Chapter 602 Stupid acts have consequences
They continued riding the scooter, with Hepburn now fully at ease, wrapping her arms around Hardy's waist.
By the river, they came across a dance party.
Hardy's eyes lit up.
"Do you remember the scene I mentioned where the two attend a dance and get into a fight with the royal bodyguards?" Hardy asked.
"I do," Hepburn replied. Experience new stories on My Virtual Library Empire
"Shall we crash the dance and try it out?"
"Ah, but this is someone's private party. Is it appropriate?" Hepburn hesitated, feeling slightly embarrassed.
"It's fine. We'll just have some fun. If they don't welcome us, we'll leave," Hardy reassured her.
Parking the scooter, Hardy took Hepburn's hand and led her into the dance. Hepburn glanced down at her hand, realizing she was holding his again.
The dance was organized by a group of young people. Hardy asked if they could join, and the hosts warmly welcomed them. The two began to dance, Hardy's athletic build and Hepburn's elegant ballet-trained movements captivating the crowd. Applause and cheers erupted around them, and afterward, they were invited for drinks. Hepburn had a glass herself.
For Hepburn, who had never let loose like this before, the experience was exhilarating and immensely fun.
They stayed until after 10 p.m. before bidding the group farewell.
When they returned to the hotel, it was already 11 p.m. Spotting her assistant, Tracy, Hepburn seemed to transform back into Cinderella, her relaxed demeanor vanishing as she said a polite goodbye to Hardy and prepared to head upstairs.
"Rest well tonight. Tomorrow, we'll continue rehearsing," Hardy said.
"Yes, Mr. Hardy," Hepburn replied quickly.
Back in her room, Tracy was startled when she noticed something different about Hepburn. "Hepburn, oh my! You cut your hair!"
"Mr. Hardy suggested it. He said it suits the lead character in the movie. Don't you think it looks good?" Hepburn asked.
"No, no—it's beautiful. Your new hairstyle makes you look so lively. Mr. Hardy's taste is impeccable," Tracy said, unwilling to criticize Hardy's decision.
Then something clicked. Tracy remembered Hepburn had mentioned a lead role. "Hepburn, did you say...the lead actress? Is that true?"
"You didn't know?" Hepburn looked at Tracy, surprised. She assumed Tracy was already aware.
"No one told me. I was only informed that you had a role and needed to come to Rome. Is it really the lead? Tell me more about the role," Tracy asked excitedly.
Hepburn's success would mean success for Tracy as well. Their fortunes were now closely tied. If Hepburn became a star, Tracy's salary could easily multiply.
"Mr. Hardy said he's planning a movie calledRoman Holiday, a story he wrote. It's about a princess in Rome who falls in love with an American journalist," Hepburn explained.
"A script written by Mr. Hardy? Do you know how many successful films he's written for Ava Gardner, Elizabeth Taylor, and Hedy Lamarr? You're unbelievably lucky to have a script written by him," Tracy exclaimed.
Hepburn sat on the bed while Tracy joined her. Hepburn recounted the plot of the movie, then added, "Mr. Hardy wants to ensure the story matches his vision, so he's taking me around to experience the locations and rehearse the scenes."
Tracy grabbed Hepburn's hands and said earnestly, "Hepburn, you know who Mr. Hardy is. Once he decides on something, it will happen with the best resources available. You must take this opportunity seriously, do you understand?"
Hepburn nodded.
"I know. I really want to make this movie. I love the role of Princess Ann, and I'll do my best to learn everything I can."
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The next day.
The sun was shining brightly.
Today, Hepburn was dressed in a white shirt, a long skirt, stockings, and flat leather shoes. Over this, she wore a brown trench coat.
Her short hair was slightly curled.
A silk scarf adorned her neck.
She exuded an air of cleanliness, elegance, and effortless charm.
When Hepburn came downstairs, Hardy was already waiting for her in the hotel courtyard with the same small motorcycle. Hepburn flashed a graceful smile at Hardy and sat sideways on the back seat. As Hardy revved the engine, the motorcycle sped off from the hotel.
On the third floor of the hotel, behind the curtains of a room, two people were secretly watching them, with only their eyes peeking out. Once the motorcycle disappeared, they withdrew their gaze.
"Do you think the boss really just wants Hepburn to experience a movie scene?" Tracy, Hepburn's female assistant, asked the male staff member who had accompanied them.
The male staff member smirked. "To me, it looks more like the boss is wooing her."
"I feel the same way," Tracy replied.
The male staff member chuckled lightly. "The boss is famous for being a charmer. The women the public knows about are already several in number, and all of them are the most famous women in Hollywood. But you must know, these women are envied by countless others."
"Hollywood isn't short of beautiful women. This is the gathering place for the most stunning women in the U.S. and even the world. Are they lacking in beauty? No. Are they lacking in talent? Also no. What they lack is someone to support them. If Hepburn catches the boss's eye, that would be her fortune. Her future would be limitless."
Tracy nodded. "Of course, I know that. That's why I hope what we're guessing is true."
Knock knock knock~!
At that moment, the door was knocked.
Both of them froze slightly. The male staff member went to open the door; it was his room, after all.
When the door opened, it was revealed to be one of Hardy's security team leaders. The male staff member smiled and nodded. "Is there something you need?"
The security team leader entered, shut the door, glanced at the two of them, and spoke sternly, "If you don't want to be targeted by a sniper rifle, don't do those stupid acts again."
The two inside were stunned.
Their faces turned pale with fear.
Had their peeking at the boss just now been noticed? Perhaps if they had made any suspicious moves, they would now be lying as two lifeless bodies.
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