Hearing these somewhat unexpected words, Duke slightly raised his head, looking at his agent with a hint of surprise—so much for hoping to latch onto a big shot...

"I'm very sorry."

Although he said this, Lovett showed no sign of apology. "The company management has officially invited me to become one of the partners. From now on, I'll be co-managing some well-known artists, and my workload and resources will increase. I simply don't have the extra energy to plan a future for someone with no prospects..."

Even though Lovett's expression remained shrewd yet calm, Duke was no novice; he could read the barely concealed pride in the other's curved eyes and upturned lips.

Indeed, becoming a partner at CAA is something to be proud of, and giving up on a newcomer like himself, who seems to have no future, is understandable.

In almost the blink of an eye, Duke's surprise vanished, and he returned to his original expression. He said nothing more.

"You know, Duke."

Lovett stood up, and as he passed by, patted him on the shoulder, speaking in a lofty, condescending tone tinged with arrogance: "You have greatly disappointed me. In five years, you've played seventeen roles, yet your career hasn't progressed at all. Take my advice: you're not suited for this industry. Continuing will only waste your time and energy."

With that, he walked straight toward the café entrance without looking back, never glancing again at his partner of five years, as if to show, in this way, his complete abandonment of Duke.

"Did you hear that? You're not cut out for Hollywood."

This came from Rick Solomon, who hadn't left, his tone sharp and caustic. He kept twisting the knife in Duke, whom he imagined was bleeding inside. "Lovett is considered the most insightful among the new generation of agents, but with you, he clearly misjudged."

Chapter Two: Success Close to Zero

"CAA will soon sign a formal contract with me and help me map out a complete future plan."

Turning his coffee cup in his hands, Rick Solomon boasted without restraint, "Lovett even secured a supporting male role for me in CAA's package project 'Alien 3.' Success is easy for me."

He looked Duke up and down. "And you, Duke Rosenberg, I heard from Lovett that you were on set at five years old, and at sixteen you played bit parts in movies. And now? You've acted in seventeen films, but had no lines, no close-ups, and your name never appeared in the media. You're a complete and utter failure!"

With his hands folded on the table, Duke looked calmly at Rick Solomon, his occasional glances as if he were watching a circus clown.

Perhaps provoked by Duke's attitude, Rick Solomon raised his voice slightly. "What do you have to be proud of? Want to be a director? Wake up, stop dreaming! Let me tell you, the only reason Lovett signed you back then was because your family is close with George Lucas and has some connections in Hollywood—it's all shameful nepotism!"

"Robert Solomon should be your father, right?" Duke suddenly spoke, his voice not loud but extremely piercing. "If I remember correctly, he's the Executive Vice President of Warner Bros. By your logic, CAA signed you..."

"That's because I have talent and potential, and you don't!"

Waving his hand to cut Duke off, Rick Solomon wasn't stupid and quickly changed the subject. "Back then, you used underhanded means to edge me out as starting quarterback—so what? Can you make it to the NFL? Can you play in the Super Bowl? And, Anne Bennett has already agreed to be my girlfriend..."

Before he could fully savor his supposed triumph, Duke asked in a strange tone, "Sorry, who is Anne Bennett?"

As Rick Solomon's eyes widened, he slapped his forehead. "Oh, now I remember, she was the blonde cheerleading captain. I only spent two nights with her before dumping her. I didn't expect you'd pick her up afterward."

Hearing this, Rick Solomon shot to his feet. "You punk, I..."

Pointing to his own chest, he said, "I'm going to be a big star, go to the Oscars, and my name will be known all over the world."

He pointed at Duke from across the table. "And you, you'll be a nobody your whole life, a shameful failure!"

"I believe the first half of your sentence."

Before the other could say more, Duke got up and walked toward the door. There was no need to get entangled with someone like this. In another world, Rick Solomon was indeed quite famous—though not as famous as the female lead in that videotape, he was still known worldwide.

"Don't think that making two weird experimental films makes you a director!"

Because the café was especially quiet, Duke vaguely caught Rick Solomon's voice before he left. Maybe that was the most reasonable thing the guy said all day—if making a few experimental films was all it took to become a Hollywood director, he wouldn't have wasted so many years.

This really wasn't a pleasant meeting!