The Most Famous Actor in Hollywood

A black Mercedes SUV drove past the Beverly Hills Hotel and turned onto Rodeo Drive, picking up Helen Herman. After settling into the back seat, Helen adjusted her seat and said to Matthew in the front, "The comfort level of the back seat is really just mediocre."

Matthew, sitting in the passenger seat, looked back at her and replied, "That's why I always sit in the passenger seat."

Such rugged SUVs are not known for their rear-seat comfort, and he never opts to sit in the back.

Bella Anderson, the driver, turned the SUV onto the road leading up to the southern slope of Beverly Hills.

At this point, Helen said, "According to the contract, we need to report your romance to the advertisers. After notifying the advertising director at Mercedes-Benz, they had a suggestion."

Just like the contract Matthew had signed, it's normal for manufacturers to have some reasonable stipulations on the private lives of their endorsers, but they generally don't interfere indiscriminately.

Matthew curiously asked, "What suggestion? They don't think my relationship with Charlize will damage their brand image, do they?"

"Of course not," Helen explained. "Mercedes-Benz is actually looking forward to you and Charlize Theron taking the next step. They think an engagement or marriage would be beneficial for their brand promotion."

Matthew shrugged, "Wasn't that the original plan anyway?"

Helen continued, "I met with Charlize Theron's agent a few days ago. She mentioned that Dior also has some thoughts about your relationship. I've been coordinating with her, and just had a meeting with Dior's planning director and the advertising director at Mercedes-Benz."

She looked at Matthew, "I informed Bella about this a few days ago."

Matthew turned to face her, saying, "Bella told me. How did the discussion go?"

"We reached some constructive opinions. There's no ultimatum from Dior or Mercedes-Benz," Helen couldn't let Mercedes manipulate their top client at will. "You can hear them out."

Matthew was curious, "Why would Dior and Mercedes suddenly get involved?"

Without hesitation, Helen said, "It's simple. It's about the traits of you both as endorsers and the consumer demographics of the products you represent."

She briefly explained, "Charlize Theron endorses Dior's True Me perfume, targeting mature women over the age of twenty-eight, a demographic that often desires stable relationships. The main consumers of the Mercedes G-Class SUV are also mature males, many of whom likely have a stable family backing them."

"So…" Charlize Theron added, "Getting engaged could quickly boost your recognition within the primary consumer base of the products."

Matthew suddenly had a bad premonition, "Dior and Mercedes don't actually want us to get married, do they?"

He indeed had a fondness for Charlize Theron, the first woman he truly cared about after Britney, but marriage was a frightening prospect, better avoided.

Hollywood marriages, which are just mutual hurt. Rather than getting injured later, it's better to stay away from marriage early.

"No, I've communicated with Charlize Theron's agent as well as Dior and Mercedes," Helen knew Matthew understood the implications of this 'communication'. "Neither Dior nor Mercedes are directly forcing a marriage."

She organized her words and continued, "Starting from May, Mercedes-Benz plans to launch the ads you shot for the G-Class SUV into the global market."

Matthew was aware of these marketing plans, as Mercedes-Benz had already reached a settlement agreement with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Choosing May for the ad launch was to coincide with 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith' to enhance the ad's reach and impact.

Helen went on, "Dior originally wanted to launch two new True Me perfumes at the end of June or early July. Now, they might advance it to June, and they plan to launch Charlize Theron's new ad in May as well."

"They all want to coincide with the movie." Matthew could see the point.

"The intention of Dior and Mercedes," Helen glanced back as she faintly saw a motorcycle-borne paparazzo catching up. "During the intense advertising in May and June, it's best if you and Charlize Theron appear as a loving couple. It's ideal if you can get married after getting engaged, but if not, you should at least break up amicably."

Matthew nodded, "Getting engaged was already part of our discussion, but marriage is out of the question."

Helen knew this too and said, "What do you think?"

"As long as we don't marry, everything else is negotiable." Matthew was very firm, "It wouldn't be bad for us either, would it?"

He continued, "This must be beyond the normal scope of endorsement contracts, right? Didn't Dior and Mercedes say anything?"

"Of course," Helen added, "Dior and Mercedes can sponsor most of

 the expenses for your engagement ceremony."

Matthew nodded, "That sounds more reasonable." He then asked, "What about Charlize's side?"

Helen shifted a bit, "Her agent called me before you came. Charlize Theron has no objections."

This didn't surprise Matthew; since her push for the Oscars, he knew that Charlize Theron also aspired to be a superstar.

There are many paths to becoming a superstar, but they all share a common need for significant fame.

As the Mercedes SUV reached the southern slopes of Beverly Hills, Bella Anderson warned, "There are a lot of paparazzi following us."

Matthew glanced at the rearview mirror and said, "Ignore them."

Their actions today were meant to be high-profile; without the paparazzi and entertainment journalists following, it would all be meaningless.

Two minutes later, the SUV stopped near the iron gates of a mansion. Helen told Matthew on the passenger side, "Go ahead, I'll wait in the car."

Matthew didn't say much, stepped out, and was immediately greeted by a middle-aged man in a suit and a bright smile from afar, "Hello, Mr. Horner."

"Hello." Matthew nodded to the real estate agent and said, "Sorry to keep you waiting."

As he did, flashbulbs flared behind him, not needing to look to know that the paparazzi and reporters were taking photos.

A black sedan also turned into the street and stopped on the other side of the gate; Charlize Theron stepped out and walked over.

As she joined Matthew, the flashbulbs flashed even more frequently.

"They're looking at houses again!" An entertainment reporter's voice rose, "They can't really be thinking of getting married, can they?"

Another responded, "It's not impossible. This house is listed for sale, and the asking price seems to be over ten million dollars."

This wasn't the first time Matthew and Charlize Theron were seen house hunting together, and the media had been abuzz with speculation.

Following the real estate agent through the iron gate, Charlize Theron whispered, "Did you hear?"

Matthew, looking around at the entrance's setup, nodded, "I heard, I have no objections."

Charlize Theron then said, "Neither do I."

"This mansion was built eleven years ago," the real estate agent began timely, "and was renovated last year by the Bruce Development Design Company. The total floor area…"

Matthew interrupted, realizing Charlize Theron wasn't familiar with the imperial system, "Miss Theron is not familiar with the imperial system."

The agent quickly swallowed his previous words and rephrased, "The building area is 1120 square meters, sitting on a 7250 square meter lot."

The property was indeed vast, and with a price tag of $28 million, it was an extravagant estate.

Matthew certainly didn't have the money to buy such an expensive property outright; his main purpose for visiting was to continue generating buzz-worthy topics.

Of course, if the house turned out to be good, he might consider buying it.

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