Chapter 003: Leaving with Nothing

Therefore, when Lantz brought up the production of "Pirates of the Caribbean," despite the significant risks associated with pirate films, disputes still arose within the company. Lantz was no longer at a complete disadvantage; many believed that they should trust Lantz and take a risk this time. Lantz even once thought that he could persuade Jason to agree, thereby advancing the collaboration with Disney

"Loser, loser... a complete and utter loser" "Foolish, naive, blind, arrogant, domineering; no wonder everyone ultimately betrays you" "There is no turning back, everything is over, the game has ended, you have completely lost" "You have nothing, you are now left with nothing" ... ...

No, absolutely not! Ryan couldn't help but tightly grip the back of the chair, revealing his inner panic for the first time in front of Lance. However, he quickly calmed down. He looked at Lance, who had lost control, and he knew that in this power struggle, he was the victor. And now, Lance was nothing but a complete failure

Lance walked forward step by step, while Ryan's momentum was gradually suppressed. His once steady posture in the boss's chair began to transform into a state of helpless paralysis, as if all the strength in his body had been drained. "Therefore, you better prepare your legal team quickly, you bastard! Because I will not only return for my thirty-five percent, I intend to take everything that belongs to me."

Looking at Lance before me, his shirt buttons were carelessly undone, his well-fitted suit had become wrinkled, and his short black hair was as disheveled as a disturbed bird's nest, with sweat on his forehead adding to his disheveled appearance under the lights. But what about Ryan? Dressed appropriately and comfortably, exuding an air of calmness, with an elegant and perfect image, it was clear to any discerning observer that Ryan was the true master of this office

He slightly opened his eyes, only to find his eyelids incredibly heavy. He could only vaguely see the dirty and chaotic graffiti in the New York subway. The swaying carriage sped through the biting winter, all of this hinted that it was winter in 2015 in New York, and everything that had just happened was merely a dream.

A gust of wind blew in, and the cold sweat on his back instantly cooled down, causing Lance to shiver twice in succession. The delicate sensation of the sweat sliding down was so real, it bore no difference from reality, always leading Lance to a delusion that he had truly returned to the year 2002, that he was once again experiencing that deeply ingrained betrayal

"Indeed, it is true!" Lance exclaimed in disbelief, tightly gripping his short black hair and tugging at it fiercely. "I can't believe it is really because of 'Harry Potter', Ryan Cavallog. I can't believe your mindset is so narrow. I am responsible for production, and you are responsible for management; we agreed on this from the very beginning. But now? I have never interfered with your management, yet you have started to meddle in my production work?" I am responsible for production, and you are responsible for management; we agreed on this from the very beginning. But now? I have never interfered with your management, yet you have started to meddle in my production work?

Amidst the ringing in the ears, countless sharp sounds of mockery, sarcasm, and laughter swarm from all directions, as if the figures of Ryan, Tucker, and Jason are not far away, watching oneself laugh out loud, their proud faces twisting into demonic visages, occupying every corner of the field of vision

"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" was released last November and achieved tremendous success at the box office. Even more commendable is that it established the "Harry Potter" brand, triggering a chain reaction that spans the globe, becoming one of Warner Bros.'s most important cash cows

Lance lowered his head to glance at the check, and without any warning, he swung his fist towards Ryan. Ryan was startled by this sudden turn of events and instinctively began to retreat and dodge, his face filled with terror. However, Ryan soon realized that Lance was merely swinging in the air, stopping halfway through. Ryan instantly felt battered and bruised, awkwardly straightening up, and even though he wanted to salvage his image, it was already too late.

Lance gently shook his head, his peripheral vision catching a glimpse of Tucker standing three steps away. Then, a meaningful smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and his deep-set eyes flickered with a light that was both bright and dim, causing a jolt of unease in Tucker's heart, a sense of foreboding washing over him. Subsequently, Lance glanced at Jason, who was standing to his left and slightly behind. Amidst the argument, Jason had also approached, but he kept his distance, silently standing far away. Feeling Lance's gaze, Jason looked over, but as soon as their eyes met, he quickly lowered his head. This made Tucker's heart skip again, a sense of foreboding creeping in once more. Then, Lance looked at Jason again, who was still standing to his left and slightly behind. In the midst of the argument, Jason had approached, yet he maintained his distance, silently standing far away. Upon sensing Lance's gaze, Jason looked over, but just a brief contact made him lower his head.

"Lance, you have lost," Ryan said as he stopped in front of Lance. He leaned closer to Lance's ear, lowered his voice to a whisper that only Lance could hear, and said, "You are truly naive. Remember, in the marketplace, friendship and trust are the cheapest commodities." Then, Ryan straightened up, a confident and smug smile appearing on his lips.

Lance couldn't help but chuckle, revealing a genuine smile. He gently tilted his chin and said, "I really enjoy standing next to you, Ryan." The entire office fell silent as Ryan anxiously glanced at the gazes of the other staff members. Lance's smile was so dazzling that it nearly made Ryan's legs unsteady, "Because it makes me look particularly masculine"

At that moment, a loud crash echoed from above. Lance barely had time to look up before a file box came crashing down right in front of him, creating a massive shockwave. He felt dizzy and nearly lost his balance; countless documents scattered down like snowflakes dancing in the air, creating a spectacular scene. Through the drifting white papers, Lance vaguely saw someone retreating into the window of the Western Mirror Film Company office, followed by a ringing in his ears. He felt dizzy and nearly lost his balance; countless documents scattered down like snowflakes dancing in the air, creating a spectacular scene. Through the drifting white papers, Lance vaguely saw someone retreating into the window of the Western Mirror Film Company office, followed by a ringing in his ears

After the success of this work, Jason felt somewhat better, but Ryan and Tucker still harbored discomfort in their hearts. Even though Lance repeatedly comforted them, stating that Hollywood always has the next project and the next opportunity, the atmosphere within the company began to shift. Lance's keen eye for selecting projects received much recognition, while Ryan's authority in management came under scrutiny.

Lance's clear words struck Ryan's chest slowly, powerfully, and profoundly, hitting him one after another, leaving him with an unprecedented sense of suffocation. Ryan bit his lower lip tightly, knowing he could not show weakness, not only because all the employees of the company were watching, but also because he could not bow his head in front of Lance. The outcome of this competition had already been determined, and there was no possibility for Lance to turn the tide.

Ryan regained his confidence once again and stated emphatically, "I said it is not because of this..." However, he could not find a reasonable explanation, "No, absolutely not!" Ryan could only resolutely reiterate his position.

However, Lance did not retreat; with the last breath in his chest, he stood firmly in place, unmoved by Ryan's approach

Then, the chaotic sounds around his ears grew louder, sharper, and more piercing, almost making Lance believe that his ears were about to bleed. He instinctively covered his ears, trying to block out the sounds that were sharp enough to stab his eardrums, but it was of no use. The laughter of men, women, and children crashed down on him like a tsunami, thoroughly drowning Lance. The air began to diminish little by little, leaving only a ringing in his ears. He tried to block out the sounds that were sharp enough to stab his eardrums, but it was of no use. The laughter of men, women, and children crashed down on him like a tsunami, thoroughly drowning Lance. The air began to diminish little by little, leaving only a ringing in his ears. This repeated, again and again.

At this thought, Ryan exerted all his strength, facing Lance's gaze, and struggled to stand up. He tugged at the hem of his clothes, regaining his usual calmness and composure, and approached Lance step by step. "No, the game is over!" Once Ryan stood up, he was finally able to stand on the same level as Lance, which gradually restored his momentum.

"Wait!" Ryan's voice suddenly came from behind, causing Lance to stop in his tracks. Turning around, he saw Ryan approaching, pulling a piece of paper from his jacket pocket and placing it in front of Lance. It was a check. "I almost forgot. This is your twenty-three thousand dollars. I think you need it more than I do right now."

Confidence once again shone brightly in Ryan's eyes, "Did you hear what I said? You have already signed, so the game is over, and you have no chance of turning the tables. Even if you hire all the lawyers in the United States, the matter is already settled." Ryan's relentless pressure made Lance feel immense stress, each word like a death knell, gradually dismantling all of Lance's defenses.

However, I did not expect, I absolutely did not expect...

Having taken the elevator down, Lance stood at the door, feeling somewhat bewildered. He did not know how this dream should continue to unfold. Shouldn't this be the moment to wake up?

Lance struggled to wake up, but found it exceedingly difficult, as if he were experiencing sleep paralysis. He could even sense a Black man nearby stealthily rummaging through his backpack. He wanted to wake up and directly inform the man that there was only twelve dollars and seventy-five cents in his backpack, and nothing else of value. However, his mouth would not open at all, and he felt himself slowly sinking, as the bizarre dream gradually engulfed him completely. He wanted to wake up and directly inform the man that there was only twelve dollars and seventy-five cents in his backpack, and nothing else of value. However, his mouth would not open at all, and he felt himself slowly sinking, as the bizarre dream gradually engulfed him completely.

Lance then realized that this was merely a dream

After Lance finished speaking to himself, he paid no attention to Ryan's reaction, turned around, and began to stride forward, leisurely rebuttoning his shirt and suit. He left the office with his head held high, as if he were the true victor

Looking at the silent Ryan before him, Lance gasped in disbelief, reaching the height of absurdity, anger, and foolishness, which made him start to chuckle, like a madman.

"Shut up!" Lance stepped forward, trying to silence them, but before he could take a step, he collided violently with an obstruction, causing him to stagger back half a step due to the immense force. However, when he opened his eyes, all he saw was a void of air, with no barrier in sight.

Lance's gaze finally settled on Ryan, meticulously examining his face, trying to capture every subtle change in his cheeks. "So, should I remind Tucker and Jason, as well as the future partners, of the same thing? They should avoid repeating my mistakes?"

In an instant, Ryan's face became rigid at a single sentence, while not far away, Tucker and Jason were also taken aback. As Ryan looked at the faint smile at the corner of Lance's mouth, a chill surged from the depths of his heart like a fountain, continuously rising and making his limbs feel icy in an instant. "The security is here! Hurry and take him out!" Ryan struggled to suppress his panic and said with great authority.

However, Lance caught the change in Ryan's tone, and a smile blossomed, beautiful yet sorrowful like a sky full of red clouds. "No need, I will leave on my own." After saying this, Lance began to step back, his eyes firmly locked on Ryan. It was only after Ryan felt a chill in his heart and shifted his gaze that Lance withdrew his eyes and turned to walk away.

Looking at Ryan, who was feigning calmness, Lance could only feel how pitiful and tragic he was. "I believe the thing you hate the most is that all the media attention is focused on me, and all the producers and directors know that I am the true driving force behind those works of the company!" A confident smile tugged at the corners of Lance's mouth, so dazzling that Ryan couldn't help but lower his eyelids, concealing his inner embarrassment. "And that is the truth!"