[Chapter 54: Iron Man Wants to Change His Luck]
Daniel glanced at his phone. The caller ID showed Robert Downey Jr.'s name clearly, but the voice on the line was female.
"Miranda?" he asked.
"It's me, Mr. Cross," Miranda replied, her voice brimming with gratitude. "I've been officially cleared of charges and finally regained my freedom. I wanted to thank you in person, but I don't have your number, so I borrowed Robert's phone."
Daniel asked, "Are you two together now?"
"Yes. Last night, Robert and Susan threw a celebration party for me. We ended up drinking a bit too much, so we all crashed at Susan's place. Mr. Cross, we want to come see you, but I heard your shop is under renovation -- where can we find you?"
"You all?" Daniel realized the three of them planned to come together. "Come to my place. I'll text the address to Robert's phone later."
...
After hanging up, Daniel sent the message and continued eating breakfast at a leisurely pace.
Suddenly, a thought struck him. "What about your peers from the industry? What's their attitude now?"
"Now that I landed the female lead in V for Vendetta, they say I only got the role because of good luck. And there is a lot of criticism of my acting skills."
Daniel chuckled. "Honestly, that's probably the truth."
Amanda grit her teeth. "Does that mean I have no real talent at all?"
"Of course you do. After all, you did beat Bryce. You definitely have skill."
Her expression brightened a little. "They're really detestable. This industry is brutal. If there's any chance to make trouble, they'll take it."
Daniel reassured her. "Don't worry, they just can't accept that someone ordinary like you suddenly scored the leading role and a huge slice of the pie. After it happens a few more times, they'll get used to it. When you're higher than them, they can only look up to you -- they won't dare criticize anymore. Even if they do, it'll just sound like annoying little insects chirping from down below."
"A few more times!" Amanda's eyes sparkled with hope. She crossed over and sat on Daniel's lap. "You said it -- you're going to help me become a top actress."
As she spoke, restlessness crept back into her demeanor.
Daniel quickly took her hand. "Remember, I have guests coming later."
"It won't take long..." Amanda started.
"Hmm?"
Seeing Daniel's face darken, she quickly corrected herself, "Okay, okay, that might take a while. Let's wait until tonight."
Amanda got off his lap. "But what you said was really good. From now on, I'll just treat their criticisms like the chirping of insects."
...
Around 10 a.m., Daniel welcomed Robert, Susan, and Miranda to the house he'd recently bought for $100,000.
The trio came bearing gifts.
Most usually didn't give extravagant presents -- often flowers, wine, clothing, or tasteful ornaments. Miranda, however, broke the pattern. She gave Daniel an exquisitely crafted Parker fountain pen -- gold-plated and evidently expensive.
After touring the house, Robert said, "Mr. Cross, your place is really nice."
Susan nodded. "Though it's an older home, it's well-maintained and exudes a rich historical vibe."
Miranda, still unfamiliar with Daniel, refrained from casual praise but added a polite compliment.
Robert asked practically, "So this house wasn't cheap, right?"
Daniel nodded. "Including all fees, it cost just over $120,000."
The three were stunned.
Robert's mouth fell open. "How is that even possible?"
Susan and Miranda looked equally shocked; the price was too low for such a house.
Daniel replied coolly, "Before I moved in, at least 50 people had died here."
The atmosphere shifted instantly. No longer did the price seem cheap; instead, a subtle chill filled the room.
Daniel chuckled. "Don't worry, you're perfectly safe here."
Though reassured, the three still felt a lingering unease.
Miranda sincerely thanked Daniel once again.
After polite conversation, Robert Downey Jr. asked, "Mr. Cross, is Amanda Seyfried your girlfriend?"
Daniel nodded.
Robert and Susan exchanged knowing glances. "So the rumors are true?"
Curious, Daniel asked, "What rumors?"
Robert said, "There's talk Amanda landed the lead role in V for Vendetta because you changed her luck."
"Hmm?"
Daniel was surprised. The rumor had spread so quickly? It shouldn't have. Amanda hadn't told anyone -- she wouldn't, knowing it would encourage competition. It could only have been wild speculation. But, damn it, they'd actually guessed right.
Daniel neither confirmed nor denied directly. He just smiled, "You said it yourself -- just a rumor."
To Robert, Daniel's tone was tacit admission.
Eager, Robert said, "Mr. Cross, can you do a luck-changing ritual for me too?"
"You?" Daniel raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. I want to turn my luck around." Robert explained hurriedly, "My luck's been terrible for two years, and my career's been flat. I'm almost 40, and if this keeps up, I won't be able to face my family."
Daniel's expression flickered oddly.
Robert actually wanted to change his luck -- luck that didn't need changing at all. By 2006, when he starred as Iron Man, his career would skyrocket. 'Turned his life around' was an understatement.
Seeing Daniel's reaction, Robert panicked slightly. "Please, Mr. Cross, help me. I want to marry Susan in style and shut up all the people who look down on me."
Daniel pondered. "Do you know how difficult it is to change your luck?"
Robert hesitated. "Is it really that hard?"
Daniel said, "Of course. A person's fate is set by heaven. Changing luck means changing fate, and that's like going against the God."
Robert's face went pale. "That serious?"
Daniel nodded. "Now do you think it's easy to change your luck?"
Robert stammered, "Then what about Amanda...?"
"She's my girlfriend," Daniel cut in flatly.
Robert froze. After a beat, he asked, "Mr. Cross, what's the price if I want you to change my luck?"
Daniel held up three fingers. "Three million dollars."
Robert's face tightened. He expected the price to be high, but not that high. Still, after hearing Daniel's explanation, the figure suddenly seemed less unreasonable. After all, it was about defying God.
Robert smiled bitterly. "I don't have three million, and I can't convince my father to give me that kind of money. My credit won't let me borrow it either."
Susan gritted her teeth. "Robert, I can come up with about a million."
"How could I use your money?" Robert shook his head. "Forget it. Looks like I'm destined not to change my luck."
Daniel smiled and presented a new plan -- a proposal that left Robert, Susan, and Miranda utterly stunned.
*****
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