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Given the global fever surrounding Jujutsu Kaisen and Leo Vance's undisputed status as a triple-threat titan in directing, writing, and acting, even a complete industry outsider could see that the feature film Hidden Inventory was destined to be a record-shattering hit.
However, Leo had been brutally honest with the A-listers knocking on his door: the pivotal role of Yuki Tsukumo only had about two minutes of actual screen time in this specific arc.
Initially, Maya West had hesitated. As the "Queen of Television," she usually didn't take roles unless they were center-stage. But Tiffany, her long-time friend and industry rival, was much more proactive. She had immediately expressed her willingness to audition, recognizing that in a Leo Vance production, two minutes was enough to create a lasting legacy.
Typically, for stars of their caliber, scripts were sent directly to their agents for "consideration." Face-to-face auditions were a thing of the past for them, unless it was for a global S+ blockbuster. Hidden Inventory was clearly that blockbuster.
Tiffany's enthusiasm ignited Maya's competitive spirit. The two of them had essentially hailed a rideshare in the middle of the night to find Leo at the Celestial Peak studio, demanding a side-by-side audition to see who was truly more suitable for the "Special Grade" energy of Yuki.
Ultimately, after a high-pressure reading, Tiffany's ethereal mystery and quiet power won Leo over. She got the part.
Maya, ever stubborn, had crossed her arms and looked away. "It's just a supporting role. I don't even care! I have three other leads on my desk right now!"
Leo looked at her, watching her grit her teeth. Sure you don't care, Maya, he thought with a smirk. As far as he knew from his previous life, Maya and Tiffany had a history of falling out over competition for roles, often avoiding the same stage for years. Seeing them now, the spark of rivalry was as bright as ever.
Leo had instructed Tiffany to increase her physical training immediately. While Yuki's role was brief in the prequel, she would have a world-shaking fight scene later in the "Universe" timeline.
Following that, many actors from Maya's agency, Starlight, had swarmed the studio for minor roles. In the end, only two remained: Della Rose and Natalie G.
They were cast as the two "Sisters" who follow Suguru Geto, Nanako and Mimiko. These were essentially special guest appearances. Far from being discouraged, the two were delighted. They had been pestering Leo for weeks about the Season 2 plot; being on set was simply a way to get the spoilers they craved.
UCLA Campus.Girls' Dormitory.
Vibrate, vibrate, vibrate!
Ava and Chloe Vance were currently huddled on a bunk bed, watching the latest episode of The Outcast on a laptop. Hearing her phone, Ava glanced at the screen and felt a sudden knot of anxiety in her stomach. It was Director Miller, the head of her management agency.
She stepped out into the hallway to answer. "Director Miller? Is something wrong?"
A greasy, middle-aged voice crackled through the speaker. "It's like this, Ava. I'm calling to tell you to drop that Jujutsu Kaisen movie. The agency has a new internal production called Midnight Petals. You've been cast as the second female lead. Report for the table read tomorrow."
Ava's heart sank to the bottom of the ocean. The JJK movie was a golden ticket. Midnight Petals was a notorious "trash script" that had been circulating for months, a low-budget soap opera designed to wash money.
"Why?" Ava's voice was agitated. "The role in Hidden Inventory was something I won fairly through an audition. Why should I give it up for a show everyone knows is going to fail?"
For the past two years, her agency had been a cage. They hadn't given her any resources, held her back from major auditions, and essentially tried to "starve" her out. She was once a famous child star, but now she was almost invisible in the industry.
The tone on the other end turned ice-cold. "Ava, I'm doing this for your own good. I won't say it twice: if you don't agree, you're in breach of contract. That eighty-million-dollar liquidated damages fee is a lot of money for a student, isn't it?"
"For my own good?!"
Ava almost laughed in anger. She was tired of being the "polite girl." "What has the agency given me?! I finally landed a role on my own merit, and you want 70% of the pay while forcing me into garbage! The contract says you have to provide quality resources every year!"
"We are providing them! Midnight Petals is a resource!" Miller sneered. "If you refuse to act, that's on you. I advise you not to refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. We'll see you in court."
Ava's eyes welled with tears, but she blinked them back, her jaw tightening. She had filmed so many sub-par projects for them at below-market rates. If this continued, her career would be dead before it truly began.
Suddenly, she thought of Leo Vance. He had been reviled, mocked, and blacklisted, yet he had fought his way back to being the most adored creator in the country. I can't let them break me, she thought.
"Sue me then!" Ava defied him. "I'm not afraid of you anymore! I'll file my own countersuit!"
"Heh heh... go ahead and try," Miller's sarcastic voice faded into a whisper. "Oh, and I'll give you a little news: our company's largest shareholder is now Vance Global Group. You know, the hundred-billion-dollar behemoth? They have the best legal team in the world. You want to sue us? That's hilarious."
Beep. The call ended. Ava looked out at the dark Los Angeles sky, the courage she'd felt a moment ago receding like a tide. Vance Global? She knew that name. It was the family empire that basically owned half of Hollywood. If they were involved, she was truly doomed.
"Ava? What's going on?" Chloe called out from the room. When Ava didn't respond, Chloe walked out and found her friend staring blankly at the wall.
Ava quickly wiped her eyes and forced a bright, fake smile. "Nothing! Just my agent being a pain. Let's go back in. This Asher Reed guy is really too much of a scoundrel!"
"Right? I think so too," Chloe laughed, grabbing Ava's arm. "Why is my brother's scriptwriting so... greasy?"
Miller Media Offices.
Director Miller was smiling like a predatory tiger, leaning back in his leather chair. "Let her try to sue," he muttered. "The moment she does, I'll leak a story about tax evasion. Whether it's true or not doesn't matter. Once her reputation is in the dirt, no one will touch her. She'll be mine until the contract expires."
The next morning. LAX Airport.
Chloe and Ava stepped off the plane into the bright Southern California sun. Chloe was wearing a simple white T-shirt and high-waisted jeans, her ponytail swinging with every step.
"Hi, Chloe! Over here!"
Leo Vance was leaning against a flashy, sapphire-blue Ferrari parked right at the curb. He waved a casual hand, his face hidden behind a mask and designer shades.
"Hehe! Look at you, Young Master Leo! Personally coming to pick us up!" Chloe ran forward and immediately threw herself into a massive bear hug.
"You're a UCLA student now, shouldn't you be acting more mature?" Leo laughed dotingly, ruffling her hair before taking her suitcase.
"Hi, Ava! Glad you could make it," Leo said, turning to the girl in the white floral dress.
Ava looked at Leo, her eyes sparkling with a mix of awe and genuine sincerity. "Teacher Leo, hello! It's been a while, but I feel like you've somehow become even more handsome."
Leo nodded with satisfaction. This girl had "Main Character" energy, sweet, articulate, and professional. She was a malleable talent he intended to polish into a diamond.
As they got into the Ferrari, some pedestrians nearby whispered and pointed. The sight of a tall, athletic man picking up two stunning young women in a six-figure supercar was the definition of "Rich Life."
However, one sharp-eyed fan near the terminal frowned, looking at the man in the mask. That height... that stride... he looks so familiar. Is that... Instructor Gojo?!
But before the fan could confirm, the Ferrari's engine roared to life, and the "Hollywood Hellraiser" vanished into the traffic, taking the future of the industry with him.