Chapter 82: Tomorrow

While Simon and the team were busily discussing counter-strategies, evening was approaching on the East Coast.

Jennifer Rebould, although swamped with her final semester, hurried back to New York by car.

New Haven, Connecticut, where Yale is located, is only a little over a hundred kilometers from New York, and Jennifer's home is in New York too. However, instead of heading to her home in the Upper East Side, she drove to an apartment on the Upper West Side, across Central Park.

The apartment belonged to a friend of her father, Robert Egge, who was currently the Vice President of Production at ABC Television Network.

After parking her car along the street, Jennifer leaned on the steering wheel, organizing her thoughts, her mind involuntarily replaying the events of the past week.

How could those dreadful newspapers speak of him that way?

Though she hadn't witnessed the filming of "Run Lola Run," just a brief visit to his place in the Montana area was enough for her to perceive the extensive professional preparation he had undertaken for his film.

Moreover, their initial encounter and the subsequent times they spent together during the Sundance Film Festival were filled with countless details that testified to his talent.

"Run Lola Run" was undoubtedly his own creation.

Yet, those people refused to seek the real truth, choosing instead to speculate and criticize him baselessly.

Such incompetence.

On Wednesday, she had mustered the courage to call him, offering her support and trust.

However, as the situation persisted, there was no sign of it cooling down, and she could sense the conspiracies at play, making her even more determined to help him.

Her parents and uncle were well-known attorneys in New York. If he decided to sue those who slandered him, she could assist. However, she knew he didn't need her help in that regard.

As for other matters, what could she, a simple girl, possibly do?

Then, this morning, after reading an article doubting his ability to compose "Run Lola Run's" score due to a lack of formal education, she suddenly remembered the video tape she had recorded during their first encounter at Venice Beach.

She quickly located it and soon formed a plan.

After taking a deep breath, she grabbed her backpack from the passenger seat, stepped out of the car, and walked up the steps to the apartment building, ringing the doorbell.

A woman in her thirties opened the door, surprised but smiling as she let Jennifer in, saying, "Jenny, what brings you here all of a sudden?"

"Sorry to bother you at this hour, Susan," Jennifer hugged the woman named Susan, "But I spoke with Bob on the phone, I just need a moment."

Susan Egge waved off the apology, leading Jennifer into the living room. She called her daughters, Catherine and Amanda, to greet Jennifer and explained, "Bob just got home and is changing his clothes. Just wait a bit. Oh, I just made some coffee, join me."

"Thank you, Susan."

Jennifer nodded, engaging in light conversation with Susan and the two girls, around eleven or twelve years old. Since their parents were close friends, the families were well acquainted.

After waiting briefly, Jennifer was chatting with Susan over coffee when Robert Egge, a dignified man with black hair, came downstairs.

Upon seeing Jennifer, he approached, embracing the young woman as she stood, "Jenny, what brings you here? And, have you told your parents you're back?"

"I'll go there next," Jennifer replied, somewhat embarrassed but continued, "Bob, I need a favor from you."

With that, she pulled a videotape from her backpack.

The Egge family watched curiously, waiting for her to continue.

Jennifer held up the tape, hesitated, then asked, "Bob, do you have a VCR in your study?"

Robert shook his head, puzzled.

Susan, sensing something about the tape, offered, "We have one in our bedroom, you can watch it there."

Jennifer quickly shook her head, pointing to the VCR in the living room, "We can play it here."

Amanda, excited about watching a video, grabbed the tape from Jennifer, "I'll do it!"

Knowing Jennifer was sensible, the Egge parents settled on the sofa, smiling as they awaited the contents of the tape.

After pressing play, the screen showed a small stand selling various trinkets. The camera seemed casual, with bits of conversation and disjointed guitar sounds in the background.

Then, as a male voice said, "Flight of the Bumblebee for Jenny," lively guitar notes flowed from the Egge's high-quality home theater system.

Despite having watched it numerous times, Jennifer still smiled contentedly at the music, while Robert raised his eyebrows in surprise and intrigue.

Susan asked outright, "Who's playing? He's incredible, Jenny."

Before Jennifer could answer, the camera swung around to focus on a young man with a guitar.

The Super 8 film quality

 was decent, so when the figure appeared, Susan and the girls were puzzled, but Robert's eyes narrowed.

Jennifer turned from the screen to observe Robert, noticing his reaction, and felt more confident.

The tape was only about five minutes long.

As the music ended on screen, Amanda, recovering from her astonishment, exclaimed, "That's so cool, Daddy, I want to learn guitar. And, Jenny, is that your boyfriend? Can he teach me?"

Catherine also looked expectantly at her parents.

Susan finally connected the dots but still found it hard to believe, "That boy, he looks like... Simon Westeros, right?"

Jennifer nodded.

Robert fell into deep thought.

Why had the media frenzied over Simon Westeros this past week? Because Simon had significant social interest, which translated into higher newspaper sales and TV ratings.

However, as the focus of this spectacle, Simon had yet to directly address the media frenzy, a regrettable omission.

With the public's interest piqued due to Simon's media avoidance, any direct information involving him would be exceptionally appealing.

Under such circumstances, the sudden emergence of this videotape showcasing Simon's impressive guitar skills, which also responded to recent media criticisms, could have a significant impact if broadcasted on television.

After a moment of consideration, Robert stood up, personally retrieved the tape, weighed it in his hand, then turned to Jennifer, "Jenny, what would you like me to do?"

Standing, Jennifer looked at Robert with an unusual firmness in her eyes, "Tomorrow, on 'Good Morning America.'"