Chapter 262: Child Star

In a restaurant on Bel Air Avenue, Arthur and Catherine Zeta-Jones were enjoying their meal when they suddenly heard a commotion from the next table!

"Hey, isn't that little Kevin?" Catherine Zeta-Jones looked over and exclaimed.

Arthur turned his head and indeed, it was Macaulay Culkin with his parents, who appeared to be fighting for some unknown reason.

The 13-year-old Macaulay Culkin was also trying to calm his parents.

Arthur shook his head, "What a shame, having such parents. Although the sequel, Home Alone 2, didn't perform as well as the first one, its North American and global earnings are still impressive!"

Since early last year, there had already been some negative news about Macaulay Culkin coming out from the Home Alone 2 crew.

After that, more negative news about Macaulay Culkin kept coming out. Last year, when filming The Good Son, his parents were already demanding $5 million for his fee.

"This kid's no joke now, commanding $8 million per movie," Arthur said while laughing, "He truly is a bona fide child star."

"$8 million?" Catherine Zeta-Jones took another look.

Even the top Hollywood actresses' fees were only around $4-5 million. Sigourney Weaver earned $4 million for Alien 3. Michelle Pfeiffer made $3 million for Batman Returns, and Meg Ryan earned $4.5 million for Four Weddings and a Funeral!

"Jealous?" Arthur asked Catherine Zeta-Jones with a smile.

The lady quickly nodded, "I would be content if I could get a $1 million fee!"

"You'll get there soon," Arthur reassured. "With economic growth, the movie market is expanding, and so will the stars' fees."

Right now, the top Hollywood actress is Meg Ryan. The success of When Harry Met Sally..., Sleepless in Seattle, and Sleeping with the Enemy has brought her fee up to $5 million.

Arthur had already worked with her on two successful films, so scoring her for Four Weddings and a Funeral for $4.5 million was thanks to her strong personal interest; the producer and male lead were both people she had previously worked with.

Also, Meg Ryan had just had a baby boy last year and took some time off. Four Weddings and a Funeral was her first post-pregnancy film.

Meanwhile, in the other part of the restaurant, Macaulay Culkin's parents' argument had caught the attention of the restaurant staff, and a weary Macaulay Culkin left the restaurant.

Once back in the car, Macaulay Culkin lit up a joint and took a deep drag!

"Alright, let's go," Arthur said indifferently about Macaulay Culkin, "Child stars rarely have a good ending in Hollywood."

"Mm," Catherine Zeta-Jones nodded without objection.

...

The next day, Arthur took Catherine Zeta-Jones to Newport Beach in Irvine, heading south to Laguna Beach.

They checked into the Balboa Bay Resort and met with Mrs. Joanne Irvine Smith, the heiress to the Irvine Company.

"Arthur, I have already met with Mr. Robert Bass. He agreed to help acquire shares from Donald Bren's partners. With TPG and Blackstone involved, I don't think Irvine Company will fall into Donald Bren's hands," Joanne Irvine Smith expressed her gratitude to Arthur.

Arthur shook his head, gazing intently at Balboa Bay, "Madam, TPG is mainly interested in Irvine's development."

"You turned a swamp and wasteland into a city, and Irvine Company deserves all the credit," Arthur said with a smile. "Moreover, the Bass family has extensive connections in California, so Donald Bren won't create much of a wave in the future!"

Joanne Irvine Smith nodded, "And building the city of Irvine is just the beginning. Future development will be our chance to shine."

"Thank you so much!" she added.

"I should be thanking you, Madam. Those 3,000 acres of land will be my entry into the local real estate market," Arthur wasn't just helping out; he genuinely saw a promising future in Irvine's development.

"With TPG and Blackstone on board, not only will Donald Bren be unable to make waves, but we should also try to reclaim the shares he controls," Arthur said as he glanced at Joanne Irvine Smith.

"I know he won't sell, but I think we can speed up Irvine's development, inject funds to dilute Donald Bren's shares, and diminish his voting power over time."

"Don't worry, Arthur, I understand..."

...

As San Diego Creek flows into the Pacific Ocean, it forms a harbor. Arthur stood by the hotel window, overlooking Newport Bay, where numerous private yachts were docked.

"Arthur, what are you looking at?" Catherine Zeta-Jones hugged Arthur from behind, following his gaze. "Thinking of buying a private yacht?"

Arthur smiled, "Why not?" and pulled Catherine Zeta-Jones into his arms, "Do you want to go out to sea tonight?"

Catherine Zeta-Jones nodded, "Are you done with your work?"

"I'm just here to make an appearance. After the evening banquet, we'll head straight to sea," Arthur whispered into her ear, slipping his hand into her seductive nightgown, "Then we can do whatever we want on the yacht!"

"Really?" Catherine Zeta-Jones kissed Arthur's face, "Can't we also do whatever we want in the hotel?"

"Or," she pressed herself against Arthur's chest, "Are there other women on the yacht tonight?"

Arthur squeezed her gently, "Why, are you thinking of having a bigger party?"

"Wouldn't you like that?" Catherine Zeta-Jones wrapped her arms around Arthur's neck, whispering seductively, "Isn't Hurley filming Se7en in the U.S.?

She's the lead actress, isn't she? And she was also in Emma. Wouldn't you like to date two English Roses at the same time?"

Arthur was tempted but restrained himself, "Filming is more important. We'll have plenty of opportunities in the future."

With that, Arthur began kissing the lady's chest...

*****

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