Chapter 159: **Chapter 159: Domestic Violence is Wrong**
"333, 334, 335, 336..."
In the morning, Luca was in the apartment gym, dressed in a sexy tank top and shorts, working hard on the multi-purpose training machine.
Health is the foundation of success.
After returning from Charleston, he went to an orthopedic hospital to check on the recovery of his lumbar vertebrae.
The results showed he was recovering exceptionally well, with barely any signs of fractures on the injured vertebrae.
His doctor, Joel, was shocked by how quickly he had recovered in just six months.
Joel finally said he was ready for intense physical activity again.
Now fully recovered, Luca increased his daily training regimen, dedicating an hour to strengthening his waist and glute muscles in addition to his limbs.
His goal wasn't to become a muscle-bound hulk but to last longer during filming.
"410, 411, 412, 413..."
He pulled six resistance bands while pushing against a leg press machine, simultaneously stretching his arms and legs.
This type of exercise effectively worked his abs, arms, thighs, shoulder blades, and back muscles. The benefits were great, but so was the energy drain.
After half an hour of intense training, sweat soaked his shirt and shorts. His muscles, now firm and defined, glistened under a sheen of sweat, as if he'd been rubbed with olive oil.
"That's enough, stop training so much. Bulking up too much doesn't look good."
Kate walked into the gym with her golden-brown hair loose, wearing a yellow apron that still carried the scent of cooking, mingling with her perfume.
"It's fine. I'm not taking protein powder, so I won't bulk up too much."
Luca let go of the handles and took a deep breath.
"Is that so?"
Kate poked his firm, well-worked chest muscle, which felt as solid and warm as a freshly baked giant hamburger, radiating an irresistible aroma.
"Haha, not much smaller than Lima's, huh?"
"Quit it. What's up?"
Luca swatted her hand away and asked.
"Here, Ed's calling."
Kate handed him a phone, blinking playfully. "He sounds upset. Not in the best mood."
"Upset? Why would he be mad this early in the morning?"
Luca, surprised, took a sip of coconut juice before answering the call.
"Good morning, Mr. Dominique. How are we feeling today? Not great? Why's that?"
"Luca, did you go be an extra yesterday?"
Ed's voice strained with frustration.
"Yeah, is there a problem? How'd you find out?"
Luca asked, puzzled.
"How did I find out? It made the papers! How do you think I found out?"
"It made the papers? New York's tabloids must be bored."
Luca was stunned and glanced at Kate, who just shook her head. She usually read the paper while sipping her coffee.
"Yes, the American Post, New York News, and a couple of smaller papers all reported on 'big star Luca Kelly' being an extra on *The Day After Tomorrow* set. No, actually, they called it a joke.
Haha, thank you, Mr. Kelly, for providing everyone with a breakfast laugh."
Ed's tone was dripping with sarcasm.
Luca scratched his head, still mentally foggy from the workout.
"Wait, Ed. I'm an actor. Being an extra on set—how is that a joke?"
"Luca~," Ed sighed over the phone. "Have you ever heard of eagles eating carrion?"
Luca rubbed his forehead. "Just get to the point. I'm still dizzy from training."
"Luca, different birds eat different food. Eagles don't eat carrion; only crows and vultures do. And only weak eagles fight with crows for scraps.
That's the law of nature.
And the same applies to careers.
People at a certain level don't do jobs beneath them, like Kate and Lima—they wouldn't endorse small brands. Not just because of their status, but also to avoid taking work from smaller models, which would annoy people.
You're a supermodel, a star. You have plenty of resources. Why would you go be an extra?"
Luca frowned. "Ed, I like *The Day After Tomorrow*, so I wanted to play a role. I don't see anything wrong with that. Is it really worth getting upset over?"
"No, you're wrong. This affects the company's image, my reputation as your agent, and your personal image.
Since coming to the office this morning, Andrew hasn't stopped mocking me, saying I can't get you proper gigs and that a big star like you has to settle for extra work."
Luca was annoyed. "So, you're venting on me because you're mad?"
"Of course not!"
Ed took a deep breath. "Luca, if you like *The Day After Tomorrow*, I could've helped you get a role through proper channels. You could've appeared as a cameo, credited for your contribution.
But instead, you went to the set, asked how much they paid per day, and took whatever role they offered.
To make it worse, you even collected $500 afterward.
Luca, are you really that strapped for cash?"
"Well..."
Luca had no excuse.
"Ed, I just wanted some pocket money."
"Pocket money?"
Ed's tone turned cold. "You're under contract with the company. According to the terms, any money you earn during this period has to be shared with both the company and me, your agent. So, did you make $500 yesterday?"
"I have to report that?"
"Of course. Or are you planning on evading taxes?"
Ed laughed wickedly. "Thanks, Luca, for the $30 of pocket money you made for me. I needed it too. Hahaha~"
With a burst of malicious laughter, Ed hung up.
"Ugh, I only made $500 yesterday, and after splitting it up, I'll have a few pennies left!"
Luca waved his fists angrily, feeling the urge to hit something.
"So you made $500 yesterday, right?"
Suddenly, a ghostly voice came from behind him.
Luca felt a chill run down his spine, icy coldness creeping from his tailbone to his skull.
He could clearly feel that his spine was fully healed—no leaks at the fracture site.
"Y-yes."
He turned around and gave a guilty smile.
"Really?"
Kate cupped his cheeks, smiling sweetly.
"Dear, tell me, where's the other $300 hidden?"
The more Kate smiled, the colder Luca felt.
"In the car!"
He answered obediently.
"Oh, in the car, huh?"
Kate nodded slightly. "So, you've been hiding money often, haven't you?"
"No, no! First time!"
Luca quickly shook his head.
"Oh, still lying? Triangle choke!"
Boom!
Luca was thrown to the plastic floor.
"Ahh, my handsome face!"
Smack! Crack!
"Ahh, my back is broken!"
"Don't try to fool me. Your back has healed, so now I can finally give you a good beating! Hahaha~! Prepare to die!"
Crash! Bang! Boom!
"Mercy, my queen!"
"Ugh..."
At breakfast, steam rose from the beef soup in Luca's bowl. Inside were golden corn chunks, red radishes, green celery, and pink onion rings, swimming in a rich, fragrant broth.
Luca took a sip with a spoon and winced, touching his swollen lips. He was about to cry. What a disaster...
"What's wrong? Too hot?"
Kate, fresh from a shower and drying her hair, walked over.
"Not hot at all!"
Luca shook his head vigorously.
"Ah, Luca, why is your lip cut, and your eye black, and your ear red, and your hair all messy? I only took a quick shower. What happened to you?"
Kate gasped in surprise.
Luca winced, accidentally pulling at his lip wound, and hissed in pain.
"Dear, does it hurt?"
Kate gently tapped his lip with her finger, full of concern.
Luca tilted his head away. "I'm fine. Just...accidentally hit the table corner."
"Hit the table corner?!"
Kate bit her lip, her shoulders trembling slightly as she took a breath. "You're a grown man, how can you be so careless? Look at your face—one, two, three, four... How many times did you hit the corner? Did the corner survive?"
Luca clenched his teeth. "Kate!!"
"What?"
Kate cupped his face again, pinching his ear gently. "Do you have something to say?"
"I..."
Luca squeezed his fists but lowered his head, mumbling, "The table corner...is fine."
"Oh, that's great! This table cost me ten grand."
Kate nodded in satisfaction, then pulled out a first aid kit. She took out cotton swabs, iodine, and ointment, and sat in front of him, smiling warmly.
"Now, give me your face. I'll put some medicine on."
"No need, I'm fine."
Luca shook his head repeatedly.
"Be good!"
Kate's expression grew cold.
Luca had no choice but to present his face.
"That's better."
Kate dipped a cotton swab in iodine and began disinfecting his wounds.
"Ugh..."
Kate was a great model, chef, and fitness coach, but definitely not a good doctor. Her treatment methods were as rough as her beatdowns—quick and brutal.
Luca winced in pain.
"Does it hurt?"
Kate's eyes were full of tenderness, her face gentle, and if there were a halo over her head, she could totally play the Virgin Mary.
"It doesn't hurt!"
Luca gritted his teeth.
"Hmm~? Then why are you crying?"
"I'm moved!"
"Oh, really?"
Kate nodded, "Now do you realize how good I am? We're siblings, the closest family in the world. From now on, don't lie to me about anything, be honest, care about me, think of me often, and no other woman can come before me. Got it?"
"Got it!"
"Louder!"
"Got it! From now on, no matter what, I won't lie to you, I'll be honest with you, think of you always, and no other woman will come before you."
Luca shouted.
Kate smiled contentedly, lowered her head, kissed the corner of his injured lips, and mischievously licked the wound.
"So, dear, did you sleep with Britney?"
"."
"This time in Charleston, did you sleep with any other women?"
"."
"Tell me, and I'll keep count!"
"."
(End of this chapter)