ch 1 - 5

**Chapter 1: Reborn in New York, 2002**

"Luca, Luca! My husband is back! Hide on the windowsill, quickly! Take your time though—this is the 18th floor, don’t fall!"

 "Ahhhh!"

 New York, Hilton Hotel.

 The setting sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of a room on the 18th floor. A handsome man suddenly shouted and opened his eyes.

 "Where am I?"

 The room looked like a lavishly decorated space: artistic paintings, crystal chandeliers, and an old-style TV. The metal plaque on the opposite wall read "Hilton Hotel."

 "Has the Hilton opened a branch in the afterlife?"

 He kicked his legs up, trying to spring up from the bed like an athlete.

But the moment he exerted force, a sharp pain shot through his waist. Damn, he couldn’t help but groan, rolling off the bed onto the carpet.

 Thud!  
The intense pain jolted him fully awake.

 "Pain? I’m not dead? I’m really not dead?"

 The man lay on the soft carpet, his eyes filled with surprise and confusion.

 His name was Luca. He was sleeping soundly earlier when suddenly, a frantic voice had screamed by his bed: "Luca, Luca! My husband’s back, hide on the windowsill!"

 Startled, Luca jumped up, instinctively climbing onto the windowsill. Once outside, the cool breeze hit him, and he snapped out of it. "Wait, I’m at home. Why am I hiding?"

 Then it clicked: yesterday at a bar, his friends had played a prank.

 They had recorded a very intense wake-up alarm—"My husband’s back!"—to see who would fall for it the next day.

 Unfortunately, he had fallen for it. Damn it.

 Just as he was about to get back inside, he slipped and fell from the 18th floor. Splat!

 "Did I not die? That can’t be—I fell from the 18th floor."

 Suddenly, he noticed a stranger in the mirror opposite him.

 A handsome man with messy, dark brown hair hanging over his forehead, giving off a devil-may-care, rugged charm. His deep-set eyes and high nose bridge, coupled with piercing black pupils, radiated an intensity far beyond his age. 

"Whoa! Who’s this handsome guy?"

 Luca scratched his head, and the guy in the mirror did the same. The warm, slightly greasy feeling of his fingers made him shudder, and suddenly, memories flooded his mind.

 Luca Cassev Dominguez Kelly, born in Brazil in 1982, twenty years old.

 He started playing soccer at six and joined the youth training team at fifteen, helping his club win the Brazilian Youth Cup.

 At seventeen, he was selected for Brazil’s U-20 national team and played in the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship, scoring a critical goal in the finals and making waves in the soccer world.

 Real Madrid had even offered him a contract for 5 million euros.

 Unfortunately, on the eve of his move abroad, he was in a car accident that left him with a fractured spine.

 The injury paralyzed his lower body, and it took him a full year of bed rest to recover.

 During that time, his height shot up from 180 cm to 186 cm, but his once-prized speed became mediocre, and his coordination significantly declined.

 The team doctors and coaches told him he could never play soccer again.

 The former Luca was devastated.

 He began drinking, getting into fights, and frequenting nightclubs. In less than six months, he squandered all his savings.

 Unable to sustain himself in Brazil, his sister Kate brought him to the U.S., where he lived off her.

 "A fallen genius?" 

Luca looked at the man in the mirror and smirked.

 Though he appeared a bit worn out, there was no denying the man was a stunner.

 "From now on, I’ll live for you. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure we live well, and I’ll take good care of your—no, our—sister!"

 *Ring, ring, ring!*  
A loud ringtone interrupted his thoughts.

 He steadied himself on the edge of the bed and found a Motorola flip phone. Under the blanket, he also noticed two women fast asleep.

 Luca shook his head. The previous owner of this body hadn’t fully recovered from his back injury and was still playing around like this. No wonder the phrase "No pain, no gain" applies here.

 "Hello, Cathead!" he answered. 

As soon as he flipped open the phone, a furious voice came through.

 "Damn it, Luca! Where are you?"

 "Sorry, ma’am, may I ask who you are?" he replied in fluent English, cutting her off mid-rant.

 The woman on the other end was momentarily stunned but then shouted even louder, "Luca, Luca! You idiot, are you high again?"

 Luca frowned, glanced at the contact name—Nina.

 A middle-aged woman’s image popped into his head: Nina Hester, his sister Kate’s manager. A strict, old-fashioned, but responsible woman. 

She had always disliked Luca, the freeloader, and constantly pressured Kate to hire a new assistant.

 But Kate refused, insisting on keeping Luca by her side.

 Nina had no choice but to tolerate him. 

However, the former Luca had been a terrible assistant.

 He often hid his drinking, womanizing, and partying habits from his sister and never did anything serious.

 Today was the opening of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, and Kate was supposed to walk the runway. But at the venue, she realized she’d forgotten her hat.

 Luca had used the excuse of going home to get the hat, but instead, he rented a hotel room with two women, drinking and popping pills. In the end, he got so high that he completely forgot about the hat.

 "Damn it, Luca! I don’t care how high you are! You have ten minutes—TEN MINUTES—to bring Kate’s hat backstage, or I’ll fire you, got it?"

 Nina sounded like she was about to explode.

 "Nina, I was just joking. Don’t worry, I’ll get the hat to you in ten minutes," he said, quickly hanging up.

 Then, he spotted the hat on the bedside table. 

It was a pink women’s round hat with sparkly rhinestones, small and delicate—a custom piece, clearly.

 "Why does this hat look so familiar?"

 Suddenly, he remembered an entertainment headline: *Victoria’s Secret Show Disasters: The Worst Outcomes in History*.

 In 2002, during a Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, there had been an accident.

 Brazilian supermodel Kate Kelly had performed poorly, and afterward, Victoria’s Secret terminated her contract.

 It was rumored that due to an assistant’s mistake, Kate had been missing a hat during her walk. 

In a supermodel’s runway show, every piece—clothes, accessories, hats, shoes—is critical. Without one, the whole look is incomplete. 

Kate, being a perfectionist, had been thrown off her game, and her runway walk had lost its usual confidence.

 After the incident, fashion magazines criticized her lack of adaptability, claiming she wasn’t up to supermodel standards.

 Not long after, Victoria’s Secret canceled her contract, cutting short a promising career.

 The hat in those news photos looked identical to this one.

 "Huh? I only saw that article once. Why do I remember it so clearly? Did my memory improve?"

 Whatever. Right now, I’m Luca Dominguez Kelly, Kate’s brother. I need to help her. 

*Vroom, vroom, vroom!*  
As the sun set, a red Ferrari roared down the coastal avenue, quickly merging into the bustling traffic, becoming a streak of light in the big city.

 ---

(End of Chapter)

 
**Chapter 2: My Supermodel Sister**

On November 8, 2002, the highly anticipated Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show took place at The Armory Show in Manhattan.

 This area is one of the most fashionable places in America, comparable to the Champs-Élysées in Paris or Monte Napoleone Street in Milan. It's filled with art, luxury goods, and a rich cultural atmosphere.

 Luca, driving a Ferrari with one hand, reached the backstage entrance of the Platform exhibition area in less than four minutes.

 **Time remaining: 120 seconds!**
"Stop!"

 At the backstage entrance, two bear-like Black security guards stood in his way.

 As he was about to enter, one of the guards on the right suddenly moved sideways, blocking the door with his large body. He pointed to the sign at the entrance. 

"Staff only!" Luca cursed under his breath, **“Shit”**, realizing that in his rush, he had left his badge at the hotel.

 With a grin, he said, “Hey, good afternoon, gentlemen! I’m Luca, Miss Kate’s assistant. You should know me, right?”

 The two Black security guards snorted and turned their heads away dramatically, as if to say, *Who cares about a freeloading loser like you?*

 **Fuck!**

 Only 90 seconds left.

 His brow furrowed, and he reached into his pocket, asking coldly, “Are you really not going to let me in?”

 “What do you think you’re doing?!”

 Seeing his movement, the guards became alert. One stepped back, and the other placed a hand on his waist, ready to pull a gun.

 “Relax!”

 Luca suddenly smiled, pulling two green bills from his pocket. “Gentlemen, I found two hundred dollars in the parking lot. Did you happen to lose this?”

 The two guards exchanged glances, grinning as they said, “Heh heh, yes, we did.”

 “Great! Returned to the rightful owner, everyone’s happy!” Luca handed over the money and smoothly made his way into the backstage area.

 The backstage was bright and bustling with people.

 Holding his hat, Luca quickly found the dressing area.

 “Wow~ is this heaven?”

 As he pushed open the door, he couldn’t help but whistle.

 The room, not too small but crowded with people, was filled with dozens of stunning lingerie models, all with perfect figures and faces.

 Everywhere he looked, it was a sea of beauty, long legs, and alluring curves. It was like standing on the peak of a mountain with breathtaking views.

 Half of the world’s most beautiful people were here, and they weren’t wearing much. It was a scene more extravagant than King Zhou’s infamous debauched feasts.

 **Hiss~**
His waist hurt again!

 Muttering a quick “Amitabha,” Luca shouted, “Excuse me, coming through,” and squeezed past model after model.

 “Ouch~ Luca, be careful!”

 “Sorry, I’ll be gentler next time!” 

“Oh, Luca, you knocked off my bra!”

 “Sorry, not my fault! It’s because your chest is too small.”

 “Damn it, Luca, get away from me!”

 “As you wish!”

 With a series of quick moves, Luca managed to scare off the beauties and successfully made his way through the crowd.

 He searched frantically for Kate, but with so many half-dressed models around, how could he find her in time?

 **Damn~ only 30 seconds left.**

 “Damn it, Luca, why are you just getting here?”

 Suddenly, a middle-aged woman rushed over—it was Kate’s agent, Nina Hester. 

In a voice only a menopausal woman could have, she shouted, “Luca, you’re late! You’ve ruined Kate’s show, and you’ve destroyed your sister’s career. Do you understand that?”

 Wiping the spit off his face, Luca asked, “Is Kate on stage already?”

 “Kate’s in the waiting area. By now, she’s probably…”

 “So she hasn’t gone on yet. There’s still time.”

 Not waiting for Nina to rant further, Luca squeezed through the crowd, quickly heading toward the waiting area.

 “Kate, get on stage, no more waiting!”

 “Kate, don’t worry about the damn hat—you’re perfect!”

 Just a few steps in, Luca heard people shouting ahead.

 In the crowd, several people surrounded a model wearing golden wings, urging her to step onto the stage.

 The model stood nearly six feet tall, with long, tawny blonde hair, ivory skin, and endless legs—her most striking feature.

 She was Kate Kelly, Luca’s sister, a 22-year-old supermodel.

 Chanel’s current spokesperson.

 A signed Victoria’s Secret model.

 A cover model for magazines like **i-D** and **Vogue**.

 One of the top 100 most beautiful faces in the world last year.

 Ranked 8th on the list of the world’s sexiest women.

 “Wow~ what a beautiful sister,” Luca thought to himself. Perhaps influenced by his former self, he felt a strange sense of closeness to her the moment he saw Kate.

 “KATE!”

 He shouted her name.

 Kate’s eyes lit up, her bright red lips curved slightly, but she quickly added angrily, “Luca, you’re late!!”

 “Sorry, Kate, but it’s not too late, right?”

 Through the crowd, Luca tossed the hat toward her.

 Everyone looked up at the hat floating in the air.

 Swaying gently, the hat floated for two seconds before landing perfectly in Kate’s outstretched hand.

 “Wow~”

 **Clap clap clap~**
The crowd erupted in applause.

 “Nice shot!” 

Kate puckered her lips, blew a whistle, and, wearing her pink round hat, strode confidently onto the runway.

 **Boom~**
The music hit full throttle!

 **Doom-tss doom-tss~ Oh yeah!**
On the starry runway, Kate’s long legs moved in time with the intense music as she made her way to the front of the stage.

 Diamond-studded high heels.

 Sexy lingerie.

 Subtle, see-through tassels.

 Her golden wings flapped with every step, paired with the playful and elegant round hat, creating a sense of graceful sensuality.

 “Wow, those long legs are sexy.”

 “She’s got the fiery passion of a Brazilian woman and the elegant sophistication of a British lady. Praise the Creator!”

 “I bet she’ll be wearing the Fantasy Bra to open the show next year.” 

The audience’s attention was fully on her, not blinking as they watched her every move.

 Photographers snapped away, capturing every moment of her time on stage.

 CBS’s cameras followed her every step.

 Her walk was elegant yet bold, with her high-frequency steps being instantly recognizable. On the dazzling runway, she was full of life and energy. 

Backstage, Luca watched his sister, Kate, strode across the stage. He couldn’t help but feel a little regretful—why did such a beautiful woman have to be his sister?

 “Wow~ the Ice Queen smiled!”

 At the very front of the runway, as she turned, Kate tipped her hat, and a faint smile appeared on her otherwise cold face, catching the attention of every man in the audience.

 “The Ice Queen’s smile is gorgeous.”

 “Leon, Kate smiled at you!”

 “Leon, Kate’s stunning. I envy you!”

 People in the audience couldn’t help but look at the man sitting in the center—a suave, 27- or 28-year-old in a silver-gray pinstripe suit, none other than Hollywood heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio.

 Receiving everyone’s praise, Leo smiled broadly, a hint of smugness in his expression.

 Luca also glanced at DiCaprio and suddenly remembered the content from *“Victoria’s Secret Show’s Most Notorious Fails: The Worst Outcome for Hat Girl.”*

 “After the ‘Hat Incident’ of 2002, Kate Kelly faced public criticism, was soon dropped by Victoria’s Secret, and her career hit a major crisis.

 But misfortune didn’t come alone.

 Less than a week later, her boyfriend Leonardo announced their breakup, moving on with Gisele Bündchen, leaving Kate to face both professional and personal heartbreak.”

 Luca rubbed his temples. *Why did my sister end up with a boyfriend like this?*

 Leonardo was infamous for his playboy lifestyle, dating dozens of supermodels over the years—all blonde, leggy beauties—earning him the title of “Supermodel Collector.”

 Luca didn’t want his sister to stay with someone like him.

 He stroked his chin, pondering how to get Leo out of the picture early.

 **Boom-tss boom-tss~**
Gisele Bündchen took the stage, dressed in a wild, leather lingerie outfit. With the confidence of a queen, she strutted to the front of the runway, throwing a flirtatious glance at Leo.

 Luca’s eyes lit up. He had an idea.

(End of Chapter)

**Chapter 3: Leonardo**

After Kate left the stage, a group of Brazilian supermodels surrounded her, including Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio (AA), and Isabeli Fontana, all top-tier supermodels.

 Back in the day, in his free time, Luca loved looking at photoshoots of these models.

 Sometimes it was Japanese actresses, sometimes Hollywood stars, but mostly Victoria's Secret models, which included the very Brazilian supermodels standing in front of him now.

 Seeing them in person for the first time, Luca couldn’t help but feel a little excited.

 "Hi, dear Kate, your performance tonight was absolutely stunning. Many people in the audience were completely mesmerized!"

 He walked up to Kate, arms wide open, ready to give her a congratulatory hug.

 Smack!
Kate lightning-quick slapped her hand over his face and angrily said, "Luca, where were you this afternoon? You almost missed my show!"

 Luca shrugged it off, "Kate, it was just a hat. You're a supermodel who’s been through countless shows. You wouldn't let a hat ruin your performance, would you?"

 "Hmph, was I waiting for a hat? No, I was waiting for *you*!"

 She stared into his eyes, clearly emotional. "Luca, this is my first time walking the Victoria’s Secret runway. I wanted you in the audience cheering for me. Don’t you get that?"

 Luca sighed internally. So it wasn’t about the hat after all—it was because her little brother didn’t show up, or worse, had something bad happen. 

"Kate, I'm really sorry!"

 "No need to apologize. You made it just in time, didn't you?"

 Kate smiled slightly and gave him a light hug. 

"Wow~ Such a close sibling bond!"  

Lima teased with a smile. 

Adriana Lima, at 21 years old, stood 178 cm tall, with sexy, full lips, a voluptuous chest, and beautifully toned honey-colored skin. She was the epitome of Brazilian beauty.

 She and Kate had started their careers together, moving from Brazil to the U.S., and had a good relationship.

 Luca smiled lightly and opened his arms, "Lima, your performance today was also incredible. How about a victory hug for me?"

 "Hmph!"

 Lima gave him a cold glance and walked away.

 The others followed without acknowledging him either.

 Luca awkwardly shrugged.

 "Pfft~"

 Kate couldn’t hold back her laughter.

 "Kate, they’re all Brazilian. How could they treat me like this?"

 Luca imitated his former self’s tone, complaining.

 "Do you really not know why?"

 Kate raised her eyebrows teasingly. 

Luca suddenly remembered. His former self, whenever tagging along with Kate to big events, would always try to hit on the models, sneakily taking advantage of them. Those Brazilian models had suffered from his antics, so why would they pay him any attention now?

 Shaking his head, he said, "Kate, I’ll change from now on."

 "Fifty-six!"

 Kate waved her hand and headed toward the dressing area.

 "Fifty-six? What does that mean?" 

Luca asked, puzzled.

 "It’s the fifty-sixth time you’ve said you’d change, but you never do." 

Kate huffed in dissatisfaction, pulled aside a clothes rack, and walked into a makeshift dressing area between two rows of racks, with only a few garments hanging to block her from view. 

 Luca glanced for a moment and then turned his back to the racks, saying, "Kate, I’m serious this time. You have to believe me."

 "Forty-eight!"

 "I’ve said that forty-eight times? Oh, come on! That definitely wasn’t me!" 

Luca covered his forehead, frustrated. His past self had left him with too many messes: a bad back, a drug habit, poverty, and awful relationships. All huge problems.

 "Twenty-five times!"

 "Uh~ Kate, are you a devil? Why do you keep count of everything?"

 "No, I’m an angel!"

 Kate laughed and suddenly shouted, "Catch!"

 "What?" 

Before he could react, two small pieces of clothing flew over the racks and landed on his head, carrying a faint, peculiar scent.

 He looked down and almost hurt his back again. It was a very sexy outfit, the one Kate had just worn for the show.

 "Kate, why are you giving this to me?"

 "Don’t you like my worn clothes?"

 "Do I?"

 Thinking it over, Luca realized his past self did have that quirk.

 Great, another thing to fix. 

He examined the still-warm outfit, which was beautiful and delicate but made of poor-quality materials. The texture and comfort weren’t great, which explained why Victoria’s Secret’s business had gone downhill before its eventual closure.

 Setting the outfit down, he said, "Kate, I’m serious this time. I’m turning over a new leaf, and you’ll see—"

 Before he could finish, Kate grabbed him by the collar and pulled him behind the clothes rack.

 "Kate, why are you pulling me?"

 He glanced at Kate, then looked down. She hadn’t finished dressing.

 Unbothered by the little bit of exposure, Kate stared into his eyes and asked, "Did you get into trouble again?"

 Luca sighed, feeling powerless. "I didn’t." 

"Then you must be broke. How much do you need this time?"

 Kate, relieved, continued getting dressed.

 "Kate, I don’t need any money."

 "You don’t? Did you rob a bank?"

 "No!"

 "Did you kill someone? Oh my God, Luca, how could you?"

 "Shut up, Kate!"

 Luca stood up, grabbed her by the shoulders, and shook her gently. "Kate, stop joking. I’m serious this time. Can’t you believe me just once?"

 Kate looked into his eyes and then burst out laughing. "Haha, dear Luca, look at you! You’ve got no sense of humor at all!"

 "Humor? Fine, you’re hilarious."

 Luca waved his hand and walked out from behind the rack, with the sound of Kate’s laughter trailing behind him.

 A little while later, Kate emerged in an angel costume, ready for the finale. She only had a shimmering silver robe thrown over it.

 "Luca, something’s different about you today."

 Kate stood in front of him, giving him a strange look.

 Luca froze for a moment. Had she noticed? No way, he’d been doing his best to act like his former self.

 "What’s different?"

 Kate pinched her chin between her thumb and forefinger, thoughtfully. "You used to sneak peeks when I changed. Today, you behaved."

 Luca sighed and said, "Kate, like I said, I’ve changed. It’s not just talk. I’m going to prove it. That’s a man’s promise."

 "Is that so?"

 Kate smiled. "Even if you didn’t look, I know you wanted to. You haven’t really changed."

 Luca, embarrassed that she’d read his thoughts, waved his hand and walked off.

 "I’ve got nothing more to say to you."

 "Hahaha~ Luca, I’m happy to see you’re changing, though."

 Kate linked her arm with his, clearly pleased. 

Luca smiled. Having a sister like her didn’t seem so bad after all.

 "Hey~ Leo!"

 Just as he was feeling happy, Kate let go of his arm and rushed into someone else’s embrace. 

It was none other than Leonardo DiCaprio. 

Watching their intimate posture, Luca felt a pang of annoyance. This player. Let go of my sister!  
(End of Chapter)

**Chapter 4: A Clean Break**

“Katie, you look stunning tonight. Everyone is enchanted by you. You're like the moon in the sky."

 In Kate's dressing room, Leo wrapped his arms around her, showering her with flattery.

 "Ahem..."

 Luca cleared his throat to remind them of his presence.

 "Luca, Depp’s having a party at the Viper Room this weekend. Want to join me?" Leo asked, eyeing him sideways.

 "Sorry, Leo. You know I'm always busy. I've got a million things to handle every day and no time for parties!"

 Leo's smile faltered, clearly displeased.

 To Leo, Luca was a nobody—a castaway living off his sister, trying to make his way into the high society but without any real chance. Depp's parties were infamous for their chaos—beautiful women, drugs, and booze. He thought inviting Luca would be an irresistible offer. But rejection was unexpected.

 "Luca, I need a word with Kate. Could you give us some space?" Leo frowned, clearly annoyed. 

"Luca, go ahead. I'll be fine," Kate gently pushed Luca's shoulder. She knew Luca didn’t like Leo—or any other man for that matter, when it came to her. She understood but didn’t want them to fight. She still hoped Leo could help Luca break into Hollywood.

 "Wait, Kate. I just have one question for Leo, then I’ll leave," Luca said.

 "What?" Leo asked, clearly impatient.

 Luca asked calmly, "Leo, I heard you’ve been dating Gisele. Is that true?"

 Leo’s face twitched slightly, but he quickly smiled, looking charming again. "That’s just a rumor. Everyone in the entertainment industry has rumors." 

"But I just saw you and Gisele kissing in her dressing room for three whole minutes," Luca said coolly.

 "That’s nonsense. I haven’t seen Gisele today," Leo shot back, startled.

 Luca smirked and opened his phone gallery. "Kate, take a look."

 Kate glanced at the phone, her face immediately turning pale. The photo showed two people hugging. Though the image was a bit blurry, it was clear enough to recognize Leo and Gisele.

 "Bullshit! This is just a bad angle. Gisele and I only talked briefly," Leo said, now visibly rattled. He thought no one was in the dressing room. How had Luca taken the photo? Could it be...?

 "It was you!" Leo pointed at Luca angrily, realizing he’d fallen into his trap.

 "What trap? You said you hadn't seen Gisele. You’re just a liar, Leo. You’ve been deceiving Kate!" Luca fired back.

 "No, I haven’t!"

 "Liar. Are you still going to try fooling Kate?" Luca sneered, pulling Kate closer. "Kate, don’t blame me for ruining your date. I just don’t want you to get hurt."

 "Luca..." Kate's eyes welled up. 

"You two should talk," Luca said, walking out of the dressing room, mission accomplished. Earlier, he had slipped a few bucks to a staff member to send Leo a message: Gisele was looking for him in her dressing room. He just wanted to see where Leo’s loyalty lay. Turns out, Leo rushed off eagerly.

 Leo and Gisele had hit it off immediately and even shared a goodbye kiss. Serves him right, Luca thought.

 "Oh, Kate, listen to me. We didn’t kiss. How could you believe Luca? He’s just a drunken, drug-addicted loser!" Leo protested.

 "Shut up!" Kate's voice rang out from behind Luca as he left. "Luca’s no drunk or addict! He was once the most promising young soccer player in Brazil. He was a prince on the field!" 

"That was the past. Now, he’s just a bum you’re supporting," Leo sneered.

 "Shut up!! Luca’s not a loser. He’s a genius. He once scored a critical goal for our national team. He brought honor to our country. And who are you? A selfish, pleasure-seeking playboy. What gives you the right to talk about him like that?" 

". . . Oh, Kate, I didn’t realize you felt that way. Maybe we need some time apart to cool down," Leo sighed, storming out. When he saw Luca standing by the window, he paused with a cold smile. "Is this what you wanted?" 

Luca shook his head. "It’s not about what I want, Leo. It’s about what you did. Don’t even try denying your fling with Gisele."

 Leo snorted, lighting a cigarette. "Whether I’m with Gisele doesn’t matter. What matters is that Kate’s my girlfriend. Do you know what that means?"

 He blew out a puff of smoke, a smug look on his face. "It means a stylish, beautiful label. It means exposure. It means Kate’s career will soar, and she’ll become one of the top models in the industry. But you just ruined it all."

 Luca chuckled. "Don’t overestimate your importance. With or without you, Kate can still become a top model."

 "Do you think becoming a top model is that easy?" Leo laughed derisively, looking out at New York as if he owned it. "Look at the women out there. They’re just as beautiful as Kate, but they haven’t had her luck. Give them a chance, and they’d easily replace her on the Victoria’s Secret runway."

 "Bullshit!" Luca shot back. "The reason they’re out there while my sister is on that runway isn’t just luck. It’s effort and grit. Kate wakes up at 5 a.m. every day to work out. Do they? Kate practices her walk for four hours every day. Do they? Kate nearly wrecked her body from dieting. Have they gone through that kind of pain?"

 Luca shook his head. "They haven’t. But Kate has. And more. You think Kate’s success is just luck? No, Leo. I’ve seen her hard work, her sweat. You think Kate is just a pretty face who can be replaced at any moment. But to me, Kate is irreplaceable. No one can take her place."

 "Oh, Luca..." Kate suddenly ran out of the dressing room and threw her arms around his neck. "You’re irreplaceable to me, too!"

 "Katie..." Leo looked awkward.

 "Leo, we’re done. You should leave," Kate said firmly, wiping her eyes.

 "Katie, we don’t have to end it like this. We can still talk..." Leo tried.

 "There’s nothing left to talk about. You may look down on me, but you should never have underestimated Luca. To me, he’s a thousand times better than you." 

"Ha!" Leo laughed, shaking his head. "Katie, you’re being dramatic. When you calm down, if you still want to talk, I’ll give you a chance to make up." 

"No need!" Kate said resolutely. "You were right, though. Out there, a woman could replace me with just one chance. But you? You’re Hollywood’s golden boy, but no one in entertainment is irreplaceable. If Luca gets the chance, he could replace you. He could even surpass you."

 "Replace me? Hahaha!" Leo laughed, shaking his finger at Luca before strolling off.

 "What an arrogant jerk!" Kate snorted. "Luca, you have to work hard now. Become a star and show him."

 "Wait!" Luca interrupted. "Kate, did I ever say I wanted to be a big star?"

 "Yes, you’ve mentioned it 22 times. How you want to be an actor, become a star, hit Hollywood, and pick up girls. I was too worried to let you, but now you’ll have to try on your own."

 Luca twitched. "Twenty-two times? Really, Kate? Are you obsessed with numbers?" 

"Luca, I know you were serious. But don’t worry, I’ll support you."

 Luca smiled to himself. He’d rather just be her assistant, living the easy life.

 "No way! I told Leo you’d make it. You’re not going to let us lose to someone who looks down on us, right?"

 "NO!" Luca responded firmly.

 "Good! Now get to work, Luca. You’ve got the looks to rival Leo. If you put in the effort, you could absolutely replace him, maybe even surpass him. Don’t you think?"

 "You’re right, but..." Luca hesitated. "But nothing! You’re the best, my dear brother. I believe in you!" Kate kissed him on the cheek and walked back into her dressing room. 

Luca stood frozen. His sister had just skillfully manipulated him into a tight spot. Now what? Did he really have to become a big star?

 He sighed. All he wanted was to enjoy the easy life, but apparently, that wasn’t in the cards for him anymore.

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 5: Luca Is Just a Bad Teammate*

"Hey, Kate, I heard you broke up with Leon?"

The makeup area wasn’t big, and people were coming and going. What had just happened spread quickly backstage.

Everyone thought Kate had been impulsive and made a big mistake.

Leonardo was a top-tier star—young, wealthy, and handsome, still a bachelor. Getting involved with a man like him could not only boost your fame and earn you a lot of money, but there might even be a chance to move into his mansion and become his other half.

Countless women in the entertainment industry dreamed of being his girlfriend.

Kate had such an opportunity, yet she chose to give it up.

It was incredibly unwise.

"Kate, Leon is still at the front. Why don't you two talk it over?"

Lima gently advised.

"No need, I don’t plan to continue dating him," Kate said calmly.

Whether others were sympathetic, comforting, or mocking, Kate remained calm. She stood quietly at the entrance to the runway, waiting for the final show.

"Kate, was it because of Luca that you two broke up?" Lima was a bit annoyed. The reason for the conflict had also spread—it was all because of Luca, that guy who was always causing trouble.

Ever since Luca came into Kate's life, he had been making a mess and constantly causing problems for her. As Kate's friend, Lima was getting fed up.

"Lima, this has nothing to do with Luca," Kate shook her head slightly, a mocking smile on her lips. "We all know what kind of person Leon is. Without Luca, how much longer could we have stayed together?"

Thinking of Leon’s behavior, Lima shrugged. "Alright, Kate, whatever you choose, I support you!"

"Thank you, Lima!" Kate said, moved, with a small smile.

"Alright, ladies, get ready. It’s your turn to go on stage," the show's lead designer clapped his hands and announced loudly.

The supermodels immediately perked up and lined up at the entrance.

With a rhythmic beat, Gisele Bündchen, Karolina Kurkova, Kate Kelly, Adriana Lima, Carmen Kass, Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, and a slew of other supermodels walked onto the dazzling runway in their sexy outfits.

They had the most expensive bodies, the most beautiful faces, and the most perfect figures.

So many supermodels appearing at once was a sight to behold.

"Look, Kate’s coming out!"

"Wow, the Ice Queen looks so cool tonight!"

On stage, Kate’s face was cold. During makeup, she had applied an extra layer of foundation on her forehead, nose bridge, and cheekbones.

Under the lights, her cheeks reflected a frosty silver glow, making her look even more icy.

She was wearing silver-white lingerie, her long, slender legs like sharp scissors cutting through the space on stage, striding from the back to the front with an imposing aura.

Before her long legs, even the men felt a bit intimidated.

"Wow, she really lives up to the Ice Queen title; her aura is overpowering."

"With her striking eyebrows, cold gaze, and super long legs, her beauty is extraordinary."

The audience whispered praises.

"Leon, I heard you and Kate broke up?"

"Now I’m planning to pursue Kate. You won't mind, right?"

Under the runway, Leonardo's friends teased him.

"Heh, go ahead," Leo shrugged, staring at Kate with a hint of disappointment on his face.

Previously, when Kate was on the runway, she suddenly smiled, and the audience had called it one of the most beautiful moments of the night.

He was secretly pleased because Kate had smiled at him—that beautiful smile was for him.

But this time, Kate walked over coldly, bringing a chill with her, turning around without even glancing at him.

Leo regretfully shook his head. It was really over between them.

He had completely lost this woman who made countless men go "wow."

"Damn Luca!"

Leo clenched his fist tightly, feeling very annoyed.

"Luca, look at what you’ve done!"

In a quiet corner backstage, Luca was being scolded.

Kate’s manager, Ms. Nina Syst, was in a foul mood.

Taking advantage of Kate’s stunning performance on stage, she had gone to the front to contact representatives from CK and Gucci, hoping to facilitate cooperation between Kate and these brands.

In the fashion world, Gucci, CK, Chanel, Dior, LV, and Prada are known as the six blue-blood aristocrat brands. The more endorsements a model has, the more famous she becomes.

Kate had already secured Chanel's mainline endorsement. If she could get two more brands, her status as a top supermodel would be solidified.

Unfortunately, while she was paving the way in the front, someone was digging holes in the back, constantly digging holes.

And the person digging the holes was Kate’s brother.

The more Nina thought about it, the angrier she got. "Luca, was it because of you that Kate and Leon broke up?"

"It wasn’t me; it was Leon. He was getting cozy with Bündchen backstage, and I happened to walk in on them."

"And then you told Kate?"

Nina asked with a dark expression.

"Yes, Nina. I didn’t do anything wrong, did I?"

Luca said innocently.

"No, you’re wrong. You could have pretended you didn’t see it."

"What? Are you serious? Kate is my sister," Luca said in surprise.

"So what? This is the fashion world. It doesn’t matter who sleeps with whom; what matters is who is whose boyfriend in the media."

Nina said sternly, "In the entertainment industry, Leon is known for being picky. Any girlfriend he dates is seen as a symbol of sexiness, beauty, and fashion. Having a boyfriend like Leon greatly increases Kate's exposure, even more so than getting the Chanel endorsement. Do you understand, Luca?"

"Just a transaction?" Luca sneered.

Nina glanced at him and said calmly, "Luca, this is New York. Do you know what makes this place the world capital, the financial capital, the fashion capital? It’s not anything else; it’s transactions. Without transactions, this place would be a dead city."

Luca shook his head. "Nina, I agree with your point, but I don’t agree with your approach. As Kate’s brother and the head of the Kelly family, I officially notify you that this transaction ends now."

"No, Luca. I hope you can apologize to Leonardo and persuade Kate to make up with him. If they continue dating for another six months, Kate’s career will definitely advance further."

"No need. Kate doesn’t need this kind of transaction."

Luca waved his hand and started to walk out.

"One hundred thousand dollars, Luca. If you complete this task, I’ll reward you one hundred thousand dollars on behalf of the company."

Nina shouted loudly.

Luca paused, glancing at her coldly. "Nina, I may be a worthless waste, a cripple surviving off my sister, a money-obsessed addict, but I have always known what’s most important—and that’s Kate, my sister. I will never sell out my sister for money. Nina, I hope you’re not that kind of person either!!"

After saying that, he strode out of the backstage area.

Nina stood there staring at his back. Luca’s gaze just now was so unfamiliar—cold, severe, determined, and confident, making him hard to figure out.

"Luca has finally grown up."

Kate walked over, draped in a coat, watching the departing figure, with tears glistening on her fair cheeks.

"Kate, you and Leon—"

"Nina, I’ve already walked the Victoria’s Secret runway. I’ve succeeded, haven’t I? The rest is up to us."

Kate pressed her red lips together, her sword-like eyebrows arched upwards, instantly becoming sharp and icy.

(End of Chapter)