The richest actor in Hollywood.

Back at the hotel, Matthew called Alexandra Daddario. After hesitating for a moment, Alexandra accepted his invitation for lunch the next day and they agreed to meet at an Italian restaurant near the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

The next morning, it was nearly eleven when Matthew finally left his hotel room. As he entered the elevator, he heard Keira Knightley's voice from behind.

"Wait! Hold the elevator, Matthew!"

Hearing her, Matthew quickly pressed the door open button, waiting for Keira Knightley to enter. He asked curiously, "Didn't you have plans today?"

"Yes," Keira Knightley replied with a smile. "I contacted Natalie Portman last night and we arranged to have lunch together today."

As the elevator descended rapidly, she looked at Matthew and asked again, "Will you come with me?"

Matthew shook his head, "I don't have time, Keira. I also have a lunch appointment."

"An appointment?" Keira Knightley looked him up and down deliberately, asking, "Is it with a woman?"

"Yes," Matthew admitted directly. "I'm meeting a young lady."

Keira Knightley habitually bit her lower lip and rolled her eyes, "You're so boring."

Matthew spread his hands, looking innocent, "What are you thinking? I'm just meeting an old friend from New York."

"Do you think I'm a fool, Matthew?" Keira Knightley snorted. "All your female friends, haven't you slept with them?"

The elevator stopped, and as the doors opened, Matthew stepped out first with Keira Knightley following, linking her arm with his as they walked toward the hotel entrance. She whispered, "Don't you find it boring?"

"Boring?" Matthew sneered. "There are three things in this world that attract men the most."

Keira Knightley could guess what he was going to say, "Like you, a superficial man."

Matthew shrugged, "I'm a very superficial person, so I want to make a lot of money, date the most beautiful women, and gain influence in the industry."

They exited the hotel together and realized they hadn't called for a car. After a brief conversation, they discovered they were both headed to the same Italian restaurant.

"What a coincidence," Keira Knightley said, still holding Matthew's arm as they walked to the nearby restaurant. "We picked the same place."

She asked Matthew, "Why did you choose this restaurant?"

Matthew didn't hide the reason, "The person I'm meeting is of Italian descent and likes Italian food."

Keira Knightley nodded. As they arrived at the restaurant, she said, "Natalie Portman is a vegetarian, and this restaurant is famous for its vegetarian dishes."

A waiter opened the door for them, and after each reporting their reservation, they were led to their booths. Their reserved tables were initially some distance apart, but Keira Knightley managed to negotiate a change to a table closer to Matthew's.

Since their respective companions hadn't arrived yet, Keira Knightley sat across from Matthew, continuing their conversation.

"You wouldn't start anything here, would you?" Matthew intentionally brought up yesterday's topic.

Keira Knightley glared at him, "Do you think I'm as outrageous as you?" She crossed her arms, "I'm upset that Natalie Portman took the Chanel endorsement, but I'm not going to confront her directly. Any fighting should be done in private."

Matthew smiled, "You've matured, Keira."

Hollywood stars always maintain a glamorous public image. As a small-time actor climbing up, they might use any means necessary, but as a big star, they must consider their public image. Top Hollywood stars avoid direct, irreconcilable conflicts whenever possible.

Of course, in such a competitive industry, harmony is often just a facade. Even if stars don't get along, they usually maintain a friendly appearance in public.

Direct confrontations are rare but not nonexistent.

Matthew noticed a short-haired woman with a facial structure slightly similar to Keira Knightley's entering the restaurant and informed her, "Your guest is here. You should go to your table."

Keira Knightley turned to look at the entrance and waved.

Soon, the woman walked over.

"Hi, Nat." Keira Knightley greeted her cheerfully, "It's so good to see you."

Seeing her enthusiasm, if Matthew hadn't heard her complaints before, he might have believed Keira and Natalie Portman were close friends.

"It's good to see you too," Natalie Portman said, hugging Keira Knightley.

Keira Knightley brought her over to Matthew, who stood up politely.

"Matthew, this is Nat, Natalie Portman, my friend." Keira Knightley introduced them, then turned to Natalie, "Nat, this is Matthew, Matthew Horner, my co-star."

"Hello," Matthew said, shaking hands with Natalie Portman. "Nice to meet you."

"Hello, it's an honor to meet you," Natalie Portman replied politely.

After they exchanged greetings, Keira Knightley asked Natalie Portman, "Why did you change your hairstyle?"

Natalie Portman, sporting a short haircut that made her look like a tomboy, explained, "I just finished filming a movie and had to cut my hair for the role."

The three of them chatted briefly.

Matthew quickly realized he had nothing in common with Natalie Portman. It made sense; she was a Harvard graduate, and he hadn't even finished high school or could name Shakespeare's four great tragedies.

"Sorry, Keira," Matthew said, spotting Alexandra Daddario approaching. "My guest has arrived."

Natalie Portman looked puzzled at Keira Knightley, who whispered an explanation before leading her to another table nearby.

At the restaurant entrance, Alexandra Daddario was already walking toward them.

Matthew smiled and waved at her. She saw him and quickened her pace.

"Long time no see, Anna," Matthew said, pulling out a chair for her and taking her bag, placing it on a nearby chair. "Have a seat."

Alexandra Daddario sat down and asked, "When did you arrive in New York?"

"The night before last," Matthew replied, sitting across from her. "I had a press conference for 'Pirates of the Caribbean' yesterday. I had some free time today and remembered I still have a friend in New York."

A waiter approached, and both Matthew and Alexandra ordered some Italian dishes.

While Alexandra was ordering, Matthew glanced over at Keira Knightley's table. She and Natalie Portman were engrossed in conversation, showing none of the hostility Keira had displayed privately.

Hollywood stars are indeed great actors.

Matthew turned back to Alexandra and said, "The last few times I was in New York, I wanted to call you, but I was too busy to find the time."

Alexandra smiled, a hint of envy in her voice, "You're a big star now, busy with work."

"Just lucky," Matthew replied modestly, then asked, "Anna, are you still in school?"

"Yes," Alexandra nodded. "I'm studying literature at SUNY and still have three years to go."

"College, huh?" Matthew said wistfully. "I missed out on the chance to go to college."

He said this deliberately for Alexandra's benefit, then asked, "Aren't you planning to return to Hollywood?"

Back then, Alexandra Daddario had appeared in two films before returning to New York. Although Helen Herman renewed her contract every year, thanks to Amanda, Alexandra hadn't acted in any more projects and seemed uninterested in Hollywood.

"I want to. Acting is my dream," Alexandra said with a hint of resignation. "But after returning to New York, I didn't get any offers, so I had to put it aside and focus on finishing school first."

Her unique eyes glinted as she added, "It feels like Helen has forgotten about me."

Just then, the waiter began serving their dishes. As they ate, Matthew said, "Hollywood is forgetful. You've been out of the scene for over two years, so it's normal to be forgotten."

"Does that mean I'll have to start from scratch when I return?" Alexandra asked, looking at him.

"Pretty much," Matthew admitted. But after a pause, he added, "Anna, we're friends. If you want to return to Hollywood, let me know. I can help you find opportunities."

When Alexandra left, he had said something similar, but back then, he wasn't as influential as he was now.

"Great!" Alexandra smiled. "Thank you, Matthew."

She reminisced, "Seeing you reminds me of our filming days. I can't wait to get back to Hollywood."

Matthew didn't hesitate, "Okay, Anna. Keep your phone on. I'll contact you as soon as I get back to Los Angeles."

___________________

(Support with power stones, comments, or reviews)

If you enjoy this story, support me on Patreon! For just $5 per month, you'll get access to over 500 chapters in each novel and enjoy 3 daily updated chapters.

Read Ahead

Patreon.com/INNIT