Chapter 206: The Curse of the Downey Family

A young girl inviting a man to her home for a coffee - what does that imply?

At the very least, it indicates that she doesn't dislike the man.

Jessica Alba, leaning on the car door and resting her hand on the co-driver's backrest, bent over to look at Murphy, her face adorned with her signature sweet and sincere smile.

She wore a low-cut t-shirt on her upper body. From Murphy's perspective, he could easily glimpse the smooth, chocolate-colored skin within the neckline of the fallen t-shirt, stirring boundless fantasies. A woman like her must have been God's favorite in her past life. Otherwise, how could she possess such flawless skin while having a beautiful face and a stunning figure?

After living in North America for several years, Murphy found that, in most cases, Westerners' skin was indeed somewhat inferior. However, this did not apply to mixed-race individuals, most of whom seemed to have received a blessing.

Murphy was a perfectly normal man, and to say he wasn't moved at this moment would be a lie.

Perhaps he misunderstood, or maybe Jessica Alba's invitation was purely casual, but her willingness to let him enter her home undoubtedly indicated some fondness for him. Even if something could develop later, it wasn't impossible.

To Murphy, the current Jessica Alba was like the other pole of a magnet, exuding a tremendous attraction.

But Murphy gradually shifted his gaze away and politely declined, "Sorry, Jess, I have another appointment tonight."

A hint of disappointment appeared on Jessica Alba's face. "Oh, then some other time."

After saying this, she pushed herself up to stand straight. Murphy turned his head and through the car window, could only see her long legs taut in skinny jeans.

"Goodbye, Murphy," Jessica Alba's crisp voice rang out.

Murphy waved through the car window, "Goodbye, Jess."

He started the car, and the Cadillac slowly left, heading towards the road to Santa Monica.

Murphy did have an appointment that evening. Old Robert Downey had invited him over, and Murphy had agreed, so he couldn't break the promise.

On the other hand, there was a reason he couldn't voice, nor would he mention to anyone.

For a woman like Jessica Alba, with an angelic face and a devilish figure, few men wouldn't be attracted. Those who said they weren't were likely mentally troubled.

To be frank, Jessica Alba, always wearing a sweet smile, was quite likable, which was also why Murphy insisted on casting her as Nancy. She was one of the rare Hollywood actresses who could fit both Eastern and Western aesthetics.

However, the news he had seen before was enough to make Murphy cautious. He didn't want to contract any messy diseases.

As she was never too famous, even at the height of her career, Murphy didn't know much about her past, just aware of many widely circulated online rumors, like her illness. These rumors persisted for many years, never dissipating, indicating a certain reliability, not entirely unfounded.

When Jessica Alba contracted the disease or when the rumors first emerged, Murphy couldn't recall.

In every aspect, Jessica Alba was very tempting, capable of driving many men to do crazy things. But Murphy understood that his health was far more important than momentary pleasure.

Having experienced so much here, his willpower was not weak.

After returning home and changing clothes, Murphy received a call from young Robert Downey, telling him he would arrive on time before heading out.

Old Robert Downey's house wasn't far, in a seaside villa area in Santa Monica. This former Hollywood screenwriter and producer, now in retirement, still had worries. His son was more troublesome than he was in his youth, causing him endless headaches.

"Hello, Mr. Downey,"

In a tastefully decorated living room, Murphy saw old Robert Downey, "I'm Murphy, Downey's friend."

"Hello, Murphy."

Old Robert Downey shook his hand. "Just call me Robert."

Murphy nodded. He was used to calling young Robert Downey as Downey. This common North American father-son naming situation always felt awkward.

"Indio, come here," young Robert Downey called over a ten-year-old boy, "meet your Uncle Stanton."

"Hello, Uncle Stanton." The boy was polite.

"Hello, Indio." Murphy took out a small gift box from his pocket and handed it to him, "You're already a little handsome guy, aren't you?"

The boy shyly smiled and ran to the side.

Murphy exchanged a few pleasantries with old Robert Downey and was invited into the dining room for a formal dinner. According to young Robert Downey, his father had hired an Italian chef to prepare tonight's meal.

The dinner was for four people, Murphy and the three generations of Downeys.

Perhaps due to Murphy's presence, not long after he first helped young Robert Downey out of jail, Downey received Deborah Falconer's divorce papers, joining the ranks of bachelors earlier than ever.

"You don't think the character Hardy is too gloomy? It's not my type,"

During dinner, young Robert Downey spoke rapidly while eating and chatting with Murphy, "I think the roles that can make me shine are those that are talkative, full of charisma, and very confident."

Murphy lowered his voice and joked, "So, like you, full of hot air."

He put a piece of pizza into his mouth, swallowed, and then said, "I think what you need most is to shed the negative past and announce through your work that the talented Robert Downey Jr. is back."

Young Robert Downey stopped laughing, nodding very seriously, "I understand."

Watching the close conversation between young Robert Downey and Murphy and hearing their talk, old Robert Downey's long-worried heart suddenly calmed. He could see his son greatly respected this young director, who, from his actions and words, seemed very steady.

Associating with such a person was beneficial for young Robert Downey.

Moreover, he had carefully listened to his son and inquired about others. Murphy Stanton played an extremely important role in his son's transition from a prison inmate to a gradually re-emerging figure. It was key to his transformation from a troublemaker to a responsible man.

Even, old Robert Downey felt his son's last jail term was not a torment but a stroke of luck, fortunate to meet a life-changing figure like Murphy Stanton in prison.

Without such luck, old Robert Downey could imagine his son continuing to use drugs and remain in decline after release, eventually becoming one of the many forgotten by Hollywood.

Indeed, having worked in Hollywood for many years, he had a broad network, but those people were good for adding icing to the cake, not for providing help in times of need.

Thinking this, old Robert Downey shook his head, looking at Murphy with brighter eyes. A person who offered help during his son's most difficult times was the most trustworthy.

"Uncle Stanton," Indio's voice interrupted old Robert Downey's thoughts. The boy looked at Murphy, asking, "Dad often says he's the most handsome, charming, and sexy man in the world. Do you think so too?"

Murphy glanced at young Robert Downey, surprised that he was even boastful to his son. Young Robert Downey

touched his nose sheepishly, then flashed a confident smile.

"When I first met your dad, I didn't think he was..." Murphy held back a laugh, speaking seriously, "I didn't find him irresistibly sexy or possessing a charismatic aura that spanned from genius to tragedy to bad boy. I certainly didn't expect to rescue his tormented soul."

He raised a finger to emphasize, "Not at all!"

Young Robert Downey couldn't help but laugh, and Murphy joined in, but continued to Indio Downey, "What I remember most from our first meeting was how bizarre he seemed, incredibly bizarre!"

However, Murphy still complimented young Robert Downey, "He's an incredible mix of many contradictory traits that make him irresistibly fascinating and endlessly entertaining!"

Indio Downey looked at his father and asked, "And now?"

After a moment's thought, Murphy generously praised, "Now he's certainly quirky but grounded. He's tasted life's bitterness and sweetness but remains like a never-growing-up Peter Pan!"

Finishing, Murphy laughed first, followed by the three Downeys.

Observing the trio, especially Indio Downey looking up to young Robert Downey, Murphy sighed. He hoped the tragedies that befell old Robert Downey and young Robert Downey wouldn't repeat with Indio Downey.

Once, it seemed like a family cursed by drugs, with both young Robert Downey and Indio Downey seemingly born with an inclination towards substance abuse, eventually walking the same path.

The influence of a father as a role model is crucial in a person's development.

Undoubtedly, it was an extremely warm dinner. As Murphy was leaving, old Robert Downey, holding his hand, said earnestly, "Murphy, if there's anything I can help with, just ask."

Murphy nodded politely.

Young Robert Downey saw him out, "This weekend, Avi Arad is throwing a party. Heard he invited some Miss Universe contestants through Donald Trump. Did you get an invite? Let's go together?"

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