America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 214 Filled with Guilt

At Los Angeles International Airport, paparazzi who had been notified in advance arrived near the exit, waiting for news to automatically come to their lips.

Jody wore a Dodgers baseball cap backwards and waited in the designated area of ​​the airport with his camera.

This morning, she received a call from Atlanta, a message from an old acquaintance.

The airport announcement said the target flight had arrived. After waiting a while, passengers began to emerge from the VIP lane.

Jody picked up her camera, ready to take pictures, and as Martin walked out of the passageway, she pressed the camera shutter repeatedly.

Sure enough, there was news.

Walking next to Martin is Angelina Jolie.

The two didn't communicate much; they were more like business partners and friends.

Julie, wearing a short trench coat, held a toddler's hand with her left hand and a little girl in her right arm, radiating maternal love.

It was as if her child was everything to her.

Martin quickened his pace and left, leaving the performance space to Julie alone.

The two had a deep conversation on the plane there, and now that they're back in Los Angeles, Julie is going to make a move.

Martin exited the terminal, got into the car Jessica had driven, and said, "Don't go back to the apartment yet, go to the Four Seasons Hotel."

As soon as I left the airport, paparazzi followed me.

Martin, used to it, told Bruce, "Keep an eye on Julie's news."

"Things are bound to escalate eventually," Bruce suggested. "Aniston is America's sweetheart, and you're America's hero. Why don't you just win Aniston over?"

Martin, too lazy to bother with Old Brooks—he was several levels below Aniston in terms of status—asked Jessica, "Anything unusual lately?"

Jessica knew Martin was asking about something related to him personally, and said, "No, everything is normal."

Upon entering Beverly Hills, the car quickly stopped in front of the hotel.

Martin and Bruce entered the hotel together, checked in, and then went into the elevator lobby where they met up with two other people who came out.

Anne Hathaway and her agent, Maha.

Both sides stopped simultaneously.

Martin, with great poise, nodded to Anne and Maha, "What a coincidence."

Maha, a shrewd and diplomatic agent, responded with a smile, "Long time no see, Martin."

Anne's gaze lingered on Martin's face. She wanted to leave immediately, but couldn't move her feet. She said softly, "Do you have time to talk for a while?"

"Okay." Martin exited the elevator, went to the coffee shop next door, and found a quiet spot to sit down.

Anne followed him in alone and sat down opposite Martin.

In just over two months, this man has become a national hero, receiving not only the golden key to honorary citizenship of Los Angeles, but also the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Anne felt terrible, but these weren't the key reasons.

A few days ago, Annie read in the newspaper that "Wanted" had started filming in Atlanta, with a reported production cost of $6500 million!

Martin is not only the male lead, but also the production manager, which clearly secured investment.

Furthermore, the cast of "The Departed" has been announced, with Martin playing the second male lead, having joined the cast with his own investment!

That's a movie directed by Scorsese.

Anne asked in a low voice, "I saw on the news that you're filming in Atlanta?"

Martin readily admitted, "Yes, I was filming The Wanted, and I'm back for a premiere."

Anne looked up, staring intently at Martin: "Why did you lie to me? Everything was going so well, why did you say the investors abandoned their investment...?"

Martin asked in surprise, "When did I ever tell you that the investors were withdrawing their investment?" He deliberately thought back, "I never said that!"

Anne then remembered that Martin had never told her this in person, but at this moment, she was indignant and said directly, "That morning, Bruce came into the room, and I heard what you told him."

Martin tried hard to recall: "I remember now. The day you said we should break up, I was going to the Infernal Affairs crew for an audition. I specifically asked Old Brooks to help me rehearse my lines so I could get more familiar with the audition scenes and go to the crew for a second audition."

Even though Annie considered herself very smart and had a knack for getting things done, she never expected this to happen and was stunned.

She couldn't believe it: "You...you're telling the truth?"

Martin said, "To check the performance, I even had Old Brooks bring a camera. We filmed it on video. Old Brooks was reading his lines from a makeshift script. If you want to see the video, I'll have Old Brooks go find it."

Anne lowered her head slightly, but then raised it again, demanding, "Why won't you explain to me?"

Martin looked helpless: "You said you wanted to break up with me, but you didn't give a reason. How am I supposed to explain?"

Annie thought to herself, "I can't possibly tell you that I broke up with you because you have no future in the financial world, can I? I'm not that mercenary!"

Martin continued, "I called you, and the first time you hung up and turned off your phone. Then you changed your number." He countered, "What could I do?"

Anne was filled with regret. She had actually given up such a great stock on her own initiative. How foolish of her!

Thinking of Martin's current popularity and career, she tried to salvage the situation: "I misunderstood you. Now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, we..."

Martin immediately interrupted her: "I'm sorry, Anne, it's all in the past. I've been through a shooting, and I'm physically and mentally exhausted. I just want to be alone and don't want to talk about relationships for the time being."

Anne still wanted to salvage the relationship.

Martin seemed deeply hurt, and walked away alone and forlorn.

Anne's eyes reddened, filled with remorse, and she murmured, "I'm sorry."

She watched Martin walk further and further away, turn the door, and disappear from sight, with only one thought in her mind: "I have betrayed this relationship."

Martin returned to the hotel lobby and met up with Bruce, then went upstairs together.

Once inside the suite, Bruce couldn't help but ask curiously, "Annie asked to get back together?"

"I refused, and then pinned all the blame on her." It's not something an ordinary person could do to make a princess feel guilty and admit her mistake. Martin sat on the sofa and asked, "Did I really reach a certain level of scumbag behavior this time?"

"It's alright." In the past, Bruce would have already spewed out all sorts of nasty remarks, but this time it was different: "Compared to those perverts on the crew, you, this scoundrel, have much higher standards and principles."

Putting everything else aside, take Morgan Freeman for example. He manages his public image so well, and his acting skills and character are widely praised.

Bruce finished packing and said to Martin, "I'm going out tonight."

Martin said, "Go see your Kardashian sisters."

Having witnessed too many perverts on set, Bruce became self-righteous and at ease.

Back in Los Angeles, Martin was finally able to take a break, take a hot bath, and get a good night's sleep.

Male celebrities have it tough too, after all, it's much harder to stand up straight all the time than to spread your legs all the time.

Martin slept exceptionally well that night, not even hearing Blake Lively call him.

When Bruce woke up the next day, he saw news about Jolie and Pitt in all the entertainment magazines he had brought back.

Angelina Jolie emphasizes maternal love, almost like a saint.

Pitt still longs for family and children.

The publicity campaign, which had been interrupted by the Burbank High School incident, has been restarted to forcibly establish a persona.

With just over a month until the release of "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," this is the last chance.

…………

At a farm owned by Angelina Jolie in the suburbs of Los Angeles, reporters and photographers from WarnerMedia's People magazine are busy setting up a shooting location.

Their editor-in-chief reached an agreement with Julie and Warner Bros. executives to secure a series of exclusive news stories.

Julie led the children out of the cabin.

She held her newly adopted son and played with him.

No script is needed; Jolie has the ability to make these things feel natural and real.

Moreover, the photographer is highly skilled and always manages to capture the most exciting moments.

After filming for a while, a minibus drove up, and Brad Pitt got off first, then called on the dozen or so orphans on the bus to get off in an orderly manner.

Then, he took the children and joined Julie's side.

Today's photoshoot theme is family and children.

After taking many photos, under Jolie's deliberate guidance, the photographer captured a picture of Pitt happily interacting with her and their two children.

It's perfect for a cover!

After the shoot, a special person took the children on a tour of the farm, and the chief reporter of People magazine came over to conduct an exclusive interview with Jolie and Pitt, who both love children.

Julie has a firm grip on the situation.

Finally, the interview came to an end.

The staff of People magazine were the first to evacuate.

Jolie was busy, and it took a long time before Pitt finally had a chance to sit down and chat.

"Should we go to your place or mine later?" he specifically asked Julie. "We haven't been together for months."

Julie replied, "I'm not available these days, and I have to take care of the children."

She plans to force Aniston and Pitt to divorce, so Pitt has almost lost his appeal in her eyes: "What we're doing now is related to our future, every step is very important, so let's be careful."

Pitt agreed: "For our future."

Julie had long since lost his mind: "Temporary forbearance is for better development in the future. We can't afford any accidents at this time."

Pete nodded: "I understand, then let's wait until this period is over."

Julie smiled slightly: "Keep in touch."

Pete got into his car and drove off, making a phone call midway through the journey, intending to go back and ask his usual housekeeper for help.

Female housekeepers, nannies, and cleaners have always been his type.

After Pete's car left the farm, Julie took out her phone and dialed Martin's number. As soon as the call connected, she asked with a smile, "Mr. Martin, do you have time? I'd like to come over for a lesson."

Upon receiving a response, Julie immediately left her two adopted children with the nanny, drove the nanny's car straight to Beverly Hills, and entered the Four Seasons Hotel alone.

After a night of resupplying, Martin regained firepower.

Julie left alone in the late afternoon.

Because Martin was about to leave.

This afternoon, the premiere of "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" was held at the Sun Cinema in Los Angeles.

This teen movie will be released in theaters across North America on the second weekend of the summer season.

(End of this chapter)