Chapter 260: Setting a Trap

Chapter 260: Chapter 260: Setting a Trap

Sunlight filtered through the blinds outside the window, casting dappled shadows on the desk. Adelaide’s brow furrowed tighter and tighter, and the speed of her fingers tapping on the desk increased.

This decision not only concerned the fate of Kingdom of Heaven but also her future at Fox, and might even affect the entire layout of epic films in Hollywood.

After a long while, she slowly raised her head, her gaze sweeping across everyone present. Her tone carried a hint of fatigue yet remained firm:

"The meeting is adjourned. I still need to think it over. In the meantime, suspend the signing process with Director Ridley’s team. No one is allowed to leak the contents of this meeting."

The group filed out of the conference room, their footsteps gradually fading. Lena was tidying up the documents on the table, preparing to leave, when she heard Adelaide’s voice behind her: "Lena, stay for a moment."

She paused, turned to look at Adelaide in the head seat, a hint of confusion on her face, but still responded respectfully: "Of course, Ms. Griffin."

Once the door was gently closed, Adelaide pointed to the chair opposite her: "Sit. During the meeting just now, your views were very insightful. They coincided with some opinions I’ve heard." She didn’t mention Irene directly, only passing over it vaguely.

Lena sat down, placing the documents on her lap, her tone remaining calm:

"Thank you for the recognition, boss. I simply made an analysis based on market data and the performance of similar films. The high risks of epic films truly cannot be ignored, especially with the slow pace and long duration currently shown in Kingdom of Heaven, which really doesn’t fit the viewing habits of today’s mainstream audience."

"In your opinion, if we insist on pushing this project forward, what is the probability of loss?" Adelaide leaned forward slightly, her eyes fixed on her, trying to get a more definitive answer from her mouth.

"At a conservative estimate, over sixty percent," Lena answered without hesitation.

"With a cost of 150 million dollars, to be profitable, the global box office would need to reach at least 400 million dollars. But looking at the performance of similar themes in recent years, unless a miracle occurs, it will be hard to reach that goal.

Moreover, Director Ridley’s style leans towards artistic expression and he might not compromise for the market. The final product is likely to be niche and dull, just as presented in the project proposal."

These words once again confirmed Irene’s prediction. Adelaide leaned back against her chair, pressing her fingers to her brow, her face full of exhaustion.

She fell silent for a long time, as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted. She took a deep breath, her tone heavy but firm: "I’ve decided. I’m dropping this project."

Lena wasn’t surprised, only nodding slightly: "That is a wise choice. Although it’s a pity, being able to cut losses in time is better than bearing a sky-high loss later on."

"It is indeed a pity," Adelaide sighed. "Director Ridley’s reputation is right there. Missing his project will inevitably lead to industry gossip. And now that the signing process has reached its final stages, a sudden rejection could easily offend him and even affect Fox’s reputation." She looked at Lena, her eyes questioning,

"Is there perhaps a way for us to withdraw gracefully and without a trace? One that neither offends Director Ridley nor makes the outside world feel we proactively gave up on a high-quality project?"

Lena lowered her head in thought for a moment, a spark of inspiration flashing in her eyes:

"If at this time, another company proactively intervenes and offers Director Ridley a better olive branch—such as higher investment or more relaxed creative conditions—do you think he would proactively give up the collaboration with Fox?"

Adelaide’s eyes suddenly lit up. Her fingers stopped pressing her brow, and her gaze gradually became sharp: "You mean..."

"We don’t need to proactively reject it," Lena explained slowly.

"We just need to ’accidentally’ let other capable companies know that Director Ridley’s Kingdom of Heaven project is in talks with Fox, and that you are very optimistic about its prospects, but there are internal disagreements within the board regarding the project since it’s a significant investment.

I think there will always be companies willing to take the risk, especially those emerging film companies wanting to use Director Ridley to boost their industry standing, or established companies that have always wanted to work with him but never had the chance."

"As long as another company offers more enticing terms, Director Ridley will most likely choose the partner more conducive to his creative work. When the time comes, the outside world will only think he proactively chose a better partnership opportunity, rather than Fox rejecting him. We withdraw completely without leaving any room for criticism."

The corner of Adelaide’s mouth curled into an imperceptible arc, the sharpness in her eyes gaining a hint of calculation.

She thought of Sony, which had been in a constant struggle with Fox recently, thinking they were superior to everyone else just because they produced a Spider-Man film.

If she could get them to take over this ’hot potato,’ it would not only allow Fox to escape smoothly but perhaps even dig a huge pit for their competitor, letting them taste the flavor of a sky-high loss.

"This is a good method." Adelaide’s tone returned to calm, yet it carried an unquestionable authority.

"You may go now. Today’s conversation, including my decision to drop the project, must be kept strictly confidential. No third person can know."

"Understood, Ms. Griffin." Lena stood up, gathered her documents, and turned toward the door. Reaching the door, she paused and looked back at Adelaide.

Seeing her with her head down in deep thought, her eyes profound, she said no more, gently closed the door, and left.

Silence returned to the conference room once more.

Adelaide stood up and walked to the window, looking down at the crowds coming and going at the entrance of the Fox Building, her gaze sinister.

Giving up Kingdom of Heaven was an inevitable choice, but she was unwilling to simply hand it over to someone else so easily. Lena’s suggestion had given her an excellent idea.

"Setting a trap..." she whispered to herself, her fingertip lightly tracing the window pane.

"Since someone wants to climb up by stepping on others, they might as well taste the consequences of their own actions." She thought of the Sony executives who had recently mocked Fox as ’conservative and cowardly’ on multiple public occasions, and of the peers who had once ridiculed her rise to power as ’unworthy of the name.’ The smile on her face grew wider.

She picked up the phone on her desk and dialed an encrypted number. Once the call connected, she said only one sentence:

"Help me check which companies are currently following Ridley Scott’s new project, especially those willing to throw down heavy money."

Hanging up the phone, Adelaide sat back at her desk. The previous fatigue was gone from her face, replaced by the calculated confidence of someone with a plan.

She didn’t know who would eventually fall for this trap, but she knew Fox must withdraw completely, and those coveting this project would eventually pay the price for their greed.