Chapter 102 Dirty Things
Probably because Amelia kept staring at him, Lucas felt a bit embarrassed.
"What are you looking at, Amelia?"
"Looking at you." Amelia said sincerely, "Lucas, has anyone ever told you that you're really handsome? You have the potential to be a big star."
Lucas gave a self-deprecating laugh.
"A few people have said I'm handsome, but you're the only one who's said I have big star potential. Even Mom has tried to convince me to give up several times."
"Mom tried to convince you to give up too?"
"Yes, she sees how hard I'm struggling and feels bad for me."
"Then why don't you give up? Being a celebrity isn't necessarily a good thing. I see those stars can't even go out without being watched. How unfree is that?"
Although breaking the contract would require paying a huge penalty, with the Richardson family's former resources, this penalty wasn't actually that big of a deal.
Lucas said very seriously, "I've loved watching movies since I was little, and I like acting too, so I've always dreamed of being on the big screen myself. It's just that from when I entered the industry until now, I haven't been involved in even one good production. Maybe I really should give up."
"Then why don't you use your family connections to invest in something yourself and star in it?"
Lucas shook his head, saying stubbornly, "I don't want to rely on my family. I want to make it on my own. If I achieve my dream through family connections and nepotism, I feel like the dream becomes meaningless."
Amelia clicked her tongue, thinking to herself that Lucas was really stubborn.
Having connections available but not using them—wasn't that foolish?
But probably because they shared the same bloodline, deep down she also looked down on people who got what they wanted through nepotism.
Maybe people like them were complete fools, but she still believed that people should have their bottom lines and principles.
So although she thought Lucas was foolish, she gained a bit more respect for him.
Lucas continued, "But after what happened to the family, I realized I was really stupid. If I had used the family's resources back then and climbed up a bit, maybe I could help out now."
Amelia was silent for two seconds, then said, "Lucas, if another entertainment company was willing to hire you, would you go?"
Lucas gripped the steering wheel tighter and said, "I would!"
But then he gave a self-deprecating laugh and said, "But there's no way such an entertainment company exists. If they took me on, they'd have to pay my penalty fee. They're not fools—they know I'm not worth it."
Amelia's lips curved up as she said, "But somehow I feel like your good luck is about to arrive."
Lucas smiled and didn't respond.
Amelia said seriously, "My intuition is very accurate, Lucas. Trust me."
"Okay, I trust you."
Though he said this, Amelia could clearly tell Lucas was just going along with what she said.
But she didn't mind, because Lucas would soon experience just how accurate her intuition was.
Amelia and Lucas chatted, and soon arrived at the filming location.
When agent Louie Hopper saw Lucas appear, his brow furrowed.
"Why are you so late?"
Lucas checked the time and said, "You told me to come at nine. It's only eight-fifty now."
"You think showing up right on time is okay? Orval and the others are already here, but you, a bit player, are only just arriving! If it weren't for you, we would have started filming already!"
Orval Montes was a currently popular star, also with Aurora Media.
He had only entered the industry in the past two years, making him Lucas's junior.
But as a junior, he was extremely arrogant and didn't take Lucas, a bit player, seriously at all.
Lucas had suffered plenty at Orval's hands.
He clenched his fists but still suppressed his frustration and bowed his head in apology.
"I'm sorry, Louie. I'll arrive earlier next time."
However, Louie had no intention of letting Lucas off that easily and continued pointing at Lucas's nose, cursing him out.
"If apologies worked, why would we need police?"
"And you talk about next time? If I hadn't fought for you this time, you wouldn't even have the qualification to participate in filming!"
"You don't understand any rules. No wonder after all these years, you're still just an extra!"
Louie's voice echoed through the studio.
But not a single person present looked over, and even those who did glance over just smiled and looked away, clearly long accustomed to Lucas being scolded.
Louie got more and more worked up as he continued.
He had been chewed out by Orval today and was looking for somewhere to vent. Lucas's arrival gave him the perfect outlet.
However, just as Louie was about to continue his tirade, a slender but strong hand suddenly grabbed the hand he was pointing at Lucas's nose.
"You're the one who told him to come at nine. He's not late, so what right do you have to talk to him like this?"
Louie instinctively tried to pull his hand back, but found the other person's grip was surprisingly strong. His hand hurt from struggling, but he couldn't break free.
Louie sucked in a sharp breath from the pain and looked viciously toward the owner of that hand.
With just one glance, Louie was stunned, even forgetting the pain in his hand.
What a beautiful face!
On a palm-sized face, her features were extraordinarily delicate—a stunning face naturally suited for the big screen.
But the next second, he heard Lucas step behind the girl and remind her in a low voice, "Amelia, let him go. I'm fine."
This was Lucas's sister?
Disgust immediately spread across Louie's face.
"Lucas! Control your sister! Tell her to let go of my hand right now!"
Before Lucas could speak, Amelia had already released Louie's hand and pulled out a disinfectant wipe from her pocket, carefully and thoroughly cleaning her own hand, as if Louie's hand had something disgusting and dirty on it.
This action undoubtedly provoked Louie.
"Lucas, if you don't want to work, then get out! Bringing someone with no manners to the filming location—do you have a death wish?"
Hearing Louie insult Amelia, even the usually good-tempered Lucas's face darkened.
"Please apologize to my sister! She's not one of your people. You have no right to talk to her like that."
Louie laughed in anger.
"Well, well, Lucas, so you're getting tough now, are you? Right now you—"
"Louie!"
A man suddenly ran up to Louie and whispered in his ear.
Louie's expression changed dramatically. Suppressing his anger, he said to Lucas, "You're lucky today. Someone from upstairs is here, and we need to start filming urgently. Get to the makeup room and get ready now! If there's a next time, don't expect to get any more gigs!"
But Lucas, unusually, didn't let it slide.
He clenched his fists and said, "Apologize!"
Louie trembled with rage.
"How dare you!"
"Louie, there's no time. If we upset that person, we're all in trouble. Just go along with him for now. After filming is done, we can deal with him then," the man said in a low voice in Louie's ear.