Chapter 107

Buzzbuzzbuzz~!

While chatting with Martin, Charlize Theron's phone suddenly vibrated.

Ben Affleck?

What was he calling for?

They had only exchanged a few words at a party, and while they had exchanged contact information, they didn't know each other well. Ben had asked her out a few times before, but after being rejected, he rarely called. Back then, Charlize Theron wouldn't waste her time on a guy like Ben Affleck—someone with no real resources.

Could it be that this guy is trying to bother me again just because he's a bit famous now?

With this thought in mind, Charlize picked up the phone and said to Martin, "Sorry, I'll take this call."

Martin gestured for her to go ahead.

Charlize hesitated for a moment but decided to stay seated, answering the phone in front of Martin.

"Hello, Ben. Long time no see. What's up?"

"What? Mr. Weinstein wants to meet with me about my new script?" Charlize raised an eyebrow. "Is Mr. Weinstein willing to help with the Oscars campaign?"

For a brief moment, her heart skipped a beat, but then she saw Martin watching her, and she quickly dismissed the thought. She had promised Harvey she would consider his offer, but it was clear the price would involve compromising herself.

Who would willingly trade their body for resources, unless the person was someone truly special? But Harvey definitely wasn't that.

After hanging up the phone, Charlize looked somewhat embarrassed as she explained to Martin, "Ben Affleck called to say that Harvey Weinstein wants to meet about investing in my new script and potentially helping me with the Oscars campaign, but I turned him down."

Martin smiled, pouring more coffee for her. "Why turn it down? Harvey's connections and PR skills were proven at the last Oscars."

Charlize Theron nodded, now fully understanding the situation. "Everyone in Harvey's circle knows that even though Gwyneth was Spielberg's goddaughter, she still had to sacrifice her body to get his full support."

"Ben, who was her boyfriend at the time, played the role of the matchmaker, and the whole thing spread like wildfire through the industry."

She sneered. "I don't think I can be any more honorable than Gwyneth. Harvey, that old pervert, just wants to use me."

"Not bad," Martin said, giving her a thumbs-up. "You're sober enough."

Charlize couldn't help but feel a strange sense of happiness at Martin's approval. It surprised her—why should she feel so good just from his praise? Was this what it felt like to seek approval? Or was she starting to care about him?

Martin, unaware of her internal conflict, continued, "What if I told you that if you do as I say, I'll invest, and I guarantee you'll get that Oscar?"

Martin was determined. Even if it took all his magic to sway the judges, he was going to make Charlize his first Oscar-winning actress. She would be his model for shaping other stars in Hollywood!

Harvey's Office

"What? She refused? How dare she!" Harvey's voice was filled with anger.

Bob tried to calm him down. "Forget about her if she doesn't want it. There are plenty of beautiful women in Hollywood. We'll find another one!"

"We'll see," Harvey said, seething, as he crushed the cigar in his hand.

After leaving Harvey's office, Matt Damon spoke to Ben Affleck in the car. "Ben, I think you're being a little too optimistic. Harvey may have done a lot of bad things, but we should be careful not to get too involved."

The Matt Damon of today was far different from the future Matt Damon, and he still had reservations about Harvey.

"Come on!" Ben Affleck dismissed his concern. "Why do you think Harvey is willing to work with us? It's because we can help him handle the dirty work."

Ben leaned back confidently. "This is our chance. If we can handle Charlize Theron, Harvey will trust us more. What do you think? Ready to go for it?"

Matt Damon hesitated. "Charlize Theron may not have a powerful background, but she has strong connections. She's close with Johnny Depp, Nicolas Cage, Keanu Reeves, and the rest of the 'Viper Gang.'"

The "Viper Gang" wasn't a criminal organization. The name came from the "Snake House," a bar Johnny Depp opened on Sunset Boulevard. It became a regular hangout for Depp, Cage, Reeves, and other stars. The group indulged in all-night parties, and even rockstars like Keith Richards and Marilyn Manson were regulars. Tragically, River Phoenix died of a drug overdose outside the bar, which eventually led Depp and others to reassess their lifestyles.

Ben Affleck shrugged. "What's the worst that could happen? These guys are all from the independent film scene. Keanu Reeves is a bit more mainstream, but Nicolas Cage is just as ridiculous. He has his uncle's resources but still insists on going it alone."

Matt Damon couldn't help but laugh. Ben Affleck was too naive to understand. Nicolas Cage, despite changing his name, was still known for being Coppola's nephew. And despite Cage's reputation for "working independently," he still had his uncle's support to fall back on.

As for Keanu Reeves—well, Matt Damon would never forget the ridicule Reeves faced for his stint as a guitarist in a band. In Hollywood circles, they often referred to him as "the guitarist who can't act."

After a moment of reflection, Matt Damon shook his head. "Ben, it's really not worth it. Harvey has probably forgotten about it by now. He only talks about things for a little while before moving on."

Ben Affleck was undeterred. "You don't get it, Matt. We were nothing back then. We were just two poor kids from Boston with no money, no connections. What good is talent if no one notices it?"

He paused and added, "Do you remember what we had to do to make Good Will Hunting a success? Harvey was involved, but we couldn't even talk to him at the time. Harvey wasn't as powerful as he is now."

Ben's face hardened. "There were also those bastards, like Laurence Falk and Kevin Smith, who made our lives hell. Their mothers were the ones who really screwed us over."

Matt Damon's face darkened as the old humiliation resurfaced. He snapped, "Shut up!"

Ben Affleck continued relentlessly. "We have to climb our way to the top, Matt. We won't have to deal with that crap once we're up there. We just need to keep pushing until we get what we want."

Matt Damon, clearly frustrated, growled, "Fine, I get it. Let's deal with Charlize Theron's situation. I'll help you get rid of her."

Ben Affleck grinned. "That's the spirit! Hollywood's a messed-up place. We mess with each other, and if it wasn't for the money, who would want to be a part of it?"

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧