As the view count on the "Despacito" music video soared into the millions, the comments section became a hive of activity. Each refresh brought thousands of new likes and hundreds of new comments, a digital tsunami of engagement.
"Is there anything Lucas Knight can't do? First the concert, then the proposal, now this banger of a song? 🔥🔥🔥" one comment read, racking up likes by the second.
"Luis Fonsi hit the jackpot collabing with Lucas. This song is going to be EVERYWHERE." another predicted.
Some seemed confused about Lucas's role, with comments like "Wait, so did Lucas write this? Why isn't he the lead artist?" popping up frequently.
Little did they know that while Lucas had indeed helped with the composition, particularly the English lyrics, the bulk of the song's creation was the work of Luis Fonsi himself. But in the whirlwind of Lucas's skyrocketing popularity, such details were easily lost.
In a mere 24 hours, the view count on "Despacito" had surged past 52 million - a new record. The song's infectious beat and catchy lyrics had struck a global chord, resonating across borders and languages.
On college campuses nationwide, the "Despacito" craze was taking hold. Dorm rooms and lecture halls alike vibrated with the song's distinctive rhythm, as students copied the dance moves from the music video.
At UCLA, a group of friends huddled around a phone, giggling as they tried to mimic Lucas and Luis's smooth choreography. One girl, her hair tied back in a messy bun, held up her phone to record.
"Okay, okay, I think I've got it," she laughed, as the opening bars of the song began to play. "Despacito, take 27!"
Her friends cheered her on as she began to move, her hips swaying to the beat. Within minutes, the whole group had joined in, their laughter and the song's lyrics intermingling in the warm spring air.
Similar scenes played out on campuses from coast to coast. Vine, Twitter, and Facebook became flooded with videos of students, office workers, even grandparents getting in on the "Despacito" trend.
But it wasn't just the song making waves. As Lucas's name continued to dominate headlines and trend lists, curiosity about his acting career began to grow. People who had never seen his films before found themselves drawn to his back catalog, eager to witness the talent behind the hype.
In a suburban home, a middle-aged father sat at his computer, his brow furrowed in annoyance. Every refresh of his Facebook and Twitter feeds seemed to bring more of the same: Lucas Knight, Lucas Knight, Lucas Knight.
"I don't get it," he grumbled, scrolling through the endless posts about the actor's recent proposal and music video. "What's so special about this guy? So he's getting married and he can sing. Big whoop."
From the doorway, his 20-year-old daughter overheard his mutterings. She leaned against the frame, a knowing smirk on her face.
"Sounds like someone's jealous," she teased, causing her father to whirl around in surprise.
"Jealous? Me?" he scoffed, his face reddening. "That's ridiculous. I just don't understand all the hype, that's all."
His daughter rolled her eyes, pushing off from the doorframe and walking into the room. "Maybe if you actually watched one of his movies, you'd get it. Don't knock his talent until you've seen it for yourself."
The father waved a dismissive hand. "I don't have time for that. I'm sure he's just another pretty face."
But his daughter was persistent. She pulled up "127 Hours" on their streaming service, hitting play before her father could protest.
As the movie unfolded, the father found himself grudgingly drawn in by Lucas's performance. The raw emotion, the physical commitment - it was unlike anything he'd seen before. But he wasn't about to admit that to his daughter.
Then came the amputation scene. As Lucas's character prepared to sever his own arm, the father felt his stomach churn. He pressed a hand to his mouth, his face paling.
His daughter glanced over, a mischievous glint in her eye. "What's wrong, Dad? Feeling a little queasy?"
The father shook his head vehemently, not trusting himself to speak. But his daughter wasn't fooled.
"Just admit it," she pressed, pausing the movie on a particularly gruesome close-up. "His acting is incredible. It's okay to be impressed."
The father held out for a moment longer, his pride warring with the undeniable evidence before him. But as Lucas's agonized expression filled the screen, he finally broke.
"Fine!" he exclaimed, throwing his hands up in defeat. "His acting is amazing, alright? He's talented as hell. Now will you please turn that off before I lose my lunch?"
His daughter cackled in victory, obliging with a click of the remote. "I told you. Lucas Knight is the real deal."
People who had dismissed Lucas as just another handsome face found themselves floored by the depth and intensity of his performances.
As Lucas's acting chops became the talk of the internet, "Despacito" continued its unprecedented rise.
In just 48 hours, the music video had surpassed 100 million views - a new record that sent shockwaves through the industry.
The song was everywhere - on the radio, in stores, blasting from car windows. It had become a global phenomenon, transcending language and cultural barriers.
Even major figures couldn't resist its pull. Bill Gates tweeted a video of himself awkwardly dancing to the tune, much to the delight of his followers. Politicians referenced it in speeches, celebrities posted their own cover versions.
As "Despacito" solidified its place in music history, Vine downloads were skyrocketing on the back of Lucas's ever-expanding fanbase.
And with every new user, every share and like and comment, Lucas's personal wealth climbed higher.
The media was abuzz with speculation about Lucas's financial status.
With Vine's soaring popularity and revenue, his stakes in successful startups like Uber and Airbnb, and his rumored Bitcoin holdings, many outlets were suggesting he had entered the billionaire club.
Forbes, Bloomberg, and other business news outlets ran feature stories attempting to dissect the actor's sprawling empire.
"With Vine's explosive growth and projected earnings, Knight's stake in the company alone could be worth billions," one analyst told CNBC. "Add to that his early investments in Uber and Airbnb, plus his rumored Bitcoin holdings, and we could be looking at one of the wealthiest celebrities in the world."
Others pointed to the staggering sums reportedly funneled through the LK Foundation, Lucas's charitable organization. Though the foundation's financial records weren't public, insider sources and careful tracking of its public initiatives suggested an endowment in the tens, if not hundreds, of millions.
"The scale of the LK Foundation's giving is unprecedented for a celebrity-run charity," a philanthropy expert told the Associated Press. "The fact that it's all coming from one man, and a young actor at that, is truly remarkable."
Some publications even began referring to Lucas as the "Tycoon Actor" - a nod to both his financial acumen and his seemingly unstoppable career momentum.
It was a nickname that would stick, appearing in headlines and Twitter hashtags alike.
"How Lucas Knight Became Hollywood's Wealthiest Star," read one Forbes headline.
"The Tycoon Actor Strikes Again: Lucas Knight's 'Despacito' Smashes Records," blared another from Variety.
***
Amidst the media frenzy, Lucas and Jennifer were immersed in wedding planning. Video chats with Jennifer's parents had become a regular occurrence as they worked out the details of the ceremony and celebration.
But despite their excitement, the couple was eager to return to some semblance of normalcy - to dive back into their acting projects and upcoming roles. The constant attention, even within the privacy of Beverly Park, was starting to wear thin.
The scene outside Lucas's Beverly Park mansion was unlike anything Hollywood had ever seen. Dozens of paparazzi were camped just beyond the property line, a constant, unrelenting presence. Even the most famous stars rarely dealt with this level of intense, round-the-clock scrutiny.
Jennifer peered out the window, her forehead creased with worry. "Lucas, this is insane. How are we supposed to get back to work with all these vultures watching our every move?"
Lucas came up behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders. "I know it's tough. But this is the price of fame. We just have to deal with it as best we can."
Jennifer leaned back into him, sighing heavily. "I get that fame comes with a price. But this? This is beyond anything we've ever dealt with. We can't even go for a jog without being hounded. It's suffocating."
Lucas nodded, his own frustration simmering beneath the surface. The constant surveillance, the total lack of privacy - it was taking a toll on both of them.
But then a mischievous glint entered his eye. "Well, if we're going to be stuck inside anyway..." He pulled her close, his voice dropping to a suggestive whisper. "Might as well take advantage of the alone time, don't you think? Maybe work on making a Lucas Junior or little Jennifer?"
Jennifer burst out laughing, swatting at his chest. "Lucas, you're terrible!" But she was grinning as he scooped her up, carrying her towards the stairs.
As they tumbled onto the bed, the world outside momentarily faded away. They lost themselves in each other, finding solace and joy in their love.
Afterwards, as they lay tangled together, Jennifer's mind drifted to a topic she'd been curious about. "Hey, didn't you mention investing in a new Netflix series? Something Japanese?"
Lucas nodded, his fingers playing with her hair. "Yeah, 'Alice in Borderland.' It's a wild concept. A group of friends trapped in an abandoned Tokyo, forced to play deadly games to survive. Kind of a commentary on society and the roles we play."
Jennifer propped herself up on one elbow, intrigued. "Sounds intense. What drew you to it?"
Lucas paused, considering. "I guess I'm just fascinated by stories that challenge the status quo. That make us question the world we take for granted."
As he spoke, his thoughts drifted to another creator, half a world away. Hwang Dong-hyuk, a visionary South Korean filmmaker with groundbreaking ideas that Lucas knew would one day captivate global audiences. But for now, Hwang was still struggling to bring his daring projects to life.
Lucas had been planning to seek Hwang out for years, and with his upcoming business trip to South Korea, the timing seemed perfect. He turned to Jennifer, his expression thoughtful.
"Speaking of international projects, I've got a business trip to South Korea coming up. Meetings with some K-pop agencies and entertainment companies. I was thinking, maybe you'd like to come with me?"
Jennifer propped herself up on one elbow, her eyes widening slightly at Lucas's unexpected suggestion. "South Korea?" She repeated, letting the idea sink in for a moment.
A slow smile spread across her face as she considered it further. "You know what? Why not?" She said finally. "It's not like my schedule is packed at the moment, thanks to our friendly neighborhood paparazzi."
She added, "And who knows? Maybe we'll be able to breathe a little easier over there, without cameras tracking our every move.