The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 276

After a single glance, Matthew looked away. He knew where to draw the line and had no intention of making Keisha Castle-Hughes a target.

As time passed, more people filed into the Kodak Theatre. Johnny Depp arrived with his wife, Vanessa. Matthew stood up, embraced Depp, and greeted Vanessa.

The two of them sat down to Matthew’s right.

"Well?" Matthew didn't beat around the bush, asking directly, "What are your chances of winning an Oscar?"

Depp gave a slight shrug. "Out of the five nominees, I have the slimmest chance of winning."

Matthew nodded regretfully. "It's a shame I don't get a vote, otherwise I'd give you ten Best Actor statuettes."

"That would be the end of the Oscars, then," Depp replied with a touch of humor.

People continued to fill the seats around them. Matthew spotted a few familiar faces, like Sofia Coppola, the first woman nominated for a Best Director Oscar, who had recently become the subject of a media frenzy.

Seeing her, Matthew realized that the section to his left was reserved for the cast of "Lost in Translation."

Just then, a young woman in a low-cut red evening gown approached the seat to Matthew's left, gave him a quick look, and sat down.Matthew returned her gaze. The woman couldn't have been more than twenty, with curly blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. She was voluptuous and sexy, but her short stature was a drawback, making her proportions seem slightly off.

Since they were seated next to each other and moved in the same circles, Matthew extended his right hand in an automatic greeting. "Hello, Ms. Johansson."

The blonde looked at him again, a smile gracing her lips as she gently shook his hand. "Hello, Mr. Horner."

It was obvious she knew who Matthew was.

"Please, call me Matthew." He flashed a sunny smile. "May I call you Scarlett?"

He added enthusiastically, "I saw 'Eight Legged Freaks' last year. It was a great comedy."

Scarlett laughed, her voice tinged with a hint of embarrassment. "That was a terrible production."

Matthew countered, "Don't be so hard on it. Your presence gave the film a special charm."

He'd watched the movie last year out of boredom.

Scarlett suddenly remarked, "You certainly know how to flatter a girl."

"Not really, or I wouldn't be single right now," Matthew said with a serious expression. "Though I can't say I particularly regret it."

Hearing this, Scarlett couldn't help but laugh. "You're funny, Matthew Horner."

Matthew corrected her gently, "Please, call me Matthew."

Scarlett looked at him and nodded slightly. "My friends call me Manny."

"Manny," Matthew repeated, slightly surprised. "Is that a middle name?"

"No." Scarlett shook her head slightly. "It's the name of a character from a movie I was in once. I don't like it when people call me Scar."

Matthew nodded.

Scarlett added, "Some people find it strange."

"I don't," Matthew replied.

She looked up at Matthew again, this man who was clearly a few years older than her.

Although he had initiated the conversation, she was certain she wasn't the least bit annoyed. In fact, she found him quite attractive, both in physique and looks.

Thinking about the plan her agent and the publicist for "The Island" had devised, he seemed like a suitable candidate.

First, he had the looks she desired, and judging by the muscles beneath his shirt, she could imagine his strength. Second, he'd been in the news a lot lately and was one of the most recognizable male stars of the past year in terms of media and fan interest. If anything happened between them, the news would be all over America in no time.

"The Island" was her first major commercial project. If it failed, she would have to return to the indie scene and languish for several years before she could earn any decent money again.

Scarlett chatted with Matthew for a little while longer before making an excuse to slip away to the back rows before the award ceremony began.

In a row of seats behind the guest section, she found her agent. Seeing that no one else had arrived yet, she lowered her voice and said, "The guy I'm sitting next to is Matthew Horner. He doesn't have a date. I managed to talk to him for a few minutes, and it was pleasant."

"Matthew Horner?" The agent looked toward the front. "Yes, he's one of the biggest B-list names right now. The guy's been in the spotlight ever since 'Pirates of the Caribbean' came out last year."

Scarlett prepared to head back, adding just before she left, "We'll go with him."

...

Seeing Scarlett leave, Matthew took out his phone, which was set to silent, and sent a text to Helen. He had just glanced at Helen's reply when Scarlett returned.

Seeing that the awards ceremony hadn't started yet, the two began talking again. The more they spoke, the more at ease they became, both looking as if they'd known each other for years.

"Manny," Matthew took the initiative, "do you have any plans after the ceremony?"

Scarlett, clearly seeing his intentions, replied, "I'm going to the Vanity Fair dinner."

Matthew seized the opportunity. "Me too."

Scarlett smiled. "Shall we go together?"

"Of course," Matthew answered.

As music began to play from the stage and cameras flashed all around them, Matthew and Scarlett paused their conversation and turned their attention to the Academy Awards ceremony. Perhaps due to the dismal ratings of the past few years, this year's ceremony not only featured more elaborate sets but also had a retro nineties vibe.

The famous comedian Billy Crystal was once again hosting the Oscars.

From the very beginning of the ceremony, the cast of "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" came out strong, taking home four technical awards in less than a third of the evening.

Matthew's team, on the other hand, maintained its record of zero Oscars.

In the past, a commercial blockbuster like "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" would have typically picked up one or two minor technical awards. But this year, it was unlucky enough to coincide with the finale of the "Lord of the Rings" series, so when the last four awards were announced, it had nothing to show for it.

"Pirates of the Caribbean" was destined to go home empty-handed.

Matthew didn't mind. He wasn't focused on the Oscars at all. For the rest of the ceremony, except for when a camera panned by, he whispered to Scarlett, doing everything he could to get "results" tonight.

The four most important awards went as predicted: Sean Penn won Best Actor, Charlize Theron won Best Actress, and Peter Jackson and his "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" took home the gold for Best Director and Best Picture, respectively.

"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" was the big winner of the night, winning all eleven of its Oscar nominations.

The Academy Awards came to an end, but Oscar night had only just begun.

As they reached the exit of the Kodak Theatre, before getting into his car, Matthew said to Scarlett, "I'll meet you at the entrance to the ballroom. See you in a bit."

Scarlett just smiled.

She got into a car waiting a short distance behind his, where her agent was sitting in the back seat, waiting for her.

Matthew got into his own car, and unsurprisingly, Helen was inside as well.

The two vehicles, separated by several others, drove from Hollywood Boulevard towards Beverly Hills and stopped in front of a hotel with a red carpet, where the Vanity Fair Oscar Night party had just begun.

"Remember, Matthew!"

Helen instructed him before he got out of the car. "Make sure you take her with you and get a room at that hotel."

She added in a low voice, "Ilana's people and the tabloid reporter Sean hired will be watching the door."

Matthew nodded. "Don't worry, I can handle it."

He stepped out of the car and was met by the flashing lights of the press. He waved and smiled as he walked the red carpet into the hotel, then took the elevator to the enormous ballroom on the top floor.

He stood for a moment at the entrance to the ballroom, and soon a radiant Scarlett walked in.

Noticing him, she walked over, naturally took Matthew's arm, and said, "I hope this ends quickly. These parties are so boring."

Matthew looked at her and said, "I agree. By the way, tonight's Best Actress is a friend of mine. I'd like to congratulate her, but before that, let's go see the party's host."

Scarlett nodded, and together with Matthew, she first went to greet Vanity Fair's editor-in-chief, Tina Brown, before they went to find Charlize Theron, one of the central figures in the ballroom.