[Chapter 265: V for Vendetta Released]
Judd was stunned, his mind quickly shifting from the image of an "elf princess" to that of a "professional woman facing an unexpected pregnancy."
"Liv?" Judd hesitated slightly. "Her aura... isn't it a bit too ethereal?"
Daniel said indifferently, "Contrast is the biggest selling point. Don't you think it's compelling to see the goddess -- beloved by men all over the world -- go through such real, awkward moments?"
Judd's eyes widened bit by bit. He suddenly slapped his thigh. "A genius idea! That vulnerable, high-and-mighty contradiction? It'll elevate the comedy throughout the whole film!"
Daniel nodded. "I have the contract ready. I'll invest 30 million. You handle production -- with just one condition: Liv must be the female lead."
Judd didn't hesitate. "Deal!"
Daniel smiled. To get Judd on board, he had to offer better terms than Universal. Otherwise, why would Judd cooperate with them? And as for final cut privileges -- based on past successes, Universal was willing to concede that power for a relatively modest 30 million investment.
...
After signing the contract and seeing Judd off, Daniel picked up his phone and sent a message to Liv.
"The project is set: a new film by director Judd Apatow. Come over tomorrow; I'll take you to meet him."
In less than ten seconds, Liv's reply arrived -- her screen filled with heart emojis.
---
In Los Angeles that December, Christmas decorations already lined the streets.
Daniel sat in his villa's spacious study, a laptop open to a webpage in front of him. Succubus Chris floated in midair, dressed in an extremely skimpy Christmas outfit. Swirling a glass of red wine, she stared at the screen with enchanting eyes.
"Master, the data for Amanda's new film V for Vendetta is out after its first week," Chris reported. She took a delicate sip of the wine and traced a pink arc through the air, projecting several data sheets in front of Daniel.
"IMDB's opening score is 8.4. While the number of ratings is still rising, the word-of-mouth is solid. On Rotten Tomatoes, professional critics have given it a 93% freshness rating. Even the usually harsh Variety praised Amanda for delivering a 'disfiguring performance.'"
Daniel glanced at the numbers. North American box office for the first week was $25 million. For a superhero movie, that was mediocre, even a bit low. But Daniel didn't care -- he knew the film's uniqueness.
"How's the response among special groups?" Daniel asked.
Chris smiled mischievously like a sly fox. "Master, you're truly amazing. Protest organizations and youth vanguard groups across Europe have practically treated the mask from the film as a totem. Though the box office isn't huge yet, culturally, Amanda has completely broken through. She's no longer just a 'doll' starring in teen movies -- she's become a mainstream powerhouse in Hollywood."
Daniel nodded. Movies like V for Vendetta sell sentiment and ideology. At this moment, its cultural resonance far outweighed the film itself. As long as its reputation held, late-stage DVD rentals and TV rights would still bring in a fortune.
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang.
Before Daniel could rise, Chris flashed a pink light and dove back into his phone.
...
Daniel checked the surveillance feed -- it was Amanda and Wendy.
He opened the door.
Amanda wore a black cashmere coat and a red scarf, looking effortlessly capable. Without a word, she rushed forward and hugged Daniel tightly.
"Daniel, I did it!"
Her voice trembled with emotion as her face nuzzled against Daniel's chest, unwilling to let go.
"I just came from a film critics' gathering. They used to ignore me, but today everyone was talking about my performance. I finally feel alive."
Daniel patted her back and looked at Wendy, who followed behind. Wendy's previous bossy arrogance had long disappeared. Holding two luxury bags at the entrance, she looked uneasy, her eyes filled with awe -- and something like admiration -- toward Daniel.
"Mr. Cross, good afternoon," Wendy said, bowing slightly with a humble tone. "My earlier lack of vision almost ruined Amanda's future. From now on, for any of her projects, once you give the word, I will fully support it."
Daniel pulled Amanda inside and replied casually, "You were only trying to do what was best for Amanda. Don't take it too hard."
"No, you're the real genius," Wendy said seriously as she set the bags down. "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants brought popularity, and V for Vendetta brought status. Even veteran Hollywood producers can't pull off such a step-by-step strategy."
Daniel ignored the flattery and said to Amanda, "Are you tired? Go take a bath. We'll have dinner at home."
Amanda nodded obediently, planted a firm kiss on Daniel's cheek, and headed upstairs.
Wendy lingered awkwardly in the living room.
Daniel glanced at her. "Wendy, you should head back. Amanda will stay here for a few days. Postpone her upcoming commercial activities; she needs rest."
"Okay, Mr. Cross," Wendy said without hesitation and efficiently left.
After starting her car, Wendy sat behind the wheel, glanced back at the grand villa in the rearview mirror, and let out a long sigh. "I used to think this guy relied on some strange luck. Now I see -- he's manipulating fate. Amanda hasn't just landed a boyfriend -- she's landed a god."
...
Inside the villa, Daniel entered the bedroom where the sound of water splashing was already coming from the bathroom.
Just as he sat on the edge of the bed, Amanda walked out, wrapped in a bath towel. Under the glow of magic power, her skin was now as soft as fine silk, flushed with a healthy, rosy glow.
"Daniel..." Amanda approached and knelt naturally at his feet, looking up with deep admiration in her bright blue eyes. "I used to think that hard work alone would make me succeed in acting. But after meeting you, I realize that choice matters ten thousand times more than effort."
Daniel stroked her hair. "Effort is essential too. If your performance in V for Vendetta wasn't strong, the word-of-mouth wouldn't be this good. Your success is well-deserved."
Amanda shook her head and pressed her face against Daniel's knee. "No, without you, no matter how well I performed, I wouldn't have landed that role. You changed my life."
Her gaze grew heated as her hand began to explore downward. "To repay you, tonight you can have whatever you want."
With that, she slid from her knees to her elbows, her lips parting as she guided his hardness out from his trousers.
She took him in with a slow, wet slide, her tongue swirling around the head of his cock to taste the pre-cum before she engulfed him. Her mouth was scorching, a tight, velvet vice that pulsed with every swallow. She looked up at him through her lashes, her eyes wide and devoted, swirling with a mix of gratitude and raw hunger.
Daniel groaned, his fingers tightening in her damp hair. The sensation of her tongue flickering against his frenulum sent a jolt of electricity straight to his spine.
He didn't want a gentle repayment; he wanted to feel the full extent of her surrender. As she tried to pull back to breathe, Daniel didn't let her. He gripped the back of her head firmly and pushed forward, driving his length deep into the back of her throat.
Amanda let out a muffled gasp, her eyes widening as she felt the head of his cock hit the wall of her throat. She gagged slightly, a reflexive shudder running through her body, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned into it, her hands gripping his thighs for stability, welcoming the invasion.
He thrust again, slower this time, forcing her to take every inch of him, filling her mouth and throat until she was choking on him, her face flushed a deep crimson.
"Good girl," he whispered, the dominance in his voice making her whimper against his skin.
He pulled her up by her arms, the towel slipping from her shoulders and pooling on the floor. Her body was a masterpiece of nature, her skin glowing under the bedroom lights. He pivoted her, tossing her back onto the silk sheets of the bed. Before she could even settle, he was over her, his weight pressing her into the mattress.
He didn't waste time with foreplay; the tension between them had already reached a breaking point. He guided himself to her entrance, which was already dripping and swollen. With one powerful, rhythmic thrust, he buried himself inside her.
Amanda arched her back, a loud, piercing cry escaping her lips as she wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him as deep as possible. The friction was intense, the wet slap of their skin echoing in the quiet room.
Daniel hammered into her, his movements primal and urgent. Every time he bottomed out, he felt the tight walls of her vagina gripping him, pulsing in sync with her own mounting pleasure.
He shifted his angle, hitting her G-spot with every plunge, sending waves of electricity through her. Amanda's fingers clawed at the bedsheets, her breath coming in ragged, shallow gasps.
"More... please, Daniel, more!" she pleaded, her voice breaking.
He accelerated, the pace becoming frantic, the sensation of her warmth enveloping him like a glove. Just as he felt the surge of orgasm building in his gut, he flipped her over, pressing her chest flat against the mattress and lifting her hips high.
He lingered there for a moment, the tip of his cock brushing against the tight, puckered skin of her backside. Amanda let out a low, needy moan, her body trembling. She knew exactly where he was aiming, and the anticipation made her shudder.
"I think," Daniel whispered, leaning down to kiss the nape of her neck, "we've only just scratched the surface of your gratitude."
...
Hours later, Amanda slipped into a deep, peaceful sleep.
Outside, the night in Beverly Hills grew darker, with only Amanda's steady breathing filling the bedroom.
Daniel put on a bathrobe and opened the balcony door. The cold air wrapped around him as he contemplated the year's income and expenses in his mind.
*****
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