Chapter 293: Rejection

In the expansive estate shaded by lush trees, a classic red villa stood prominently before a neatly manicured lawn. Photographers from the production crew, equipped with Stanleycon cameras, emerged from behind the trees to capture close-up shots of the three main actors.

Matthew and Diane Krueger walked hand in hand, laughing with Justin Basa as they emerged from the woods.

"They hope we can attend the opening exhibition of the treasure in Cairo next week," Justin mentioned as they walked, "They'll send a private plane for us."

Diane, holding tightly to Matthew's hand with one hand and a black leather notebook with the other, commented, "That sounds interesting."

Justin nodded enthusiastically, "A big plane, at that!"

He turned to Matthew with a slightly dissatisfied tone, "Ten percent, Ben! They were offering you ten percent, but you refused!"

Matthew remained calm, replying with a smile, "Riley, we've discussed this. Ten percent is too much for me; I can't accept it."

"God! We deserve it," Justin exclaimed, stretching his hand towards Matthew, "A splinter got stuck in it, causing my finger to fester for three months."

Matthew stopped and faced Justin, "Next time we find a treasure that could redefine human history, you can take the finder's fee."

"That sounds good, but what do you want?" Justin looked towards Diane, then realized, "You got a good girl!"

"That is true," Diane agreed openly.

"Really?" Matthew wrapped his arms around Diane's waist and kissed her.

After their kiss, Justin commented, "I'm not jealous of you two, I have it—speed..."

He mumbled as he climbed into his car and then drove off rapidly towards the estate's main gate.

"Cut!"

Director Joe Detuba halted the shoot and, taking a megaphone from an assistant, announced loudly, "Filming for 'National Treasure' is officially wrapped!"

With this final scene completed, the filming crew's work came to a close amidst a burst of chaotic cheers, though the noise was short-lived as they still had to clean up the set, given that the estate was borrowed from a real estate agency.

After filming, Matthew and Diane, still in modern attire and light makeup, weren't in a rush to remove their makeup.

"This property looks quite nice," Matthew observed, looking towards the villa, "I heard it's for sale."

"You were saying the other day you wanted to change houses. It looks good; might consider buying it," Diane replied nonchalantly, shrugging, "For me, it's just a look."

Matthew indeed was considering it; the estate was said to be nearly three acres, and from their pre-shooting tour in a golf cart, it seemed to cover at least 10,000 square meters. He estimated it couldn't be bought for less than ten million dollars.

Diane glanced at Matthew and then mentioned, "Didn't the media say you got ten million dollars for this movie? Getting a mortgage for this place shouldn't be hard."

"Nowhere near that much," Matthew sighed, "My pay is quite low."

"Your pay low? Stop joking, Matthew," Diane shook her head, her own despair evident in comparison to his supposed low salary.

Although she starred in the blockbuster 'Troy', which hadn't yet premiered, and had no notable Hollywood credits, she had only received two hundred thousand dollars for her role.

Matthew gently patted Diane's arm, "That's just the way Hollywood is; it's not something you or I can change."

"Hollywood's gender discrimination is severe!" Diane had evidently been holding back her thoughts, "Male actors, no matter the role or means to obtain it, as long as they succeed, are hailed as great artists! And women?"

Her frustration was evident as she continued, "No matter how hard female actors work, even if they become superstars, they're still seen by the public as just…"

She struggled with a word starting with 'B', eventually letting it out, "Bitches!"

Realizing she might have spoken too harshly, Diane softened her tone, "I read a statistic that about five percent of American films are directed by women, and these female directors often portray their heroines as strong characters. However, in films directed by men, female roles are usually just decorative or supportive, with men still taking all the credit."

Matthew just smiled, offering no solution to the entrenched industry sexism.

"That's a bit too passionate, Diane," Matthew suggested, noting the busy crew around them, "How about we take a walk? It might help."

Diane nodded and took the lead towards the villa, with Matthew following.

Once beside her, Diane looked at the smooth lawn underfoot, asking, "Was I being rude just now?"

"Venting a bit is normal," Matthew gestured with his hands, "My agent didn't manage to get me ten million…"

He quickly corrected himself, "Sorry, I didn

't mean to bring up something that might upset you."

"It's okay," Diane smiled.

Matthew dropped the subject and, seeing that filming was completed and their work done, he invited, "Are you free tonight? I'd like to take you out for dinner."

Diane's eyes showed a hint of wariness. Matthew Horner had left a good impression during their work, and he had a likable personality, but recent media reports...

She concluded that he was a playboy.

Being just friends, chatting, and walking together was enjoyable, but anything more...

Diane subtly shook her head, asking, "Why the sudden dinner invitation?"

"Don't you remember?" Matthew pointed to the back of his head, "Last time in Washington, I hit you with a shoe and haven't yet apologized."

"There's no need for that," Diane stopped walking, turning to face Matthew, "Really, you don't have to do this."

She then added deliberately, "My husband is here, and we plan to explore Los Angeles tonight."

Matthew understood the implication and apologized, "Sorry, that was presumptuous of me."

Diane turned back, "It's getting late; I need to remove my makeup."

She headed toward the makeup trailer, with Matthew following.

Clearly, Diane had seen through his intentions and firmly rejected him. While Matthew felt slightly dejected, he quickly recovered, having not known that Diane was married.

After removing his makeup, Matthew greeted Director Joe Detuba and headed to the parking area to leave. He hadn't even left Beverly Hills when Helen Herman from the Angel Agency called him about a new project script he had received.

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