Stepping out of the hotel, we were met with darkness, biting cold, and a fierce wind. We were all underdressed for the weather, and the chill was unbearable. At Fatty’s suggestion, we crossed the street and ducked into a café to warm up with some coffee.


    "Boss, those two beauties seemed quite taken with you tonight," Fatty said with a sly grin.


    "Which two?" I feigned ignorance.a


    "Come on, don’t play dumb. Who else but Miss Heidi and Miss Lainie? Didn’t you see the way they looked at you? If looks could kill, every man in that room would’ve turned to ashes out of sheer jealousy!" Gans shook his head dramatically.


    "Some people don’t know how lucky they are," James chimed in, adding fuel to the fire. "Unlike us, who never get such blessings."


    "Enough with the nonsense," I muttered, taking a sip of my coffee to cover my unease.


    Julie, sensing my discomfort, quickly changed the subject. "Boss, what did Malskrov and Fox talk to you about?"


    "Yeah, what were they whispering about?" Fatty and the others perked up, eager to know.


    I recounted my conversation with Old Ma and Fox in full detail. Upon hearing it, Fatty slammed the table in outrage. "That son of a b*tch! I actually thought Fox was a decent guy, but turns out he’s just another backstabbing snake!"


    "Calm down! We still have the film in our hands. There’s no need to panic," I pressed him back into his seat. "Besides, we can’t be certain Fox is really trying to screw us over. Maybe he genuinely wants to help."


    Silence fell over the group. I lowered my voice and said, "We’re newcomers in this business. It’s better to be cautious. There’s an old Chinese saying: ‘A careful sailor sails a thousand years.’ Better safe than sorry."


    "Well said! I love Chinese proverbs!" Gans laughed.


    After finishing our coffees, we felt much warmer and called for the bill before stepping back out into the chilly night.


    Cabs were scarce at this hour. Fatty, feeling nostalgic, suggested we walk back instead. "We’ve been working nonstop lately. It’s been ages since we had a carefree night like this. Let’s take a stroll, chat a bit, and save some money while we’re at it."


    Everyone agreed. We lined up in a row, singing and laughing as we walked through the streets. The carefree atmosphere lifted my previously troubled mood.


    Screech! Just as we were lost in our revelry, a long, sleek luxury car pulled up beside us. The rear window rolled down slowly, revealing Heidi’s face.


    "Mr. Corleone, care for a ride?" she called out.


    "Miss Heidi? Leaving so early? I thought the party lasted until midnight?" I walked up to the car, eyeing its extravagant design. D*mn, this is a fine car. I probably couldn’t even afford one of its wheels right now.


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    "Can’t a lady leave when she pleases? Are you getting in or not?" Heidi shot me a look.


    "I’d hate to burden your luxurious ride with a bunch of penniless nobodies," I teased, circling the car in admiration.


    "My dear aristocratic gentleman, you’re the future genius director handpicked by Old Ma himself. Stop mocking us mere mortals. Get in now, or I’m leaving!" Heidi huffed.


    "Don’t mind him, Miss Heidi! Our boss might refuse, but we won’t!" Fatty grinned, bowing as he eagerly opened the door and jumped in first.


    Gans followed so swiftly he could’ve competed with a cotton picker in the South. James had already made himself comfortable in the front seat, chatting up the driver and even offering him a cigarette!


    Traitors! A bunch of d*mn traitors!


    I turned to my side—only Julie remained. The poor girl was shivering from the cold, casting pitiful glances at the warm interior of the car. She was clearly torn between loyalty and comfort.


    At that moment, I felt a deep kinship with General Xiang Yu, surrounded by enemies and utterly abandoned.


    To get in or not to get in? That was the question.


    To hell with it! If I freeze to death, how the hell am I supposed to direct a movie?


    Gritting my teeth, I steeled my nerves and stepped into Heidi’s car.


    Warmth. Blissful, glorious warmth!


    Luxury cars were a different breed altogether! Someday, when I’m rich, I’ll buy out an entire d*mn automobile company! I’ll drive a different car every morning and every afternoon. The rest? I’ll lock them away in a private garage so those rich bastards will have to walk and freeze at night!


    Seeing me finally surrender to her "pressure," Heidi beamed and even started humming a tune beside me.


    "Andrei, can I call you Andrei?" she asked, her tone surprisingly polite.


    "Of course, if Miss Heidi doesn’t mind," I said, rubbing my hands together for warmth. Then, with a sudden burst of energy, I slapped the nearest traitor—Fatty—on the back and snatched a cigarette from him.


    "Andrei, you’ve been quite the heartbreaker tonight," Heidi leaned in, whispering into my ear. Her breath sent a ticklish shiver down my spine.


    "What do you mean? I haven’t stolen or cheated anyone."


    "Oh, you know exactly what I mean! I’ve been in Hollywood for years, and I’ve met more men than I can count, but I’ve never seen Lainie so smitten. The moment you left, she looked like she’d lost her soul. She even left the party early! If she hadn’t left first, I wouldn’t have had the chance to leave either. Otherwise, you’d still be out there freezing right now. I have to say, I’m impressed!" Heidi saluted me in an exaggerated American military style.


    I ignored her and took a deep drag on my cigarette, filling the car with thick smoke. Even the driver, a seasoned smoker himself, nearly choked to death.


    "Dear aristocrat, have mercy on us! If you keep this up, you’ll summon traffic cops or even firefighters!" Heidi waved her hands frantically, tears streaming from her smoke-irritated eyes.


    I chuckled and finally put out the cigarette, tossing it out the window. As the wind rushed in, Heidi’s shawl lifted, revealing the curve of her chest. My eyes went wide.


    "Pervert!" Heidi hissed, following my gaze and realizing what had happened.


    Snap! I quickly rolled up the window and declared loudly, "Well said! What an indecent wind! Daring to flip a lady’s shawl like that!"


    Heidi shot me a death glare, looking like she was about to pass out from sheer rage.


    Before we knew it, Heidi’s luxury car had pulled up to Harvey Street. But just as we reached the street corner, chaos erupted.


    A group of bloodied men wielding knives and guns came running toward us, with uniformed officers hot on their heels. The two groups clashed right in front of our car. The police had the upper hand in numbers, quickly subduing the criminals and lining them up in handcuffs.


    "D*mn, is this a movie shoot?" Fatty smacked his lips, looking unsatisfied as if he wanted more action.


    "Boss, isn’t that Jack?!" Gans suddenly pointed at one of the detained men.


    I looked closely—sure enough, it was Jack, the small-time thug I had given two hundred dollars to.


    "Driver, stop the car!" I ordered, pushing the door open and stepping out.