Chapter 499: A hero becomes A villain

Walking up the lengthy steps toward Lumiere Hall, Martin encountered numerous members of the jury.

Li Dongcang, hailing from South Korea, was the first to approach, extending a hand to Martin with vibrant enthusiasm.

"Hey there!" Martin responded, mirroring Li Dongcang's fervor.

Bruce interjected softly, reminding Martin of something.

Turning around, Martin was greeted by John Travolta's approach. As the veteran movie star reached out, Martin took two steps forward, shaking Travolta's hand warmly. "Hello, John."

Travolta's greeting seemed customary, but he smiled and added, "Master Hubbard sends his regards through me."

"Thank you," Martin acknowledged, recognizing Hubbard as the Scientology leader.

Travolta continued, "Master Hubbard wishes to discuss joint Scientology and Coca-Cola ventures in Los Angeles."

Martin, intrigued, replied, "Please convey my regards to Master Hubbard. I have various matters concerning the sect's development and would value advice from his seasoned expertise."

"Oh, by the way, he's also a leader," Martin mentioned casually.

Travolta nodded, shook hands again, and swiftly departed.

Progressing through the group, Martin exchanged pleasantries and handshakes with the other judges. When he reached Shu Qi, he switched to Mandarin: "Ms. Shu, you're my favorite Oriental artist. I've read many of your works."

"Your Chinese is impeccable, quite unexpected," Shu Qi responded, shaking hands with Martin. "Have you truly read many of my works?"

Martin affirmed, recalling numerous pieces, particularly highlighting "Red Light District" and "Jade Girl's Heart Sutra." He withheld his admiration for the latter's mastery in the realm of art films.

He casually added, "I also saw 'If You Are the One' last year."

Hearing the Chinese film's name, Shu Qi felt assured of Martin's sincerity, her admiration for him growing stronger due to her emotional disposition as a woman.

Moreover, she recalled an old friend from the Hong Kong-based International Bartenders Association urging her to pay attention to "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and its lead, Martin.

Shu Qi tentatively proposed, "Could we take a group photo together?"

"Absolutely," Martin agreed, positioning himself beside her as a crew photographer captured their image.

Reaching the status of a Cannes judge was no easy feat for Shu Qi. After the photo, Martin moved on to engage with other judges.

With all films in competition already produced, the focus shifted away from the films themselves towards other elements. The battle for awards typically unfolded off-screen, a fact well understood by those familiar with film awards.

Louise Meyer had already initiated contact through the International Bartenders Association on Shu Qi's behalf.

Uncertain about winning, Martin was determined to thwart his most formidable competitor, Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds."

Engaging in conversation with Italian actress Aisha Argento, Martin realized she was the protagonist of XX, sparking recollections of things he had read about Harvey in his previous life.

Martin scanned the area but couldn't spot Huppert, the jury's chairman. He turned to Bruce, voicing his intention: "Let's have a private word with Aisha Argento. I've heard she might be a Harvey victim."

Bruce nodded in agreement, glancing around to ensure privacy before whispering, "Feels like we're stepping into Harvey's shoes."

"It's common. The heroe might turn into a villain someday," Martin reflected on his actions, considering himself a lesser evil compared to Harvey. "But we never coerce women."

Bruce, thinking of the Kardashian sisters, quipped, "Women coerce us all!"

As Martin glanced around, his eyes caught Mene at the main entrance's corner, snapping a photo with Isabelle Huppert.

Bruce noticed too, remarking, "Mene's quick to get a snap with the literary and artistic goddess."

While taking the photo, Mene ranted about another encounter with an Isabelle on the Corniche, describing the person's intimidating appearance. Surprisingly, Huppert, seeming noble and cultured, seemed captivated by the tale.

Mene, exuding a charm popular with older women, appealed greatly to Huppert, especially post-2000.

Despite their brief chat, they left lasting impressions on each other, with Mene even asking for Huppert's contact details.

After exchanging a few words with Huppert, Martin entered Lumiere Hall, with Bruce silently giving Mene a thumbs-up.

Mene confidently smiled back, downplaying the significance of these interactions.

The 62nd Cannes Film Festival officially commenced, opening with Pixar's "Up." Despite being an animated film, its praised beginning caused quite a stir upon release.

Observing the film, Martin predicted that despite Disney's recent acquisition of Pixar, the impact wouldn't be too drastic for now, as Pixar remained synonymous with quality in animation.

Returning to the hotel after the screening, Martin encountered Charlize Theron again. Overhearing her complaint about starving herself for the red carpet, Martin, being a good neighbor and gentleman, invited her for a late-night meal, along with their crews.

Charlize, impressed by Martin's gesture, agreed to meet in the lobby after changing clothes.

Both dressed casually, they rendezvoused in the lobby, joined by a dozen others, heading to a nearby restaurant Martin had reserved.

Amidst the chaos of the Cannes Film Festival, the media went wild, especially when Martin and Charlize stepped out of the restaurant. Reporters flocked, snapping photos, deliberately focusing on the duo, creating an illusion of an exclusive late-night rendezvous.

The entertainment reporters, adept at creating news, captured shots that suggested a private evening between Martin and Charlize, ignoring others like David Fincher and Jennifer Lawrence in the background.

Meanwhile, Ivan, influenced by his partner Judy, adeptly maneuvered the media scene. He and his assistant strategically chose a table near Elsa Argento in an Italian restaurant, mulling over relayed news—Harvey sought Elsa's help in promoting "Inglourious Basterds" for an award.

Elsa, lost in thought while munching her late-night snack, felt perplexed by Harvey's request.

The Cannes Film Festival buzzed with anticipation as voices murmured about potential controversies. An American English accent piped up from the side, projecting concern, "Who'll be the unfortunate one this Cannes? With Harvey Weinstein around, Cannes won't stay quiet. Remember the incident where he locked people up just to seal a deal with an overseas film company?"

Another voice chimed in, recalling, "I witnessed it a few years back, a locked hotel room with an actress inside."

"He's importing Hollywood's tactics here. With so many beauties arriving, someone's bound to be unlucky," remarked someone else.

"Everyone else is about exchanging interests, but rarely someone uses force like Harvey," another voice pondered aloud.

"But he's a big boss, wealthy enough to get away with anything," concluded another.

Elsa, catching snippets of the conversation, couldn't shake off forgotten memories. In 1997, she encountered Harvey Weinstein at Cannes, lured into a hotel room under the guise of aiding her Hollywood pursuits...

Elsa always saw it as a trap! Harvey never fulfilled his promises, leaving her without evidence. Wanting to flourish in Hollywood, she selectively chose to forget.

Knowing she couldn't confront Harvey without consequences, she quietly finished her meal, reminiscent of that haunting hotel room.

Open confrontation was out of the question, but subtle actions were plausible.

As a jury member now, Elsa faced Harvey's film up for critical awards.

Leaving the restaurant, Elsa decided, bringing Huppert's favorite dessert to her room, a strategic move to garner favor while promoting "White Ribbon."

In Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Stuart Townsend perused the newspaper's entertainment section during breakfast, and his appetite waned.

Images of Martin Davis and Charlize Theron monopolized the pages, leaving Stewart stunned. They strolled together, dined together, they seemed inseparable, almost like a couple.

The headlines screamed scandal, suggesting Martin's affair with Charlize: "Suspected sparks between Martin Davis and Charlize Theron at Cannes!"

Stewart fumed, losing his appetite completely. These supposed neighbors betrayed him!

Grabbing another paper, he glimpsed a photo of Martin and Charlize on a beach, their gazes electric. "Damn neighbors!" Stewart bellowed in frustration, feeling utterly betrayed by Martin.

Dialing Charlize, time difference be damned, Stewart unleashed his anger: "What have you done? Shameless woman, cheating behind my back!"

Charlize, bewildered, asked, "What's wrong?"

Stewart exploded, "Stay away from Martin Davis! Don't you understand? How could you betray me like this!"

Claiming it was just a neighborly and professional relationship, Charlize tried to calm him, but Stewart threatened, "Stay away from that bastard, or I'll burn both your houses down!"

Helpless, Charlize offered, "We'll talk when I'm back."