"Director, that's incredible! Congratulations!"
Cassius said sincerely, his heart finally catching up to the news and starting to pound violently.
This meant his very first film had become a dark horse at the box office!
"No, Cass, congratulations to us!"
James Wan corrected him, his tone becoming extremely serious.
"Listen, Cass, have you seen the media reports?"
"A lot of reviews specifically mentioned your performance. Your character has become a focal point of discussion for many viewers!"
"Really? I've been on set lately, haven't been paying much attention..."
Cassius answered honestly. He had been too busy raking in attribute orbs these past few days.
"I knew it! You're always so composed!"
James Wan's voice carried undeniable appreciation.
"Cass, the news about you and Kristen brought in a lot of traffic, but your performance caught that wave and turned it into word-of-mouth and box office sales!"
"You made the people who walked into the theater for the scandal remember your character! Do you understand how rare that is?"
James Wan's voice was full of affirmation. "You didn't win this by luck, you won it with skill!"
[James Wan Favorability: +5, Current Favorability: 55 (High Appreciation & Gratitude)]
Listening to the lavish praise on the phone and watching the favorability score surge on his virtual panel, an indescribable sense of accomplishment washed over Cassius.
This feeling of gaining high recognition from a top director through his professional ability was more satisfying than any attribute orb harvest.
"Thank you, James. This means a lot to me."
Cassius's tone was also tinged with excitement.
"You deserve it!"
James Wan said firmly. "We're planning a roadshow in a few key cities. We need you to attend. Do you have time?"
"Of course!"
Cassius agreed without hesitation.
This wasn't just to help with promotion; it was his duty and honor as an actor.
"Great! I'll have my assistant send you the itinerary. Cass, thanks again for everything you did for this movie!"
James Wan said solemnly.
Hanging up the phone, Cassius stood there, digesting this sudden huge news.
Thirty-five million!
Explosive word-of-mouth!
High recognition from James Wan!
Cassius's phone rang again.
It was Rob!
Rob's voice on the phone was incredibly excited.
"Cass! You're hot property now!"
"The audition invites I have on hand are at least three tiers higher than before! Legitimate supporting roles, lead roles in indie films! There's even a TV series that wants you for a recurring role!"
Cassius was an actor he had discovered. Cassius's success would also elevate his status in the industry.
Cassius listened to Rob's roaring enthusiasm.
Back at home.
Cassius felt that the way Kristen looked at him had changed a bit, too.
[Kristen Stewart Favorability: +7, Current Favorability: 55]
That evening, both of them were rarely home for dinner.
Kristen suddenly spoke up. "I watched Insidious."
Cassius looked up at her.
"You were great!"
She paused, then added, "Much better than I expected. That sense of loneliness was very real."
"Thanks!"
Cassius accepted the compliment calmly.
He deserved it.
"How does it feel to have your work discussed by so many people?"
"Feels good!"
Cassius cut the steak on his plate. Since moving in with Kristen, his standard of living had skyrocketed. If he hadn't intensified his workouts, he would have gained at least ten pounds!
He put a piece of steak into his mouth, looked at Kristen, and smiled.
"Better than making headlines for dating you!"
Kristen's mouth twitched slightly at that, as if she wanted to laugh but held it back.
"I know!" she said softly.
Now Kristen was feeling the pressure, too.
After all, they weren't a real couple.
Her boyfriend was no longer just an unknown small-time actor who needed her help; he was a potential star with a representative work and box office appeal.
The public was starting to view this relationship through a new lens, with some even saying "Kristen has good taste."
The more famous Cassius became, the more heat their eventual breakup would generate!
Originally, she planned for an unknown actor to simply fade from her life story.
He wouldn't even appear in her Wikipedia entry.
But now, even if they broke up, Cassius would forever be labeled as her ex-boyfriend!
Cassius looked at the favorability score of [55] hovering over Kristen's head. He clearly felt that he had made the right move!
Without the buzz from Kristen, it would have been hard for him to be remembered for a supporting role in a horror movie.
But now he had done it!
This was the beginning of Cassius's era!
Insidious had incredible box office stamina.
The producers and distribution company were grinning from ear to ear. They immediately organized a small-scale but high-profile roadshow to hit key cities and maintain the buzz.
As the memorable supporting actor, Cassius was naturally on the invite list.
What surprised him a bit was that Kristen also expressed a desire to attend a few roadshow stops as his girlfriend and supporter.
Cassius looked at her favorability score, stable at [55], and saw through it clearly.
This wasn't girlfriend support; she clearly saw the positive heat he was getting from the movie and wanted to further consolidate the image of a normal heterosexual relationship to continue countering those persistent rumors about her sexual orientation.
It was a mutually beneficial double act.
Cassius didn't point it out and agreed readily. "Sure. With a big star like you anchoring the event, the box office will probably go up even more."
Kristen seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
The first stop of the roadshow was a large theater in Los Angeles.
When Cassius and Kristen appeared on stage together, the screams and applause from the audience were far more intense than when only Director James Wan and Cassius appeared.
Flashbulbs practically drowned the stage.
The flow was standard: chatting about funny moments during filming, sharing insights into the characters, and interacting with the audience.
Director James Wan controlled the flow. Cassius's answers were concise but always hit the key points of acting, displaying a level of professionalism that belied his rookie status, earning frequent nods from the fans.
Media Q&A session.
The focus inevitably centered on Cassius and Kristen.
"Kristen, this is your first time publicly accompanying Cassius to a film event. Is this to express support for your boyfriend's career?"
A reporter rushed to ask.
Kristen picked up the microphone, a perfectly measured smile on her face—neither overly sweet nor distant.
"Of course! I'm very proud of him. Insidious is an outstanding film, and his performance speaks for itself. I'm happy to share in his moment of success."
[Kristen Stewart Favorability: +1, Current Favorability: 56]
Cassius was a little confused.
What's going on?
Is this woman conquering herself?
He couldn't figure it out!