Chapter 168: Worst Director

Speaking of movies, the two clearly had a shared topic, and their families had some history. Though they hailed from opposite coasts, their shared Jewish descent naturally bridged the distance between them. They gradually grew familiar as they chatted, and Duke occasionally shared a few pieces of industry gossip, which made Aerin Lauder's smile even more genuine.

The woman, who was around his age, was clearly very interested in the film industry. At her request, Duke later took her into the party and introduced her to Tom Hanks, Keanu Reeves, and a few others.

Like most young women, Aerin Lauder had her own favorite stars, provided they didn't interfere with her regular business affairs.

"Keanu Reeves isn't as cool as he is in the movies. He's a bit scruffy."

Aerin Lauder whispered her impressions to Duke as they walked toward the edge of the lawn. "Tom Hanks looks even more like a good guy than he does on screen."

"Every actor has many sides," Duke replied.

Aerin looked at Duke. "What about directors? My college roommate studied film production at New York University, and she's in Hollywood now too. I've heard her mention some rumors about Hollywood."

Perhaps because they had hit it off so well, she spoke with less reservation. "Especially the rumors about directors."

"Let me put it this way, Aerin." Duke didn't answer directly. "In this Hollywood circle, over eighty percent of the rumors are eventually proven true."

As if to prove Duke's point, a tall blonde woman walked over from behind. Her target was clearly Duke.

"Hi, Duke."

Charlize Theron, dressed in a small green evening gown, walked straight up to him. "I haven't seen you around. So this is where you were."

"Is this your friend?" she asked, looking at Aerin Lauder as she slipped her hand into the crook of Duke's arm. "Aren't you going to introduce us?"

Duke called out to a passing waiter, using the excuse of grabbing a drink to smoothly shake off Charlize's hand. At a formal dinner party like this, taking a man's arm was a privilege reserved for the hostess, and he wasn't stupid enough to forget that.

"This is Aerin Lauder, from New York," Duke introduced them briefly. "This is Charlize Theron, a signed actress under ICM, the same agency as my agent."

Charlize Theron had dumped her original agent last year and defected to ICM.

Aerin Lauder put on a formulaic smile and nodded at Charlize, then said to Duke, "I won't bother you anymore. I think I'll go find Aunt Leah."

"How did you get here?" Duke looked at Charlize.

He hadn't invited her or any of those other women. A fuck buddy was just a fuck buddy; he wasn't foolish enough to invite them to his own home for a party like this.

"My agent helped me out," Charlize said, her eyes gazing toward the distant ocean. "When did you move? Why didn't you let me know?"

"I'll call you when I have time."

Duke patted her hand and stepped forward to greet Clark Mueller, the Warner Brothers executive who was walking over.

Charlize watched his tall back and tossed her glass onto the grass. Over their past few meetings, she had brought up the idea of them becoming a real couple several times, but Duke always changed the subject. No matter how dense she was, she could clearly see that he had absolutely no interest in a romantic relationship.

She didn't have a very good temper, and she suddenly felt an urge to flip the oak table next to her. After taking a few deep breaths, she held it in.

After all, she had gotten into one of Hollywood's top talent agencies and received the most professional acting training. Without having to sacrifice too much, she was able to land minor roles with actual screen time through the company...

All of this came from him. Just like the modeling industry she had once been in, this was simply an ordinary transactional exchange.

On the other side, Duke was conversing with Clark Mueller, who was Jeff Robinov's most important assistant.

"Jeff said that Warner partnering with you was the smartest decision he ever made," Clark told Duke with a smile. "He really wants to maintain this collaboration!"

"I want that too." Duke returned the smile. "Warner is a fantastic partner!"

Despite what they said, both sides were well aware that in Hollywood, such partnerships could rupture at any time. A single negotiation with a severe conflict of interest was enough to send them in opposite directions.

Clark had attended several of Warner Brothers' recent executive meetings. Warner had been constantly discussing how to thoroughly tie Duke Rosenberg to their chariot, and they had even come up with some targeted measures.

"I wonder if you're interested in investing in Warner?"

Seeing the surprised look Duke shot him, Clark Mueller explained, "Around this time next year, Warner Brothers plans to undergo a round of equity financing to expand. Jeff wanted to ask for your thoughts."

"Equity financing?"

Duke maintained his usual demeanor, offering no clear indication. However, becoming a shareholder in one of the Big Six Companies held a certain temptation for anyone in Hollywood, and he was no exception.

Except, it wouldn't happen until next year? Warner was clearly throwing out bait.

He wasn't the only one in the world who knew how to throw bait. Warner obviously wanted to string him along first. As long as he was interested, he would inevitably continue working with Warner on his next film. If Saving Private Ryan flopped, Warner would simply turn around and kick him to the curb. Who would ever acknowledge a promise made in such a private setting?

Even with capital, this Hollywood path would still be fraught with hidden traps. In this circle, no one would selflessly sacrifice their own interests to help someone else. If he fell into a trap, some people might just watch from the sidelines, but even more would undoubtedly choose to throw stones down at him.

After Duke stated that he needed to think it over, Clark Mueller took his leave. Evidently, Warner wasn't quite as desperate as his words suggested.

Later on, Duke bumped into Fox's Tim Fisher. This old acquaintance looked somewhat troubled. During their conversation, he repeatedly tested Duke's confidence in Saving Private Ryan and mentioned several times the need to recoup costs as quickly as possible. Fox was clearly running into cash flow problems.

Although the other man didn't bring it up, Duke understood after a moment's thought. The media had recently hyped up the fact that James Cameron had built a massive model ship in Baja California. Knowing his nature, he was definitely hounding the studios for additional investment. Fox and Paramount, having already sunk massive amounts of money into the project, had no choice but to increase their investment to protect their initial capital.

He remembered a Fox executive once saying that James Cameron had backed them so far into a corner they were practically ready to sell their asses.

Of course, in return, they had nearly driven the set tyrant to suicide. Cameron had even flashed a razor blade at a press conference, claiming that if the project ultimately failed, he would use it...

The party didn't end until around ten o'clock. After seeing off the guests and leaving the garden to the butler and the party company to clean up, Duke and the few people who remained returned to the living room.

Duke poured his mother a glass of water. "Mom, you can stay here tonight."

He had a room specifically prepared for his mother here.

He turned to look toward the single sofa. "I'll have someone take Aerin back to her hotel."

"Alright. I actually have something I want to discuss with you anyway."

Mrs. Leah walked over and murmured a few words to Aerin Lauder. Duke called his butler and asked him to find someone to escort Aerin Lauder back to her hotel in Beverly Hills.

After another ten minutes of bustling about, only Duke and Mrs. Leah were left in the living room. The two sat in separate armchairs, slowly sipping the water from their glasses.

"Mom, what is it?" Duke set his glass down and asked.

Mrs. Leah looked at Duke across from her and sighed softly. He truly made her incredibly proud, but in certain aspects...

Shaking her head, Mrs. Leah stopped thinking about it. After all, Duke wasn't married and didn't have a girlfriend. A significant portion of the people in this country lived a rather chaotic lifestyle during their youth.

"In the future, when I return to Los Angeles, I'll come stay here," Mrs. Leah warned Duke. "Don't make this place too messy."

Duke offered an awkward smile and asked in confusion, "Return to Los Angeles?"

"Starting next month, Saintphia will officially be moving to New York," Mrs. Leah gave a brief explanation. "Saintphia's business is now inextricably linked to the fashion industry, so it's much more convenient to move to New York. I also plan to settle down there."

"Mom..." Duke frowned.

"I'll come over to visit you often." Mrs. Leah shook her head, clearly not going to change her mind. "If you have time, you can also come see me."

"Next week, I'll have someone move my things from Santa Monica over here."

With that, she stood up and walked toward the stairs. Duke followed after her. "Mom..."

Mrs. Leah turned back and smiled. "Darling, you are the greatest pride of my life."

"Mom..." Duke stepped forward and gave his mother a hug. "You are my pride, too."

When older people lacked goals and drive, they tended to age particularly fast. For the past twenty years, his mother's greatest driving force had been her career. Duke knew he couldn't stop her, nor did he intend to. Perhaps a mother continuously succeeding in her career was just as happy as a mother witnessing his own success—those were her moments of greatest joy.

Life had to go on. After the brief weekend passed, Duke saw his mother and Aerin Lauder off onto their flight to New York, then threw himself back into the post-production of Saving Private Ryan. Because of the impending Oscar Awards Ceremony, all of Hollywood enjoyed no peace throughout the entire month of March, especially after the Oscar results were announced.

Tom Hanks won Best Actor for the second consecutive year, becoming the second person in Oscar history to achieve such a feat. Forrest Gump scored a sweeping victory just as everyone had predicted, while The Shawshank Redemption, with its nine nominations, once again became a tragic backdrop. It elicited the sympathy of countless media outlets and audiences, and was even crowned with the title of "best in film history".

The production and distribution companies also took advantage of the momentum to promote the film, pushing it back into theaters in an attempt to recoup costs. However, what awaited them was still a disastrous box office performance. This film was simply destined to be unsuitable for theaters.

Another event sparked a media frenzy. Duke—the director of Independence Day, last year's North American and global box office champion and the second-highest grossing film in cinematic history, whom the media and film fans had dubbed an explosion maniac and the Duke of Destruction—unfortunately won the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director, and Independence Day also took home the award for Worst Picture of the year.