Chapter 59 – The Song is Booming

On the sofa, Hardy and Ava shared an intimate moment, discussing their dreams and aspirations. Ava expressed her satisfaction with having achieved her dreams of acting and singing.

"Jon, do you know, my dream was always to be both an actress and a singer. Now I've achieved both, and I feel so happy."

She looked up at Hardy, her big eyes reflecting curiosity. "What about you? What are your ideals?"

Hardy pondered for a moment. In his previous life, he had aspired to make money and succeeded to some extent before being tragically cut short. Now, in this life, his current ideal was straightforward: to accumulate wealth and exact revenge. However, he realized that the people he sought revenge against might not even exist in this world.

"My ideal?" Hardy replied, his voice thoughtful. "It's world peace. A world filled with love, where the dove of peace soars with an olive branch, spreading love across the earth."

Ava looked at him with surprise, clearly skeptical. Hardy smiled, brushing off her doubt. "But enough about that. In a couple of days, you need to take some art photos."

Ava's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Will they be clothed or not?"

Hardy gave her a playful swat. "For the public, of course, you'll be fully dressed."

---

The crew of *Red Dead Redemption* departed for New Mexico, leaving Hardy behind. He took Ava's record to Paley, the head of CBS Los Angeles radio station, requesting them to play the song.

Paley agreed without hesitation. During an evening chat show, hosts Paul and Finkel introduced the record with little expectation, considering it just another promotional tool.

As Ava's song, *Scarborough Fair*, played, Paul and Finkel were immediately captivated. The song's poignant and soulful melody resonated deeply, making the minutes seem like seconds.

Paul, visibly moved, rushed to the microphone after the song ended. "Listen, friends, I have to say this song is one of the most beautiful I've ever heard. It's a rare gem. The song is called *Scarborough Fair* by Ava Gardner, and it's part of a new movie."

Paul's enthusiasm was palpable. "I believe this song will become a classic. The voice is extraordinary, and the song is simply amazing. I would go see the movie just for this track."

Soon, the radio station was inundated with requests to replay the song. Paul and Finkel obliged, and as Ava's voice filled the airwaves once again, the song became an overnight sensation in Los Angeles and California.

The following day, the song's popularity continued to soar, increasing the radio station's listening rate by 5 percentage points. Perry, head of CBS, was astonished by the surge in popularity. To capitalize on the success, he sent a copy of the record to CBS headquarters in New York, hoping to replicate the buzz on the East Coast.

Within two days, the song's charm had spread to the East Coast, gaining acclaim and widespread attention. Newspapers lauded the song's beauty and Ava's performance. Despite this, Ava remained unaware of her rising fame and continued to focus on her work in the New Mexico wilderness.

As *Scarborough Fair* continued to captivate audiences both in the U.S. and abroad, Ava Gardner's name and the song's enchanting melody became the talk of the town. The media buzz and public interest only grew, setting the stage for a promising future for Ava and the upcoming film.