"I just love those two so much. The moment they stand together, it's like no one else can even enter their world."
"They're so adorable—definitely the cutest couple I've ever seen. I really hope they stay happy forever. If they do, maybe I'll start believing in love again."
While the internet buzzed with fans gushing over Laila and Roy, the one who got "pushed aside," Jimmy, wasn't nearly as thrilled. He turned to Roy with a mock-hurt expression. "You're just going to stand there and let her bully me like that?"
Roy simply shrugged. "As long as she's not the one being bullied, I'm good."
"…" Jimmy was speechless—again. Everyone already knew Roy was notorious for being overly protective of his wife, but now he'd just flexed that title live and in front of millions.
Viewers watching the broadcast were cracking up.
"Roy: You should be glad she didn't ask me to punch you. Or you'd be on the floor already. [Roy KO'ing enemies in an action movie] ·jpg"
"LOL, even Jimmy's speechless for once."
"We have to show this to all the celebs who've ever been roasted speechless on Jimmy's show. They'll love it."
After a bit of teasing banter, Jimmy smoothly shifted the topic to the movie.
"Laila, word is this film is your attempt to break the all-time global box office record. So tell us—do you feel confident?"
This was one of the pre-approved questions. According to Louise, the goal was to downplay the whole "record-breaking" narrative, so if the movie didn't hit those numbers, people wouldn't focus on something Laila had said in passing. But Laila had rejected that approach.
In fact, she had intentionally backed herself into a corner with this statement. That didn't mean she was being reckless—she just knew how to make use of topics that could stir buzz.
"Yes, I really do have that goal in mind." Laila glanced around, her eyes lingering for a few seconds on the area packed with fans. "I think a lot of people already know why I made that decision. At first, I wanted to prove I could do it through this film. But during the production, that mindset gradually faded. What I truly wanted was to make something that would bring joy to the people who like and support me."
"If you ask whether I still want to claim that number-one spot at the box office, my answer will always be yes. Of course I want it. Badly. But if chasing that number means compromising the quality of the film itself, then that wouldn't be me anymore, would it?"
Was she shifting the narrative a little? Sure. But who cared at a time like this?
Fans who loved her were moved by her words. They saw sincerity—a desire to create for them. As for the haters? Even if she said the most poetic thing in the world, they still wouldn't like her. So why should she care what they thought?
The fans who heard her speech burst into thunderous applause. Many of them made a silent promise to themselves: they would support her and this movie, no matter what. Even if the media labeled it a flop, it didn't matter. They said that every time. And every time, it was the media who got slapped in the face by reality.
Whether a movie is good or bad—that's not for the critics to decide. That's for the people who actually watch it. And as far as they were concerned, someone like Laila, who always put the audience first, would never make a bad movie. Just like she had always cared for her fans, they would use their ticket purchases to support her in return.
The topic of "whether the film would be a flop" was also part of the planned questions. Jimmy grinned as he brought it up.
"A lot of people have doubts about your movie this time. For example, the script was written in just two weeks, and the entire production wrapped in barely over a year. Do you think people will still hold that opinion after the premiere?"
Laila made a show of thinking it over. "No matter how good—or bad—the film is, there will always be people who don't like it. Everyone has different tastes. I can't please everyone, so I just try to please most people. In the end, whether the audience likes it or not… well, we'll know soon enough, won't we?"
Jimmy chuckled. "You know what? I love when you answer like that."
Before Laila could respond, Roy had already reached over and placed a hand on Jimmy's shoulder. Smiling with perfectly polite menace, he asked, "What exactly did you say you love about her?"
"N-nothing!" Jimmy instantly put on a mock-terrified face and surrendered. That drew another wave of laughter from the fans.
Thanks to the witty back-and-forth, the interview managed to touch on every high-impact talking point. And when you wanted a movie to dominate the entertainment headlines, you needed as many of those topics as possible.
For Laila, there were two major buzzworthy themes everyone was watching:
Her bold claim to challenge the highest-grossing film in history.
Whether Avengers would be a box office hit—or a flop.
Whether it was a good or bad movie would become clear as soon as audiences saw it. But what people really wanted to know was: was Laila serious about chasing that record, or was she just talking big?
And honestly, it was hard to believe she wasn't serious—especially when she'd invested hundreds of millions of dollars, spent a fortune on global marketing, and even appeared on major TV shows in dozens of countries. That kind of publicity blitz had never been done before. Even in the U.S. alone, she had done more press for this movie than all her previous films combined.
With that level of effort, it was hard to imagine she had made that box office claim casually.
Just then, another wave of deafening screams erupted around the red carpet—the Avengers cast, fully decked out in their costumes, had arrived.
A few superheroes showing up one by one might not have drawn focus away from Laila and Roy. But a whole team of them? Wearing capes, carrying shields and Thor's hammer, slinging quivers on their backs? That spectacle completely shifted the audience's attention.
Luckily, Laila's interview had just about wrapped up. Jimmy didn't try to stop the couple from moving on and instead turned with a grin to greet the "heroes" approaching him.
Now finally free, Laila and Roy entered the theater.
The Moran family was out in full force tonight. The only one absent was her grandmother, who disliked crowds and had little interest in movies. Even Laila's little brother, William, was there—dressed up in a sharp little suit.
"Thank you all for coming," Laila began, greeting her family warmly—but before she could say much more, she was pulled away for more social rounds.
She was the star of the night—her presence was expected everywhere. So Louise didn't hesitate to drag her around, introducing her to the key attendees of the premiere.
Laila wasn't fond of these kinds of events, but as she matured, she had started adjusting her mindset. If she hadn't happened to take over Phoenix, or inherited Louise and the other veterans, if she hadn't been born a Moran, with a family that supported and cared for her—there was no way she could've grown her company into what it is now with just her original personality.
And this film's box office results would impact her long-term plans going forward. So of course she had to let go of her distaste for socializing—at least for tonight—and spend the time working the room.