System in Hollywood

She wasn't sure if tonight's events would reach her husband's ears, but what did it matter? The relationship between her and Vincent Cassel was always one of mutual benefit. Vincent had cheated on her numerous times, and she had always pretended not to know.

If Vincent really decided to confront her over this, then so be it. Divorce wouldn't be the end of the world.

Compared to this unreliable marriage, she cared more about making it big in Hollywood, which was also the mindset of 99.99% of the girls here. Who would come to dirty, rotten Hollywood if they truly valued love and marriage?

Half an hour later, in the presidential suite at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the closest nearby, the two of them, who had been holding back for so long, couldn't wait to embrace as soon as they walked through the door.

For the next two days, Wayne decisively stood up Naomi and Annie, rented a yacht and a beach house, and spent two full days with Monica Bellucci. If it weren't for the fact that he had to consider the feelings of the three women at home, he might have stayed for another week without getting tired.

"Are you leaving, darling?" Monica Bellucci asked as she came up to him after rinsing her mouth, her face and heart full of reluctance.

Of course, she hadn't forgotten her primary goal while enjoying herself.

Wayne didn't keep her guessing and said directly, "Yes, I'm heading back. But I've already arranged a new place for you. You can move there today. As for roles, don't worry. Hermola Films has two action movies starting production soon. One has a budget of over $35 million, set to start filming in about two months, and you'll play the second female lead. The other, with a budget of over $80 million, will start shooting mid-year if all goes well, and you'll be the leading lady."

"Oh my god! Are you serious, darling?"

Monica Bellucci's breathing became rapid.

It wasn't that she couldn't remain calm; it's just that Wayne was offering so much! A $35 million production was already the biggest budget movie she'd ever starred in.

Although it was only a supporting role, she had just experienced the box office failure of *Malèna*, so what was there to complain about?

Even if *Brotherhood of the Wolf*, releasing at the end of this month, grossed $70 million worldwide like it did in the past, this opportunity was still incredibly precious to her.

After all, with a production cost of $29 million and an additional $10 million in global marketing expenses, even earning $70 million at the box office would still leave the production company at a loss.

With two consecutive flops, she'd find it even harder to get roles.

Hollywood didn't care whether an actor was new or not, but they certainly cared if an actor had a string of failures. In this way, Hollywood was quite superstitious.

As for the lead role in the $80 million blockbuster, even the top A-list actresses in Hollywood would fight tooth and nail for that opportunity!

And Wayne had just given her two such chances in one go—how could she not be excited?

She had heard of Wayne's generosity before, but she never imagined he would be this generous.

Wayne gently stroked her cheek and smiled. "Everyone in Hollywood knows I never lie to women, especially beautiful women like you. But every gift from fate comes with a price. If you want to receive, you must be prepared to pay."

"I understand!" Monica Bellucci, like an obedient kitten, nuzzled his palm. After all, she had been in the entertainment industry for nearly ten years. How could she not understand the cost of these exchanges?

When she returned to the hotel where she and Vincent Cassel were staying, she was unsurprisingly met with Vincent's furious accusations.

But she calmly replied, "I'm just doing the same thing you've been doing," leaving Vincent speechless.

After all, it was only fair if both of them were playing the same game.

What Vincent didn't expect was how decisive Monica could be. She immediately went to their room, packed her bags swiftly, and, with elegant steps, left the hotel, saying only, "I'll have my lawyer contact you about the divorce."

Vincent's face darkened like a storm, his fists clenching and unclenching, but he ultimately didn't dare hit her. He knew all too well that if he laid a hand on Monica, he'd probably end up facing charges for domestic abuse.

Even if he wasn't sentenced, the financial compensation would be huge, and it wasn't worth the risk.

So in the end, he could only sneer, "Don't forget, you're already 37. And Wayne has plenty of other women besides you."

"So what?" Monica Bellucci sneered back.

It was precisely because her time was running out that she needed to climb up while she still had her looks. Staying with Vincent would only waste more of her time.

It took Vincent a moment to process her words, and in the end, he could only throw a bitter, "I hope you don't regret it," before slamming the door shut.

"Regret? Staying with you is what I would regret!" A glint of disdain flashed in Monica's eyes.

Even if nothing else came of it, just landing the lead role in that $80 million production was something Vincent could never give her in his lifetime.

Not to mention, she thoroughly enjoyed her time with Wayne.

She had already made up her mind: if these two chances didn't work out, then she simply wasn't destined to become a star. At that point, she would settle for being Wayne's mistress, saving up money and enjoying a few good years, until he eventually grew tired of her.

That way, at least, she wouldn't have wasted her years in this industry.

(End of Chapter)