Chapter 163: Assistant and Public Relations

Once the party began, Duke became the busiest person there, constantly moving across the lawn to greet the arriving guests. Aside from the actors and crew members, several high-ranking film studio executives had also sent dedicated representatives to attend.

These included Robert Iger for Walt Disney, Tim Fisher for Fox, and Clark Mueller for Warner Brothers.

George Lucas had even flown in specifically from San Francisco.

"Where's your mother, Duke?"

Hearing George ask about his mother, Duke quickly wrapped up his whispered conversation with Sofia Coppola. "She's bringing some other guests. She just called to say she'll be a little late."

"It's been a long time since I last saw Leah."

Lucas waved him over, gesturing for Duke to follow him to a quieter spot. Behind them, Tina Fey tactfully intercepted anyone trying to approach and say hello.

The two strolled toward the edge of the lawn. George Lucas only stopped once there was no one else in sight.

"Uncle Lucas..."

"Call me George!" George Lucas corrected him again. He looked at Duke, his tone somewhat nostalgic. "When I was your age, I was still just a student dreaming of becoming a director, with no idea where my future lay. Back then, with your mother and father... actually, let's not talk about that bastard..."

He patted Duke's shoulder lightly. "Duke, you're already standing at the forefront of Hollywood directors. You've achieved what most of them couldn't manage in a lifetime. Hollywood has never seen a director quite like you."

"I just got lucky," Duke replied in a rare moment of modesty.

George Lucas smiled, then his expression turned serious. "Just like with Steven and me, the rise of any director will always step on plenty of toes. There will be countless people trying to drag you down from the top!"

"Quite a few people are already trying, actually!"

George Lucas nodded. "That's exactly why you need to keep your eyes on the path ahead. Stick to your goals and don't stop. Keep pushing forward, even if the temptation is too great to refuse!"

"I understand!"

Lucas suddenly smiled again. He stroked his beard and asked, "Are you interested in Star Wars?"

"Star Wars?" Duke didn't understand what Lucas meant.

"Fox and Lucasfilm are planning to reboot the Star Wars franchise. I've already finished the first draft of the script." Lucas stared intently at Duke, like a hunter eyeing his prey. "We expect to enter pre-production in the next two to three years. I'm getting older, and I constantly feel like I just don't have the energy for it anymore."

"George..." Duke swallowed his surprise. "You don't mean you want me to direct it, do you?"

"I think you'd be a perfect fit!" George Lucas made no attempt to deny it. "Independence Day proved you can handle massive sci-fi productions. Honestly, Star Wars is still essentially a popcorn flick at its core. Isn't that exactly what you excel at?"

As George Lucas said this, Duke's mind automatically conjured up images of a Star Wars film under his own direction: rapid-fire spaceship chases, an Obi-Wan who just wouldn't die no matter how many explosions hit him... And then there were the franchise's notoriously soft, floaty fight scenes, which completely clashed with his tastes. He would definitely have to change them to a gritty, hard-hitting combat style...

The problem was, would a Star Wars like that even be Star Wars anymore?

"George, this is your movie..."

Before he could finish, George Lucas cut him off. "Don't rush to refuse. Think it over for a while and give me your answer later."

Duke could only nod, agreeing to consider it for now. Internally, he couldn't help but marvel. In the past, he had shopped his scripts around, begging for zero-salary directing gigs, and no one had been willing to invest a dime. Now, after a string of successes, even a massive franchise like Star Wars was being hand-delivered to his doorstep.

He had to admit, that was the reality of Hollywood.

"Looks like someone is looking for you."

Giving Duke a heads-up, George Lucas started walking back toward the lawn. "I'll head off first."

After exchanging a polite goodbye with Lucas, Duke turned around. Tina Fey was walking toward him. "Is something up?" he asked.

"Mrs. Leah is here," she said. "She has another guest with her. Miss Coppola wants you to head over right away."

Returning to the party, Duke exchanged pleasantries with the crowd as he made his way to the seating area where his mother was. As he caught sight of the familiar figures of his mother and Sofia, he also noticed another woman—presumably the guest his mother had brought along.

She was a woman who looked no older than twenty-five. Her long brown hair was parted down the middle and neatly tied back. She had a distinct oval face with striking features that carried a faint hint of Jewish descent. The corners of her lips were slightly turned up, maintaining a faint, polite smile at all times.

Compared to Charlize Theron or Sophie Marceau, this woman wasn't exceptionally beautiful. However, her elegant and slightly scholarly aura made it incredibly easy to like her. This temperament radiated from the inside out, feeling completely genuine and unpretentious.

This was especially true of her outfit: a light blue ribbed silk gown embroidered with exquisite ivory taffeta flowers, paired with a white evening clutch. Complemented by earrings and bracelets inlaid with moonstone, white gold, pure gold, and diamonds, her attire highlighted her refined aura while remaining dazzlingly radiant.

If female celebrities in the industry were fashion icons packaged by PR teams and wardrobe designers, then this woman was the living embodiment of fashion and elegance!

She was completely different from Hollywood actresses. Even with only light makeup, she would immediately stand out in a crowd.

"Mom..."

As he walked over, the group sitting around the table stood up. Mrs. Leah nodded and made the introductions.

"This is Duke."

"Duke, this is Miss Lauder—Aerin Lauder, from the Estee Lauder Group."

No matter how ignorant Duke might be, he had certainly heard of Estee Lauder. Besides, Santa Fe had quite a few business dealings with them. Judging by her name, she had to be a descendant of the Lauder Family.

"Hello, Miss Lauder."

"Hello, Director Rosenberg..."

The two shared a brief handshake. Duke wasn't sure if he was imagining things, but he felt Aerin Lauder's hand tremble slightly. Was she nervous, or perhaps excited?

"Just call me Duke."

Sitting around the oak table, Duke waved to the side, and a waiter immediately brought over four glasses of champagne. Aerin Lauder took one, maintaining her polite smile. "You can call me Aerin. Aunt Leah and I have known each other for a long time."

While Aerin Lauder was talking to Mrs. Leah, Sofia leaned into Duke's ear and whispered, "She's the granddaughter of Estee Lauder. She only has one older male cousin above her. Word is she's the core focus of the Lauder Family's third generation."

Santa Fe had an ongoing partnership with the Estee Lauder Group, but what did they want with him? Duke still found it a bit strange.

Sitting right across from her was the famous Explosion Maniac and Duke of Destruction. Aerin Lauder was actually a little thrilled. After all, he was a director she genuinely admired, having religiously watched all three of his films. She couldn't help but feel a bit like a fan meeting her idol, which was exactly why her right hand had trembled during their handshake.

But she quickly reined in her emotions. She was here for business, not to meet her favorite director as a fan!

As an outstanding figure among the Lauder Group's third generation, Aerin knew exactly what to say and do at any given moment. Socializing and networking were mandatory lessons she had learned since childhood.

"You two talk..."

Mrs. Leah stood up and told Duke, "Sofia and I will go entertain the guests for you."

Showing perfect tacit understanding, Sofia stood up as well and followed Mrs. Leah away from the table.

Taking it all in, Duke understood that his mother was making her position clear—she wouldn't interfere in whatever business proposition the woman was about to bring up.

Looking at the woman across from him, who maintained her polite smile and elegant demeanor, Duke had no intention of beating around the bush. "May I ask what brings you here, Miss Lauder?"

This was North America, and whatever they were about to discuss was strictly business. Being direct was the most appropriate and efficient approach.

"I was wondering if Director Rosenberg might be interested in stepping into the advertising world?"

Just like Duke, Aerin Lauder maintained a professional distance. "The Estee Lauder Group would like to invite you to direct the new blockbuster commercial for Youth Dew launching next year."

"Why me?" Duke didn't immediately reveal his stance.

"Let me put it this way, Director Rosenberg. I've seen your three films, and I've watched them more than once," Aerin Lauder said very earnestly. "In my opinion, the visuals in all three are so gorgeous they could easily be described as feature-length commercials! I don't mean that in a bad way—I absolutely love that style of filmmaking, which is why I recommended you to the group."

"Thank you." Duke raised his glass to her and took a light sip of champagne. "Actually, in certain sequences, I deliberately used advertising techniques to shoot the films."

This was a common consensus about him within Hollywood, and Duke never considered it unprofessional in the slightest.

"So..." Aerin Lauder asked directly. "Are you interested in the offer?"

"You can speak with my agent."

If the price was right, Duke was definitely interested. Shooting luxury brand commercials was a common and lucrative side gig for A-list directors anyway.

Seeing that Duke hadn't outright refused, Aerin Lauder secretly let out a sigh of relief. She raised her glass and clinked it against his. "Here's to a successful partnership! And to the massive success of your movie!"

"Thank you!" Duke replied politely.

With the business out of the way, Aerin seemed to relax a little. She looked at Duke and asked tentatively, "Is Saving Private Ryan finished?"

"It's still in post-production," Duke answered casually.

"I mentioned it to Aunt Leah on my way here." She seemed a little disappointed. "If it were possible, I really would have liked to see your movie a bit earlier."

Duke couldn't help but feel a little surprised. He had assumed her praise for his movies was just polite business talk, but looking at the situation now, it seemed she meant it?

The Estee Lauder Group was an important client for Santa Fe, so Duke immediately made the most appropriate choice. "Aerin, if you have the time then, would you like to come to Los Angeles for the premiere?"

"Could I?"

A flash of pleasant surprise crossed the face of the woman who had consistently maintained a faint smile. Duke nodded. "Of course!"