The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 354

Wednesday's sun had barely crested the horizon, but hundreds of journalists and paparazzi already swarmed the entrance to the Horner Estate. Five television broadcast vans lined the road, nearly blocking it entirely, while dozens of police officers—contacted in advance by Helen—arrived on the scene to maintain order.

To ensure the engagement spectacle proceeded without incident, Matthew had also contracted a major security firm with a sterling reputation in the industry. Hundreds of professional security personnel were stationed both inside and outside the estate, tasked with preventing any journalists from breaching the perimeter.

The event was being bankrolled by the production team, Dior, and Mercedes-Benz, so Matthew was committed to upholding the highest standards.

A specialized team from Red Penguin Services had been working inside the estate since Monday, preparing the grand ballroom for the engagement ceremony.

Staff from Dior's Los Angeles branch had also delivered exquisite party favors, a gesture of thanks from Matthew and Charlize to their guests.

While the custom of engagement gifts isn't as rigid as for weddings, guests attending the ceremony were still expected to bring presents.

Just after noon, a fleet of Mercedes-Benz vehicles departed from the estate, fanning out across Los Angeles to chauffeur guests to the ceremony.

By afternoon, the crowd of reporters outside the Horner Estate had swelled. It seemed as if every newspaper, magazine, radio station, and television channel in North America had dispatched a team to cover the event.

Alongside the media, a contingent of devoted fans of Matthew and Charlize had also gathered at the Horner Estate, hoping to catch a glimpse of their idols' engagement ceremony.

The police department was forced to divert a significant portion of its officers to the area, implementing temporary traffic control on the roads surrounding the Horner Estate and restricting access for vehicles, especially those belonging to the press....

"You hear about this?"

Leaning against the high walls of the Horner Estate, a black paparazzo murmured to his partner, "Some papers and websites are offering seven figures for photos and video from Matthew and Charlize's engagement."

His partner, a white man, nodded. "I know. The problem is, there's no way we're getting inside."

The first photographer glanced speculatively at the wall. "Max, we've got ropes in the car..."

"No way. Absolutely not," his partner said, his expression turning cautious. "Seven figures is a lot of money, but it's not worth the risk. Don't you know who Horner hired for security? These guys are licensed to carry. If we get caught trespassing..."

At that, the first man immediately dropped the subject.

The man, Max, added, "The lowest part of that wall is sixteen feet high, and there are no handholds. You really think we could climb that? And even if we did, who knows what's waiting for us on the other side."

He gestured toward the men in black suits patrolling nearby. "There's a guard patrol every fifty yards. You can't hide from them. This isn't a movie."

The black photographer rubbed his bald head. "Damn. A seven-figure payday, slipping right through our fingers."

He cleared his throat and added, "Remember that shot we got of Matthew Horner and Keira Knightley on the beach? That picture only fetched two grand. Now a video from his engagement is worth seven figures!"

Max was equally impressed. "Horner's been on a roll the last few years. Every movie he touches turns to gold. He's on the fast track to being one of Hollywood's biggest stars. And now he's with Charlize, an Oscar winner... The guy is living the dream."

"You been reading up on him or something?" the first photographer asked. "The guy's luck is insane. He went from being some poor kid to all this in just a few years."

Max was pragmatic. "Still, you can't help but be jealous."

Suddenly, the first photographer pointed toward the intersection leading to the estate. "Looks like the first guests are arriving."

"Quick, grab a spot by the gate!"

It was only just past noon, and guests were already starting to arrive. Most of the reporters were caught by surprise. Max scrambled toward the estate's entrance, camera on his shoulder, but police officers held him and the rest of the paparazzi back on the sidewalk. All around him, photographers hastily powered on their equipment, preparing to shoot.

In the ten seconds it took him to power up his camera, the scattered hundreds of journalists surged forward like sharks that had smelled blood, filling every available inch of space behind the police barricade. Lenses were trained on an approaching black Mercedes, and the air exploded in a blinding barrage of camera flashes.

James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender sat in the back of the car, both gazing out at the entrance to the estate.

"This is insane," James said, shaking his head. "There are so many reporters. Must be two or three hundred of them."

Michael nodded. "More than that, I'd say."

"This is the kind of attention only a true superstar commands."

As the car drove past the throng of journalists, James peered through the tinted window at the reporters closest to them. Every one of them looked more ecstatic than if they were meeting the Queen of England.

The Mercedes swept through the estate gates, circled a grand fountain, and pulled to a stop before a beige-colored mansion. James and Michael had barely stepped out of the car when Matthew, dressed in formal wear, came forward to greet them.

"James. Michael." Matthew approached and embraced each of them in turn. As he stepped back, Michael glanced around and asked, "Where's Charlize?"

Matthew gestured toward the second floor. "Upstairs. She's getting her makeup done. It's going to take a few hours."

It was true that some people were naturally beautiful, but to achieve that radiant, camera-ready glow was inevitably the result of meticulous makeup artistry.

"Come on inside." Matthew led James and Michael into the mansion. "Thanks for coming," he said as they walked.

"It's your engagement," Michael replied earnestly. "Of course we'd be here."

Then he seemed to remember something. "Aren't you having a bachelor party?"

"This is just the engagement," Matthew said casually. "The bachelor party is for the wedding."

They followed Matthew into the enormous ballroom.

...

Outside the Horner Estate, reporters were packed on both sides of the gates. Even more camera operators had climbed atop their broadcast vans to get an overhead shot. Suddenly, the faint roar of engines grew louder, and helicopters bearing the ABC logo swooped in, circling over the estate.

As three o'clock approached, a steady stream of Mercedes vehicles began to return, filing one by one through the estate gates.

Max had secured a prime vantage point for shooting the arrivals, an angle that gave him a clear shot through the car windows. Between three and four o'clock, he managed to capture a parade of Hollywood celebrities.

There was Johnny Depp and his wife, Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Stephen Sommers, Ridley Scott, Orlando Bloom, Doug Liman, Akiva Goldsman, and countless others. He even snapped a shot of Matthew's ex-girlfriend, Keira Knightley, arriving in one of the cars.

Her presence was a clear sign that she and Matthew had, indeed, parted on good terms.

There were plenty of other faces he didn't recognize, though he vaguely remembered one as the director of Dawn of the Dead. He even spotted the son of Oracle's CEO, Larry Ellison.

Max came to a quick conclusion: Horner might not have been in Hollywood for long, but judging by this guest list, he had already built an impressive network.

Then he saw a car pull up carrying none other than Robert Iger, the new CEO of The Walt Disney Company, who had come to the Horner Estate in person.

...

Inside the estate, Matthew stood before the mansion, welcoming each guest personally. Even though it was all a show, he made sure to greet everyone with genuine warmth.

After Iger had gone inside, another Mercedes pulled up, and Helen and Ilana stepped out.

As they approached, Matthew told Helen directly, "Go on into the ballroom and mingle with the guests for me."

Helen nodded curtly and headed for the main entrance.

"Is everything ready on your end?" Matthew asked Ilana, lowering his voice.

"Don't worry," Ilana replied with a satisfied smile. "The camera operator got here early to set everything up. TMZ is paying you one and a half million dollars for the footage."

That's right. He had sold the exclusive video rights to his own engagement party to TMZ.