think about how to use Peter Jackson to mess with Charlie."

Oh dear!

Seeing Rachel excited like a mischievous child, Emma couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Okay, but what can we do? Director Peter Jackson isn't lacking projects. He might owe something to Corleone, but he'd never really care about a small-time British actor."

Rachel smiled cheerfully, "Charlie said if you can accurately analyze both sides' stakes and recognize your own needs, then find the right moment, even a small player can shake a big corporation!

I have an idea -- we create a talent agency and sign Peter with your credentials.

First, promise him the assistant director role for The Mummy. Many big stars bring their own make-up and script teams. As the lead actress, I suggest bringing an assistant director; that won't be a problem.

Second, promise him we will help persuade Charlie to get the Lord of the Rings contract.

Peter is desperate to direct LOTR and will definitely sign. And based on Charlie's attitude toward this project, I think he really likes Peter. When Charlie goes to talk to Peter, he'll suddenly realize the director's contract is in our hands, hahahaha."

Emma was stunned, looking at Rachel who was talking non-stop.

"What're you staring at, Emma? Help me think -- is my plan doable?" Rachel shook Emma's arm impatiently.

Emma came back to her senses, took a deep breath, nodded several times, then looked at Rachel with surprise. "God, Rachel, you must've learned some bad habits from Corleone. I can't believe you've turned into such a business-savvy woman."

"Ha! Not at all -- I was always smart!" Rachel boasted. "Do you think my plan could work?"

"The plan might work, but I think..." Emma pondered, "We can sign a director's agent contract and make some money, but it won't really bother Mr. Corleone. He has countless ways to dodge contracts. And whether we profit depends on if he even gives us the chance."

"What?" Rachel was suddenly discouraged.

Emma chuckled and said, "If you do this, the only thing you'll get is Mr. Corleone thinking you are naughty and will spank you."

*****

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