America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 286 Public Apology

When news of Martin's planned press conference spread through the studio, Heath Ledger and the CAA had no choice but to accept Martin's terms.

He issued a formal apology through the media and paid Martin and Aniston $20 each in compensation for emotional distress.

Heath Ledger was released on bail after posting a bail bond.

That day, the three film crews shooting at the Brooklyn Studios received the news and gathered in front of the office building early in the morning.

Upon arriving in New York, Will Smith cheerfully remarked to producer David Heyman, "I didn't expect to see such a good show so soon."

The latter crossed his arms, watching the brown-haired young man approaching from a distance, and said, "It's already spread throughout the industry that Heath Ledger almost injured Martin and Aniston while on drugs. Taking drugs is one thing, but causing trouble on set..."

He shook his head, speaking from a producer's perspective: "I would never use an actor like that."

Will Smith, concerned for his own safety, said, "I won't let him on my set."

The surrounding media reporters all turned their cameras to take pictures of the person who had arrived.

Christian Bale, who got along well with Heath Ledger on set, shook his head and said, "The compensation has already been paid, and an apology in private is all that's needed. This is going a bit too far."

People have different perspectives, and Cate Blanchett, a member of the Australian group, turned to Martin and Aniston as they emerged from the office building and said, "That's outrageous!"

Not far from the two, Heath Ledger's agent, Kevin Wayne, looked quite grim.

This incident has had a significant impact.

Schamus seems to be in a good mood. The buzz surrounding "Brokeback Mountain" has already built up, so the impact won't be too significant. At most, he'll lose a Best Actor nomination.

The subsequent film's promotion and marketing should downplay Heath Ledger's role.

Compared to these parties involved, Heath Ledger himself was much more composed. Accompanied by Michelle Williams, he went straight to Martin and Aniston.

Dozens of cameras turned to their side.

Heath Ledger bowed: "I apologize for what I did that day! It may be too late to undo the harm done to you, but I sincerely apologize. It was all my fault!"

Martin glanced at the man; he was about 1.85 meters tall, with a rather muscular build, and showed no sign of madness.

Aniston nodded gently: "I accept your apology."

Martin said, "I accept your apology."

Heath Ledger said, "Thank you."

Michelle Williams tugged at him, and Heath Ledger gave the two of them an apologetic smile before following his fiancée back.

Martin glanced at the media reporters being stopped by studio security and said softly, "Let's go too."

Aniston left with Martin.

The reporters dispersed to get back to their articles.

On the other side, Michelle Williams advised Heath Ledger, "For your daughter's sake, you should quit!"

Heath Ledger has assured everyone, for what seems like the umpteenth time, "I can definitely quit!"

"Let's not have this happen again." Michelle Williams felt utterly exhausted.

Upon arriving at the studio, Martin entered his makeup trailer; he was ready to continue working that day.

Before the makeup artist arrived, Bruce reminded Martin, "I filmed a video about it on my phone that day."

Martin waved his hand: "Keep it, we might need it later."

Bruce replied, "I'll save it later."

After finishing his makeup and entering the photography studio, Martin put aside all the messy things and focused all his energy on his work.

On that day, Thomas, representing Martin, gave a media interview, detailing the events of that day.

Further media coverage followed, and Heath Ledger published an apology statement in the Los Angeles Times.

A few days later, at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' luncheon for nominees, the new Oscar nominations were announced, and Heath Ledger's name was not among the nominees for Best Actor.

The negative impact of his near-injury to two colleagues while driving under the influence of drugs at the film studio has become apparent.

If we really want to get to the bottom of this, it's something that affects every actor.

Inside the Four Seasons Hotel, Kevin Hove watched his girlfriend Betty help him pack his luggage, showing no intention of doing anything.

Betty asked, "Should I book a flight for today?"

Kevin kept shaking his head: "Let's not rush off."

Betty, who also works in the entertainment industry, said, "Heath Ledger is what he is now, there's no use in you staying in New York. Just wait until his film is about to be released and then figure something out. Audiences are forgetful, and as long as there are enough good reviews, these negative impacts will be eliminated quickly."

"I want to meet Martin Davis."

Since joining CAA, Kevin has had a smooth and successful career, with celebrities seemingly being manipulated like puppets. Now, he is truly resentful: "I need to talk to him."

Betty advised, "There's no need."

Kevin's phone beeped with a text message notification. He glanced at it, got up, and went out: "I'm going out for a bit."

Betty said again, "Don't get into a fight with him. That guy likes to fight, and he always does it in self-defense."

Kevin wasn't foolish enough to fight Martin. He waved and left the room, going down to the hotel's business floor. In the open-plan entertainment room in front of the business meeting room, he saw Martin playing pool with his agent.

Thomas, leaning on his club, asked, "Are you sure?"

Martin potted the red ball into the bottom pocket and casually pointed towards the meeting room: "Jane and Steve are negotiating the final terms with Ali. Once they reach an agreement, they can officially notify CAA."

As soon as Kevin arrived, Thomas saw him and greeted him, "I thought you went back to Los Angeles."

Martin finished hitting the black ball before getting up.

Kevin glanced at Martin and said, "We could have been friends."

Martin, too lazy to say more, glanced at Thomas.

Thomas, quite self-aware, stepped in front of Martin, seizing the moral high ground: "Is this how you CAA do things? Indiscriminate in right and wrong? Domineering and tyrannical? Even Michael Ovis wasn't this bad back in the day."

Kevin replied coldly, "You're not qualified..."

"He's not qualified, but am I?" Ali's voice came from behind Kevin. "Can Ali-Emanuel speak directly with senior partners at CAA?"

Kevin couldn't hide his surprise: "What are you doing here?"

In this situation, Ali naturally had to defend his client: "If I hadn't come, were you planning to continue criticizing Martin? Ha, do you think this is ten years ago, when CAA had a monopoly? You want to start a war? WMA is ready!"

Martin didn't need to say anything; his agency had already stood in his way.

Kevin ignored Ali and kept his eyes fixed on what was behind him.

Aniston and Steve walked up from behind.

Kevin had a very bad feeling.

Steve glanced at Aniston, who nodded slightly.

"I was going to call you, but since you're here, Kevin, I'll let you know first." Steve was triumphant at this moment: "Jane and I have officially initiated the termination process. I'll head back to Los Angeles today to handle the relevant termination matters."

Kevin immediately looked at Ali: "You guys want to join WMA?"

Aniston then called to Martin, "Let's go out for a big meal to celebrate."

Martin put down his cue and pulled Aniston away first.

Ali invited Steve: "Come on, take my private jet back to Los Angeles."

Thomas ran over and said, "Me too, I'm going back to Los Angeles too."

Ali chuckled: "Hurry up and pack your luggage, or we won't wait for you."

The three agents walked towards the elevator almost simultaneously.

Kevin couldn't contain himself. He strode to the other side and immediately called Brian Lord, sending shockwaves through CAA headquarters.

This time, it wasn't Halle Berry who got poached, but Jennifer Aniston!

We've been together for over a decade, but when we're together, it all seems so ordinary, and I even feel a growing sense of weariness.

It is only when you lose something suddenly that you realize how precious it was.

At the restaurant, Aniston specifically ordered a bottle of champagne and asked the waiter to pour it.

"I don't know why, but I feel a sense of relief, and a little lost too." Aniston picked up her glass, then suddenly smiled: "But it's worth celebrating!"

Martin clinked glasses with her: "Jane, cheers!"

The two drank the cup to the brim and laughed at the same time.

Aniston took out her phone, turned it off, and said, "I hope that a few years from now, we can still sit together and raise a glass."

From the sadness and anger after the divorce to the current ease and joy, Aniston's mindset has completely changed. The woman in her thirties has become more practical, no longer valuing love and marriage as much, and enjoying sex more.

She's rich, famous, and powerful; why would she need to get married and tie herself down?

Wouldn't a strong and powerful puppy be better?

Especially the one in front of me, who can be warm when she needs to be, domineering when she needs to be, and tough when she needs to be.

Martin understood Aniston's meaning and readily agreed, "I hope it will be the same many years from now."

After dinner, they walked hand in hand back to their room.

For Martin, there was the added benefit of Rachel, as well as the effect of the rich woman.

Who wouldn't like a wealthy woman like Aniston who is beautiful, has a great figure, and is elegant?

…………

Long Island, New York, is an affluent residential area.

A three-person reporter team from the World News newspaper parked a telecommunications company repair vehicle on the outskirts of the community.

Lukaku, who was driving, reminded Hazard and Courtois: "Hurry up and change your clothes. I've found out that Harvey Weinstein often invites directors and actors to Villa 21 here to discuss scripts and roles."

Hazard changed his clothes, checked his tools, and said, "To be a reporter and also be proficient in communications technology, I'm a real genius!"

Courtois couldn't help but exclaim enviously, "Your salary is the highest among us too!"

Hazard turned on the car's roof light, found the neighborhood's telephone line map, looked at it for a while, then got out of the car to compare it with the actual location, and pointed to the southeast: "Go there, the signal switch closest to villa number 21 is over there."

Once he was in the car, Lukaku said, "Could we say we've pioneered a completely new type of journalist?"

Courtois asked, "A prison-aged journalist?"

"Get lost!" Hazard retorted, annoyed by his jinx. "Don't talk nonsense! The newspapers have done so much, and there's been such a big fuss in Britain, but nothing's happened."

As the car pulled up near the switchboard, Lukaku said, "Telephone eavesdropping alone isn't very effective. Should we think of some other methods?"

Just then, a mother and daughter walked by the repair truck; the girl was holding a cute plush toy.

Courtois came up with an idea: "How about this, when there are people at the villa, we can disguise ourselves as merchants and hold a big giveaway of plush toys? I remember the company provided a hidden camera device that uses toy eyes as cameras."

"That's a good idea."

With no one around, the three of them got busy, working with a skill that belied their professionalism.

Reporters at the World News Daily are known for their versatility.

This is delivered at midnight; I'm begging for your monthly votes.

A cousin from my hometown, who lives across the street from mine, suddenly developed leukemia. She had a fever the morning before yesterday and was diagnosed with leukemia at the hospital. Just one day later, she was declared critically ill twice yesterday. Her condition is not good. I may be busy these days, so please understand if my update schedule is irregular.

(End of this chapter)