Chapter 197

"Is this another house you bought?" Charles Capet asked as he arrived at Scarlett Johansson's newly purchased house in Westlake Village, a satellite town outside Los Angeles.

Westlake Village, not far from Thousand Oaks and next to the Agoura Hills, had a great location and was a quiet town ideal for Hollywood celebrities to invest in.

"Yeah, $2.8 million. A lot of people like to buy property here," Scarlett Johansson echoed the investment sentiments of most celebrities - real estate was always their first choice.

"Didn't you just buy a house in Calabasas last year?" Charles held the girl closely, feeling a bit regretful that there would be plenty of real estate up for sale next year.

Unless it's a top-tier luxury property, prices would generally drop for a quick resale by investors to reclaim their funds.

Scarlett was quite casual about it and said, "It can be an investment, Charles. You should also invest more in real estate!"

"I have enough properties," Charles said while holding the girl and sitting on the couch, adding, "Don't invest in real estate anymore. Haven't you seen the news about the housing bubble?"

"Is it true?" Scarlett frowned slightly.

Charles shrugged, "Pretty much. Just don't invest your money in real estate for now."

"Got it. I don't have much money anyway," Scarlett quickly let it go.

Charles smiled, kissing the girl as he leaned over her, "You've starred in so many movies, you must have some savings!"

This year, Scarlett Johansson was voted the sexiest woman in the world by Esquire magazine and ranked high in People magazine's top ten sexiest women list.

Scarlett, wearing just a white T-shirt and shorts, showed off her perfect figure at that moment.

"I have no money," Scarlett wrapped her arms around Charles's neck, "My little bit of money is just a drop in the ocean compared to you."

"That's an exaggeration! Capet Entertainment is over $900 million in debt!" Charles laughed.

"But Fortune, Forbes, and Businessweek all reported that you're one of the richest people in Hollywood. Capet Entertainment's valuation is off the charts. They even said your hidden investments are many, and Forbes conservatively estimated your net worth to be at least $1 billion!" Scarlett smiled as if she were talking about herself instead of Charles Capet.

"You follow Fortune, Businessweek, and Forbes? I thought you guys mainly followed entertainment news!" Charles remarked.

"$1 billion. Does that mean I should be on the Forbes Rich List? I might even rank higher on the Young Rich List," Charles smiled, not paying much attention to such matters.

"You're rich already?" Scarlett was shocked. When she first met Charles, he was passionately persuading Sofia Coppola to collaborate on Lost in Translation.

"They said it's an estimate, mainly based on Capet Entertainment's value. But it's only $1 billion, clearly, they're underestimating Marvel Studios," Charles wanted to see their reactions next year when Iron Man hit the screens.

"Charles!" Scarlett kissed him passionately, tearing at his clothes.

Before long, Scarlett, lying under Charles, said, "Recently, I got a script for a movie called The Nanny Diaries, adapted from a best-selling novel from 2001. But I turned it down directly!"

"Oh, why? Is the bestseller adaptation not good enough?" Charles asked while pressing closely to her.

"Weinstein Company was investing in it. Mrs. Capet warned us not to work with Harvey Weinstein, saying we don't need his resources," Scarlett herself didn't want to either, given Harvey Weinstein's terrible reputation.

"I see. Then just turn it down. It's just an independent art film anyway!" Charles focused back on their activities.

After a few moments of intimacy, the two lounged lazily on the sofa.

Kissing Scarlett's 32D chest, Charles remarked, "You've done quite a few movies over the years, but the quality hasn't been great."

"Yeah, I know," Scarlett agreed. Besides Lost in Translation and Girl with a Pearl Earring, none of her films had left a lasting impression.

"My image is still predominantly sexy, following the Marilyn Monroe route," Scarlett admitted. She had a good mindset and didn't mind being labeled a sexy star.

The biggest downside to this sexy route was that it was hard to get recognized at film festivals.

"But how many beautiful women have Marilyn Monroe's influence? Everyone knows Hedy Lamarr, the ultimate 'trophy'," Charles laughed, thinking sometimes being a "trophy" wasn't that bad.

"Too bad beauty is fleeting, but good acting lasts a lifetime. Charlize is also acknowledged for her beauty and sexiness. She was a 'trophy' for many years too. I also hope to win an Oscar like her," Scarlett genuinely admired Charlize Theron for her Oscar-winning title.

Charles played with her 32D bust, teasing, "Would you shave your eyebrows, gain weight, and appear on camera with such ugly makeup?"

"That really takes courage!" Scarlett admitted she didn't have the guts to take on a role like Monster.

"So, you gain some, you lose some. Nowadays, it's all about business. Why worry about those awards? Even with an Oscar, Charlize Theron's highest paycheck is $10 million, but Angelina Jolie's lowest is $10 million; Hilary Swank won two Oscars but earns less than Jennifer Aniston!"

Charles believed in taking the commercial route - art films were just seasoning. Without star power at the box office, it was pointless.

"You suggested I play Marvel's Black Widow with this in mind?" Scarlett asked, nestled in Charles's arms.

"Exactly. I have great confidence in the Marvel Universe. The box office will be astonishing, and with roles like this, you'll never have to worry about popularity and fame!"

As for actors being typecast and performances becoming rigidly defined - was that even an issue?

Once you've got both fame and fortune, who cares about typecasting?

*****

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