Chapter 9

Summary

• The chapter recounts the significant success of the movie "FATHER AND DAUGHTER" and the boost to Evelyn Hugo's career and profile.
• Evelyn reflects on her desire to share her success with her mother and the fact that after the movie's success, she thought "Little Women" would be produced immediately.
• However, studio boss Ari decides to cast Hugo and her co-star Ed Baker in another movie, "Next Door", where their characters fall into romantic entanglements with a widowed mother and son next door.
• Evelyn starts to fall in love with Don, who visits her set daily, and she eagerly looks forward to his visits.
• Harry, her friend and manager at Sunset, gets tired of listening to her swoon over Don. Despite their friendly relationship, Hugo doesn't entirely trust Harry due to the cutthroat nature of their industry.
• Although she is keen to move on to filming "Little Women", Harry advises Hugo to wait, build her audience, and solidify her fame with some predictable projects before surprising them with a more challenging role.
• Hugo and Don start to be seen more in public, and their photos are taken at every hot spot in Hollywood. They both appreciate the publicity, boosting their profiles while nurturing a genuine happiness in each other's company.
• Don proposes to Hugo at his movie premiere, but she initially misunderstands his intentions and thinks he is rejecting her. He clarifies that he is actually planning to propose publicly at the premiere, to which she agrees.
• At the premiere, Don publicly proposes to Hugo, and she tearfully accepts. As they celebrate, she spots Harry clapping and winking at them in acceptance of their announcement.