The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 650

That million dollars from last year was not a pleasant memory for Matthew. In fact, he considered the entire affair his personal Waterloo.

Karolina glanced at Matthew again, her grip on her napkin slowly tightening. Parting with a million dollars was, of course, a painful prospect.

After all, at the peak of her career, she had never earned more than five million dollars in a single year.

That million had long since been spent. And while the money had come easily, giving it back would be exceptionally painful.

In the past, a million dollars wouldn't have elicited such a reaction, but times had changed. Who knew if her modeling career would ever return to its former glory?

The contracts she had signed with major international brands all included release clauses, with one of the most demanding stipulations concerning her body image. For several campaigns this year, she had not been paid at all.

The international brands hadn't demanded she pay for breach of contract because she had been ill. If she had simply overeaten and gained weight, she would have been forced to pay a penalty.

"Give me the account number," Karolina said, despite the ache in her chest. "I'll pay back the million dollars."

Hearing her words, Matthew paused, then typed a string of numbers into his phone and pushed it across the table to her. She immediately jotted it down and said with a smile, "I'll make the transfer later."

Matthew nodded and, after a brief pause, replied, "I'll get you the role of Cover Girl."At his words, a hint of disappointment flickered across Karolina's face. The role of Cover Girl was too small; what she really wanted was the Baroness.

Even without Matthew's help, she felt she had a good chance of landing the Cover Girl part on her own.

Matthew noticed the shift in her expression and understood she hadn't come to him just for the role of Cover Girl.

But a million dollars wasn't enough to buy the second female lead in a major film.

Matthew always took the films he starred in seriously and didn't make casual promises about roles—not even for simple, decorative parts. There was a minimum standard to meet.

Karolina was no fool; otherwise, she would never have gotten herself into a deal like this. After a moment's thought, she sensed she had missed something.

In a way, that million dollars wasn't the real price of admission.

She gritted her teeth and quickly made a decision.

"Matthew, I need the role of the Baroness." Desperate to change her current situation, Karolina was direct.

Hearing this, Matthew looked at Karolina but didn't reply.

Had it been Adriana Lima or Gisele Bündchen sitting across from him, he might have helped them out, given the pleasant and thorough 'discussions' they had shared in the past.

After a brief silence, Karolina added, "Matthew, you're always welcome at the Four Seasons."

Reflecting on their last encounter, she added, "I won't act the way I did last year."

Matthew still remained silent.

Karolina's career had taken a major hit this year, and she was at a critical point where she needed to get back on her feet. Since she had already committed to this deal, she didn't mind paying a higher price.

"If you can help me get the role of the Baroness..." Karolina made her decision and, without further hesitation, whispered, "From now until G.I. Joe is released, my hotel room door will always be open to you."

Matthew folded his hands on the table. He was certainly no saint.

So, he said slowly, "KK, I can't promise you'll get the part of the Baroness."

It was the truth. He had only ever seen her on the runway, never in a film, so he had no idea what her caliber as an actress was.

Karolina could tell Matthew hadn't finished and remained quiet.

Without rushing, Matthew added, "You've auditioned for the film, so you should know that the Baroness is a decorative role that doesn't demand much acting skill."

"But that type of role is more demanding when it comes to physical appearance, isn't it?" Karolina asked softly.

"True enough." Matthew smiled. "KK, I'll get you on the audition list for the part."

Karolina nodded cautiously.

Matthew continued, "I have the right to suggest actors for the cast, but I don't have the authority to make the decision alone. I'll talk to Stephen, the director."

Hearing this, Karolina felt a wave of relief. Matthew was accepting her terms and was willing to step in and help her.

"You have to meet the basic requirements for the audition; that's non-negotiable. The audition for the Baroness is in two weeks, so you need to prepare."

Karolina nodded again. Though she had never acted in a Hollywood film, she knew a few things about the business. Anyone who just opens their mouth and promises to hand over a role is probably a liar.

In contrast, someone like Matthew, who laid everything out in such detail, was far more trustworthy.

"What do I need to do to prepare?" Karolina asked.

Matthew thought for a moment and replied, "Have your agent contact a professional military instructor. Use the time before the audition for some basic training."

After a pause, he added, "You trained as a model, so you have excellent physical flexibility. It would be to your advantage to showcase that fully during the audition."

Karolina took note of every point and then suggested, "Matthew, why don't we continue this conversation somewhere else?"

"Alright." Matthew, of course, didn't refuse.

Soon, they left the restaurant. After Karolina settled into Matthew's Mercedes G-Class SUV, he started the engine and drove from Hollywood straight to the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills.

The dark night, a spacious suite, red ropes, a round cork ball, the flickering flames of candles, and a slender, toned supermodel—all the elements were in place for a man to unleash his desires.

Although Karolina had gained some weight a while back, she had now largely recovered, though she was no longer as bone-thin as she had been the previous year.

Besides, skin and bones isn't always a good thing.

---

Leaving the suite and stepping into the elevator, Matthew headed for the hotel's underground parking garage to retrieve his Mercedes SUV.

As the elevator descended, his thoughts drifted back to Karolina's situation.

It wasn't that he felt sorry for her, but the reality of her ordeal was jarring. The prolonged dieting and obsessive weight loss had taken a severe toll on her health. The fact that a twenty-four-year-old woman could experience "menopause," even if she had since recovered, was frightening enough.

He could never take a role that required him to rapidly lose and gain large amounts of weight.

He had a wonderful life ahead of him—why would he risk his health for a part?

When the elevator reached the underground garage and the doors slid open, Matthew pushed the thoughts from his mind. He fumbled in his pocket for his car keys and walked toward the spot where he had parked his Mercedes SUV the night before.

He had parked near the elevator bank, and with the garage less crowded during the day, he spotted his black SUV as soon as he rounded the corner. He stopped short, his brow furrowing.

Bright red graffiti was scrawled across the black paint.

He was too far away to make out the words, but the blood-red color was blinding against the dark vehicle.

Who did this? Matthew couldn't help but quicken his pace. As he drew closer, he could see that the red graffiti was a line of letters.

Then... he turned around and walked back toward the elevators, already dialing 911 on his phone.

Scrawled clearly on the car in red letters were the words: I'm going to kill you!