[Chapter 312: Master, You Are Simply Perfect]
As a succubus who fed on spirit and desire, her perception far surpassed that of ordinary people.
In her sensory radar, Daniel had "disappeared."
Clearly, her eyes could see him standing there, and she could reach out and touch him. But on a spiritual level, he seemed to have merged with the surrounding air, the earth beneath his feet, and even the operation of the rules of this world.
The Divine is formless, yet it births heaven and earth.
The Divine is nameless, yet it nourishes all things.
He was right there, existing like air, yet just as easily ignored as air.
"This..."
Chris floated over and circled Daniel twice. She extended her slender fingers and cautiously poked his chest. The sensation from her fingertips was warm and solid.
"Still here."
She muttered to herself, the panic in her eyes gradually fading, replaced by an almost obsessive fervor.
"Master, your current state... is too wondrous."
She leaned in closer, her nose almost touching Daniel's neck, and took a deep breath. The trembling sense of oppression vanished, replaced by an indescribable, profound attraction -- like facing the vast starry sky or the boundless sea -- making one instinctively want to explore, to sink into it, to become one with it.
"Master, the previous you was like a raging fire, making one want to get close for warmth but also fearing being burned to ashes."
Chris's voice softened to a dreamy whisper. She wrapped her arms around Daniel's waist, pressed her cheek against his chest, and rubbed herself against him obsessively.
"But now... you are like the abyss, the Universe. This feeling... is even more fascinating than that kind of pure power. Even... addictive."
Chris lifted her head, her violet eyes shimmering with moisture, filled with worship and longing.
"Master, you are simply the perfect Avatar. This aura of being one with the world... If you walked down the street right now, I'm afraid even the most vigilant beast wouldn't bark at you. But whenever you wish, you can instantly become a storm that devours everything."
She stood on her tiptoes and pecked Daniel's chin with her red lips.
"I am truly so lucky to serve such a great existence like you. I think... I love you even more now."
Chris's fingers wandered over Daniel's back, her voice becoming increasingly sweet and cloying.
"Master, to celebrate your... um, return to simplicity... Would you like me to serve you right now?"
Daniel looked down at her, brushing a fallen leaf off his shoulder.
"There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. Put your clothes on properly." He sat down in the rattan chair and pointed to the tea set on the table. "Let's talk business."
Chris pouted, feeling a bit unsatisfied, then with a flash of pink light, she transformed into a crisp professional outfit. She skillfully poured tea for Daniel, then brought up a virtual screen.
"Master, regarding the three projects you assigned earlier, there has been progress."
Daniel picked up the teacup and gently blew on the steam.
"Go ahead."
"First is Sherlock Holmes."
Chris pointed to the email icon on the screen.
"Regarding Warner, they originally didn't have this project on their near-term schedule, just as a reserve IP. But after hearing that you, the 'gold-medal producer,' were interested in this subject, they immediately convened an emergency high-level meeting."
Daniel sipped his tea. "The result?"
"A heated discussion," Chris laughed. "Someone even slammed the table. The opposition thought the detective genre was outdated and prone to becoming a boring film. But the supporters brought out box office data from The Pursuit of Happyness and Hancock, which immediately silenced the opposition. The current conclusion is that Warner very much welcomes your participation. It can even be said they're desperate for you to come in and take the helm."
Chris paused and added, "However, they're still haggling over investment share and copyright dividends. They're only willing to concede 25% of the investment share and won't open up peripheral rights."
Daniel's expression was calm.
"Tell them I want 40%, plus the female lead for Rachel. If they don't agree, I'll find a screenwriter myself to write a detective story and compete with them. They know I have the ability to do that."
"Understood."
Chris quickly recorded it and swiped to the next page.
"The situation with Mamma Mia! is about the same. Universal Pictures holds the adaptation rights but has always worried about the market risks of musicals. After knowing you were optimistic about it, they immediately restarted the project. The negotiations are going quite smoothly. Amanda's role is basically not an issue; it's just the investment ratio still being tugged back and forth."
Daniel nodded. "No rush on this. Let's grind it out slowly. They're more anxious than I am."
"Finally..." Chris's expression became a bit strange. She put away the virtual screen and looked at Daniel. "Master, there's a problem with Taken."
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "EuropaCorp won't sell?"
"No," Chris shook her head. "It's that this project simply doesn't exist."
"Doesn't exist?"
"Yes. I hacked into Luc Besson's private computer and searched all of EuropaCorp's memos and script libraries. Even the writers' guild over there was checked."
Chris shrugged. "No script, no outline, not even a record that this was just an idea. This project, in this world... does not currently exist."
Daniel was stunned for a moment. Then, he suddenly realized.
It was the first half of 2006.
In the original timeline, Taken was released in 2008. According to the film Production cycle, Luc Besson might just have a rough idea in his head right now -- or not even that -- and was still busy with other films.
It might even be that because of the Butterfly Effect, this script hadn't been written at all.
"Doesn't exist..."
Daniel tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest, the corners of his mouth slowly curling up.
"That's good. Since it doesn't exist, there's no need to buy the rights, and even less need to share money with others. Open a document."
Daniel looked at Chris.
"Prepare to record."
Chris's eyes lit up, and she immediately brought up a blank document.
"Master, are you going to..."
"Since Luc Besson hasn't written it yet, I'll write it myself."
Daniel leaned back in his chair, his eyes deep, as if recalling that classic action blockbuster.
"The film title is tentatively Taken."
Daniel spoke in a steady, clear voice.
"The male lead, Bryan, is a former top CIA agent. To make up for shortcomings in his family life, after retiring, he became an ordinary bodyguard living in Los Angeles."
Chris's fingers flew, the sound of keyboard typing crisp and pleasant.
"His daughter is going to travel to Paris."
Daniel continued: "The point is, as soon as his daughter and her friend arrive in Paris, they are targeted by a human trafficking ring. While talking to her father, she is kidnapped on the spot."
At this point, Daniel paused and repeated the classic line that left its mark in film history: "Write this part down clearly. This is the core--
'I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want.
If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money.
But what I do have is a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career...
If you let my daughter go now, this matter ends here.
I will not look for you. I will not pursue you.
But if you don't... I swear.
I will look for you. I will find you. And then... I will kill you.'"
*****
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