King of Hollywood
Chapter 640 - 48: Winning Over

Chapter 640: Chapter 48: Winning Over

Miranda was still dazed and hadn’t quite come to her senses when Cowell furrowed his brow. However, there was no discontent in his eyes, on the contrary, he seemed somewhat excited as he looked at the young girl.

"In terms of clothing matching, you have quite a distinctive style, and your figure isn’t bad, although still a bit immature..." Cowell assessed her for a moment, then waved his hand and an assistant pushing a movable clothes rack came over.

"I want you to try on these clothes one by one, and then do a simple solo catwalk. Is that okay?" he said to Miranda, pointing at the clothes rack.

Looking at the beautiful garments hanging there, how could the young girl not understand what they wanted to do? She immediately became somewhat excited and nodded repeatedly to indicate no problem. The next stretch of time was spent on Miranda’s solo walk. Although she tried her best to maintain a calm demeanor and had assistants helping her change clothes in the back, she still made several mistakes, causing Cowell to shake his head several times.

This made Miranda even more nervous, and Cowell shook his head even more, but Adrian continually encouraged her.

"Don’t be nervous, Miranda, just be yourself as usual," Adrian would say in a gentle tone each time her breathing became rapid.

This somewhat relieved her, so facing the final underwear catwalk, she hesitated for only a few seconds before changing into it. After all, Adrian had earlier introduced Philip Cowell as the creative director of Victoria’s Secret, though she didn’t know why this creative director would be here, but now was not the time to discuss that.

"Not bad, very good," Cowell said nodding his head as Miranda walked out in a set of white bra and panties, hands on hips. However, the girl’s attention was on Adrian.

He smiled, raised his hand, and gently clapped. Though his eyes were still filled with encouragement, there was also something more, just like the day he had watched her when he left. Miranda’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she straightened her chest and returned a smile, her two dimples making her look even more adorable.

After several sets of underwear were changed, the simple catwalk finally came to an end. After pondering for a moment, Cowell gave his conclusion to Adrian: "Frankly speaking, Miss Miranda’s basic qualities as a model aren’t enough yet, but you have a good figure indeed, and you know how to showcase your strong points. You’re a bit immature but have great potential."

"I told you so, Philip, she’s worth your trip from the United States," Adrian laughed heartily.

"Well, let’s leave it at that," Cowell stood up, "I have other affairs and need to return immediately, so..."

"Don’t worry, the plane is ready for you," Adrian patted his shoulder, "I said I’d handle the transportation, but the jet lag is something you’ll have to adjust on your own. Thank you for your hard work."

"What can I do when you’re the boss?" Cowell sighed on purpose and then shook hands with Miranda, who had changed back into her clothes, "Cherish this opportunity, Miss Miranda. Adrian has never been wrong about people."

"Tha... thank you... I... will..." Miranda stammered, only sighing with relief after Cowell and his assistant had left. She turned her head to see Adrian already had the tea set ready on a small table in front of the floor-to-ceiling glass, smiling at her and gesturing for her to join.

"You must have guessed, right?" he asked her after she sat down.

"Um... yes." Miranda nodded, seeming to want to say something but ultimately just looking at him, waiting for him to continue.

"You have great potential, that’s what I told Philip, and now he admits I was right. So, I don’t think you should do the modeling contest," Adrian didn’t beat around the bush and got straight to the point, "It’s very simple. This is a TV show and TV shows primarily chase after ratings. To get viewers to watch the program, you need to display various conflicts and confrontations, all kinds of risque performances, backstabbing and manipulation. To win the championship, contestants will do whatever it takes, even digging into some potent rival’s controversial past to launch attacks and so on."

Upon hearing this last statement, Miranda involuntarily bit her lip, and Adrian seemed to notice this, pausing before continuing, "That’s not suitable for you. To put it bluntly, how many ANTM winners have you seen who became incredibly famous? The viewers’ interest in them is already exhausted in the show, and a model who lacks public interest won’t get far. So, if you want to become a model, to become very good at it, then you shouldn’t join this show. Now, would you like to participate in Victoria’s Secret training, Miranda?"

"I would." Although Miranda had guessed the outcome, a surge of uncontrollable excitement still welled up inside her. At that moment, she was filled with gratitude towards Adrian.

"Good, then I’ll have someone contact your parents soon. If all goes well, I’ll be in Los Angeles in a few days, and you can leave with me." Adrian said, lightly pinching her chin.

"No problem." Miranda flashed a sweet smile, not finding anything inappropriate in Adrian’s gesture, as if it were naturally expected.

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"Another one," after Miranda Kerr left, Ivanka walked into the suite’s living room and looked at Adrian with a smirk, "Should I set up her file immediately?"

This question obviously needed no answer, so Ivanka immediately changed the subject, "I really don’t understand why such cliché tactics still manage to completely ensnare a girl."

"Because what they need is genuine care," Adrian shrugged.

In today’s Western society that pursues individuality, seemingly trivial care can win a woman’s favor more easily than lavishly throwing money around. Take Miranda, for instance. From the beginning of their conversations, Adrian astutely sensed her reluctance to discuss some past experiences. After returning to the hotel and reviewing more detailed information about Miranda provided by Ivanka, he further confirmed his suspicions.

About three years ago, after she won a local modeling contest in New South Wales and became a small-time model, she did a photoshoot for an Australian magazine. Initially, the photo series was nothing extraordinary, featuring various outfits like any model shoot, but it caused a local uproar once published because it included swimwear.

Although not a masterful photographer, the pictures completely captured the young girl’s youthful vigor. Yet, local conservatives didn’t see it that way; they found it incredibly immoral, and some media even claimed the photos endorsed and promoted pedophilia! One can only imagine how devastating such criticisms were for a teenager whose values had not yet fully formed.

Naturally, due to these intense reactions, her modeling career ended almost as soon as it had begun. It’s believed that going to a Catholic school for her secondary education was also influenced by these events. However, Miranda evidently never truly gave up, otherwise she wouldn’t have signed up for ANTM just shortly after graduating this year.

Based on these details and their conversations, Adrian could easily discern her current personality—somewhat sensitive and naive yet yearning to leave this harmful environment behind, eager to carve out her own place in modeling and willing to pay the price for it. Therefore, Adrian arranged for Philip Cox, under the pretense of an audition, to give her an individual runway show, thus bluntly telling her that joining ANTM was pointless.

Of course, this was also because Miranda indeed had potential; Cox’s comment on her physique having potential was not just because of Adrian. Adrian couldn’t see her potential in modeling, but he acknowledged her legs were indeed quite symmetrical. Among his women, Kate had the best leg curves, followed by Charlize, then Alexander and Lin Zhiling, and others each had their unique characteristics; it wasn’t common in the West for women to have such evenly long, perfect curves.

Thus, Miranda Kerr easily fell into Adrian’s hands. There might still have been some uncertainty, but that was just a matter of time. Then again, aside from his care, his power was also a main reason. If she didn’t know that anyone Adrian supported would become successful, Miranda wouldn’t have agreed so easily, especially considering she didn’t even have an agent yet. Of course, this wasn’t something to be openly discussed, even though everyone was well aware of it. So, Adrian changed the subject.

"You’ve done well, Innie," he said smilingly to his secretary, "I have to thank you. If you hadn’t collected more detailed information on Miranda immediately, I wouldn’t have been able to make such targeted plans."

Ivanka, unusually, didn’t respond but just stared at him somewhat absentmindedly until Adrian waved his hand in front of her face and she sighed.

"If, I mean if," she pursed her lips, "our first meeting hadn’t been so targeted, how would you have dealt with me?"

"I don’t know," Adrian answered crisply, "specific situations require specific analysis. I would need to adjust based on your response, so such a hypothesis is meaningless."

At this point, he flashed a mischievous smile, "However, one thing is certain, I have enough means to deal with you, Innie, you can’t escape my hold."

He quickly approached her and embraced her, pinching her chin while chuckling. Ivanka, overwhelmed by Adrian’s presence, took a long time to react and then somewhat embarrassedly pushed him away, "If you have needs, go find your former secretary, stop bothering me!"

"That won’t do, today it’s you," Adrian did not let go and even licked her earlobe, "Moreover, because you turned down my invitation yesterday, today you must endure my wrath."

"Let go of me, you bastard!" Ivanka struggled furiously, but Adrian just laughed even harder.

Last night, he hinted at a threesome with Charlize and Ivanka to both of them. Charlize had no issue, but Ivanka outright rejected him, so now he had to make up for it. And, almost certainly, Ivanka had deliberately made an unfriendly face—while she was largely imitating Charlize, she also had some of her own peculiarities, Adrian eagerly awaited her growth.

But now that things had come to this, he should obviously satisfy her request. Since there was still time left and having been previously aroused by Miranda’s lingerie fashion show, how could he not enjoy himself with Ivanka? So, the beautiful secretary was promptly bent over a desk from behind, her legs spread and skirt hiked up.

Everything about Australia had passed. After the second round of selection, Adrian could have left, but he took the time to accompany Blanchett, who had come over from Los Angeles. Blanchett, since getting pregnant, had turned especially ladylike, and was quite unhappy about Adrian traveling to Australia without her. After arriving, she clung to Adrian’s arm and pouted from the moment she stepped off the plane, her queenly demeanor nowhere to be seen.

Although Adrian was somewhat stressed, he didn’t take it too seriously and took her around Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra. Although his career was now in Hollywood, this was her homeland after all. Besides, they also met many of her friends and ... parents, of course, at a party. A private visit would imply too much, so after much hesitation, Blanchett still hadn’t told her parents about her pregnancy.

"I don’t dare to tell them, I’m not sure how they’d react if they knew," Blanchett sighed while snuggling in Adrian’s arms at night.

"Don’t worry, I’ll find a way to calm your parents, but make sure to notify me before you tell them so that I can prepare," Adrian responded, then sighed internally.

If this had been the pre-pregnancy Blanchett, she likely wouldn’t have hesitated to directly tell her parents, reveal the father is a bastard she couldn’t marry, and express her desire to stay with him. Even if her parents reacted harshly, she would’ve handled it, unlike her current cautious behavior.

It’s normal; a pregnant woman certainly differs from a non-pregnant one. Adrian consoled himself internally. He also knew Blanchett’s change and her ongoing adaptability to his subtle implications and training weren’t unrelated. If still the complete Blanchett of the past, she wouldn’t have succumbed so easily to his will. Managing to make her appear one way in public and another in private was already quite an achievement, making important decisions typically rendered her indecisive.

Though somewhat regrettable, it was just a slight regret; as long as she obediently stayed by his side, all would be well. After giving birth—or even before reaching that stage, once Blanchett adjusted to her pregnancy, she would likely bounce back. After all, Blanchett was both "Elizabeth I" and "Celeborn"—although she had sometimes fallen in parts undisclosed—she wasn’t a weak woman, so recovery was merely a matter of time. Adrian understood her character quite well.

After staying in Australia a couple of days longer than initially planned, Adrian finally boarded the flight back to Los Angeles, accompanied by Ivanka, Charlize, Blanchett, and Miranda. Like Keeley before her, Miranda was astonished by the luxury of the private plane. However, Miranda was much older than Keeley, and with an actor she loved, even revered, also from Australia onboard, she didn’t completely reveal her feelings.

The three women on the plane knew Adrian’s thoughts, managing to get along rather harmoniously with her, making the trip quite pleasant. As for whether Miranda could discern something herself, that was her own matter.

Afterward, just like Keeley, Adrian had someone arrange a living place for Miranda and found a good agent to be in charge of her training schedule, then visited occasionally to check on her. Besides that, Adrian personally called Alexander, asking her to take care of Miranda when the time came.

"This girl has great potential. I believe she will match up to you in the future," Adrian had said, his meaning quite clear, and Alexander immediately agreed.

However, what she really thought would need to be discerned through several more conversations, but judging from the expressions Alexander had shown before, she likely wouldn’t have too much psychological burden. When the time came, Adrian would certainly give her some reassurance, and as for the modeling aspect, that was settled, given that at first, he felt that having an Alexander was enough, but after encountering Miranda he felt pretty good about her as well and decided to add her to his collection list as a potential asset.

In Los Angeles, he stayed for a few days, toured various film sets to see his women, such as Naomi in "Invisible Man," Rachel in "The Mummy 2," Scarlett in "X-Men," and then Adrian promptly went to New York. Back when he was in Australia, he had already instructed Ivanka to get things prepared, necessary for yet another expansion of AC Media, and it was crucial for him to have a thorough discussion with his uncle.

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"The expansion of the group is almost at its limit; we already have what we need, and there’s a plan for the second half of the year, if successful, we can completely stop then and think about how to maintain this continuance," Adrian, while cutting his food, replied with a smile to Victor Cowell’s questions at his uncle Anderson’s dining table, while his uncle and aunt listened silently.

"That’s an impressive plan, you truly are a genius, Ed," Victor exclaimed, raising his glass.

"Not really, Claude is in charge of the administration, I just provide the ideas," Adrian responded modestly.

"Well, both of you are," Victor shrugged with a smile.

"Speaking of which, Victor, it’s time you gave me an answer," Adrian said after wiping his mouth with a napkin, "I really hope you could help me."

"Our companies don’t seem to have much overlap, do they?" Victor did not respond directly.

"It’s not about that, I value your intellect, Victor. At this time, anyone willing to invest in IT is far-sighted, and AC Media has a lot of business to conduct online in the future, we might even operate independently, I need someone talented to help," Adrian said quickly, "so, please don’t refuse me?"

"I need to think about it," Victor brought out this all-purpose answer again.

"Oh, damn it, Victor, you can’t be so evasive!" Adrian exclaimed in dissatisfaction, "Looks like I need to put some pressure on you—please persuade him, Diane, persuade your boyfriend not to be so stubborn."

"Sorry, Ed, I never interfere with Victor’s decisions," Victor’s girlfriend Diane Grison said with a smile.

"Alright, how about you, aunt?" Adrian turned to his aunt.

"Me too, dear," the aunt also said with a smile.

"Uncle?" Finally, Adrian turned to his uncle, and at the same time, the corners of Victor’s smile gradually drooped. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)