[Chapter 278: Oscar Best Actress]
The presenter, Jamie Foxx, slowly tore open the envelope, his eyes sweeping over the audience below.
The camera cut back and forth between the faces of the nominees.
When it froze on Rachel's face, the entire theater held its breath.
"Rachel McAdams, Walk the Line!"
Boom--!
Thunderous applause exploded throughout the theater.
Rachel froze for a moment, then suddenly turned and hugged Daniel beside her, sobbing uncontrollably.
Daniel patted her back and whispered in her ear, "Go on. Go take what's yours."
Rachel took a deep breath, lifted her skirt, and stepped onto the podium under thousands of watchful eyes.
Chris's voice reached Daniel's ear. "Master, I didn't let you down, did I?"
Daniel nodded quietly. "Well done, Chris."
Chris had truly played a key role in Rachel winning that little gold statuette. She had quietly influenced many of the judges, guiding their votes toward Rachel.
On stage, Rachel held the heavy Oscar, scanned the packed crowd below, and finally locked eyes with Daniel.
"Thank you... I want to thank Director James and everyone on the crew." Her voice broke slightly, broadcasting live around the world. "But most of all, I want to thank a special person. He not only changed my career but reshaped my life. Daniel Cross, thank you for always standing by my side."
The camera cut quickly to Daniel in the audience. He sat with a quiet smile, his eyes deep and steady like the night sky.
In that moment, hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide remembered this handsome and mysterious face.
...
The awards ceremony ended, but excitement still hummed through the theater.
Daniel accompanied Rachel backstage, then declined the official banquet invitation and prepared to leave.
"Ms. Rachel McAdams, please wait a moment."
A middle-aged white woman in a deep violet evening gown, her makeup flawless, approached briskly from the side corridor. Behind her stood two burly attendants whose posture was far from ordinary agents or assistants.
Rachel stopped, confused, and looked at the woman. The woman halted three paces away, wearing a practiced celebrity smile.
"Congratulations, Rachel. Tonight, you are Hollywood's brightest pearl."
"Thank you," Rachel replied politely, her hand gripping Daniel's arm tightly.
"May we speak privately?" the woman asked, glancing at Daniel.
Rachel replied firmly, "No need. Just say whatever you have to say right here."
The woman hesitated.
Daniel glanced at her and, using his Spiritual Perception Technique, detected a trace of evil energy. It was a unique signature -- one that appeared only after someone had killed.
Daniel's eyes narrowed slightly as a faint smile tugged at his lips. "Rachel, you two talk."
He stepped aside and whispered into his earpiece, "Chris, listen to what they're saying."
"Yes, Master," Chris's voice responded softly.
Rachel looked at the woman. "Please be quick. I don't want to keep my boyfriend waiting."
The woman leaned closer, lowering her voice. "We're hosting an exclusive celebration banquet. The attendees are all top-tier figures. There are resources beyond your wildest imagination, and many excellent, charming young gentlemen eager to meet you. I believe it will be an unforgettable night for you."
Such suggestions were not unusual in Hollywood. Every star knew exactly what "gentlemen" and "resources" really meant.
In the past, Rachel might have hesitated, tempted by that slim chance to climb higher. But not now.
She glanced at Daniel beside her. Compared to him, those so-called powerful elites and handsome men were nothing but dust by the roadside.
"Sorry, I'm not interested," Rachel said bluntly, a hint of disdain in her tone. "Besides, I'm very satisfied with the resources I already have. Please leave."
The woman was taken aback, clearly not expecting the new Best Actress to be so merciless.
She cast a glance at Daniel, a flicker of coldness passing through her eyes before she regained her composure and stepped aside with a smile.
...
Rachel grasped Daniel's arm and turned toward the theater exit.
"Daniel, that woman just now..."
Rachel recounted the conversation.
Daniel's eyes instantly turned cold.
Though he already knew everything clearly from Chris, the words and behavior triggered a dark memory. He immediately thought of the Island Incident that would shake the world in the future.
Though it was only early 2006, years before that festering wound would burst open, the evil was already unfolding.
"Chris," Daniel called softly.
His phone screen lit up with a faint, dark red glow.
"Master, I'm here," Chris's voice came with a sharp edge of killing intent. "That woman's signal has been locked. She's an advanced player in the 'pimp' world, specifically scouting new blood for so-called top-tier clubs."
Daniel said coolly, "Hack into her phone. Monitor all her calls and messages."
Chris replied, "Yes, Master!"
Rachel overheard Daniel's low voice but couldn't catch the words.
Curious, she asked, "Who are you talking to?"
Daniel smiled. "No one. Let's go. We're going back to properly celebrate the new Oscar Best Actress winner."
...
Morning in Beverly Hills, sunlight pouring through massive floor-to-ceiling windows.
Daniel leaned back in a rattan chair on the terrace, holding the latest issue of Variety.
The cover showed a close-up of Rachel tearfully clutching her little gold man. Behind her, Daniel's blurred but solemn profile fueled countless readers' curiosity.
[Walk the Line Crowned: Rachel McAdams Writes a Commoner's Miracle!]
[Accompanied by a Mysterious Upstart -- Who Is the Man Behind the Best Actress?]
Daniel casually tossed the magazine aside.
Rachel sat across from him in a bathrobe, her phone buzzing nonstop.
Her popularity had reached an astonishing level; job offers flooded in constantly.
"Daniel..." Rachel looked up, eyes heavy with exhaustion but full of deep reliance. "I don't want to go to that ribbon-cutting. I just want to stay by your side."
Daniel sipped his green tea, calm. "You're an Oscar Best Actress winner. Some social obligations are unavoidable. Go on; your agent's waiting downstairs. But remember what I said: you can take jobs and endorsements, but don't pick scripts recklessly -- wait for my word."
Rachel nodded obediently, pressed a firm kiss to Daniel's lips, then reluctantly headed upstairs to change.
...
With Rachel gone, the villa didn't fall silent.
"Master, Avi Arad and Isaac Perlmutter from Marvel have sent over more than twenty emails already."
Succubus Chris stepped out from the shadows, smiling brightly.
"Those two are like gamblers who just hit the jackpot. They're talking about how to maximize profits for Iron Man and want to increase the film's marketing budget by another thirty percent. They say that with an Oscar Best Actress joining the cast, they've already won half the battle."
*****
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