Chapter 182: Sophia's Terror

At the Four Seasons Hotel, Martin and Bruce settled into the coffee shop, selecting a booth while awaiting the arrival of Vincent and Sophia.

Bruce couldn't help but wonder aloud, "Why, Martin, as someone who's been around the block, are you afraid of Sophia? It doesn't add up."

Martin shot back, "Do you have rocks in your head? Sophia is my benefactor, and I can't afford to offend her, let alone try to flatter her. Do you dare to cross her? Since I can't challenge her, why wouldn't I be apprehensive about her behavior?"

Bruce, clearly stung, conceded, "I suppose that makes sense."

Martin then asked tentatively, "Bruce, what about you?"

Bruce, with a desire to keep his past under wraps, hesitated before replying, "Sophia saved me."

Martin empathized, "I see. You were once a pair of male and female thieves. Sophia saved you, but she chose Vincent's father to protect your loved one. Sophia's past love lingers, and after she got you intoxicated..."

Bruce, with a piercing stare, cut Martin off sharply, "Enough! Believe me, I'd hand you over to Sophia if you keep prying."

Martin sensed there was a complex and convoluted story behind Bruce's reluctance to talk about it, but it seemed Bruce was determined to keep it under wraps.

Upstairs in the hotel, Sophia emerged from her suite in sportswear. Despite the loose-fitting attire, it clung to her substantial frame, accentuating her considerable size.

Her recent investment had clearly paid off, and a grin adorned her face. Unfortunately, collagen loss had taken its toll, making her smile appear somewhat menacing.

Scott, the bag-carrier, followed closely behind, his gait slightly peculiar and legs crossed.

Upon joining Vincent, the trio entered the elevator. Inside, they encountered Harvey Weinstein, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon.

Sofia immediately spotted Harvey and couldn't help but flash a grin, her facial contours distorted due to excess weight. "What a coincidence, Fatty, we meet again."

Harvey, trying to muster some courage, retorted, "I don't know you."

He glanced around, relieved to see his two associates nearby.

Following their previous encounter at Warner Studios, Harvey had inquired and learned that this woman was not connected to Hollywood and hailed from Georgia, making her out of his sphere of influence.

Sofia gestured to the bag-carrier, calling him "Pink Water Bottle."

Scott promptly took out a pink bottle and handed it over to Sofia. She removed the straw cap, held the crown of the kettle, and took a sip, her gaze lingering on Harvey's portly chest and ample derriere.

Harvey instinctively took a step back, edging toward the corner to shield his behind.

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, witnessing Harvey's response, thought they had encountered a formidable female boss and prudently refrained from intervening.

When dealing with ordinary actresses, they might rush forward and actively assist Harvey in resolving matters. However, Harvey's trepidation made them think twice.

Sofia's gaze shifted from Harvey's mouth to the bottle and then back to Harvey's large mouth, seemingly pondering the size.

She vividly remembered how this portly man had attempted to steal "The Hills Have Eyes" the last time they crossed paths.

Vincent adjusted his cowboy hat and subtly flexed his wrist.

Tension hung in the air, leaving Harvey to stammer, "This is Los Angeles, a society governed by the rule of law!"

Sofia sneered, "When you attempted to pilfer my invested movie 'The Hills Have Eyes,' did you follow the law? didn't you tried rob me, so did you adhere to the law?"

Harvey's confidence waned, realizing that he couldn't gain the upper hand here. "The Hills Have Eyes" had secured the top spot at the North American box office last week, but Sofia's demands seemed insatiable.

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, recognizing that this low-budget, high-return movie had topped the box office, pondered the identity of this formidable woman.

Instinctively, they took a step away from Harvey, distancing themselves from the rotund man.

Their actions seemed to say, "We're not acquainted with this fellow."

As the elevator doors opened, Harvey hurried inside, with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck hesitating for a moment before following.

Harvey anxiously pressed the elevator door button repeatedly and breathed a sigh of relief when the doors finally closed.

Matt Damon had much on his mind, recalling the time he had assisted Harvey in suppressing media and actresses. Most of the time, he had encouraged Ben Affleck to make phone calls, rarely taking such matters into his own hands.

He feigned magnanimity, remarking, "Harvey, who is that woman? She seems like a female Terminator. She scared both Ben and me."

Harvey responded, "She's a backwoods woman from the Southeast, uncouth and uncivilized. Sooner or later, I'll have to deal with her."

Affleck inquired, "Did she take 'The Hills Have Eyes' from you?"

Damon patted Affleck's arm, urging him to stay quiet, and Affleck promptly complied.

Harvey seemed rather nonchalant about the situation, remarking, "In business, winning and losing are par for the course. They might have outwitted me this time, but I'll find a way to outsmart them next time."

Damon inquired further, "Do they plan to continue investing in Hollywood?"

"It's a possibility," Harvey replied. Exiting the elevator into the hotel lobby, he pulled out his phone and made a call. "I need a few people to keep an eye on them, inquire about their Hollywood investment plans."

As they walked through the lobby, Harvey stashed his phone away and turned to Matt Damon, saying, "I'm afraid I can't be of much help if you're looking to secure Martin Scorsese's new project. He's collaborating with Warner Bros., and my relationship with them has soured. Advocating for you might backfire."

Damon, well aware that auditions weren't the key to landing roles, added, "You've worked with Director Scorsese twice during your time at Miramax."

After some contemplation, Harvey conceded, "I'll make a call to Scorsese. But at this point, you'll have to navigate it yourself since Warner has no inclination to help."

Matt Damon, who had an ongoing relationship with Warner Bros. through the Ocean series, so he didn't anticipate any significant hurdles.

In the hotel's ground-floor coffee shop, Martin and Bruce stood up as Vincent and Sofia approached, making their way to the booth.

Sofia opened her arms and initiated a hug with Martin. "Come on, let's celebrate your success."

Despite Martin's stellar acting skills, his body stiffened, and his face betrayed signs of nervousness, a situation that few men could escape without trepidation.

Bruce, being his usual eccentric self, was even more jittery. When he joined in the celebration hug with Sofia, his legs trembled, reminiscent of a past encounter.

After exchanging pleasantries, Vincent hugged Martin and encouraged him to address him informally. "I consider you a friend, so there's no need for formalities."

With the formalities out of the way, they took their seats, and Scott, the bag-carrier boy, respectfully stood at a distance.

Sofia began, "Vincent and I have discussed it, and we're prepared to invest an additional $4 million on top of the initial $6 million for 'Wanted.' Moreover, all profits generated by 'The Hills Have Eyes' will be reinvested in 'Wanted.'"

Martin quickly calculated the figures in his head. With Sofia's initial $10 million investment and the $3 million Louise and his own investment accounting for the adaptation rights, that totaled $13 million. The other major investors in "The Hills Have Eyes," Pacific Pictures and Gray Films, also intended to reinvest all proceeds into "Wanted."

Louise had done her financial projections, and based on an $80 million North American box office and a $140 million global box office, even after Warner Bros. deducted various expenses, the three investors would expect a copyright income exceeding $40 million, encompassing box office earnings, DVD sales, TV rights, and more. It was almost as if they were funding "Wanted" entirely.

Martin focused on the financial data, aware that his strengths lay in acting, not financial operations. At this stage, he didn't delve into aspects he didn't fully understand or participate in them. If problems arose, he had a network of support to rely on, even though he wasn't yet capable of handling them himself.

Vincent interjected, "I hope we can continue winning more box office championships."

Martin replied, "We can't foresee the future, but we can only hope for the best with our next project."

Out of the blue, Sofia added, "I sponsored a bartender competition in Georgia, and Elena emerged as the champion."

Scott and Martin both simultaneously recalled this fact, a common occurrence orchestrated by Martin to form mutually beneficial connections, which Sofia executed smoothly.

"Thank you," was all Martin could manage to say.

With the investment deal for "Wanted" settled, the conversation didn't linger for too long. In the coffee shop, many onlookers cast glances in their direction, recognizing Martin's presence.

A janitor covertly slipped into an unoccupied secure corridor, retrieved a broken phone, dialed a number, and made a call.

"I have crucial information," he began speaking to the entertainment reporter on the other end. "Martin Davis, the hot young star, is having an encounter with a woman at the Beverly Four Seasons Hotel."

The paparazzi on the other line immediately grew excited. "Stay put, I'll be there shortly."

This wasn't the first time the janitor had undertaken such a task. "Don't forget my news tip fee," he reminded.

Almost simultaneously, a part-time worker at the coffee shop took out their phone and sent a text message to an acquaintance who worked as an entertainment reporter.

"Martin Davis is at the Four Seasons Hotel."

"Be there soon!"

Exiting the coffee shop, Martin headed toward the hotel's main entrance. Through the glass doors, he could glimpse the activities of the paparazzi and inquired, "Bruce, did someone tip off the paparazzi?"

"No," Bruce responded, understanding the situation. "There are informants everywhere in Los Angeles, and you're famous now. Someone probably leaked the information."

Martin proceeded out the front door. At this point, he needed the exposure. Flashbulbs illuminated the hotel's steps as seven or eight paparazzi awaited him.

Bruce swiftly drove up, and as Martin descended the steps, the paparazzi surrounded him.

"We've received word that you've been meeting with a woman in the hotel. Martin, have you betrayed Anne? Or have you broken up with her?"

Martin completely ignored them, opened the car door, and entered the vehicle.

A paparazzi reached out to open the car door, but Martin pointed to his hand, causing the paparazzi to withdraw.

Hotel security emerged, and the paparazzi dispersed.

Bruce drove away swiftly, and the paparazzi were left somewhat disappointed, unable to capture any photos of Martin departing the hotel with a woman.

A few with lingering scruples might opt to follow Martin in their cars or on motorcycles, while others with no reservations redirected their cameras toward young women entering and exiting the hotel, crafting stories based on their observations.

Martin noticed that the paparazzi were trailing him.

In the evening, he had a debt to repay at Louise's house, so he reluctantly instructed Bruce to lead the paparazzi on a merry chase around the streets. He drove Bruce's pickup truck to meet with Louise, well aware of the considerable effort it would take to settle debts amounting to hundreds of millions.