Chapter 403: Protecting Oneself

Looking back at it, Cate Blanchett has often found herself facing inexplicable troubles ever since Heath Ledger's struggle with addiction. Even her career took a rocky path.

Recently, she did something quite foolish, driven by a series of unfortunate events and the influence of others. The reason behind her actions was different at the time. Like Christian Bale, she stood beside Heath Ledger and used her status to challenge him, even though Heath Ledger was considerably less significant then. The pressure was on both of them.

As the Americans would say, "If you're not with me, you're against me." Cate Blanchett has always been on the opposing side of Martin.

This left Cate Blanchett feeling somewhat helpless. She wondered, "Isn't Australia just following the Americans like a loyal dog?"

Quilli chimed in, "Since we can't fight, there's no shame in seeking peace."

Cate Blanchett asked, "Can't CAA do something for me?"

Quilli responded, "That's precisely what I wanted to discuss. When you arrived, I was on the phone with Brian Lord. Martin's management contract with WMA is expiring, and Brian is trying to bring Martin and his manager Thomas Lane to CAA."

Cate Blanchett felt a bit like Jennifer Aniston did that day, realizing, "So, as a somewhat outdated veteran, I have to take the first step to concede."

She chuckled, "Back then, we used similar tactics to pressure Aniston, and CAA hasn't changed."

Quilli was realistic, "Our current situation is far from Aniston's. Your business appeal is lacking. I won't leave, and there's no room for growth in this artistic competition."

Blanchett accepted the reality and said, "I publicly bowed to Nicholson, so bowing to Martin Davis again isn't out of the question. Once you take the first step back, the rest become more acceptable."

As the crew finished their work and emerged, Blanchett spotted Martin among them. When he separated from the group, she approached him.

"Can we talk in private?"

"Wait a moment," Martin replied, pointing to his makeup. "I need to remove this first. It's uncomfortable."

Cate Blanchett nodded and waited patiently. As the crew dispersed, the trailer door opened, and Bruce stepped out, making a few phone calls.

Then, Martin waved to Blanchett and climbed onto the trailer's roof. He wanted to avoid being alone with her in a confined space, giving her a chance to see how far she was willing to go.

Blanchett followed, and they both stood on the high platform, gazing at the western sky. The setting sun painted the clouds a deep red.

Blanchett spoke candidly, not concerned about how Martin might interpret her words. "Our grievances began on that afternoon in New York when Heath Ledger almost ran into you and Aniston while under the influence of drugs. I took his side out of friendship and loyalty to the Australian circle, adding pressure on you, Aniston, and the agency."

Martin remained silent, taking a few steps closer to the trailer's edge.

Cate Blanchett continued, "There are countless rumors in Hollywood about the 'Bastard Trio,' all attributing its formation to Jack Nicholson. But isn't that just a facade? Wasn't your feud with Nicholson over the Joker just a charade?"

Martin remained non-committal, stating, "You've been quite contemplative lately."

"Yes, you've pondered a lot and come to realizations," Cate Blanchett expressed sincerely, her personal pain making her sound more sober. "This isn't a matter between you and me, but I felt compelled to involve myself, which was a foolish and unnecessary choice." She continued, her words flowing effortlessly, "My pursuit is in the art of film performance. I aim to be an artist, not a pawn in conflicts of interest and industry circles. There's no personal or dramatic conflict between us. It all started from a chance incident, taking opposing sides, which led me to make a series of errors that caused you trouble."

Martin felt a bit surprised at first, but soon he wasn't because of the recent incident involving Jack Nicholson, which had caused Blanchett considerable pain.

Blanchett turned to face Martin, then bowed deeply, lowering her head almost to his waist. "I deeply regret my actions, and I'm not seeking your forgiveness, but I pledge that from this moment on, I will not stand against you."

Martin examined Blanchett. She wasn't Leonardo, so he could discern sincerity from subtleties such as frowns and glares.

He lowered his head, glanced beneath the trailer, and calmly responded, "I, too, hope our relationship can be just a typical professional one."

"I believe it will be," Blanchett assured, offering her apology and leaving the trailer. She briefly looked at Bruce before departing.

After their departure, Saoirse Ronan emerged from behind another vehicle, holding her camera. She inquired, "What's all this for? Can we sell it to the media for money?"

Bruce took the camera, removed the memory card, and stored it. "I'll get you a new one later."

He gripped Saoirse's shoulder and explained, "If it weren't so late, I wouldn't have come to you."

Saoirse appeared puzzled.

Martin stepped out of the trailer, handed Bruce the recording device, and addressed Saoirse, "Remember this lesson. If a good person wants to establish themselves, they must learn to protect themselves." The recent shoot had satisfied Saoirse's curiosity, and Martin's words had ignited her thirst for knowledge.

Saoirse pondered for a moment and asked, "Were you concerned that, if you didn't talk to her in the trailer, she might exploit her gender's advantage and slander you?"

Martin simply gazed at her.

Saoirse added, "Bruce asked me to come and film again. Normally, the camera wouldn't be used... Wait, why did you choose the trailer's roof? Was it to observe the Michoud Equipment Factory?" She continued, "Do you think everyone is as you are, with a hole in their heads?"

Martin assumed the role of a teacher and scolded gently, "Can't figure it out, can you?"

Saoirse recoiled slightly, saying, "I'm not sure."

Martin elucidated, "I wanted to create an opportunity for her and gauge her courage and boundaries. Up on that trailer, there were only the two of us. If her boundaries were low enough, her courage high enough, and she was cruel enough to herself, she could have jumped off and then accused me of pushing her."

Saoirse held the camera with its memory card removed and inquired, "So, did you capture everything on film?"

Bruce put it succinctly, "Saoirse wasn't the only one who recorded it."

Saoirse grasped the plan, "If she slanders us, we can release the video during the heat of public opinion to deal a fatal blow."

Martin remained silent, retrieved his bag and mobile phone from the trailer, and said, "Let's go back to the hotel."

Saoirse followed obediently, observing Martin and Bruce, realizing she was fortunate to have heeded Leonardo's warnings and kept quiet. Otherwise...

Saoirse couldn't help but ponder the teacher's and Old Boo's methods. If Cate Blanchett had any malicious intentions, she would surely be outwitted by the teacher.

It struck her that the teacher had promised to teach her the true essence of photography. Was this it? In the past, she had merely taken random snapshots like a naive voyeur.

Upon arriving at the filming parking lot, Saoirse hopped into her mother's car, waved in their direction, and left the studio.

Bruce started the car and asked as they pulled away, "Aren't you afraid of teaching her the wrong things?"

"This is about teaching her, a naïve individual, how to protect herself," Martin explained as he fastened his seatbelt. "Don't you find it fascinating to be a teacher, instructing your students?"

Bruce steered the car out of the studio gate, "I thought your greatest pleasure was stealing other people's girlfriends or wives."

"Let's not emulate Leonardo and make baseless accusations," Martin emphasized. "Teaching is a unique form of enjoyment."

Bruce didn't want to delve further into this discussion. To avoid being influenced and becoming even more twisted, he changed the subject, "Has Cate Blanchett made amends with you?"

Martin stated, "She took the initiative to apologize to me and expressed her intention to never stand against us again. I told her that from now on, it will be the most ordinary peer relationship."

Bruce, well acquainted with Martin's nuances, instantly grasped the meaning: "So, if Cate Blanchett is as she claims, she's just a regular colleague we've met. On the other hand, if she's our ordinary colleague, does that mean we're in fierce competition with her?" Martin gave a thumbs up and commended, "Bruce, your reading comprehension is spot on!"

Upon arriving at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel where the crew was staying, Martin spotted people in the lobby lounge.

Leonardo and Nicholson had made an unexpected visit and were engaged in conversation with Tilda Swinton.

Elizabeth Olsen, dressed in a beige sweater and sky-blue jeans, approached Martin with a warm hug and a passionate kiss.

Martin reciprocated without hesitation. This display of affection had already become common knowledge.

Martin inquired, "Why did you suddenly come here?"

Elizabeth glanced at Bar Refaeli, seated in the lounge area, and explained, "I heard from Bar that they were coming to visit the set together, so I hopped on Leo's private plane to join them."

Just as they were about to move on, Saoirse Ronan approached from behind and asked, "Teacher, is the Coke Saint your girlfriend?"

"Coke Saint? Me?" Elizabeth responded with curiosity.

"You don't know," Saoirse attempted to discreetly put away her camera used for secret photos. "After you and Martin filmed the commercial, many people on the internet started calling you the Coke Saint, thinking that Martin is the leader of the Coke Cult."

Elizabeth's smile was sweeter than Coke, "I quite like that nickname."

Then she remembered, "And you are?"

"Saoirse Ronan, Martin's student," Saoirse's humble expression masked a strong desire to investigate.

Elizabeth recognized who she was, "I'm Elizabeth Olsen."

Seeing Saoirse about to take action, Martin decided to extend a bit of teacherly care to his new students, calling to both of them, "They're waiting for us."

Elizabeth took a liking to Saoirse, given their minimal age difference, and added, "Let me introduce you to a few friends."

Saoirse thought to herself, I can meet them even if you don't introduce them. However, she couldn't decline and had to go along.

After exchanging greetings, Tilda Swinton left first.

Leonardo, being his usual self, didn't forget Saoirse. He flashed a toothy grin and quipped, "You're good at keeping secrets, little one. I won't need to silence you, at least for now!"