"It might be a bit uncomfortable; tell me where it hurts," Landon said, beginning to cautiously and slowly rotate her ankle.
"Does it hurt here?" He gently pressed a point on the outside of her ankle.
"Ah? Oh... yes, yes, it's there!" Cameron seemed to snap out of a daze, nodding quickly, a flicker of "pain" appearing on her face at just the right moment.
Landon felt the scene was becoming increasingly farcical, but his expression remained serious.
He gently lowered her foot back to the ground, then rubbed his palms together quickly until they were warm, before lightly placing his heated palms over her so-called "injury"—her right ankle.
"The muscles and ligaments don't feel noticeably swollen or unusually tight," Landon said, massaging her gently with an air of experience.
"It might just be that you moved awkwardly, or perhaps you didn't warm up enough this morning and your muscles are tight. It's no big deal; just get some rest."
He looked up at Cameron: "Your bodyguards..." He pointed toward the two who had almost run out of sight. "Do you need me to call them back for you?"
Cameron immediately shook her head, a look of "frustration" on her face. "No need, they... are very focused when they run. Besides, I feel much better now."
She tried moving her right foot, a look of "surprise" on her face. "Really, it doesn't seem to hurt that much anymore."
Landon nodded and stood up. He looked at Cameron, then at the empty surroundings; those two bodyguards had completely vanished.
He thought helplessly: Are they really that comfortable leaving her with me? Do I look that harmless?
Since the play had gone this far, he might as well finish the whole act.
Landon brushed off non-existent dust from his hands, gave Cameron a friendly and formal smile, and extended his hand:
"Let's introduce ourselves formally, Diaz The Handmaiden. My name is Landon Williams, nice to meet you."
Cameron also immediately reached out and shook his hand. Her hand was warm and soft.
"Just call me Cameron!" She gave a bright, radiant smile. "Landon Williams... I think I've heard that name before. Do you live here too? I don't think I've seen you during my morning runs before."
"Yes, I moved in recently." Landon withdrew his hand, looked at her "injured foot," and then at the bodyguards who showed no sign of appearing, and asked:
"Need me to see you back? It might be... difficult for you to walk like this."
He thought she would politely decline.
To his surprise, Cameron nodded immediately, her smile becoming even sweeter: "That would be too much trouble for you! My place isn't far from here." She pointed toward a more luxurious-looking villa deeper within the community.
Landon complained internally again: She's really not holding back! Agreeing so readily! It looks like I'm destined to be the "good guy" today.
"It's no trouble." Landon followed her lead, leaning down again to pick Cameron up easily in a princess carry.
This time, Cameron's movements were much more natural, and the strength with which she wrapped her arms around his neck was just right.
She smelled that pleasant scent again and couldn't help but take a quiet, deep breath.
Landon's physical strength was indeed impressive; carrying an adult woman, his pace remained steady and light, and his breathing didn't change noticeably.
Following Cameron's directions, he crossed several quiet community paths and soon arrived in front of a villa with a private courtyard and an exquisite wrought-iron gate.
The privacy here was clearly superior.
Just as they reached the door, a middle-aged woman who looked like an assistant hurried out from inside, her face filled with worry:
"Cameron? What happened? Where are John and Maria?" She was referring to the two bodyguards.
From Landon's arms, Cameron explained: "I accidentally twisted my ankle. Luckily, this neighbor helped me. John and the others... probably ran too far and didn't notice." Her explanation sounded perfectly reasonable.
The assistant gave Landon a suspicious look but didn't ask much, quickly opening the door and guiding Landon to carry Cameron into the living room, settling her onto a spacious and comfortable white sofa.
"Thank you, truly thank you so much, Landon." Cameron sat on the sofa, looking up at Landon with sincere eyes.
"It was nothing." Landon smiled, feeling the task was complete and he could make a graceful exit. "Well, get some rest, I'll be—"
Before he could finish saying goodbye, Cameron suddenly let out an "Oops!" and actually stood up using her hands for support on the sofa, even tentatively tapping the floor with her right foot.
"Eh? It seems... it's really fine now!" A "surprised" smile appeared on her face, and she even deliberately rotated her ankle. "Look, I can move it freely! Landon, your 'treatment' was really effective!"
Looking at her "recovery" speed and those bright blue eyes staring at him without blinking, Landon was speechless. Could this plot twist be any more forced?
Cameron also seemed to feel her "recovery" was a bit too fast; a flash of awkwardness crossed her face, but it was immediately covered by an even brighter smile:
"Anyway, thank you so much for today! Shall we... exchange contact information? We're neighbors now, and I definitely want to properly thank you for your help today!"
As she spoke, she reached for her phone on the coffee table, looking at Landon expectantly.
Since she had put it that way, refusing would seem too cold and too suspicious.
Landon looked at Cameron, then at the assistant who was smiling but had a shrewd look in her eyes, knowing he had to leave his phone number today.
He pulled out his phone and smiled: "Okay." The two exchanged private phone numbers.
"Then I won't disturb you any further. Get some rest." Landon noted the number and bid her farewell again.
"Mm! Bye, Landon! See you next time!" Cameron stood by the sofa, waving goodbye with a bright smile.
Landon nodded and turned to walk out of the villa.
The fresh morning breeze brushed his face as he slowly walked back the way he came, but he couldn't help but recall the series of dramatic scenes.
A big star spraining her ankle and throwing herself into his arms? Bodyguards conveniently failing at their jobs? A quick recovery just to get contact info?
Landon shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips.
When he returned to his villa, Tracy and Rachel were already up and preparing breakfast in the kitchen.
The aroma of coffee and frying bacon wafted through the air.
"You're back? Your run seemed a bit longer than usual today?" Tracy asked casually as she came out with some juice.
"Yeah, there was... a little incident on the way that delayed me." Landon brushed it off lightly, went into the bathroom for a quick shower, and changed into clean loungewear.
At the breakfast table, he enjoyed the hearty breakfast Rachel had prepared while listening to Tracy's update on the latest work progress.
Regarding the profit-sharing proposal for the fast and the furious, both WMA and Tracy felt it was highly strategic. It had been formally submitted to the producers as the latest proposal, and they were now waiting for a response.
Tracy expected they would have definite news by this afternoon or tomorrow morning at the latest.