“Alright, alright, Sonia the great. I'll forever be your fan and supporter,” Ariana teased, her mood lifting.

Sonia snorted, "That's more like it. Smile more. Men are all the same. The most important thing is to keep yourself happy. Don't dwell on the negativity. I have to go now. Enjoy your meal, and don't waste any of it!"

"Okay."

Maybe indulging in delicious food could truly heal a wounded heart. After enjoying her meal, Ariana shook off her melancholy and refocused on her work.

In the evening, Ariana decided to call Jayson.

At that moment, Jayson had just put his wife to bed. He stepped out of the ward and answered the call.

“Mr. Spears, could you tell me the minimum budget required for the entire film?"

Without hesitation, Jayson replied, "The production cost alone is at least three million dollars, not including the salaries of the actors."

Hearing this, Ariana remained silent, feeling uneasy.

She had managed to save some money after helping Sarah regain her popularity, but it was far from sufficient. She would need to take out a loan from the bank to gather the necessary funds.

This amount only covered the production costs, not the actors’ salaries.

Making a movie was an expensive endeavor. Jayson's estimate only covered initial investments, with subsequent publicity costs yet to be considered.

But Ariana couldn't come up with any more money.

Jayson, being perceptive, guessed that Ariana might be struggling to secure investments. He cautiously inquired, "Is it because SJ Entertainment isn't interested in this script?"

"No, don't worry. The script is excellent. The issue lies elsewhere." Ariana didn't want to let Jayson down, so she did her best to reassure him.

"I have encountered some minor issues, but they can be overcome. Don't worry. I'll keep my promise. We will make this film."

Jayson knew Ariana was trying to console him. He had faced investment failures in the past, which was quite common. Many investors were reluctant to put their money into risky projects. Jayson's previous films had also damaged his reputation in the industry.

“should we let it go, then?" Jayson hesitantly proposed.

"Actually, 1 know several talented scriptwriters and directors with great scripts. I could introduce them to you."

Ignoring his suggestion, Ariana asked, "Have you ever considered crowdfunding?"