Faaris was dead—swallowed by the desert along with his loyal subordinates, not a single bone left behind.
If it weren't for the fact that the plane's last known trajectory led search teams to the general area, they might not have found even the final scrap of debris. It was only a single, lonely piece of the tail wreckage that bore witness to yet another tragedy.
Back then, Laila and Roy had nearly been buried alive by the sands. Now Faaris had truly been laid to rest in that same desert. It had to be said—what goes around comes around wasn't just an empty saying. Though it likely had a lot to do with Oswald's arrangements, too. After all, what's more reassuring than turning your enemies into corpses?
With Faaris's death, the forces under his command dissolved like smoke. His schemes no longer mattered. Without him lurking in the shadows, Cooper was finally able to bring his family back to his side in peace. What could be better news than that?
After it was all over, he never contacted Laila again. Mainly because he couldn't bring himself to do it.
The last time, for the sake of his wife's safety, he'd been forced to beg Laila for help. That had already used up every ounce of courage he had for the rest of his life. Calling her again—even just to apologize—was something he simply didn't have the face for.
Who asked him to be her number-one critic for a whole decade?
He'd spent years attacking her work and creating trouble behind her back, only to be saved by her in the end. If there was ever a definition of awkward, this was it. He honestly felt too ashamed to show his face in public.
So when Laila's new movie released, he'd originally planned to write a glowing review as a gesture of gratitude. But after he finished his detailed 10,000-word piece, he was shocked to find the media flooded with attacks on Laila, branding her latest film as her worst work ever.
Cooper was furious.
He immediately scrapped his serious review and replaced it with a scathing rebuttal—an open firestorm aimed directly at the critics.
What a joke.
A failed film?
Even if he'd been her harshest critic for years, he couldn't deny that Silent was a good movie.
He had seen every single one of her films. Even if he'd never admitted it aloud, deep down he'd always recognized her as a director worthy of standing at the top of Hollywood. And this new film? It revealed a side of Laila he had never seen before—like a phoenix reborn from fire.
Why did he say that?
Let's start with the script. Most of her previous successes were commercial films. Not that commercial films are inherently bad—on the contrary—but it was clear that her focus had always leaned toward profitability. Even the few more serious films like Chicago and Blood Diamond had been solid, but not particularly soul-stirring.
But Silent was different.
This film radiated her soul. Through the story, you could feel exactly what she wanted to express—it wasn't some hollow project muddled by outside influence.
If Laila ever found out how Cooper evaluated her in his heart, she'd probably be both shocked and touched, seeing him almost as a kindred spirit.
After all, wasn't Silent the first movie she created after being reborn—the first that truly reflected her own voice and vision? Of course, it would carry the depth she longed to convey. This wasn't a carefully calculated project using her "rebirth cheat code," but a genuine artistic expression born from experience and transformation.
In the world of film critics, Cooper held considerable weight. Even now, many viewers still trusted his opinions and were willing to see a movie based on his recommendations. This loyalty came from his decades-long track record of thoughtful and substantive commentary.
It was often said: as long as the topic didn't involve the Phoenix franchise, Reynolds, or, later, Laila and her movies, Cooper's reviews were spot-on, sharp, honest, and immensely helpful.
So his sudden support for Laila this time shocked many who knew how bitter their past was.
What kind of film must this be… for even Cooper to switch sides and defend her?
Cooper's article was like a bugle call to charge.
Not long after his piece went live, audience reviews began pouring in.
The most noteworthy of them all came from Horton, Laila's most die-hard fan.
"Silent is a phenomenal film. I think everyone should go see it!"
In his review, Horton wrote with contagious enthusiasm:
"After the premiere, I don't even remember how I got home. I don't remember leaving the theater. Even now, my mind is still overflowing with scenes from the film."
"At first, I thought it was a disaster movie—then it turned into an action film. Later, I thought it was an adventure flick—but it became a searing reflection on human nature. And don't assume all these elements made it messy. Quite the opposite—Laila is a genius. She blended them all perfectly."
"If you love action and adventure, you'll adore Silent. The fight scenes are hands down the best I've ever seen! If you love mind games, the plot will have you hooked. By the end, you'll be asking—how can anyone be this smart? How did they come up with such precise and terrifying traps?"
"If you're into survival stories in the wilderness, trust me—you'll be drawn in by the harsh, unforgiving jungle. The conditions were brutal, but the characters showed us the most thrilling survival tactics. When they fought tooth and nail against a pack of wolves, my blood was boiling. I wanted to jump into the screen and fight alongside them."
"And just when I thought I couldn't love the film more, the ending came. Cold. Harsh. Devastating. I won't spoil it—but let me just say this: don't blink. Watch every frame. You might miss something crucial in the blink of an eye."
"In the end, I have to say: Silent is now my absolute favorite film by Laila Moran!"
Horton had long been one of the most well-known fans in Laila's circle. Every time she released a film, he'd be the first to watch it and post a review. And though he was a fan, his reviews weren't sugarcoated. He didn't slap on a blind "everything she does is perfect" label.
In fact, he often pointed out flaws and invited discussion with fellow fans. That made his reviews more trustworthy and even served as a barometer for the fanbase.
This time was no different.
The moment he posted his review, it instantly drew massive attention. And only after reading it did people realize—
So that's why he didn't post his review immediately after the premiere.
It had taken him time… because he had been too shaken to put it into words.