Echoes of Hollywood

The atmosphere in the passage was extremely tense, as if it could explode at any moment. Perhaps the sounds of their confrontation had reached outside, and others, not wanting to get involved in a direct clash between two major stars, had avoided passing through since Robert Downey Jr. and Michael Douglas started their exchange.

It was just Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., and Michael Douglas here.

Compared to the other two, Murphy seemed more like a bystander. But in a verbal sparring match, Robert Downey Jr. alone was more than sufficient.

"If I could meet Kirk Douglas, I'd definitely suggest he get a paternity test done on you," Robert Downey Jr. continued relentlessly. "It's a huge deal to mistake someone for your real son."

In terms of verbal duels, Michael Douglas was no match for Robert Downey Jr. He wanted to retaliate physically but refrained upon seeing Murphy's watchful eyes. His face turned a shade of green from suppressing his anger.

"Michael, looking at your expression, Kirk Douglas must have already taken you for a paternity test. He must really distrust you and your mother. What a bastard! Don't you hate him?"

It was well-known that the public relationship between Kirk and Michael Douglas had been strained, only improving in recent years. However, much like Gwyneth Paltrow's father actively campaigned for her during the Oscar race, no one could ignore the love parents have for their children.

"Oh, and your wife Catherine Zeta-Jones," Robert Downey Jr. pressed on mercilessly. "When she was vying for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar, I heard she was willing to do anything for Harvey Weinstein. Michael, you'd better get a paternity test for your kids too. If they're not yours, that would be a big joke!"

Michael Douglas's face turned red. Only when Robert Downey Jr. took a break, swallowing a mouthful of saliva, did Michael Douglas seize the chance to speak.

"You're an addict! Your parents are addicts!" Michael Douglas's voice was filled with venom, as if cursing, "Your son will be an addict too!"

"Addiction can be cured," Robert Downey Jr. retorted nonchalantly. "But once you wear a green hat, it sticks for life."

"You..." Michael Douglas tried to speak again, but Robert Downey Jr. cut him off once more, "You should take Catherine Zeta-Jones for a checkup. With all the people she's been with, it wouldn't be good if you got an STD."

Michael Douglas began to breathe heavily, pointing a trembling finger at Robert Downey Jr., unable to articulate a response.

Murphy frowned at Michael Douglas. In this situation, if Douglas had a serious health issue from the stress, Robert Downey Jr. would also be partly to blame. He advised, "Enough, let's go."

Robert Downey Jr., no longer the reckless kid he once was, gave Michael Douglas a smile and followed Murphy out of the quiet passage.

A conflict like this at the Saturn Awards ceremony couldn't be kept secret. The next day, gossip tabloids and the internet were buzzing with rumors of discord between Robert Downey Jr. and Michael Douglas. Some local Los Angeles tabloids even speculated that Robert Downey Jr. had intruded on Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones's marriage, causing the clash.

"Is this true?"

A skinny guy put down a gossip newspaper, took a deep drag from his joint, exhaled a cloud of smoke, and looked at the young man sniffing a line of white powder. "Cameron, is this true?"

Cameron inhaled deeply, the white powder disappearing into the straw. He frowned, and after a moment, replied, "How would I know?"

"Aren't you Michael Douglas's son?" the skinny guy asked provocatively. "Catherine Zeta-Jones is your stepmother."

"Don't mention that bitch!" Cameron suddenly erupted in anger. "It's all because of her! If it weren't for her, my father wouldn't have kicked me out of the house! If it weren't for her, my life would be a thousand times better!"

He jumped up, the drugs apparently taking effect, and shouted, "I'll kill her! I'll rape her! I'll fucking slaughter her!"

Michael Douglas's marriage to Catherine Zeta-Jones was the direct cause of Cameron Douglas's downfall. The skinny guy, knowing this, deliberately brought it up.

Watching the furious Cameron, the skinny guy egged him on, "Those pretty, pure-looking bitches should have their shiny skin stripped off them!"

In his drug-induced haze, Cameron heard a voice echoing in his mind, "Since that bitch drove you out of the house, why not take revenge?"

The skinny guy added, "Little Cam, are you afraid of Catherine Zeta-Jones?"

"Fuck you!" Cameron's temper flared even more, shouting, "Don't mention that bitch's name in front of me. Am I afraid of her? How could I be afraid of her? One day, I'll kill her!"

Hearing Cameron's words, a fleeting smile appeared on the skinny guy's face. Drugs could weaken a person's will, making them easily swayed by others...

The midday sun was a bit hot, but for an old man with a chill in his bones, it was the best time of day.

The elderly Kirk Douglas sat on the balcony of his house on the southern slope of Beverly Hills, enjoying the pleasant sunshine and the warmth that drove away the coldness in his heart.

When you're old, thinking about things you've done in the past can inevitably feel a bit chilling.

Next to the chair Kirk Douglas was sitting in, Michael Douglas was flipping through a few newspapers.

"You had a run-in with that bastard?" Kirk Douglas suddenly asked.

"He started it," Michael Douglas said without looking up. "He seems to know a few things."

"So what if he does?"

Though aged, Kirk Douglas's aura remained formidable. "Old Robert Downey was an idiot, and little Robert Downey is an idiot too. The Downey family will always be beneath us!"

With Kirk Douglas as his backer, Michael Douglas felt more confident and assertive. "Robert Downey Jr. hasn't learned his lesson. Should we set him up again?"

"Not just him. We need to teach the Downey family a deeper lesson." Kirk Douglas's squinted eyes suddenly opened. "I heard Robert Downey Jr. has a son?"

"Yes," Michael Douglas, well-informed about the industry, replied. "His name is Indio Downey. He's said to be quite the troublemaker."

Kirk Douglas nodded, "Being unruly is best!"

Talking about Robert Downey Jr.'s son reminded Kirk Douglas of someone else. "What's Cameron up to lately? Why hasn't he visited me in a while?"

Like many elderly people, he had a particular fondness for his grandson, Cameron Douglas.

"I..." Michael Douglas had no idea what his son was up to and made a vague reply, "He's probably busy."

"As his father, you should show more concern for him!" Kirk Douglas dismissed the topic, "Don't worry about the details. I'll have someone take care of it."

Though aged, he still believed his former prowess remained.

"There might be a bit of trouble." Michael Douglas hesitated but spoke, "Robert Downey Jr. has a good friend who's also involved. Everyone in the industry says he's tough."

"Murphy Stanton, right?" Kirk Douglas clearly wasn't senile. "I've heard about him. A ruthless guy."

"Hmph!" He snorted coldly, "Don't overestimate him! Isn't his goal to win the Best Director Oscar? Winning an Oscar isn't that easy."

Michael Douglas nodded emphatically, "If it weren't for Murphy Stanton backing him, Robert Downey Jr. would have been finished long ago."

"I'll find a way to make him yield." Kirk Douglas sneered, "We are Jews. Never forget that!"

It wasn't until evening that Michael Douglas left.

Meanwhile, in a wealthy neighborhood in Santa Monica, another father-son conversation was taking place.

"Murphy isn't a good person, deeply scheming..." Old Robert Downey sat at the dining table, saying to Robert Downey Jr., "But he's been nothing but good to you. He's the kind of friend you can trust and rely on."

Robert Downey Jr. responded earnestly, "We are brothers!"

Old Robert Downey nodded, "With him helping you, I'm relieved. Just remember, that old fox is not easy to deal with."

"We know," Robert Downey Jr. suddenly changed the topic. "I've discovered something troubling."

Before Old Robert Downey could ask, he continued, "Indio is using marijuana. I'm worried that what happened to you and me might happen to him."

This concern was not unwarranted. As Robert Downey Jr.'s son, Indio would naturally face more temptations than the average person.

Old Robert Downey frowned. Using marijuana here wasn't a big deal, but the ordeal he and his son had gone through—would it repeat itself with his grandson?

"What do you plan to do?" he asked.

"Last night, on the way back from Chandler Hall, Murphy gave me a suggestion," Robert Downey Jr. replied.

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