Chapter 139

The New Zealand government quickly identified the issue.

At the Prime Minister's Office, Jenny Shipley sat at her desk, casually browsing the internet. As the leader of New Zealand, her daily responsibilities were usually quite minimal—only major administrative tasks or diplomatic duties required her attention. The rest of the time, she left the details to her four assistants. Major decisions were rare, only a few each year.

But today, something unusual had caught her eye. The latest viral sensation—a post on Yahoo's forum—was causing quite a stir.

"An elf?" she muttered to herself as she clicked on the video.

The image that appeared on her screen was mesmerizing. Under the setting sun, a figure stood atop a hill, their hair blowing in the breeze, silhouetted against the fading light. The pointed ears, the flowing robes—could it really be an elf?

Intrigued, she scrolled through the comments below. One comment mentioned The Lord of the Rings, and Jenny's mind immediately began to piece things together.

Back on the other side of the world, Peter Jackson was beaming with pride.

"Boss, the Prime Minister's Office called to ask about the elf," one of his assistants reported.

"Even the Prime Minister?" Peter laughed, showing a wide grin. "This is great!"

The story had gone global, and its viral reach was now undeniable. "Okay, let's keep the momentum going. Have someone stoke the fire on this post—let's boost its popularity. Also, get the media involved. Have them pick up the story. Mudd, why haven't the reporters figured this out yet? They should have seen this coming!"

In 1999, the internet was still relatively new as a tool for news reporting, and not all reporters had caught on to how to leverage it.

"Got it. I'll make it happen. You call the Prime Minister's Office back," Mudd replied.

Under the savvy direction of Jackson and the Lord of the Rings crew, rumors about elves in New Zealand spread like wildfire. The media quickly picked up the story, and the curiosity grew exponentially. From New Zealand to the United States and across Europe, the question of whether elves truly existed in New Zealand was now a hot topic.

Martin's fans from as far away as the United States were reaching out, wondering if he had actually encountered elves.

"Peter, this marketing is a stroke of genius! You reacted so quickly!" Martin said, slapping Peter on the arm with appreciation.

Peter smiled modestly. "I've got to take care of you, Martin. After all, you were the first to back me for The Lord of the Rings Trilogy."

He chuckled, recalling his humble beginnings, including a time when he begged his grandfather for money to fund his early projects. How far he had come.

As September 1999 rolled in, Martin flew back to Los Angeles for the premiere of Hide and Seek.

Click! Click! Click!

The sound of cameras flashing filled the air as the red carpet buzzed with excitement. Robert De Niro stood at the center, flashing his signature grin while reporters gathered around, eagerly snapping pictures.

"Mr. De Niro, this is your first time starring in a film by Martin. How does this role compare to your previous ones?" a tall reporter asked.

"Every role is a unique experience. I love every character I play, so it's impossible to compare them," De Niro said with a smile. "But trust me, this film is going to blow your mind."

"Mr. De Niro, what was it like working with Martin?" a female reporter chimed in, squeezing past others with her microphone.

"Feelings? Let's just say, I get angry," De Niro teased.

The reporters' eyes widened. Were De Niro and Martin at odds?

De Niro smirked, reading their expressions. "Because Martin's acting skills are so good, I have to bring my A-game, or I'll be outclassed."

Just then, a reporter from News of the World piped up, "Mr. De Niro, did you ever doubt that Martin could really write these scripts and best-selling novels at his age?"

De Niro shot him a pointed glance and shook his head. "I've never doubted it. In fact, the more I worked with him, the more I realized that Martin is a true genius. There's no question that he can write novels and scripts."

With that, De Niro gave a casual shrug, waved to the crowd, and walked off the red carpet, leaving the reporters clamoring for more.

Soon after, a black car pulled up to the red carpet, and the crowd erupted in excitement. The waiter opened the door, and Martin stepped out.

Dressed in a slim dark blue suit with a ruby red tie clip, he looked both refined and stylish. His crisp white shirt contrasted beautifully with the blue, giving him a striking, handsome appearance.

But he didn't immediately walk the red carpet. Instead, he waited by the car door as Nicole Kidman, dressed in a stunning long gown, stepped out beside him. The two of them smiled at each other, exchanging a hand clasp before walking the red carpet together.

It wasn't just a typical premiere—Nicole had asked Martin to join her, as Tom Cruise hadn't made it. The pairing of Martin and Nicole drew curious looks from the photographers. The height difference between the two was minimal now, and their presence together made them look like a perfect match.

"Wait, did they just celebrate Martin's 14th birthday?" one reporter whispered.

A fellow reporter, eyeing the duo, added, "Nicole doesn't age, but Martin... his maturity is striking. Their height difference works perfectly."

The pair continued walking, attracting curious stares and whispers, as the crowd seemed to think they were a couple.

When they reached the interview area, Martin adjusted his tie, and the reporters noticed the subtle shine of rubies embedded in his tie clip—a birthday gift from Nicole. Martin was visibly pleased with the gift, but it wasn't just the gift he enjoyed; it was the unforgettable night that came with it.

He wore a sly smile as he posed for the cameras, his face radiating the confidence that seemed to follow him wherever he went.

"Why is this guy so good-looking?" one photographer muttered under his breath. "Every time he shows up, I can't take enough pictures."

"His features are perfect—Tom Cruise and Leonardo don't even compare," another whispered.

"He's definitely a camera's dream—he outshines Nicole every time."

Martin grinned inwardly as the cameras continued flashing, knowing full well the attention he was garnering. His rise to fame was not just about his talents; it was his enigmatic presence that left the world hungry for more.

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧