Chapter 269 If You're Unhappy, Bite Me
The "Feiyue 100%" program team would settle in Solstice Mountain Hotel for filming. The north expansion project plan had been shelved due to issues with start-up funds. Leopold brought his team to Solstice Mountain Hotel to receive the program team. If this event was successfully hosted, it would play a crucial role in enhancing the brand of Celestial Waters Hotel.
When Leopold arrived at the hotel, just as his car pulled up to the entrance, he noticed a crowd of paparazzi and entertainment reporters gathered at the door. Some were even holding selfie sticks and live-streaming, quite a lively scene.
Lily was waiting at the entrance and signaled the valet to park Leopold's car in the reserved VIP spot.
Leopold got out and quickly walked up the steps, with Lily following close behind, starting her work report.
"Five celebrities are scheduled to arrive at the hotel tomorrow. Ground transportation and airport pickup vehicles have been arranged. Since there are many crew members, I contacted a local travel agency to borrow an air-conditioned bus. All the guest rooms are ready. I personally checked the rooms last night - everything's fine."
Thinking of the crowd at the entrance earlier, Lily continued, "Considering the increasing number of fans coming to visit, we'll add more security staff and strictly prohibit anyone without a badge from entering the work areas."
Lily was pretty thorough in her work. Leopold said, "Remind security to upgrade the security level. It's not just fans at the entrance - there are paparazzi and stalkers too. Remember, no one from outside the production team is allowed on the floors where the celebrities are staying. Also, remind the production team, celebrities, and their teams that they must wear their work badges to enter the hotel. No badge, no entry."
Lily replied, "Got it."
The two entered the elevator, and Lily pressed the button for Leopold's office floor.
Leopold said, "Station two people at the emergency exits and elevator entrances on the celebrity floors. Make sure to protect the privacy and safety of the celebrities and crew members. When is Ryan arriving?"
Lily said, "He hasn't contacted us yet."
Leopold nodded, "Keep an eye on Summer. If she wants to switch rooms, try to accommodate her request, but remember, don't allow her to go to Ryan's floor under any excuse."
"Okay, I'll watch out for that."
Leopold was swamped all afternoon, first meeting with the production team's directors, then video conferences. Just as dinner time approached, he got a call from Ryan's assistant, informing him that Ryan would arrive at Seaside City on a 10:30 PM flight. To avoid causing congestion from fans at the airport, this trip was completely confidential. Leopold immediately contacted Lily and had her arrange a reliable driver to pick him up at the airport.
Only after getting Ryan settled did Leopold finally finish his day's work. He returned to his room, tiredly loosened his tie, and sat down in a chair by the window to rest.
He lit a cigarette, and with it between his lips, pulled out his phone from his pocket. The video call ringtone became the only comfort in the quiet night. When Caroline accepted the request, and he saw her face, Leopold finally had someone he could relax and chat with.
Caroline glanced at the time, it was past 11 PM, and he was still in his work clothes. She said with concern, "Just finished?"
"Yeah." Leopold took off his suit jacket and draped it aside, unbuttoning one button on his shirt. "Just got a celebrity checked in. He was on an evening flight."
Caroline said, "If you're tired, get some rest early."
Leopold smoked, looking down at the person on the video screen. "What if I can't sleep without you?"
He looked a bit roguish now - white shirt with an open collar, sleeves rolled up revealing his strong, muscular forearms, narrow eyes slightly lowered, looking at her with the predatory gaze of a beast eyeing its prey.
Caroline laughed, "Should I come over?"
Leopold turned his head to exhale smoke. "Should I come back?"
Caroline blinked, seeing from his expression that he wasn't joking. "Don't be silly. Driving back this late, you're not tired, but I'd worry about your safety."
Leopold stubbed out his half-smoked cigarette. From Caroline's angle, she could see him with his head slightly lowered, his nose bridge prominent, his jawline perfect.
He blew out the last puff of smoke and lazily leaned back in his chair. "I asked the director this afternoon - they'll be filming here for about a week, on and off. Today, there were already quite a few people gathered at the hotel entrance."
"All there to photograph celebrities, right?" Caroline asked.
"Yeah."
"They're really well-informed."
"Very well-informed indeed." Leopold smiled meaningfully.
Some celebrities, for publicity, would arrange for paparazzi or hire people specifically to photograph them, then release the content through marketing accounts, buy trending topics, and instantly gain a wave of traffic.
He ran into this today. Summer said she'd arrive at the hotel tomorrow, but somehow got the information and landed around the same time as Ryan. Then she called him to send someone to pick her up.
Leopold knew exactly what she was thinking - she probably expected to ride in the business van with Ryan's team. He deliberately didn't give her what she wanted and immediately sent another car to pick her up.
She got in the car and told the young woman coordinating that the trip was confidential. But before getting out, she did her full makeup and struck several poses at the entrance before going in. He'd bet tomorrow's trending topics would definitely have gossip news about her and Ryan.
"What's Ryan like as a person?" Caroline asked curiously.
Leopold replied, "He's pretty genuine and very polite."
Caroline laughed, propping up her chin and asking, "Is he handsome in person? He looks pretty handsome on TV."
Leopold raised an eyebrow. "What are you getting at?"
"Not me, I'm asking for someone else." Caroline covered her mouth and laughed.
Leopold narrowed his eyes and tapped her head on the screen. "Look at you now - where's the behavior of a married woman? No matter how handsome he is, he's not your husband, and he doesn't earn money to spend on you. I'll give you another chance to ask a different question."
Caroline laughed and rolled on the bed. "Okay, let me ask again. Is Ryan as handsome as you?"
Leopold pursed his lips and unbuttoned two more buttons. "Not as handsome as me. He's just not as handsome as me. If you don't believe it, come bite me right now. Come on, bite here."
Seeing his exposed collarbone, Caroline was actually a bit turned on.
The two were chatting when a notification appeared on the screen showing an incoming call. Seeing the number, he frowned. "Honey, hold on, I have a call coming in."
Caroline said, "You go ahead."
Leopold closed the video and answered. "Hello?"
Summer's soft, gentle voice came through the receiver. "Hello, Mr. Wipere, it's me, Summer."
Leopold, out of politeness and good manners, maintained a gentleman's courtesy and replied warmly, "I can tell. It's so late - is something wrong?"
Summer said, "Mr. Wipere, I brought some snacks from my hometown. Please don't mind. Which room are you in? I'll have my assistant bring them to you."
"Oh, no need to be so polite. You keep them and eat them yourself," Leopold replied.
"Mr. Wipere, I specially brought them in a suitcase. Everyone in the crew has some."
Leopold said, "It's too late. Don't trouble your assistant to deliver them. I'm just doing rounds with Lily anyway, so I'll stop by and pick them up."
A few seconds of silence on the line. "Oh, okay then."
Leopold sighed, rebuttoned his shirt, put on his suit jacket, and walked toward the door, dialing Lily's cell phone.
"Come to the tenth floor."