章 31: **Chapter 31: I’m Really Not a Fraud**
"Richard, did you get it?" Lewis asked.
"Of course. Not only did I get their contact information, but I also sold two portraits, each for ten thousand dollars," Richard said, placing the paper down with a smile.
"Ten thousand for each?! Are you joking?" Lewis asked, incredulous.
"It's true. Just look at the signatures," Richard said, still smiling.
"Charlize Theron? Keanu Reeves?" Lewis and the others were astonished when they saw the signatures on the paper.
"Is it really them?"
"Yes!"
"Ha, I thought they looked familiar. I didn't expect them to be the ones." Last year, Davis directed "Chain Reaction," which starred Keanu Reeves. Charlize Theron had starred in "Two Days in the Valley" last year and then in "The Devil's Advocate" with Reeves this year. Having been in the industry for three years, she had become a rising star. It wasn't difficult for those in the industry to recognize them.
"Hi, Daniel, Bill, Director Davis, didn't expect to see you here," Keanu Reeves greeted with a charming smile. Charlize Theron followed suit, her gaze fixated on Richard with a hint of suspicion.
"Mr. Reeves, Ms. Theron, nice to see you again!" Richard greeted with an open smile. Reeves nodded with a smile, while Theron gave a cool, nonchalant response.
Among those present, Bill Copson, the producer, and Charlize Theron were unfamiliar with each other, so they introduced themselves and sat down together.
"Keanu, when did you come to New York?" Lewis asked.
"Yesterday. The crew of 'The Devil's Advocate' came to New York for promotion, and after two busy days, I brought Charlize here to relax," Keanu Reeves explained.
"Keanu, Charlize, Richard just mentioned that you were willing to buy his portraits for ten thousand dollars each. Is that true?" Lewis asked with curiosity.
"Daniel, do you know Mr. Blade well?" Reeves looked at the two of them.
"Yes, we're friends," Lewis replied with a smile.
"Has Mr. Blade ever done a soul portrait for you?" Reeves asked.
"What? What's a soul portrait?" Lewis was puzzled.
"Mr. Blade claims he's a Gypsy soul portrait artist," Reeves explained.
"Gypsy? And what's a soul portrait?" Lewis and the others looked at Richard with confusion.
"It's one of my side jobs. I can see how people will look in the future and then draw it and give it to them. If they look like that in a few years, they pay me. If they don't, I pay them," Richard explained with a smile.
"Fraud!" Charlize Theron said with a smirk.
"Not at all, Ms. Theron. Our bet is still valid. You'll receive the portraits within a month. Whether I'm a fraud or not will be known in a few years," Richard said seriously.
"I've heard that Gypsies like to wander. In a few years, you'll be long gone," Theron said dismissively.
"But you wouldn't lose anything, would you?" Richard countered with a smile.
"Wait, tell us more. This sounds interesting," Lewis said.
"I'll explain!" Charlize Theron said cheerfully. She then repeated Richard's explanation, "Do you believe what he says?"
"."
After she finished speaking, Lewis, Copson, and Director Davis were stunned. It was one thing to ask for contact information, but the fact that the other party believed it was quite remarkable.
Richard was smooth-talking and deceptive, matching his role in the movie very well.
"Richard, is this how you got Charlize's contact information?" Lewis asked in surprise.
"No fraud. I'm telling the truth," Richard said seriously.
"Richard, your audition was successful. I need an actor like you," Director Davis said, shaking his hand.
"Yes, Richard, no one fits this role better than you," Producer Copson added playfully.
"Thank you both for this opportunity. I will definitely play the role well."
"Excuse me!" Keanu Reeves looked at the group. "Director Davis, what did you mean by audition?"
"Oh, here's the thing. My new movie, 'The Perfect Murder,' is casting. There's a character who is an artist and a deceitful charmer, who needs to be young, handsome, strong, and a bit cunning. It's been challenging to find someone suitable. Copson recommended Richard, so I came to see him. To test Richard's skills, I asked him to approach Ms. Theron. I apologize for not recognizing you earlier and asking Richard for your contact information. I'm really sorry."
"Oh, I understand," Charlize Theron said, looking at Richard with annoyance. "So, just like Keanu said, all those stories were just to get my contact information?"
"Ms. Theron, I'll let the future decide whether I was lying. We'll know in five or six years," Richard said without a hint of guilt.
"Ha, you're not embarrassed even when exposed. You're not just a fraud; you're an extremely skilled one," Charlize Theron said with a cold smile.
"Thank you for the compliment!"
"Hmph!" Theron turned her head away.
"So, Mr. Blade is also an actor?" Reeves asked.
"Ha, acting isn't his main job. Keanu, Charlize, can you guess what his main job is?" Lewis asked, patting Richard on the shoulder.
"Is he an artist?" Reeves asked.
"Not quite!"
"Fraud!"
Charlize Theron said lightly.
"Ha, maybe. But that's not his main job. Richard's real profession is a professional boxer."
"What?" Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron were stunned.
"Yes, Richard is a light heavyweight boxer. Recently, he defeated the former WBC champion. Look here, there's a report about him," Lewis said, flipping through a sports magazine. There was a photo of Richard in the middle page, fighting Montell.
In the photo, Richard looked tall and strong, his muscles well-defined and covered in sweat. His fist was pressed against Montell's forehead, and his expression was fierce, like a beast ready to pounce.
Charlize Theron blinked and looked at Richard again.
He was impeccably dressed, with black hair and eyes, fair skin, young and handsome, with defined features. He resembled Keanu but was a different type of handsome.
Keanu Reeves was more mature, with a brooding presence, a steady and reliable kind of handsome.
Richard's smile was clean and sunny, with a wild streak beneath his handsome looks and a carefree air amid his quiet demeanor. He was the type of person who grew more charming the more you looked at him.
This guy was good-looking and deceptive—he must be a playboy.
Charlize Theron was quietly wary.
"Mr. Reeves, Ms. Theron, I'm a professional boxer who loves acting. I was just at an audition. I apologize for interrupting your drinks. Please forgive me!" Richard said politely.
"It's okay. I just want to ask you something. Are you joking about seeing our future, or is it for real?" Keanu Reeves asked.
"You'd prefer it was a joke, but if you take it as a prophecy, remember your choice. You chose family. Don't wait until you regret it when it's too late," Richard said softly.
"Ha, I've read that kind of thing in books hundreds of times. And I will definitely not become an ugly fat person. Absolutely not," Charlize Theron said.
"Your choices determine your future. If you don't want to become a fat person, you won't. But our bet is still valid," Richard said with a smile.
"Okay, I'll forgive you in a few years."
"Sure!" Richard said with a smile.
"Richard, can you see my future?" Lewis asked with a laugh.
"No, my ability only works for people under 40. For those over 40, their future appearance doesn't change much," Richard explained.
"40? I'm just 41. You've perfectly avoided me, Bill, and Andrew. You're indeed a fraud," the group laughed.
Richard smiled without saying anything.
After a while, Keanu and Charlize decided to leave. Richard and Lewis saw them out.
"Richard, I'll remember you!" Charlize Theron said, her face stern as she got into the car.
"It's my honor, Ms. Theron!" Richard said with a light smile.
"Richard, don't forget my portrait," Keanu Reeves said.
"I won't forget, Mr. Reeves!" Richard waved them off as the two stars left.
*Slap* Lewis patted Richard on the shoulder. "Richard, don't use that trick to pick up girls again. If you guess right, they'll think you're a freak. If you guess wrong, they'll think you're a fraud. It's not good for you."
"I'll remember that, Daniel. Thank you!" Richard said gratefully, also thanking him for the audition.
"Ha, no problem. Teach me some boxing when you have time."
"Sure!" Richard smiled and walked back to the booth with him.
—
**(End of Chapter)**
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