"You're really something else, Matthew."
In the office of Angel Agency, Helen Herman, wearing her signature black-rimmed glasses, looked at Matthew with a rare expression of surprise. "You actually asked for donations from Scientology while they were trying to brainwash you!"
Matthew, holding a cup of tea, sat across from Helen and casually replied, "I just wanted to see if I could guilt-trip them into donating a large sum to my foundation. Unfortunately, they weren't swayed by my words."
Helen had already heard Matthew's account of the encounter and warned him, "You should still be careful. Don't let them brainwash you."
"Don't worry." Matthew shook his finger. "Their spiel doesn't work on me."
After returning that night, Matthew had carefully recalled some of the things Michel Hammerson had said. He couldn't help but notice how many of those ideas were similar to widespread Buddhist concepts, such as reincarnation, albeit in a more modernized form.
If he had to put it succinctly, it was like taking widely accepted Buddhist notions and wrapping them in a sci-fi veneer.
The founder of Scientology, a sci-fi writer before establishing the organization, seemed to have repackaged Eastern philosophies for a Western audience. Prior to creating Scientology, he was a mediocre science fiction author who couldn't come up with original ideas, so he borrowed from Eastern philosophies and repurposed them for North America.
Helen, reassured in most respects, raised a different concern. "You mentioned that Amber Hilton is quite beautiful?"
"She's alright," Matthew put down his teacup and thought back to the blonde girl he met that night. "Actually, she's quite stunning."
Helen considered this for a moment and found the right words. "Don't take it too seriously."
Matthew nodded. "Don't worry, I won't. At most, there might be some tabloid stories. It's not like I haven't had my fair share of scandals."
"Just make sure to keep it within limits," Helen trusted Matthew's ability to manage his public image. "Scandals can be beneficial. They help maintain media exposure and internet buzz."
"Oh…" Matthew responded in a deliberately exaggerated tone, "You're encouraging me?"
Helen, mindful of the upcoming plans requiring Matthew to elevate his profile, subtly shifted the conversation to her intended direction. "Don't do anything too outrageous. In this era, the benefits of having a few scandals far outweigh the drawbacks."
Matthew considered the reality of the past couple of years and found Helen's advice quite reasonable.
"This isn't the era where a star's fame solely depends on their films and roles anymore. Marketing has become increasingly crucial for celebrities." Helen had a specific purpose for calling Matthew in today. "Whether it's marketing or the celebrity themselves, in this fast-paced age, maintaining relevance means staying fresh and finding ways to keep the spotlight on you."
Taking a sip of her coffee, she continued, "Every star needs to stay in the public eye as much as possible."
Matthew picked up on Helen's underlying message. "But for major film stars, maintaining the quality of their work means they can't just take on any role. Filmmaking has its production cycles, which inevitably create gaps."
Helen nodded slightly. "You're right." She put down her coffee cup and smoothly transitioned to the topic she had prepared. "So we need to use marketing to fill those gaps."
"In this era, the pace is so fast it even feels foreign to me," Helen wasn't joking. "Miss a step, and you could miss every step. We need to keep you constantly in the public eye."
"Mm." Matthew agreed with Helen's point.
Helen had clearly put a lot of thought into this. "That's why I suggested setting up a charitable foundation. Charity not only boosts your image but also increases your visibility. Moreover, I never interfere with your private life because it gives journalists something to write about, some juicy details to keep you in the spotlight."
"You've thought this through more comprehensively than I have," Matthew admitted.
He wasn't pursuing female stars just for the sake of generating scandals and headlines.
"Don't feel burdened by it," Helen said lightly. "Scandals and relationships, when handled correctly, can be very effective. They not only serve your needs but also benefit the other party."
Matthew chuckled and didn't argue. He knew that while there might be some genuine attraction involved, most of the women who approached him were motivated by more than just hormones.
Helen, understanding Matthew's character, knew she had to proceed slowly to persuade him. "I've studied this closely. Regarding celebrities, especially commercial ones, the public loves stories about their romances, friendships, and even bromances. Every time you have a new partner, it sparks a lot of interest."
She sighed suddenly. "Actually, I made a significant mistake in this area."
"Hmm?" Matthew looked puzzled. "You've done a great job."
Helen shook her head lightly. "Last year, I should have pushed for you and Charlize Theron to get married."
Matthew shrugged. "I never intended to turn a fake engagement into a real marriage."
Helen didn't take the bait. "The buzz and attention generated by two A-list stars getting married would have far exceeded my expectations." She gave an example, "You know Jennifer Aniston got married again, right?"
"Yes." Matthew responded, vaguely recalling that Jennifer Aniston had married a B-list actor, though he couldn't remember his name. "I think it was last year?"
He couldn't remember the exact details of Jennifer Aniston's marriage, but noted how changes in the industry had affected stars like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and Jennifer Aniston had similarly been impacted.
"Take the Aniston couple, for instance. Their box office pull might not be the strongest, but the level of media attention they draw is phenomenal," Helen used this as a case in point. "The biggest draw for them now is their marital relationship. Everything related to it sparks discussions in the media and public, creating wealth for them. This ongoing attention also attracts movie producers, making them some of the most sought-after actors."
Matthew interjected, "Isn't this just a case of one plus one being greater than two? And they just got married."
Helen remained calm. "Aniston was already very famous, and her husband, who was previously just a B-list actor, saw his career transformed after their marriage. They became one of Hollywood's hottest couples."
Reflecting briefly, she added, "In the year since they got together, they've been on the cover of top magazines over ten times, both individually and as a couple. During this period, not only have they been constantly in the spotlight, but their movie fees and endorsement deals have also skyrocketed. Aniston's film rates have hit $20 million, and her husband is now commanding over $10 million per role."
She took a long sip of her coffee, and Matthew realized that Helen had a specific agenda in mind today.
"If you and Charlize Theron had married last year, the effect would have far surpassed that of the Aniston couple," Helen shook her head, "Two top-tier A-list stars getting married would not only create a sensational impact but also sustain it over time…"
"Helen!" Matthew cut her off, speaking before she could continue. "I've told you before, I have no plans to get married for now, and Charlize Theron and I would never get married. Charlize is a staunch anti-marriage advocate."
"I know." Helen placed her hands together on the desk. "That's why I never brought this up before."
Matthew looked puzzled. "Then why bring it up now?"
"A few days ago, I met Britney at an event," Helen said casually. "She asked about you. It's clear she still cares about you a lot."
She suddenly sped up her speech, trying to finish before Matthew could interrupt, "If I'm not mistaken, Britney is the only girl you've truly loved, right? Why don't you get back together? Marriage would be even better. You're a top-tier movie star, and Britney is a pop diva. Together, you…"
"That's enough, Helen." Matthew interrupted her. "This doesn't need to be discussed. It's not necessary."
Helen wasn't ready to give up. With her recent plans needing Matthew to reach superstardom, she pressed on, "Matthew, this would be beneficial for both you and Britney. It would make you the leading couple in Hollywood. If you're uncomfortable approaching Britney, I can talk to her agent and record company. I'm sure they would welcome such a scenario."
Matthew's resolve remained firm. "Helen, this conversation is over. Don't bring it up again." He raised his hand to stop her from speaking further. "I don't want to hurt Britney."
Helen gave Matthew a long look, realizing that today wasn't the right time to continue. She swallowed the rest of her argument.
Even though they were good friends as well as work partners, she knew Matthew's personality well enough to understand that pushing him too far could result in him seeking a new agent. And Matthew was a highly sought-after client in Hollywood.
"If there's nothing else," Matthew stood up, "I'll be going now."
He didn't want to continue discussing this topic. His relationship with Britney had ended on reasonably good terms, and he knew that following Helen's suggestion would only lead to conflict between them.