Chapter 62: Rising Star

Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Rising Star

While they were talking, the office door suddenly burst open. An agitated blonde woman in eco-friendly clothing stormed out of the clinic without looking back.

A moment later, Loren followed her out. His face still showed traces of weariness and helplessness that he hadn’t quite shaken off. When he saw Irene holding Lucky, he quickly adjusted his expression and returned to his usual professional and gentle demeanor.

"Miss Irene, sorry for the wait," he said as he stepped forward. His gaze landed on the freshly groomed Lucky, and he blinked in surprise before breaking into a genuine smile.

"Lucky looks like it’s being well taken care of at home. It’s much more beautiful than the last time it was here. That coat color and pattern are very special."

Irene smiled and chose not to mention the commotion she had just heard. She simply went along with his comment.

"Yes, I only noticed it myself today. My mom took Lucky for a grooming session, and it came back looking like a completely different animal."

"Haha, it sounds like your mother has excellent taste. Well then, let’s go get little Lucky vaccinated first." Dr. Loren led Irene to pay the fees, then walked with her toward the vaccination area.

Along the way, the clinic was filled with the sounds of other animals. Lucky was still a little timid, tucking its tail and huddling close in Irene’s arms. Irene kept stroking its back to comfort it.

Loren took out a thermometer gun and checked Lucky’s temperature. Everything was normal.

"Did Lucky have any unusual reactions after the last vaccination? Any vomiting or other symptoms before today?" he asked while putting on gloves.

"Everything’s been normal. The little guy has been full of energy at home," Irene replied with a smile.

Loren skillfully inserted the needle into Lucky’s skin. Lucky shivered, but the doctor’s technique was so smooth that it caused very little irritation, and the puppy calmed down quickly.

"There are three doses of the vaccine in total, and the dosage increases each time, so the reaction might be stronger this time. You should stay for another half hour to observe its condition," Loren explained in his steady, calming voice. His tone made people naturally want to follow his instructions.

"Did Martina come in again today? What kind of pet did she bring this time?"

"Yeah, a guinea pig. She said it was listless and wouldn’t move, but after Dr. Loren checked it, he said it was just overfed and bloated."

"She’s been here three times this week. Do you think she’s trying to chase after Dr. Loren?"

"Probably. But she definitely doesn’t know that Dr. Loren isn’t fond of blondes with blue eyes."

Irene sat quietly in the reception room, pretending to read a magazine while listening to the gossip with great satisfaction.

In the short half hour she waited, pet owners kept arriving to see Loren. He was practically a celebrity among local vets. With his outstanding appearance, gentle attitude, and respectable profession, it was easy to see why he was so popular.

Not wanting to leave empty-handed, Irene splurged and bought a large pile of toys, chew sticks, and supplements for Lucky. She nearly filled the trunk before heading home with the satisfied puppy, already scheduled for its next vaccination.

Time flew by, and the end of the month brought the Christmas party hosted by Fox Pictures.

During this period, Irene had been living comfortably. With the pressure of the script finally lifted, she spent her days attending school on time and catching up with old friends like Vivian and Britney. Life was so leisurely that she almost forgot about Hollywood’s usual frantic pace.

The movie’s release date had also been pushed back by Adelaide to coincide with the party, so Irene arrived at the Beverly Hills Hotel feeling hopeful.

At the time, 20th Century Fox was one of Hollywood’s Big Six studios. Thanks to the unprecedented success of Titanic, the company was at its peak and carried overwhelming momentum. Few people could have imagined that it would eventually be acquired and fade from the industry’s main stage.

Right now, the stars, directors, and executives at the party were all full of optimism and eager to flatter the studio giant.

Irene wore a simple yet elegant black evening gown as she entered the venue with her father, Francis Coppola, and her sister, Sophia Coppola.

When she had attended social parties last year, her film hadn’t been released yet. Most people had praised her out of respect for Francis, but few actually had high expectations for her.

Now things were different. A film made on a 10 million dollar budget that had earned 136 million dollars in North America was enough to make her one of the most talked-about directors of the year.

"Hi, Irene. Legally Blonde was absolutely wonderful. You’re truly young and talented. When can we expect your new movie to be released?"

"Irene, is your next film ready? Have the roles been cast? If not, I have a few actors you might want to consider."

"Does your new film still need investment? I have a lot of confidence in you."

Irene kept a polite smile and handled the small talk calmly, though she was growing impatient inside. These strangers were like persistent flies that swarmed the moment they smelled an opportunity, and they were impossible to shoo away.

Just as she felt her smile was about to freeze on her face, a warm hand reached out from the side and gently grasped her elbow.

"Come on, Irene. Don’t waste your time here. I’ll introduce you to the person you most want to meet tonight."

Irene turned and saw that it was Adelaide. She felt an immediate sense of relief. Her father had gone to chat with his old friends, and Sophia was nowhere to be found, so Irene was more than ready to escape the awkward atmosphere.

"I’d like that," Irene answered quietly. She followed Adelaide through the crowd toward a more central area on the other side of the ballroom.

A large group had gathered there, surrounding a set of comfortable leather sofas. Adelaide skillfully parted the crowd and led Irene straight to the center.

Sitting alone on the sofa was a tall, broad-shouldered man. He leaned back in a relaxed posture, holding a glass of wine. His expression was confident and carried an air of certainty that made him stand out. The stars and producers around him spoke to him with visible respect.

From the words Irene caught about directors, special effects, and budgets, combined with his presence, she immediately guessed who he was. The man was the Hollywood giant who had just conquered the global box office and the Oscars with his film about a great ship: James Cameron.

"James," Adelaide greeted him familiarly, then turned to introduce Irene. "Let me introduce you to a rising new star, and also Francis Coppola’s daughter, Irene Coppola. She directed Legally Blonde, and her next project is equally worth looking forward to."

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Director Cameron," Irene said, extending her right hand with a graceful manner.

Cameron shook her hand with a firm grip and joked, "A beautiful lady who’s also a colleague. It looks like we need to start feeling a little competitive." His tone was light, but his eyes were sharp. He seemed interested in seeing how Irene would respond.

Hearing that, Irene smiled and answered without being too humble or too proud. "You’re joking. Compared to the director who explored the deep sea and created Titanic, my little achievement is just a small splash in the shallow end. It’s far too early for me to be a threat."

She handled his teasing skillfully, showing both respect and a clear sense of her own position. She didn’t let her success go to her head.