Stage 2-15

**Stage 2-15** is a story stage of Chapter 2: The Meet-Cute Conspiracy.

## Script

Expand for script.

* In the following days, I was constantly busy sorting out materials and plans for the special news piece.
* Fully absorbed in my work, that uneasy feeling seemed lifted from me.
* The feature "Folded Distance" collaboration by Miracle Finder and City News successfully aired.
* A special news piece with a Miracle Finder flair certainly piqued the interest of a lot of people.
* The episode snagged an all-time high of playbacks and became a hot topic of conversation.
* The number of follower's of Hollow's feed even sky-rocketed from 10k to 200k.
* The next time I left home was the day I had to deliver that report at LFG.
* Though quite nervous, I have to face this myself.
* No matter what, this is my last chance.
* Loveland Financial Group
* **MC**: Hey? Why is Goldman not here again? I made an appointment today!
* **LFG Staff**: Hey, you again.
* The staff looked at me, trying not to laugh.
* I guess what happened that day is still watercooler talk at LFG. I felt a little flushed.
* **MC**: I came to report to the CEO...
* **LFG Staff**: Goldman is probably working on something else. Please wait at the door of the CEO's office.
* I waited at the door as told.
* The door opened earlier than I thought--and the person coming out was not Victor.
* Instead it was a hot figure in haute couture, with a sexy face. Her collar-- and lipstick-- a little disheveled.
* Then those limpid eyes that the whole world could fall in love with were levelled at me.
* It was the winner of Best New Supporting Actress-- Chik!
* What is she doing walking out of Victor's office like this?
* Chik looked askance at me.
* **Chik**: This is the CEO's office. What are you doing here?
* **MC**: I'm the head of MC Company. I'm here to deliver a work report...
* **Chik**: Enough. I don't wanna hear your clumsy excuses.
* Well you asked, didn't you?
* **Chik**: MC Company... So you're MC? Hehe, I heard about the stupid things you did.
* **Chik**: I warn you. Don't harbor any unrealistic fantasies about Victor.
* Apparently, Chik misunderstood something. She seethed with hostility at me.
* **Chik**: He. Is. Mine.
* Leaving me no chance to explain, Chik pompously strode off.
* ... So there was something going on between Victor and this superstar after all.
* Is this an unspoken "business arrangement"? Or a secret love that they don't want others to know about?
* Getting gossip on Victor firsthand... countless possibilities flashed through my mind.
* If I mess up with the report... Is it possible to threaten him with this?
* Then I thought of Victor's chilling face, and I instantly trashed the idea.
* The door was left open. I took a look inside.
* Victor is frowning, seemingly worrying about something.--And his tie is loosened.
* No way. He's not in good mood. Perhaps they were quarreling just now?
* Not a good time for anything...

* Choice 1: Be Brave
* Choice 2: Choose Another Time

* **MC**: But here I am. I knocked on the door bravely.
* **MC**: Sir, may I come in?
* Victor took a look at me and his brow unfurrowed.
* **Victor**: Come in.

- **MC**: I'd better leave. Come back later and see if his mood has changed.

- As I was turning away, Victor's voice sounded behind me.

- **Victor**: Who's there? Come in.

- ...

- **MC**: Sure.

- I carefully reminded him.

- **MC**: Your tie--

- Victor looked down and hurriedly fixed his tie. Then he stopped, seeming to think of something.

- **Victor**: When... did you get here?

- **MC**: When Chik was leaving.

- He frowned again. I rushed to explain myself before he could speak.

- **MC**: Sorry for the misunderstanding! I will find a chance to explain it to her!

- **Victor**: Why do you care about Chik's opinion so much?

- **MC**: ... Of course I do!

- Victor thought a moment, and then his forehead furrowed, like he had just understood something.

- **Victor**: There is nothing between her and me. Don't go around spreading any rumors.

- **MC**: Ah?

- But that's totally different from what I saw.

- ... But actually, it's true that there's never been a peep of gossip about a romance between Victor and Chik.

- And Chik has always said publicly that she's single...

- **MC**: Oh! Rest assured, sir, I won't say a thing!... I will keep it to myself.

- **Victor**: ... You'll keep what to yourself? You have nothing to keep.

- **MC**: Right, right. I know nothing.

- **Victor**: (Clear Throat)

- **MC**: Err, so, is there something I should know?

- Victor frowned again.

- **Victor**: Forget it. Why are you here?

- I adjusted my posture, trying to make myself more serious.

- **MC**: I've come to deliver--the report that will make you regret.

- **Victor**: Ah, go ahead then.

- As soon as I had started, Victor interrupted me.

- **Victor**: Did you produce that feature for City News?

- Victor is interested!

- **MC**: Yes! We had a pleasant collaboration and are in talks to make it long-term.

- **Victor**: So even on the edge of bankruptcy, you can talk collaboration with a TV station?

- **MC**: ...

- **MC**: Because I know that I can definitely make you regret it.

- **MC**: And then LFG's investment is sure to be mine!

- I held my chin up, trying to appear more confident.

- Victor seemed very relaxed, yet still exuding an air of dominance. He looked at me, giving a quiet laugh.

- **Victor**: If I invest in you, how long will it take to monopolize film and TV production from the 4 major TV stations?

- What an ambitious question. Even so, I can't let him think less of me.

- **MC**: Five years.

- If I can get through this current predicament, I can at least give it my best shot.

- **Victor**: Too slow.

- **MC**: What? The enterprise reform of Loveland TV alone will take 5 years!

- **Victor**: Two years.

- Victor seems happy now.

- **MC**: How? Nobody can do that!

- **Victor**: If you can't, then leave here.

- **MC**: ...

- I already made it this far. How can I give up now?

- **MC**: Three... and a half years.

- Victor picked up the phone.

- **MC**: Wait! Two years... two years!

- **Victor**: Good. To our partnership, then!

- The man in front of me built the LFG empire in 8 years.

- That was also something impossible. If he did it, then there's no reason I can't too.

- **Victor**: The investment approval procedure will be initiated next week.

- **Victor**: The first step of your two-year grand plan is to pass LFG's investment approval process.

- **MC**: ... Wh, what? Do we have to go through that?

- **Victor**: If you can't even get approved, then just give up now.

- **Victor**: And remember what I said. I won't save you a second time.

- **MC**: ... Don't underestimate me. MC Company will pass!

- **Victor**: Great. Then I'll see you later.

- **MC**: Can I have one condition?

- **Victor**: What is it?

- **MC**: Can we invite you as a guest on one of MC Company's future shows?

- **Victor**: Why ask for that?

- **MC**: Just taking the opportunity to amass more useful resources for my studio, of course.

- **Victor**: Okay. I will.