Chapter 186: Chapter 186: This Annie is Not That Annie

Beverly Hills, inside a restaurant on Rodeo Avenue.

The waiter delivered the meal one after the other, then stepped away from the booth.

Jolie lifted her glass, clinking it against Martin's, "Louise told me that the proposal for me to play the leading role originated from you."

After taking a sip, Martin replied with a smile, "I greatly admire Laura Crawford, and I've dreamt of working with you, because you are my goddess and idol."

Jolie was puzzled; she had thought Martin's words were merely compliments, but now they didn't seem so superficial.

Martin initiated a toast, "To Laura."

Jolie downed the remaining wine in her glass and invited Martin to dine, "Please, help yourself."

As they ate, they talked about some interesting industry anecdotes. Then Jolie asked, "Is it true that the selfie scandal was your idea?"

"I would deny it if anyone else asked," Martin said deliberately flattering, "The suggestion was mine at first, but the actual execution was beyond me, it depended on Warner Bros."

Jolie then asked, "So the wax figure of Paris Hilton has something to do with you as well."

Martin vaguely stated, "That was mainly thanks to a buddy of mine."

Looking at Martin, Jolie's gaze carried a hint of respect; being good-looking and a great actor was one thing, but understanding operations was quite another.

The former was dime a dozen in Hollywood, while the latter was rare.

"Regarding one thing about media PR and promotions, I'd like to hear your opinion," Jolie spoke cautiously before deciding to be direct, "It's not a good thing, kind of a scandal, something about male-female relations. Turning it into explosive news beneficial like the wax museum and 'The Hills Have Eyes', is the chance high?"

Clearly, Jolie was contemplating how to properly deal with the affair she had behind Aniston's back with Brad Pitt.

Martin and Louise had discussed Jolie more than once; this adulterous couple, for the sake of their futures, even planned to expose the scandal after a while if Jolie didn't respond.

Now that Jolie had approached them, Martin was not going to let the opportunity slip by, "I hear Paris Hilton wants to create her own brand because she has enough fame, even a group of supporters."

Jolie fell into thought and after a while said, "It won't be easy for her to cleanse her image."

Martin needed Jolie to rise in fame, so he sparked the fire, "Actually, if Annie and I really released a tape similar to that kind of video, the effect could be better. Times have changed, the internet has narrowed the distance between people, further magnifying gossip about scandals and increasing the public's desire to pry into celebrities' privacy.

Sometimes a scandal is not necessarily a scandal; if managed well, it could turn into a booster for someone's rise."

Jolie was selective in her words, "Let's suppose... You and Annie are married, and I fell for you—just a hypothesis! You also liked me, and we did what had to be done, and then acted in a movie together, would the movie be ruined if the scandal broke?"

Hearing this, Martin guessed that Jolie had some ideas but hadn't taken any concrete action, lacking confidence.

A gift delivered to his doorstep, it would be rude to refuse. Martin was a polite good guy, "The coolest man with the coolest woman—they're simply meant to be, aren't they? Under the name of true love, nothing else matters. Finding reasons and excuses is too easy; just smear Annie, accuse her of cheating first, not wanting children, prioritizing work over family, and so on."

This Annie was not that Annie.

Jolie wasn't just listening; she also took it seriously to heart, as Martin's seemingly lousy ideas had succeeded several times.

Martin stoked the flame, "I will generously admit my mistakes, take pictures with you and the children to send to the media, expressing love and longing for the children and family, like the family life Martin envisions. That's what you can offer, something the childless Annie cannot."

Jolie remembered something; Aniston had miscarried a child last year.

"This guy is a genius, a genius at botching things!" She couldn't help but scrutinize Martin, mumbling to herself, "How much of those news stories related to him are true? Thirty percent? He's the perfect match for the entertainment industry!"

Martin added, "This is Hollywood, the public is all too familiar with infidelity, divorce, and love affairs. If you think about it, some actors who had affairs within their marriage are still adored by the whole world, basking in the media's praise. Just package it with true love, family, and children, and a bad thing may not necessarily turn bad."

Jolie did recall some precedents, yet she still had concerns, "I... already have some not so good rumors about me."

Martin feigned great surprise, "You're doing well now, why not just continue what you're doing?"

"Adopting children?" Jolie reacted promptly because she was indeed in the process of image cleansing, "Indeed, it's a good method."

Martin had firsthand experience; the American public always showed a high degree of tolerance for men and women who changed their ways, and Jolie could still be marketed as a saintly figure.

Moreover, Americans particularly bought Jolie's narrative.

Jolie asked again, "Isn't just children not enough?"

For the sake of the future, Martin decided to impart a masterstroke, "You could go to Afghanistan or Iraq to visit the local refugees."

Jolie's true evolution had only just begun, "As far as I know, those people have lost their homes, families, and even parts of their bodies. When they see Americans..."

Martin interrupted with only one sentence, "Though they have nothing, they are now free!"

Jolie's eyes lit up; she had found the true essence of freedom! She couldn't help but exclaim excitedly, "Martin, you shouldn't be a star; you should be in public relations!"

Martin shrugged, "Cleaning up someone's mess is no easy task."

Jolie didn't mind Martin's crude words at all; her intense gaze fell on him as if she had found a kindred spirit.

At that moment, Pitt was utterly tasteless and unappealing. Sёarch* The NôᴠelFirё.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

But after all, she was Jolie; she was no longer the little girl who would get carried away by a momentary crush, especially not with a man of Martin's low status and wealth.

Jolie raised her glass, "Martin, to you."

The meal was thoroughly enjoyable, with Jolie repeatedly raising her glass to thank Martin.

At one point, she even tentatively proposed that her Cambodian son should consider Martin as a godfather, which Martin gently declined.

During a casual chat, Martin casually mentioned that he was vying for the second lead role in Martin Scorsese's new film.

It would be best if Jolie could pull some strings, but it wouldn't matter if she couldn't.

Having reaped substantial benefits, Jolie felt Martin was a man worth keeping in touch with and took a mental note of the matter.

Once she heard from Pitt that Plan B is the second largest investor in Scorsese's new film, she knew she could find a suitable opportunity to give Martin a hand when convenient.

Whispering sweet nothings was something Jolie excelled at.

The large-scale marketing campaign for "The Hills Have Eyes" had basically ended, and there was no need for Martin to make any further appearances.

Martin shifted his focus to the "Wanted Order" and "Infernal Affairs" projects.

The former would involve Warner Bros., but Pacific Pictures would take the lead. The detailed planning and shooting would accommodate Martin's attempt to land the latter role, avoiding any scheduling conflicts.

Martin's Boston accent lessons, originally twice a week, were increased to five times a week, gradually sounding quite authentic.

Additionally, he specially invited Kate Winslet, who was busy with award season, to dinner.

Social connections and resources, of course, should be utilized at critical moments.

Martin and Kate were old friends by then, and he brought up his planned audition for a role in "Infernal Affairs" in a very subtle way.

Kate said frankly, "I'm really good friends with Leo, but we seldom talk work. I can mention you next time I see him, but I can't guarantee any outcome."

Martin smiled and said, "That's already more help than I could have imagined."

Kate didn't play coy with Martin, "In that case, you owe me another favor."

Remembering when he first met Craven and how Kate had helped him then, Martin did not hesitate, "Whatever it is, just ask."

A debt of several billion had been repaid—what was one favor in comparison?

As favors were exchanged, relationships deepened.

None of those who made it this far were fools. Kate smiled, "Let's talk about that later."

It was an investment in goodwill; with Martin's rapidly rising status, he might not have been able to help Kate at the moment, but the future was unpredictable.

Martin had also thought of this.

Kate changed the subject, "You've been quite the sensation lately."

Martin half-jokingly replied, "It's a matter of necessity. I'm not well-known enough, so I have to come up with some lousy ideas. You can only use this sort of tactic once."

Kate shared, "I've been to some parties, and it seems that some people have taken notice, wanting to imitate you."

Martin was especially magnanimous, "I won't charge them tuition." He then asked, concerned, "The Oscars are coming up soon. How confident are you about winning an award?"

Kate slowly shook her head, "I've been nominated for Best Actress, but winning isn't something to think about. My PR efforts are also insufficient."

Without a big investment in PR, the chances of winning major awards were virtually nil.

After discussing the Oscars for a while, they wrapped up their conversation.

Leaving the restaurant, Martin hurried to the Hilton Hotel to find Annie.

In the car, Bruce asked, "Have you thought it through?"

Martin replied, "Work is more appealing than a woman."

"You scoundrel, can't you think of something nicer?" They had discussed this before, and Bruce felt insulted, "What if she's passed the test?"

Martin said earnestly, "What should one do when confronted with sincere love?"

Bruce, also a rogue, replied, "Shatter it to pieces, admire the tears and sobs carefully, it would make me exceptionally happy."

Martin felt he was more noble, "So, you're the scoundrel, not me."

"Definitely not," Bruce took a sharp turn, "You're a jerk."

Martin was disdainful, "Jerk? They're the ones who break up with people, and I don't."

The car pulled up in front of the Hilton Hotel. Martin got out and entered the hotel, straightened his clothes slightly by the elevator, and then took the elevator directly to Annie's floor.

He knocked on Annie's door, entered, and gave her a passionate kiss.

The two of them entwined, quickly getting into the moment.

That night, true love blossomed once again.

Martin's fervent love was all for Annie.

At dawn, as the sun rose, Martin's phone vibrated.

He quickly grabbed his phone, left the bedroom, glanced back at Annie still deeply asleep, and went to the living room to answer the call.