"How do you prove that?"
Helen Isabel's persistent questioning amused Martin.
He lightly adjusted his collar, gave the female reporter a charming smile, and replied calmly, "Why should I have to prove anything to you?"
His actions were clearly courteous and his smile warm and friendly.
Yet the moment those words left his lips, they carried an air of supreme authority, as though he stood above all others, gazing down on mortals.
Helen Isabel was suddenly struck by a pressure she had never felt from Tom Cruise. It was like a god looking down upon an ant—oppressive and awe-inspiring, forcing one to the ground.
Martin had seen through the reporter's ill intentions. While speaking, he deliberately exerted a mental pressure on her.
Helen Isabel just barely resisted the urge to kneel and worship. She opened her mouth to ask another question, but due to that brief pause, her opportunity was snatched away by another reporter.
"Martin, can you talk a bit about your new Batman screenplay?"
"No problem!"
Martin's smile remained, but the divine pressure from moments ago had completely vanished.
"This is a story about protection—protecting the city, protecting kindness, protecting one's inner self…"
"In this film, Batman is no longer a lofty god. He's just an ordinary person like the rest of us…"
"He feels fear, terror, helplessness…"
"That's all I'll say for now. The rest, you'll have to discover in the film yourselves."
…
There was still an hour to go before the movie started.
This period was typically for socializing.
Everyone mingled with drinks in hand, jumping into interesting conversations or approaching people who caught their attention—provided they didn't run into someone untouchable.
Tom Cruise looked at Martin standing before him and couldn't help feeling a wave of emotion.
When he first met this kid, Martin had just been a child. Now, he'd become someone even Tom had to treat with caution.
In terms of capital, Tom Cruise was but a flickering firefly compared to the brilliance of Martin's full moon.
"Hello, Martin. Got a moment to talk?" Tom Cruise asked with a professional smile.
Martin's polite "fake smile" was no less convincing. "Of course, Tom."
The two of them moved to a corner.
Drew Barrymore and Katie Holmes stood nearby, chatting and subtly preventing others from interrupting the two men.
Drew was quite curious about Katie Holmes.
Or rather, she was interested in Tom Cruise's "bride selection" process.
When she cautiously brought up the topic, she was surprised that Katie Holmes showed no intent of hiding anything.
"Yes, they—Scientology—approached me, saying I had a chance to get close to Tom Cruise. What could I say? Refuse? Unless I was insane!"
"There were nine of us girls at the time. We were brought to a lavish club in Los Angeles. Believe it or not, Tom didn't even choose me first—he picked an English actress named Nazanin Boniadi."
"Unfortunately, they only lasted two months. Want to know why they broke up?"
Without waiting for Drew to answer, Katie continued.
"Tom took Nazanin to the Scientology headquarters to meet one of their leaders—they call them 'High Ecclesiasticals.' She was clearly hesitant about joining. She froze up."
"Tom felt humiliated. He screamed at her, demanding to know why she embarrassed him."
"Two weeks later, the rest of us—those not chosen—along with some other Scientologists, were gathered to watch Nazanin get punished. Amid the mocking of the members, she was ordered to clean all the toilets—with her own toothbrush." (This is a true story.)
"Oh God, Nazanin cried so hard. Such a beautiful woman… Tom was ruthless."
"And you still chose to be with him?" Drew asked, baffled.
"I needed his resources. I needed work. I needed money," Katie Holmes said, shaking her head. "When they held the second selection, Tom picked me."
"I learned from Nazanin's lesson. I obediently joined Scientology and acted more submissive than the most loyal dog. I passed. I became Tom's official girlfriend."
Drew was reeling from the extent of Scientology's control over Tom Cruise, but even more puzzled by why Katie was telling her all this.
Katie seemed to read her mind and chuckled. "Surprised I'm telling you all this?"
Drew blinked. "Very."
Katie lowered her voice. "Because I'm scared. That church… it's terrifying. I don't know why Tom willingly lets them control him. He hasn't seen his own child in ten years—because the High Ecclesiastical forbade it."
"I'm under immense pressure. Every time he brings me to meet that leader, I'm terrified I'll lose it—or worse, get fully brainwashed."
"They're already beginning to control me. They made me give up Catholicism to convert, and now they're forcing me to drop any movie roles involving religion. Tom even warned me that if I'm to have his child, I must use Scientology's 'silent birth' method—no sound at all during labor."
"He gave me a rigid schedule of Scientology activities, forced me to attend their so-called purification rituals, cut me off from all my friends, and surrounded me with only church members."
"Drew, I'm so scared."
"I needed to tell someone, but I didn't know who. Then I saw you."
"You're backed by Martin. He's not afraid of Scientology."
"If something ever happens to me… please…"
Katie paused, her voice soft. "At least get the truth out there."
"You could still walk away," Drew said. "If you're scared, I could ask Martin to help you."
But Katie shook her head. "It's too late. I've already made my bet—left my family, abandoned my friends, changed my beliefs. If I walk away now, I'll have nothing."
Drew had no response.
This was the road Katie had chosen.
And the truth was—Katie Holmes really could endure. The following year, she gave birth to Tom Cruise's daughter using that infamous "silent birth" method. She didn't make a single sound during labor.
It wasn't until 2012, when their daughter Suri was six years old, that she filed for divorce, claiming she could no longer tolerate Tom's efforts to indoctrinate their child with Scientology's beliefs.
She submitted all the evidence she'd collected over those six years to the court and won custody of her daughter.
So, even though Tom and Katie had signed a prenuptial agreement, because she had custody, Katie still received $400,000 a year in child and spousal support.
In the end, it's hard to say whether she won or lost.