Chapter 377: Farewell, Matthew

The black Mercedes SUV turned off Burbank and entered the North Hollywood area, crossing Laurel Canyon Boulevard before Bella Anderson turned the steering wheel, heading onto the highway through Malibu.

The traffic thinned, and Bella Anderson glanced at her passenger, Matthew.

"What's wrong, Bella?" Matthew noticed her hesitance.

Bella Anderson seemed hesitant, pausing before speaking.

Matthew smiled, "Just say it, no need to hold back with me."

"Um..." Bella Anderson's main focus remained on driving, taking advantage of the sparse traffic to speak, "I... I'm just a bit curious."

Matthew looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

After starting, Bella Anderson felt less restrained and added, "I've been a fan of Britney for the past few years, and I guess I still am." She forced a smile and cautiously asked, "Matthew, the stories in the newspapers, they aren't all true, are they?"

She knew Matthew was meeting Britney Spears today.

Matthew nodded slightly, "It's true, I dated Britney for over a year." A nostalgic expression crossed his face, "I met her the year she became famous, while I was the male lead in her music video."

Suddenly, Bella Anderson remembered, "There was a tabloid buzz about Britney and the video's male lead dating. Oh, right! That was you."

Realization dawned on her, "So it was all true."

Matthew smiled again but didn't elaborate; in fact, he and Britney had gotten together after that time.

"But wait..." Bella Anderson seemed to remember something else and suddenly stopped speaking.

"Back then, no news was confirmed? Why didn't I use that to generate buzz?" Matthew guessed what she might be thinking, "Maybe because it was my first love, and first loves are different."

He sighed, "Maybe back then I was still very innocent and kind."

Bella Anderson glanced at Matthew, silent. From her recent experiences, from Helen Herman to Charlize Theron to Matthew Horner, was there really a good person among them?

Perhaps there were good people in Hollywood, but she hadn't met any yet.

Bella Anderson was curious, how could Matthew, then just a minor actor, have pursued Britney, who was at the height of her fame? Was Matthew already as ruthless and callous as he is now?

The Mercedes SUV arrived at a beach club. The security staff glanced at the license plate and let them through. Bella Anderson parked the car just as Matthew opened the door and walked towards the beach. Bella quickly followed.

On the beach, a long wooden pier ended with a large umbrella shading a table and several chairs.

Moreover, two people were there, a middle-aged woman and a young woman with straight blonde hair.

As a fan, Bella Anderson recognized them from afar; the young woman was Britney Spears, likely with her agent or manager.

Matthew recognized Britney instantly and quickened his pace. Before he even reached her, he greeted, "Hi, Britney."

Britney smiled, "Hi, Matthew."

She turned to the middle-aged woman, who nodded slightly and walked away from the umbrella, heading back the way Matthew had come. Bella Anderson, though curious, followed the woman, leaving the spot.

"It's been a while," Matthew said, his smile as bright as ever, "You're still so beautiful."

"You haven't changed much either," Britney indicated a chair, "Have a seat."

Matthew pulled out a chair and sat opposite Britney, observing her. Britney smiled again and said, "What, don't recognize me anymore?"

"You've matured," Matthew stated directly.

This maturity wasn't just external but was evident in everything she displayed.

Britney picked up a teapot and poured Matthew a cup of green tea, "I bought this during my last tour in the East." She poured herself a cup, mimicking Matthew's old tone, "You once told me, people have to learn to grow up."

Although they had broken up and hadn't contacted each other since, remembering Britney's successful career and seeing her now, Matthew felt somewhat relieved.

His words and actions had not been in vain.

Matthew lifted his tea cup and took a sip, then remarked, "Indeed, it's good tea."

Britney also took a sip and continued, "I still can't get used to it." She smoothed her hair, "I'm sorry, Matthew, due to a mishap on my part, my father fired someone, causing you some trouble."

"It's okay," Matthew shook his head, self-deprecatingly adding, "Anyway, my media reputation isn't good."

Although their relationship was a thing of the past, Britney had kept up with Matthew's activities, and with age, his words often echoed in her ears. Looking back, his influence had steered her clear of many pitfalls.

Matthew looked at Britney across the table; she was no longer the naive girl he

 remembered.

The naivety and simplicity had faded, revealing maturity, "I wanted to thank you today."

"Thank me?" Matthew asked curiously, "Why?"

"I was very ignorant, even foolish back then," Britney's face was earnest, "You repeatedly advised and influenced me, pulling me back from the edge of foolishness, teaching me about the ways of the world, showing me there are always bad people."

She shook her head lightly, "If not for you, I wouldn't be who I am today."

Matthew understood her meaning, saying, "You were my girlfriend back then."

If Britney hadn't been his girlfriend, he wouldn't have bothered with those issues.

Britney nodded, "Regardless, Matthew, I have to thank you."

"You're welcome," Matthew spread his hands, saying, "We're no longer a couple, but we're still friends."

He didn't believe his own words; they had parted amicably but had not kept in touch.

Britney seemed to have said what she wanted; changing the subject, she said, "It's a pity we don't have wine." She lifted her tea cup towards Matthew, "Matthew, I wish you even more success!"

Matthew raised his tea cup, drained the contents, and echoed her sentiment, "You're sure to surpass Madonna as a pop superstar."

After finishing their tea, Matthew knew it was time to leave. He stood up and said, "I should go."

Britney showed no signs of wanting him to stay, "Goodbye, Matthew."

Matthew nodded slightly to her, "Goodbye, Britney."

He turned and walked back the way he came, the Britney he knew had changed, and this Britney was more likely to achieve great success.

People grow up. The Britney of the past had taken many wrong turns before maturing, but the Britney of today had indeed grown up.

In his heart, Matthew still hoped to see Britney succeed, becoming even better than before.

He wasn't a saint, nor did he harbor a grudge that wished for her downfall. He would be happy if someone who had once truly cared for him could thrive in their career and life.

Under the umbrella, Britney watched Matthew's retreating figure. She was no longer the naive girl of the past, knowing they couldn't return to those times, nor did she wish to.

"You want to become a Hollywood superstar," Britney remembered Matthew's ambition, "Then... I hope you become the top superstar of Hollywood!"

Turning away, Britney looked out to the sea, no longer watching Matthew.

With the driver's revelations and this meeting, those memories would forever remain just that—memories.

Matthew walked off the pier and saw Bella Anderson standing bored at the railing. He waved her over as he headed back to the car.

Bella quickly followed, glancing at her watch; they had only met for about ten minutes. Had something unpleasant happened between Matthew and Britney?

Once in the car, she was about to start the engine when Matthew spoke from the passenger seat, "Bella, in the future, if there's any major news about Britney in the newspapers or media, let me know."

"Of course," Bella Anderson nodded lightly.

Matthew thought for a moment, then added, "When you get back, tell Helen Herman I've seen Britney."

Bella continued nodding, "Will do." She asked, "Still keeping the news quiet?"

"Unchanged," Matthew's tone was flat, "These old stories, without any photos or videos as evidence, the media will hype it for a while and then drop it."

He changed the subject, "Prepare yourself when you get back; you're coming with me to the Dominican Republic."

The day after tomorrow, the "Pirates of the Caribbean" crew would charter a flight from Los Angeles to the Dominican Republic for location shooting. According to the actor's contract signed earlier, Matthew could bring a personal assistant, and the crew would cover the assistant's salary during the shooting.

This was a common benefit enjoyed by Hollywood stars.

And Matthew planned to bring only Bella Anderson, a stark contrast to Johnny Depp's entourage, which included an assistant, nutritionist, stylist, masseuse, etc., all paid by the crew.

The difference between ordinary actors and top-tier Hollywood stars was stark.

After seeing Britney, Matthew would pack his things and meet with the crew on time to fly to the Caribbean island of the Dominican Republic.

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