After chatting with Will and the others for a while, Adriaan left. Although Will didn't work with AC Media's film companies in the past two years, he still kept in close contact with him. Otherwise, he wouldn't have asked for a role in The Matrix so many times. It seems that some movies can be released in advance, Adriaan thought. Men in Black 2 was going to be released this year, and Michael Bay also wanted to put Last Stand 2 on the schedule to make up for the huge loss he suffered because of Pearl Harbor. However, Adriaan didn't get involved in these movies, so it was hard to say what the future would be like.
Whether it was Asimov's I, Robot or Richard Matherson's I Am Legend, the movie rights were already in his hands. A certain biography hadn't been published yet, but he had found the prototype character, and his publishing company was in contact with him. In short, he didn't have to worry about the script. As long as Will was willing and had enough energy, it wouldn't be a problem to finish the movie and release it. Adriaan admired him, and he couldn't find a more suitable black actor.
After walking around the party, although he dealt with a lot of women, Nicole's title further solidified another title for Adriaan: The Hand of the Movie Queen. As long as she was the female lead in a movie directed by him, it was very likely that she would win the Best Actress award. Coupled with his power, wealth, and demeanor, it was enough to make more women come into contact with him, openly or secretly, directly or implicitly.
However, Adriaan's main focus was still on his women. After all, this was the "Oscar Night" party. Even if there were women he really wanted to try, he would find another opportunity, not now. Not to mention, he had other plans tonight.
"Oh, don't be like that, my dear. You are Laura, and this is a fact that everyone admits," Adriaan said to Kate with a sly smile.
"Then should I use the sequel of Tomb Raider to solidify my image as an action actor?" Kate shrugged.
"Of course, but, you know, there have only been two successful video game adaptations, and I'm not very optimistic about the future of the Resident Evil series. It's fine if it's made at a medium cost, but if the investment is too large, it's very easy to lose money." Adrian smiled. "It's the same for 'Tomb Raider'. That's why we won't start preparing for the second installment for a long time."
Kate didn't speak and just stared at him. After a while, she snapped her fingers and said, "I got it."
"Oh?" Adriaan raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"Don't think I didn't see your design draft." Carter snorted and looked away with his glass. "Black skintight leather suit …"
Adrian couldn't help but laugh. "Don't tell me that's how I look in your eyes?"
"Am I not?" Kate replied. with his eyes....
"Okay, let's not talk about this." Adriaan shrugged. It's just acting as Laura, and it's not like I haven't done role-playing before. How stingy. "I'll take that as a yes."
After that, he finished the champagne in the glass and was about to leave. Kate frowned and was about to speak when he suddenly leaned over and kissed the corner of her mouth. This action immediately stunned her. Making such an intimate move in a party with so many people? However, Kate immediately reacted. The news that Lily was his and her daughter had been secretly spread, so it wasn't a big deal for Adriaan to do this. It was just a few seconds, and it was enough for him to disappear into the crowd.
Asshole! Kate cursed in her heart and then let out a long sigh. She was already used to it.
The movie they were talking about was, of course, "Night Legend." Even though Adrian had quite a few movies he could arrange for Kate to appear in, he really liked the elegance, temperament, and charm that she displayed in the movie. He wanted to see Kate's performance as his woman in the movie. So, back in the late 90s, he had someone write a novel about it. Then, after Kate's status as an action actress in "Tomb Raider" was established, he put it on the agenda. Of course, he had to choose the director carefully.
I'm looking forward to you giving me a more mysterious, sexy, and cold Moon Goddess, my dear Kate, Adriaan thought proudly.
Then, after chatting with Sarah, Julia, Zeta Jones, Lin Zhiling, and Richel, he quickly went to the young lady who he hadn't spoken to that night.
"There is no doubt that Miss Hughes only managed to break the record by sheer luck. For a girl in her early teens, her performance in the movie is only average. However, the Film Academy needs to expand its influence, so being young is actually an advantage." Adriaan spoke confidently to the young people. "No matter what, in my eyes, Natalie's performance is worthy of being the youngest Best Actress Oscar nominee."
As he spoke, he looked at Natalie. Although the latter gave him a somewhat perfunctory smile, the other young people all had ambiguous smiles in their eyes.
"Oh, right, I have a date. Excuse me for now." One of the young people was very perceptive. After hearing Adriaan's words, he immediately understood what he meant and left.
With him taking the lead, the others also took their leave. In just a few seconds, only Adriaan and Natalie were left there.
"That's a nice way to put it. Maybe …" Natalie looked a little worried.
"Don't worry, Nada." Adriaan smiled. "You just need to maintain your current appearance. They will only think that I haven't gotten you yet. Think about it, even that playboy can't get her. How many curious and praising gazes will she attract?"
Natalie's expression changed. She turned her head away and didn't speak again.
"Why? Are you still mad that I asked the TV station to change your story?" Adriaan shrugged.
"No, you're right. I was a little impulsive at that time." Natalie uncharacteristically agreed with his previous remarks. "In any case, you should make yourself look the same, even if it's just on the surface. You asked the TV station to cut out that part when it was broadcasted."
"I know it's hard to accept. Although you're trying to adjust yourself, it's too unfair to let a child surpass you so quickly. If it were me, I would feel the same." "But don't worry, Nada. I've already arranged everything for you. What you need to do now is to accumulate experience." Adrian was still as calm as before, "Don't worry about it, Nada.
Natalie bit her lip. Why didn't she respond just now? Why did she start to conform to Adriaan's previous remarks? It was very simple. This was probably a trap. Think about it. If there had always been a rumor that she was the only woman who didn't have any feelings for a playboy, and the only woman who couldn't be pursued by a playboy, it would certainly bring special attention and make her imagination very positive. But if one day it was suddenly revealed that she had been with him for a long time, and everything was just a show for the audience, what kind of storm would it cause?!
Although Natalie couldn't think of a reason why Adriaan would do this, she believed that it was very likely that he would do it. Every time she recalled the way he looked at her that night and the various means he used to oppress her, she would feel a chill. In order to prepare for a rainy day, she said those words. On the one hand, she indirectly expressed her submission, and on the other hand, she was trying to test him.
Even so, Natalie couldn't be sure that Adriaan would listen to her. In front of him, she had nothing but fear and helplessness. At the same time, she couldn't give up. Since he could make her the youngest Best Actress nominee, he could naturally give her more. However, it was really difficult for her to accept the record of being replaced in just one year. So, her contradictory thoughts made her, who was confident in everything else, become suspicious and timid in front of Adriaan.
"Why?" Natalie suddenly asked, "What about me is worth doing this for?"
"This is really sad, Nada." Adriaan sighed somewhat exaggeratedly. "I told you, I like you."
He looked into her eyes and looked quite serious. "Maybe you won't believe it, but when I first saw you, I had a very strange feeling. I'm not a pedophile, but at that time, you really had a strange charm, and it was hard not to have a good impression of you. Especially after working together on 'This Killer Isn't Too Cold', this strange attraction became even stronger. I never realized it. Maybe it was out of morality that I chose to ignore it, but that attraction never disappeared. It kept accumulating in the deepest part of my heart until that day, it exploded. "
Adriaan looked very sincere. "I know, you were scared that day. In fact, I've never lost my composure like that, so you should understand how important you are to me, right? Of course, I know we can never go back. It's really a pity, but I still don't want to lose you. I still want to have you. "
He paused and smiled again. "I know what you're thinking, Nada, but you're thinking too much. Even if the trust between us no longer exists, the other connection is still there, isn't it? I said that as long as you're willing to stay by my side, I'll help you reach the peak of this circle. You know I can do it, so why are you worried about that? "
"I don't believe you," Natalie said after a moment of silence.
"Yes, I understand. So, four to five years." Adriaan suddenly stopped smiling. "I've always tolerated you, Nada. No matter how you treat me these years, I've never changed my attitude. But everything I've planned for you will be realized in four to five years. From now on, I hope you can change yourself. Of course, I will still respect you. "
A glimmer of light flashed in Natalie's eyes. After taking a deep breath, she asked dryly, "Four to five years?"
"Yes." Adriaan nodded very seriously.
She had no choice. Although it looked like she could choose, in fact, Adriaan didn't intend to give her a choice, and she didn't want to choose either. As he had hinted, who else but him could give her what she wanted? Therefore, these slightly long-winded and ambiguous words were just to make her feel at ease.
In the beginning, Natalie still wanted to get rid of Adriaan. But as AC Media grew stronger and Adriaan achieved one success after another, she became more and more desperate.
He left a deep impression on her that day. He dug out her well-hidden thoughts bit by bit and laid them bare in front of the two of them. If she had broken free at that time, it would have been fine. But in the end, not only did she fail to achieve her goal, but she was firmly held in the palm of his hand. But at the same time, he kept giving her what she wanted. For example, a year ago, she broke the record for being the youngest Best Actress.
As mentioned before, in front of him, she could only feel fear and helplessness. But at the same time, she didn't want to give up, so it was no wonder she thought so much.
This was not what Adrian, who had secretly pushed for the little girl in "Whale Rider" to be nominated for an Oscar, wanted to see. But with Natalie's perception of him, no amount of consolation would work, so she could only think of another way. For example, she could make things even more obvious: I can totally give you what you want, and I'm already planning to give it to you, so in exchange for you to be more obedient to me.
But this was also in line with his plan. Even without this opportunity, Adriaan would create an opportunity, not to make a deal, but to say that word: four to five years.
Hope is always good. After leaving Natalie, Adriaan said leisurely in his heart, a touch of coldness flashing from the bottom of his eyes. What will you look like, dear Nada? I'm really looking forward to it.
Soon, Adriaan came in front of Blanchett again. She was talking with Liv about the theater in Sydney excitedly.
"I'm preparing to renovate the surrounding area, plant some lawns and plants, and decorate it more environmentally friendly and greener, so that the audience can be more relaxed when they come to the theater. Oh right, Liv, if you are interested, you can go there and try to perform on stage." Blanchett said with a smile.
"Really, when will it open?" Liv asked with interest.
"I'm not sure, they haven't given me a specific time." Blanchett shrugged.
"What she means is, don't think about it this year." Adriaan, who was listening quietly at the side, interrupted with a smile.
"You really don't want the theater to open as soon as possible." Blanchett looked at him and folded her arms. If she wasn't wearing an evening gown, but a woman's suit and trousers, and a pair of black-rimmed glasses, it would be very fitting for her to do this.
"I think it's necessary to check on the recent sponsorship," Adriaan said without answering her question.
"I know you are not that kind of person." Blanchett quickly changed her words.
Like Monica, Blanchett began to shift her interests to other areas, such as buying a stake in the Sydney Theater and becoming the artistic director. If it weren't for Adriaan, she would have performed in the Sydney Theater for a few years and become the number one actress in the Sydney Theater before entering Hollywood.
However, although she was brought to Hollywood by Adriaan, she never gave up her love for theater. Just like how Richel would return to the UK after staying in the US for a long time, Blanchett would return to Sydney from time to time to perform in comedies, and Adriaan would also make time to support her. Of course, he would also violate her backstage while she was in costume.
After the success, Blanchett slowly shifted part of her energy to theater, and Adriaan naturally expressed his support. Not only did he invest in the Sydney Theater with her, but he also helped her gain the right to speak in the theater. Just at the beginning of this year, she starred in a play in the Sydney Theater and received considerable praise.
"Occasionally, you can also perform on Broadway. Maybe you can even win a Tony Award," Adriaan once said to her.
So when he said he wanted to check the sponsorship for the Sydney Theatre, Blanchett immediately changed her mind. She was so quick that even Liv was a little surprised.
"You seem to be questioning Eide, Kate," Liv couldn't help but remind her.
"That was my previous sentence," Blanchett said calmly, and then threatened, "I think it's better to change the lead actress for 'Quill.'" Blanchett said with a straight face. Then she threatened, "I think it's better to change the lead actress for Quill."
"It's so depressing. I thought I could also get a nomination this year," Liv then changed the topic and complained.
The reason why she said that was because "Quill", which she starred in last year, also received several nominations, but they were all in the technical category, not the acting category.
The reason why she said that was because she had also received a few nominations for "Quill" last year, but they were all for the technical category. Not a single one for the acting category. The film was originally to be released in 2000 and compete for the Oscars in 2001, but because Adriaan carefully created the image of an artistic vase for Liv, he got the film rights early and delayed the production to 2000.
Probably because of the change of director, although Geoffrey Rush, Joaquin Phoenix, and Michael Cain helped, the film still only received a few nominations, such as Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, etc., and all of them lost to "Moulin Rouge". Geoffrey Rush also didn't get a nomination for Best Actor.
However, Liv's acting skills were more or less recognized by some critics. At least they didn't say that she was a complete vase, so she began to be interested in the stage. After learning that the Sydney Theater was going to screen this play, she begged Blanchett to let her play the leading actress, which was why Blanchett's threat was so effective.
"At least we got a nomination for the Golden Globes, which is already an improvement." Adriaan immediately comforted her, and then he thought of something and asked, "By the way, where is Gwyneth? I went around the party and didn't see her. "
"Don't you know?" Liv was slightly surprised. "She left after the ceremony and didn't come to the Vanity Fair party. And … I think she seems very sad."
"She was disappointed again and again. Of course she's sad." Blanchett smiled faintly. She had obviously seen through Adriaan's plan.
"Well … It seems that I have to leave for a while." Adriaan didn't care at all. "I don't think Gwyneth will go back to your villa. She has residences in Santa Monica and Burbank. Where will she go most likely?"
"Why not go back to my parents' house?" Blanchett raised her eyebrows and didn't answer directly.
"No, she won't." Adriaan denied, and then he whispered in Blanchett's ear, "Well, Kate, tell me directly, or I promise I'll teach you a lesson."
Blanchett rolled her eyes at him. "You have other plans tonight, don't you?"
"Kate!" Adriaan narrowed his eyes.
"Okay, Santa Monica." Blanchett shrugged.
