"Ryan, Nicole Carter, this script is excellent. Miramax has already decided to produce this film, so we hope to purchase the script as soon as possible. However, since Ryan is not a professional screenwriter and is a newcomer, the price will be a bit lower. The best I can offer is fifty thousand dollars."

Seeing the look of confusion and doubt on Ryan's face, Harvey Weinstein explained further, "This is standard practice in Hollywood. Fifty thousand dollars is actually quite a lot for a newcomer."

Even though Ryan knew that Harvey Weinstein was telling the truth, and understood the awkward position of screenwriters in Hollywood at this time, he still found it hard to accept. After all, compared to the profits of a movie, this amount was pitifully small—barely more than what he would get for a medium-length story.

Nicole Carter was more familiar with Hollywood and knew that the offer wasn't deliberately lowballing them, but she never made decisions for Ryan in such matters. She said, "Ryan, it's up to you."

With a sigh, Ryan could only look at his agent. Ms. Goldsley nodded, "The price is fair."

"Mr. Weinstein, I agree to let Miramax have the script. The details can be discussed with Pat."

At this point, Ryan still couldn't be sure whether the trap he had set had been sprung, but some things, unless absolutely necessary, have a completely different effect when brought up by him versus when the other party brings them up on their own.

Harvey Weinstein didn't let his efforts go to waste. After exchanging a few words with Pat Goldsley, he looked directly at Nicole Kidman. "Nicole Carter, if possible, I'd like to invite you to play the single mother in the script."

"Me?" Nicole Carter clearly hadn't expected to be brought into this.

"Of course. From what Ryan said, it's obvious that the character is based on you. No one is more suited to the role!" Before Nicole Carter could react, Harvey Weinstein continued, "Age isn't an issue. What's important is the relationship between you two. I'm sure Ryan would love to see you appear on the big screen in this way."

"Right, Ryan?" Harvey Weinstein looked over, wearing a fox-like smile.

"Yes. Nicole Carter is unique in my heart." Ryan stared with bright eyes at the Australian woman. Nicole Kidman thought for just a second before nodding, "Alright, looks like I don't have a choice."

"Since Nicole Carter will play the mother, what about you, Ryan?" Harvey Weinstein felt the thrill of a cunning plan succeeding.

"Me?" Ryan feigned surprise, as if he truly didn't understand what the other meant. "What does this have to do with me?"

"Let me put it this way, Ryan, do you have any acting experience?"

"No, unless playing violin and guitar on the school stage counts." Ryan shook his head, though he thought to himself, does acting every minute and every second of my life count?

Ryan's answer exceeded Harvey Weinstein's expectations. Before Nicole Carter could show her understanding, he said, "I'd like to invite you to play the role of Cole."

"I don't agree!" The one who refused was Nicole Kidman.

Chapter 9: Persuasion

Because of Ryan's intelligence and maturity, Nicole Carter rarely intervened directly in his affairs unless necessary. This was the first time she had ever refused something on his behalf.

Harvey Weinstein didn't press the issue. After all, this was Hollywood—anyone could be replaced. But he hadn't given up, and as he left, he said, "If you change your mind, you can contact me anytime."

No matter what, Nicole Carter was his guardian. Ryan knew very well that as long as she kept objecting, there was almost no room for negotiation. He also understood that Nicole Carter was only doing this to protect him, to give him a complete childhood and a happy upbringing.

But after planning for more than three years and pouring almost all his time and energy into this, now that the opportunity was right in front of him, if he missed it, he might as well go to Southampton and board the Titanic.

"Ryan, what do you think?" asked his agent. Unlike Nicole Carter, who couldn't see past her own concerns, she could more or less guess what Ryan was thinking.

Ryan didn't answer. Instead, he went back to his room, retrieved the envelope containing his manuscript, and handed it to Goldsley. "Pat, this is my latest work, and..."

He glanced at Nicole Carter, who was sitting silently on the other side, then leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Could you go back first? I want to talk to Nicole Carter alone."

"Alright then." Although she couldn't help wanting to say something, after a moment's thought, Goldsley left.

The living room returned to silence. The boy and the woman sat facing each other, neither intending to speak. They just looked at each other, blue eyes locked, as if communicating in a way only they could understand.