Beverly hills

Located on the west side of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills is not a particularly high hill, but from here, one can overlook the charming scenery of Sunset Boulevard, admire the magnificent spectacle of the setting sun spilling over the ocean, and savor the delightful indulgence of the lavish lifestyle. Surrounded by prosperous neighborhoods such as Wilshire Boulevard, Rodeo Drive, and the Farmers Market, Beverly Hills is hailed as the "most prestigious residential area in the world", becoming the most prosperous region in Los Angeles and even along the entire West Coast.

The superior geographical location and excellent surrounding environment of Beverly Hills have attracted top celebrities from around the world to purchase properties once again, including Hollywood movie stars, NBA basketball stars, and magnates from all over the world. They gather in this area, showcasing their wealth and status, expanding their fame, and standing at the pinnacle of luxury to display a colorful dream to the world.

This has made Beverly Hills a gathering place for fame and fortune, with the stars hidden behind the villa-style buildings, and people unable to fathom the truth behind those high walls. They only know that every inch of land here represents wealth, fame, and prestige.

The best part is the trees here, some marked with age, some not. People can't even name these trees, just like those luxury mansions. Towering trees, bearing abundant fruits, line both sides of the mountain trails, serene and refreshing, like a paradise. But this is not an isolated "paradise", but a land nestled in the heart of secular prosperity. Looking down at the road beneath their feet, every pebble seems to shimmer with the golden glow of wealth.

The mountain trails of Beverly Hills are like a maze, winding and intersecting, leading to the mountaintop. Looking out, Los Angeles unfolds at the foot of the mountain. The so-called Beverly Hills is actually only a hundred meters high, but it is like a peak comparable to Mount Everest, telling everyone who comes to Los Angeles: this is the gathering place of wealth and fame.

Often, fame and fortune can only display their power and allure when they gather together. Things that are not displayed can only be cherished deep in the heart: perhaps forced to be cherished. And Beverly Hills is such a platform for display, like a platform laid with red velvet fabric, presenting wealth, fame, and prestige in a naked manner, attracting countless people to flock like moths to a flame.

Having lived in Los Angeles for nearly a year, Hugo had passed by this small hill countless times, but he had never truly looked at this place. Perhaps it was because it was too distant from him, so distant that Hugo didn't feel that he belonged to this land built with wealth; perhaps it was because there were no familiar friends for Hugo here, making him like countless tourists in Los Angeles, merely passing by, marveling at the tranquility and luxury here, and then sighing before leaving.

Hugo, Joseph, and Uma got out of the car and handed the keys to the valet at the entrance. Under the gaze of six black-clad bodyguards, they walked into the ornate gate in front of them. The gate was so large that it felt like Hugo could never reach its end, and he felt like a hobbit entering a giant's world.

The guards at the entrance raised their hands to stop Hugo and the others, carefully scrutinizing Hugo, and then whispered into the intercom, "Hugo Lancaster, accompanied by two companions." In such a private gathering, Hugo's face served as an invitation, and there must be a guest list inside the party. Only after confirmation can they be allowed to enter.

Hugo initially thought that without a computer, it would be quite troublesome to check the guest list, requiring more time. However, to his surprise, after standing in place for less than five seconds, the bodyguard lowered his hand and smiled, saying, "Good evening, Mr. Lancaster."

Hugo smiled and nodded in response, then took his own steps. Uma held Hugo's right hand, walking side by side, while Joseph followed closely behind on Hugo's left.

Upon entering the gate, they saw a huge parking lot with a central arched fountain. At this moment, a few people were walking around with champagne glasses. However, these people did not gather to chat, but seemed to be contemplating and enjoying the tranquility of the place. Occasionally, when two people met, they would only exchange a few words in low voices. But Hugo could clearly feel that when he entered, the gazes of these people were almost simultaneously cast upon him.

Joseph whispered in Hugo's left ear, "Aspiring third-tier actors." Hugo immediately understood.

These people were either actors who had come with invited guests, like Uma, but due to certain circumstances, the guests had temporarily left and they couldn't find anyone to talk to, so they were left alone. Or they had obtained the opportunity to enter the party through personal connections but lacked a referral, so they had to find their own way... Unfortunately, they couldn't find suitable opportunities inside, so they chose the entrance at the parking lot, hoping to strike up conversations with directors, producers, or even veteran journalists and magazine editors.

Although Hugo had two decent movies, he couldn't be considered a powerful actor in Hollywood, and he had never ventured into positions like director, screenwriter, or producer. Therefore, he had no appeal to these people. Naturally, no one came forward. After confirming who the newcomer was, they withdrew their gaze and resumed their contemplative state.

Hugo didn't know how big the chances of success were by waiting for an opportunity like this, but it had to be acknowledged that at such a top-notch party, opportunities were everywhere. It all depended on who could seize them.

Walking past the parking lot and entering the open villa gate, the bright light immediately transported Hugo into another world. A rush of warm air hit his face, instantly turning his cheeks rosy. The sight was filled with people coming and going, everyone holding glasses or plates, gathering in groups of two or three, chatting and laughing. Crystal glasses, dazzling chandeliers, vibrant roses, elegant furniture, exquisite murals, and delicate carpets flooded his vision, overwhelming him.

Hugo stood at the entrance, feeling a bit at a loss. Attending such a luxurious party was a completely new experience for him, but he roughly knew that what was needed at such parties was confidence, calmly engaging in small talk about topics like weather or food, and then making new friends. It was certainly better to have someone introduce you, but if not, there was no need to panic. Boldly and confidently engaging in socializing was the key. However, even though he knew all this, when it came time to actually do it, sweaty palms were inevitable.

Joseph whispered to Hugo, "I'll go find Sidney." This was the strategy they had devised before setting out today. Joseph would search for the host while Hugo stayed in the hall, getting to know new people and seeking opportunities. They would both act simultaneously, hoping to have a conversation with Sidney. As for other matters, they would deal with them later.

After watching Joseph leave, Hugo turned his head and exchanged a glance with Uma. In Uma's eyes, he saw a hint of nervousness. Then Hugo felt Uma's left hand tighten slightly. He couldn't help but smile, giving Uma some encouragement.

Before Hugo could take a step, someone approached him and greeted him proactively. "Hey, Hugo!" When he raised his eyes, it turned out to be Tom Cruise! What a surprise.

"Good evening, Tom." Hugo suppressed the various thoughts in his mind, such as the fact that Nicole Kidman was standing next to Tom Cruise, and they indeed looked very loving. Or the height of Tom Cruise, from Hugo's estimation, he was at most five feet five inches (1.68 meters), definitely not the five feet seven inches mentioned in the information. Hugo smiled, greeted them, and then looked at Nicole Kidman next to him. Indeed, Nicole wasn't wearing high heels tonight. "Good evening, madam."

"Please call me Nicole." Nicole's temperament always carried a touch of cold elegance, even when she smiled. But it was undeniable that she was truly stunning, an absolute beauty. "And who is this beautiful lady?"

"Uma Thurman, madam. You can call me Uma." Uma took the initiative to introduce herself, confident and modest. Although Hugo could feel Uma's left hand muscles tense a bit, there was no trace of it in her voice. "Good evening, Mr. Cruise."

"You make me feel old, miss. Tom." Tom shook Uma's right hand and showed a gentleman's smile. Although limited by his height, Tom was in his prime at this moment, and his handsome appearance as a charming young man was truly astonishing. "Not long ago, Nicole and I watched your performance with Jack. It was truly brilliant. So when we saw you, both Nicole and I felt the need to say hello."

Hugo didn't expect Tom to bring up "A Few Good Men." From the rumors in the industry, Tom was actually a somewhat aloof actor, in other words, a big name. However, his big name didn't mean he bossed around the staff or made things difficult for the production team. On the contrary, there were rumors about his friendly attitude towards the staff and journalists. The term "aloof" or "big name" referred more to his selectiveness and perhaps arrogance, as he always had an unwavering dedication to his work. Similar to the incident with "SA Few Good Men", Tom had his role snatched away by Hugo. So according to speculation, Tom definitely wouldn't be happy about it. Given Tom's current status in the industry, it would be appropriate to describe him as furious.

But now, the smile on Tom's face seemed genuinely sincere. Hugo couldn't tell if Tom was wearing a mask of courtesy or if he was genuinely being kind. However, the fact that Tom not only maintained a friendly demeanor on the surface but also took the initiative to come over and say hello impressed Hugo. He felt a liking for Tom, at least for his rare display of generosity.

"Thank you. I'm just trying my best to do my job as an actor." Hugo said with a smile. "You know, reaching the level in front of Jack is not an easy task. One wrong move and the whole movie could be ruined. In order not to be the scapegoat, I put in a lot of effort and energy." After speaking, Hugo smirked, wiped the sweat from his forehead. This childish gesture made Tom and Nicole laugh, and of course, Uma, who was standing beside them, felt a sense of relief from her inner nervousness.