Chapter 153: The Mottled Compass

Chapter 153: Chapter 153: The Mottled Compass

Baird Fergus was dressed in a sharp black suit, looking energetic. Seeing Irene, he immediately walked forward warmly. "Irene, haven’t seen you in a while! How is the preparation for Pirates of the Caribbean going?"

"Everything is going smoothly, Mr. Baird. Casting is about to officially begin, and things are going to get busy," Irene replied, neither too warm nor too cold, not treating Baird as her boyfriend’s father.

Baird nodded with satisfaction. "Very good, Fox has high expectations for you. The success of The Italian Job has already proven your ability, and Pirates of the Caribbean must achieve even greater results." He patted Loren’s shoulder. "It’s Loren’s blessing to have a girlfriend like you."

Irene smiled and thanked him, but her eyes instinctively avoided the gaze of Loren’s mother.

Loren’s mother was wearing an expensive purple suit, her hair combed meticulously, and her face adorned with exquisite makeup. However, her eyes were like scrutinizing hooks, looking Irene up and down as if evaluating the value of a commodity.

There was no warmth in that gaze, only pickiness and scrutiny, making Irene feel uncomfortable, as if she were not a guest at the charity auction but an item on stage waiting to be bid on.

"Irene, you’ve been so busy lately, it’s really rare that you can still find time to accompany Loren." Loren’s mother’s voice was gentle but carried a hint of imperceptible distance.

"But girls should still pay attention to rest. Don’t get too tired, lest it affects your appearance and health. After all, no matter how successful a career is, one eventually has to return to the family."

Irene’s heart sank, but she still maintained a polite smile. "Thank you for your concern, Auntie. I will pay attention to balancing work and life."

Loren seemed to sense the subtle atmosphere and immediately smoothed things over. "Mother, Irene is very capable. She can handle both work and life well. Let’s go see the collection. I heard there’s an 18th-century pirate compass that’s very interesting. Since Irene is preparing to film a pirate movie, she can study it."

He took Irene’s hand and walked quickly into the auction hall, avoiding his mother’s gaze.

Irene breathed a sigh of relief, but her fingertips felt the warmth of Loren’s palm, and her heart was filled with mixed emotions.

She knew that Loren’s mother had always been a traditional housewife, and she likely expected her future daughter-in-law to be similar to her.

Irene was almost the exact opposite of that standard, which was why the woman always had opinions about her, feeling she was too strong and career-minded, not fitting the "virtuous wife and mother" standard in her heart.

But she had never thought about giving up her career. She couldn’t compromise for anyone. If the other party couldn’t understand, then there was nothing she could do.

After the auction began, Irene’s attention was gradually drawn to the items on stage.

When the 18th-century pirate compass was placed on the stage, her eyes lit up. The compass’s shell was made of copper, which had oxidized into a mottled green. The needle swayed slightly, as if it could still point toward distant treasures.

"This compass is so perfect for Captain Jack!" she whispered to Loren. "If we can win the bid and use it as a movie prop, it will definitely have a great texture."

Loren looked at the light in her eyes and nodded with a smile. "If you like it, bid for it. Just consider it a gift from me."

Irene smiled and refused. "This isn’t cheap. There’s no need." It was just a decoration. She wouldn’t waste her money on such things.

But Loren ignored Irene’s protest and won the compass for thirty thousand dollars, giving it to Irene.

When the staff handed the compass to her, she gently stroked the cold copper shell, feeling a bit helpless.

Baird walked over and said with a smile, "This compass is very meaningful and can be put to good use. It seems those thirty thousand dollars were well spent."

Loren’s mother also came over, her gaze falling on the compass, her tone flat. "Spending thirty thousand dollars on an old compass is indeed very much in line with your style." There was a hint of sarcasm in her words, making Irene’s already impatient mood even more frustrated.

After the auction, Loren drove Irene home. The car was quiet, with only the slight sound of the engine.

Irene looked at the night scenery flying by outside the window, feeling a bit heavy-hearted.

Loren broke the silence first, his tone apologetic. "My mom is just like that, don’t take it to heart. She has always felt that girls should focus on the family and has some bias against your career-mindedness."

Irene nodded slightly. "I know, but I won’t give up my movies, Loren. I love this career. It makes me feel that I am valuable."

Loren held her hand, his tone firm. "I never thought about making you give it up. I just hope you can spend more time with me and that you can be happy. As for my mom, I will communicate with her slowly. She just doesn’t understand you yet. Once she sees your love and persistence for movies and sees your success, she will definitely change her view."

Irene’s heart did not become lighter because of his words. Can a person’s views be changed easily, she asked herself.

In her case, clearly not, and the other party didn’t seem likely to either. But it was still a bit too early to discuss these things. Irene was only 20, and they had been dating for less than a year. Who knew what the future would hold.

She didn’t say much, just leaned her head on his shoulder. "Loren, sorry, I’ve ignored you lately. In the future, I will try my best to balance work and life."

The car stopped at the entrance of Irene’s villa. Loren leaned over and hugged her. "Tomorrow I’m going to New York for a business trip, and I’ll be back in about a week. Work hard, but also take care of yourself." He paused and added, "That compass is very suitable for Captain Jack."

Irene smiled and nodded, then got out of the car and went home.

Back in her bedroom, she placed the pirate compass on her bedside table. Under the light, the compass needle turned slightly, as if guiding the way.

Soon came the day of the official audition. Since Jack Sparrow is the soul of the movie, his audition was held first. Everyone was very curious about the final choice, and because many big names came to audition, the entire day was filled with content for the male lead, Captain Jack.

The studio lights had been adjusted to their best state early on. Huge soft umbrellas cast an even glow in front of the white backdrop.

The audition area was temporarily decorated as a corner of a pirate ship’s cabin, with worn wooden barrels leaning against the wall and fragments of canvas sails hanging on the side. Even the air was filled with a faint scent of sea salt and wood, as if inside a pirate ship.

Jerry Bruckheimer leaned over to Irene with a cup of coffee and teased in a low voice:

"Today’s lineup is livelier than the Oscar ceremony. Fox is pushing Robert De Niro, Disney is backing Hugh Jackman, CAA sent over Jim Carrey, and you insist on backing Johnny Depp. Are we choosing Captain Jack, or are we balancing the power map of Hollywood?"