"Everything's fine, Samantha. There's just one thing I need to make absolutely clear: on this set, everything-without exception-follows my direction."
With another full day of auditions finally over, Alex said this calmly to Samantha Burnes right after she finished her test. There was no hostility in his tone, just the natural authority of someone who no longer felt the need to soften his words.
"Thank you very much, Director Alex… truly, thank you."
Samantha brushed her hand across her forehead out of habit, as if wiping away sweat that had never formed, and nodded repeatedly. The respect in her posture was so evident it bordered on excessive caution.
Her situation wasn't much different from Mark's. As the years went by, opportunities dwindled, and good scripts became rarer and rarer-almost an endangered species. Meaningful roles, ambitious projects, stories actually worth committing to… all of it slipped away little by little.
What weighed on her the most, however, wasn't the lack of opportunities, but the bitter realization that she now had to show such deference to someone more than ten years younger than herself. To Samantha, it was definitive proof that the world had turned upside down.
Today, whoever has visibility calls the shots.
Whoever controls attention rules.
Being a veteran didn't mean much anymore. Not on this set. Not under Alex's direction.
One mistake-an interpretation that was merely "good" when excellence was expected-and replacement could happen instantly, without drama, without warning, and without remorse.
And no one could claim Alex lacked the nerve to do it. Just look at Mark's recent interview-the actor playing Ichigo Kurosaki admitted outright that working under Alex made him genuinely nervous.
The demands were simply too high. Every scene came with the constant feeling of walking on thin ice: one wrong step, and the role would change hands.
That alone said everything.
It wasn't arrogance.
It was absolute control over his own project.
And on that set, that control had a name.
As he was leaving, Leorio Sguario couldn't help but glance twice more at Violet Grant-the girl born after 2010 who was still sitting comfortably on Alex's lap.
Deep down, all he could think was that the younger generation really played by a completely different set of rules.
Once most of the main cast had been finalized, Violet Grant couldn't hide her unease and asked softly,
"Director Alex… the female lead still hasn't been confirmed, right?"
"It's taken too long for a reply. Ninety percent chance she turned it down."
Alex shrugged, as if he were commenting on the weather. There was no frustration on his face, just practical acceptance.
As he spoke, he lifted Violet Grant off his lap and set her on the ground, then looked at both girls.
"Alright, time for you two to head home. If you let your homework pile up, don't complain when the school calls your parents."
"Ahhh…"
Violet pouted, clearly displeased.
Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, she tugged on Alex's hand, wearing an expression that perfectly blended innocence and calculation.
"Alex… I'm scared to go home by myself. Can you take me?"
Violet Grant's eyes widened instantly.
What a shameless girl.
No… a pocket-sized shameless girl.
And maybe it was just paranoia, but every time that child glanced her way, Violet felt a faint trace of provocation hidden in the corner of her eyes.
"…Alright. I don't have any other commitments after this anyway."
Alex nodded, as if there were absolutely nothing strange about the situation.
On the way back, Violet Grant stayed sulky the entire time, cheeks puffed out and arms crossed, radiating silent indignation.
The agent driving glanced at them through the rearview mirror and was genuinely speechless.
A fourteen-year-old middle schooler and a nine-year-old elementary student competing for attention over a man about to enter his thirties.
Not even the most over-the-top Hollywood teen drama would dare write something this absurd.
...
On the drive to Violet Grant's home, Alex casually struck up a conversation.
"Pu Pu, have your parents agreed to you signing with my company?"
Ever since Violet's flawless performance in The Bad Kids, the nickname had become second nature.
"They want to talk to you, Alex. Do you have time today? They were also hoping you'd stay for dinner."
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Ah… alright."
Alex didn't deny it, not even to himself-he really wanted to sign Violet Grant. Among children born after 2010, she was easily one of the most talented young actresses he'd ever seen.
She was still young, but she was already far from an ordinary child.
In the world of animation and otaku-inspired entertainment, characters with this kind of presence were practically mandatory.
And Violet Grant fit that role perfectly.
...
...
Reality confirmed a simple, brutal truth: being handsome really does help.
Despite Alex's questionable reputation within the industry, after meeting Violet Grant's parents and sharing a meal with them, the outcome was unexpectedly positive.
In the end, both parents agreed that Violet would sign with Alex's animation and live-action division.
The father remained resistant for most of the conversation, while the mother seemed determined to defend Alex from the very beginning.
Only after Alex repeatedly assured them that he would take good care of Violet did the father's expression finally soften.
As soon as he left the house, Alex immediately posted a message on social media.
The goal was clear: to contain the growing online uprising among Bleach fans.
That day, Violet Grant wasn't the only focal point. Hundreds of fans had gathered in front of Alex's company building, holding protest signs like they were about to launch a cultural revolution.
That was when Alex truly realized the monstrous scale of Bleach's influence.
If he didn't calm that fanatical crowd down, no one knew where it might lead.
"Bleach: Arrancar Arc will be filmed at the Potala Palace in Tibet. Many preparations are still underway, so we ask everyone for a bit of patience."
Along with the post came a photo: a colossal white palace dominating the landscape like something pulled straight from legend.
The same landmark known to anyone with an internet connection.
The chosen setting for the Arrancar Arc-the Potala Palace.
Much of that arc took place in Sosuke Aizen's new headquarters, Hueco Mundo, more specifically the Palace of Las Noches.
Originally, Alex had considered spending a fortune to build a massive set, in the style of epic historical productions, recreating the entire palace inside a studio.
Then came the surprise.
The Tibetan tourism department reached out. After learning that Alex needed a grand palace as a filming location, they offered temporary use of the actual Potala Palace.
When Alex heard this, he almost thought it was a joke.
Anywhere in the world, it would be hard to find a structure more symbolic and imposing.
And as a citizen of the country, filming there stirred an almost instinctive sense of pride.
Hueco Mundo's aesthetic was largely desert-like, and the region also boasted some of the most breathtaking arid landscapes in the country.
It was perfect.
It solved the location issue and promoted national historical landmarks at the same time.
An offer like that couldn't be refused.
...
"Isn't this… a bit too much?"
When Alex's post went public, it wasn't just the fans who were shocked. Major figures in the industry were left speechless as well.
Receiving permission to film at a heritage site of that level was almost unheard of.
Many compared it to the impact of major Western productions being granted access to iconic historical locations-something on the level of filming a blockbuster inside the Colosseum or using European royal palaces as primary sets.
What is presence?
This is real presence.
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