Chapter 53: Julia's Kindness

Brian sensed that the fans outside were becoming excessively excited and discreetly signaled Owen to be ready. Sam was also observing the fans' situation.

As the concert ended and Julia Andrews began her curtain call, thanking the guests and audience, fans let out a series of screams. The security at Kodak Theater had already secured the entrances from the audience to the stage to prevent anyone from acting impulsively, but an incident still occurred.

Seeing their idol turn to leave, some fans, driven by excitement, attempted to approach and were stopped by security. This prompted even more people to surge forward.

Humans are social creatures, and the actions of these individuals spurred others on. Some fans started jumping over the barriers towards the stage, and the situation began to spiral out of control. Sam immediately instructed Brian to start moving.

"Brian, take Miss Julia through the emergency evacuation route."

"Jim, Leight, block the door."

"Owen, clear the way."

The situation rapidly worsened as fans broke through the security lines. Jim and Leight managed to shut the door just as fans began to flood backstage.

However, the crowd outside was overwhelming, constantly attempting to break down the door. The two men could barely hold it shut, and Sam ran over to help, the three of them struggling to keep the door closed to buy time for Brian and the others to escape.

Brian, pulling Julia's arm, hurried through the corridor. Julia, panicked, let Brian lead her, stopping when he stopped and moving when he moved, with Owen clearing the path ahead of them.

While Sam and the others were still holding back the crowd, Owen quickly advanced, noticing a shadow darting from the left. Two individuals dressed as fans suddenly appeared, and upon seeing Julia behind them, they excitedly ran towards them.

"Owen~~"

Brian loudly warned Owen, who quickly stepped forward to block the two individuals. As Brian and Julia were about to leave, the fans, unable to get past Owen, one of them attempted to punch him.

Owen dodged to the side and then landed a punch on the aggressor's stomach, causing him to double over and fall to the ground, where Owen quickly knocked him unconscious with a kick.

Turning to the other individual, who became fearful after witnessing his companion's fate and stepped back, Owen didn't pursue him further and hurried to catch up with Brian and Julia.

This brief interruption didn't affect their progress. Owen rushed towards the back door, fortunately finding it secure and free from other fans.

Owen drove the car to the door just as Brian and Julia arrived.

Brian shielded Julia as they got into the car, and Owen, pressing the accelerator, sped away from the Kodak Theater's back entrance.

Noise from the outside indicated that some fans had seen Julia getting into the car, but it was too late to stop them, and they could only watch as Owen's car drove off.

---

Half an hour later, Owen and his group returned to the Hilton Hotel's Presidential Suite.

Julia was somewhat frightened, having never experienced such a riot at her concerts before. Brian escorted her to her bedroom, reassuring her that things weren't as severe as they seemed and that rest would help.

Brian and Owen stayed in the living room, and soon Julia's manager and Sam's team returned, looking a bit disheveled but uninjured. After discussing the situation and arrangements, Sam followed the initial plan with Brian and Owen responsible for the inside, and Leight and Jim for the outside.

After some time, Julia's friends who had heard about the incident left, and the assistants were dismissed by the manager. No fanatical fans followed them to the hotel, leaving the room more spacious. Julia's manager then called Sam into the suite.

Shortly after, the manager escorted Sam out, signaling to Brian and Owen that their mission was completed.

As they prepared to leave, Julia emerged from the suite, "Mr. Brian, Mr. Owen, could you please wait a moment?"

"I'll wait downstairs for you."

With Julia calling for them, Sam tactfully left first, followed by the manager.

Julia approached, slightly embarrassed, "Mr. Brian, Mr. Owen, I'm sorry for being so scared earlier and not thanking you. I appreciate everything you did for me..."

"It was our duty."

Brian and Owen exchanged glances, speaking in unison.

"I don't know how to thank you properly. Here's my card, please take it. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to contact me. I'll do my best to help."

After receiving Julia's card, Owen, slightly embarrassed, requested an autograph for his sister, a fan of Julia. Brian, seizing the opportunity, mentioned his daughter was also a fan.

"Of course... I'll give them each a signed album."

Julia happily retrieved two albums from her bedroom, signed them in front of them, and handed them over.

"Thank you so much, Miss Andrews."

"You can call me Julia. I'll be in Los Angeles for a while longer. If they'd like, I'd welcome them to visit or even act as my tour guides. I've been to Los Angeles a few times but haven't really explored it."

"Really? That's wonderful. Amanda will be thrilled. She was upset about not getting tickets for today's concert, haha..."

---

After receiving Julia's kindness, Owen and Brian thanked her and left. Downstairs in the Hilton Hotel, Sam and the team were waiting on the sofa. Brian and Owen joined them after exiting the elevator.

"This is yours, Leight."

"Jim, here's yours."

"Brian, here's your share."

"Owen, you did great today. This is for you, take it."

After settling down, Sam distributed money to everyone, handing out white envelopes. Owen, noticing others didn't open theirs, pocketed his without checking, estimating it contained about $1500, more than the $1000 Sam had mentioned.

Sam explained that their performance was highly satisfactory to the client, resulting in extra bonuses and two new job offers from Julia's manager.

Brian and Owen thanked him, but when Sam mentioned a job in New York, both declined, citing commitments in Los Angeles and work, respectively.

Sam, understanding their refusal, hoped for future collaborations, especially looking forward to Owen's Chinese skewers on their next visit.

"Of course, just let me know in advance next time, and I'll prepare..."