Chapter 268 - Auditioning Kyoko Fukada 1

While the outside world was in an uproar over Laila's new film, a piece of news caused her name to once again become a hot topic. It was the revelation that she had purchased the piece of land next to the theme park, which journalists had uncovered.

The scoop came from CNN. Their reporters somehow got hold of the news that Laila had bought that vast piece of undeveloped land. However, initially, they didn't directly expose the news; instead, they delved into investigating the truth behind the land purchase.

The location of this piece of land was rather delicate. It was adjacent to the theme park, and the most plausible reason could be expansion plans for the theme park.

But that didn't seem entirely convincing. Despite the park having ample open space, including the central leisure area, only a quarter of the total land was utilized. This meant that even if Laila were to shoot a dozen more movies there in the future, there would still be enough space for her to build studios and expand the theme park.

For certain directors, making a dozen movies might be a lifetime's worth of work. So, the purpose of this new land was indeed questionable, and the reporters wanted to know. They followed the trail and ended up on the new plot of land.

However, they were a step behind. Laila had foreseen such a situation when she purchased the land, so she started planning with Louise. By the time the reporters arrived, the land had already been closed off, and preliminary construction had commenced in designated areas.

What the reporters saw upon arrival was a completely sealed-off area. Not only was their line of sight obstructed by high walls on all sides, but there was also a massive canopy above, hiding whatever was inside.

This scene excited the arriving reporters; their favorite thing was discovering hidden things. The more concealed it was, the more exhilarating the secrets would be when unveiled!

"What's hidden there?" A CNN reporter announced to the world through a special segment.

They put in a lot of effort. First, they used a mosaic-covered silhouette to confirm that the land had indeed been purchased by Laila's company. Then, they dispatched hidden cameras to capture footage nearby, attempting to uncover some insider information from the workers. Finally, they even sent a helicopter to fly over the area shrouded by the canopy, hoping to capture some material for speculation.

Unfortunately, they ended up empty-handed. Laila had foreseen this possibility during the construction and insisted on maintaining secrecy. She was willing to pay extra wages to have the workers sign non-disclosure agreements and hefty penalties, ensuring that everything about the land would remain concealed until she deemed otherwise.

As Laila watched various media outlets investigate and speculate about the land, she couldn't help but feel a bit regretful. She had originally planned to release the news and create hype at a more opportune time.

But now, just as the buzz from the Time Magazine article was building up, the news about the new land had eclipsed it. It was truly a waste from her perspective. How wonderful it would be if the news could be revealed when she had no other ongoing topics! This was a prime example of life not always going as planned.

"Boss, there are so many media outlets outside wanting to interview you. Many of them are gathered outside the park. Louise is wondering if we should hold a press conference?" After working with Laila for a while, Demi reported on the current chaotic situation.

Seeing her distressed expression, Laila smiled, "Let them gather around. They can contribute to our park's ticket sales every day. If we satisfy their curiosity, we won't earn their money."

Demi was puzzled, "Is that so?" Could things be seen this way?

With her mind already blocked by the sight of a sea of reporters and broadcasting vans outside, she had been thinking of ways to send them away, never considering they could bring in ticket revenue.

Having successfully convinced her secretary, Laila nodded earnestly, "Exactly. Just think about how much revenue these reporters can bring us. They need to enter the park, eat, and conduct interviews, right? Even if they want to stay in the park, they'll contribute to our earnings."

Some of that money would be earned by the park, while some would be earned by the staff. After all, it was a benefit for everyone. How could she hinder others' financial gains?

As a result, the beautiful secretary was successfully convinced. From nervously anticipating the reporters' arrival, she transformed into someone who saw them as a group of walking banknotes. It was evident that Laila's ability to sway was increasing day by day.

Laila certainly planned to hold a press conference, but not now—it just wasn't profitable!

Her current focus is mainly on her new film. The Pirates Cove marketing hadn't kicked in yet. If a press conference were held now, what would they do if people lost interest by the time Pirates Cove premiered? People's memories were fleeting. Perhaps the topic was still exciting now, but by the time the film premiered, they might not remember anything.

Besides, she had no intention of letting the reporters get too much detailed information from her. It's said that the easier something is to obtain, the less it's cherished. News worked the same way. Reporters would relentlessly pursue a hidden secret, but very few would go the extra mile to investigate something that had already been revealed.

Why bother with something that offered no benefits?

Why would Laila bother?

"Director, the actress you were waiting for has arrived. Shall I lead her in?" A crew member entered to inquire.

"Of course." Laila walked out with a hint of excitement. She was about to meet the actress who had come from across the ocean.

In the same spot where she had given the interview, a beautiful young woman was kneeling next to a man. When Laila entered, she noticed that the young woman was curiously looking around.

"Hello, welcome to Hollywood. I'm Laila Moran," she introduced herself with a warm smile.

"Hello." The man stood up respectfully and bowed 90 degrees to her. He then handed her his business card, "I'm the agent Hayato Izumigawa. This is our artist, Kyoko Fukada. We are deeply honored to receive your audition invitation."

Kyoko Fukada followed up with a bow, "Hello, I'm Kyoko Fukada. It's a pleasure to meet you for the first time."

Mr. Izumigawa's English was quite good; although there was a Japanese accent, it was still discernible. Kyoko Fukada opted to reply in Japanese; presumably, her English wasn't up to par. But that was fine. She didn't need to speak much in the film, or she could speak in Japanese. After all, her character was Japanese as well.

Laila invited them to sit down with a smile, "Please make yourselves comfortable. It's quite coincidental; I need a beautiful Japanese girl for an important role in my film. While reviewing your works, I came across a TV drama starring Ms. Kyoko Fukada. She performed exceptionally well, and I believe she's suitable for the role I have in mind. That's why I extended the invitation to you. I hope this doesn't cause you any inconvenience."