King of Hollywood
Chapter 340 - Chapter 340 Chapter 64 Here Again

Chapter 340: Chapter 64 Here Again Chapter 340: Chapter 64 Here Again “Are there no actors in the United Kingdom esteemed enough for the Miracle Director?” That’s a headline only a tabloid would use.

Although Adrian had only spoken those brief words outside the studio, the dogged paparazzi swiftly found a new selling point. They hadn’t known who the female lead was until Adrian’s hint, and following the news release by the production team, they immediately dug up all the details about Gwyneth.

At present, Gwyneth was only slightly better off than being utterly unknown. Originally, a well-regarded film from ’93 should have released but lost out due to the butterfly effect. “Seven Deadly Sins” was still months away from its premiere, so the British paparazzi mercilessly mocked her. What did it matter if she came from an acting family? Or that she was Spielberg’s goddaughter? This was Britain, after all. The paparazzi had learned their lesson and refrained from being too critical of Adrian, naturally focusing their fire on her instead.

“To be honest, I completely fail to see where Miss Gwyneth Paltrow has the air of Emma from the novels. Oh, God, I wouldn’t have sighed like this if there was even a slight resemblance. Although Adrian always manages to create miracles, and his insights are usually spot on, could he really never make a mistake? Are there truly no suitable British actresses anymore? If Jane Austen were alive today, she might have already raised objections,” wrote one tabloid.

Yes, the film Adrian was preparing for Gwyneth was adapted from Jane Austen’s novel “Emma.” In fact, it was this very movie that first brought Gwyneth unanimous praise from film critics, marking the beginning of a stable career trajectory, so he leveraged that unreservedly.

Given that it was an Austen work, the popularity in England was immense; it had been brought to the big screen back in the ’70s. No wonder the British media reacted so strongly to an American actress playing the lead role–of course, this was also linked to Adrian being the director. Who else but the Miracle Director? Who else known for his acute vision?

The mainstream media might have held back, their dissatisfaction not too extreme, but the tabloids lacked such restraint. Reports like the aforementioned were actually among the milder, tabloids like The Sun, ever eager to catch readers’ eyes, not only wildly speculated about Gwyneth but also boldly claimed that if the Miracle Director’s movie failed, it would definitely be the fault of the female lead.

Additionally, they heavily insinuated things about their relationship, suggesting that because of Adrian’s close personal tie with Spielberg, Gwyneth got the chance to play the lead in “Emma.” Some even outright claimed that the two were dating and quite passionately at that, provided with seemingly credible details. This was believed undoubtedly by those who disliked thinking. And tying it back to Adrian’s previous rumors with Sophie, they hinted at the Miracle Director being involved with multiple women simultaneously.

This is a characteristic of Western media–they never outright state certain things, even though clear-sighted individuals understand the truth. They often use terms like ‘dating’ as euphemisms. After all, to Westerners, sleeping together is quite normal and merely part of socializing.

Many Britons also began discussing this under the influence of media reports; surprisingly, their opinions were incredibly unanimous, with eighty percent believing Adrian should not have cast a relatively unknown American actress for a classic Austen novel. This wasn’t surprising since Britons inherently look down upon Americans. If mentioned outright, it would involve the American independence and the dignity of the Sun Never Sets Empire, and the current superpower status of the United States, among other issues.

Simply put, it is like an individual who was once affluent and after decline, struggles to save face in front of a now wealthy relative who inherited the lineage of their former poverty. From this perspective, there are similarities between the East and the West.

For a while, such news spread somewhat uproariously, with a one-sided public opinion that seemed a rerun of the fierce criticisms Adrian faced in the latter half of ’92. However, once bitten, twice shy; this time no one questioned Adrian–or at least not so definitely, with all the pressure falling on Gwyneth. Although these did not hinder the production team’s work, some British staff members were inevitably affected, their looks at Gwyneth carrying something extra.

“I know what you’ve all been thinking lately. Some of you seated here have worked with me many times before, and I really don’t understand why,” Adrian said, gathering everyone informally on set two days into the shoot.

He spoke, glancing at the placard he invariably carried in London, “Emma, you read a little fable for me yesterday, didn’t you? If someone had claimed before you read that you just can’t read well, would that have been fair?”

“Who said I can’t read well!” retorted Emma, who had been sitting on Adrian’s lap looking around, hands on her hips, bristling with indignation, “I read perfectly well, how can they say I read poorly!”

“You see, even a child knows how to deal with these things,” Adrian soothed the little one before smiling at everyone again. “We’ve been shooting for four days now, and everyone here has seen Gwyneth’s performance. There might still be some issues, but let’s not forget that this is just the beginning. Is it right to disregard someone’s effort based solely on some ridiculous and inexplicable factor?”

After a moment of silence, Kenny Bellinger, the artistic director consultant, was the first to speak, “You are right, Ed. On this matter, I owe Miss Gwyneth an apology.”

Bellinger was the oldest British staff member in the crew and well-liked, also having served as a consultant on numerous classical British films. Now that he had spoken up, others quickly echoed him, awkwardly apologizing to Gwyneth standing beside Adrian. Gwyneth simply nodded calmly in response, as if she had not taken to heart the arguments of the past few days.

“Alright, let’s continue shooting, and don’t forget where we need to get to today.” Seeing the harmony now prevailing, Adrian clapped his hands and called out. After people dispersed, he leaned in next to Gwyneth’s ear, whispered encouragement, and then gave her hand a squeeze to boost her morale. Gwyneth gratefully glanced at him before going off to touch up her makeup; as she did, Adrian gave Kenny Bellinger an approving look. Bellinger just smiled and walked away.

Indeed, Bellinger had spoken up because Adrian had specifically asked him to. No matter what, Gwyneth was his woman, and of course, he couldn’t let her be wronged on set. Besides, any internal problems in a film crew were always troublesome, so Adrian had sought out the well-liked Bellinger to lend a helping hand.

“Everyone ready, Scene 33, Take 52, test shoot,” Adrian called out loudly standing beside the camera.

Although the internal issues in the crew seemed to have been pacified by the discussion, the repercussions would undoubtedly continue for a while, and Gwyneth would have to make an effort on her own. However, Adrian wasn’t worried. Not to mention how well she had performed the script in Los Angeles with a convincing British accent, but her current appearance also possessed the elegant aura of a British classical beauty.

Dressed all in pure white Victorian-style lady’s clothing, with her golden hair tied up at the back of her head, her smile was both elegant and noble, yet also mingled with a touch of playfulness and cunning, fitting perfectly with the image of the heroine in the novel “Emma.” Furthermore, her facial features were clear yet soft, complemented by a delicate set of facial structure that was very characteristic of the Anglo-Saxon people, leading her, as recalled, to unstoppable roles as British characters in movies after this one.

Adrian believed that as long as there was no major problem during shooting, it was just a matter of time before Gwyneth was recognized. To avoid major problems, not only did he have to solve internal crew matters, but Gwyneth’s mental state also needed attention. Despite her seemingly indifferent acceptance of apologies, she had definitely still been hurt or felt insecure deep down. So, after finishing shooting for the day and returning to the hotel, Adrian, having discussed the next day’s plans with Charlize, and after soothing his little one, knocked on Gwyneth’s door.

“I don’t understand why there are always so many women around you that I don’t know,” Emma complained, still not understanding many things and expressing her frustration this way.

Even so, the little one didn’t cling to Adrian; she was sensible in her understanding.

“Hi, Gwyneth,” Adrian greeted with a smile as the door opened.

“Hi, Ed,” Gwyneth responded with a forced smile, her moodiness still quite evident.

“Still upset about those irresponsible comments?” Adrian casually wrapped his arm around her waist as he entered the room.

“Yes, those reports were too irresponsible,” Gwyneth didn’t hide her feelings, sitting down on the couch and then leaning into Adrian’s embrace, seeming to find some comfort there, “Although I understand tabloids outrageously chase sales, it’s just too much. If it were just doubts about my capabilities, I could understand, but…”

“Don’t worry about it, if you can’t handle this level, how will you cope with paparazzi hounding you every day in the future?” Adrian teased as he pinched her chin.

“It’s easy for you to say, you’re not the one dealing with it,” Gwyneth replied somewhat discontented.

“Really? You know, back in ’92, the criticism I faced was much worse than yours now.” Adrian’s fingers traced her lips, and the frustrated Gwyneth then remembered how controversial his title as the Miracle Director had been, causing relentless debates across the Atlantic.

“You know, Gwyneth, I actually quite enjoy them being like this.” Before she could apologize, Adrian continued speaking.

“Do you really like it when they do this?” Gwyneth’s face was full of bafflement.

“Yes, they just keep questioning and questioning, trying to paint you in the worst light possible,” Adrian said with a slight smile. “That way, when the film is finished and receives rave reviews upon release, it’s like slapping these people hard across the face. The more they question, the better the reviews, the harder the slap!”

Gwyneth’s eyes suddenly lit up, but quickly dimmed again, though her previous resentment seemed much reduced.

“It’s only you who can do this,” she sighed longingly.

“Now you can too, unless you don’t trust my judgment.” Adrian said as he lifted her chin, caressed her soft neck, and then kissed her lips.

Gwyneth immediately embraced him, reciprocating without any reservations in the hissing sounds, their tongues continuously moving from one side of the mouth to the other, entwined for a while before breaking away.

“Feeling better now?” Adrian asked teasingly, gasping for air.

Gwyneth’s cheeks were tinged with a thin blush, her mouth slightly open, with traces of Adrian still on her lips, her chest gently heaving, her eyes carrying a dazed expression: “Much better.”

“Want to feel even better?” Adrian then asked.

“No, at least not tonight,” Gwyneth turned her eyes, about to rise and run away, but Adrian’s other hand was still wrapped around her waist, and with a gentle tug, he pulled her back and then pressed her down on the couch from behind.

“I’m doing this for your own good, Gwyneth,” Adrian said with a cheeky grin. His hands, however, did not stop moving; with just a few movements, he unbuckled her belt, pulled down the zipper, and slipped in. “Letting out those negative emotions, you can fully shine.”

“Ed! I’m going to get angry!” Gwyneth loudly protested, sprawled on the couch in a bent shape, her buttocks sticking up high, but her flushed cheeks, excited eyes, and submissive body all spoke of her desire.

“Only vigorous activity can completely empty out that gloom, so…” Adrian said as he leaned down, spraying warm breaths on the nape of her neck, “stop the futile resistance, understand?”

“Mmm… mmm… then come on…”

With Gwyneth’s provocative words, Adrian’s trousers already halfway down his thighs, her lace-edged semi-transparent panties pulled halfway down, he plunged in without hesitation, and the atmosphere in the room immediately escalated.

Although they had been intimate over the past few days, they still seemed as if they hadn’t seen each other for ages at this moment, entwining passionately. Coupled with scarcely removed clothing, it offered a different kind of thrill, eventually evolving into a fierce battle.

It was much later, after they had both vented completely, that they finally stopped. Gwyneth still lay on the couch, her clothes and hair disheveled, panting breathlessly, her eyes vacant as if still caught in the allure of their prior moments, occasionally turning her head to share tender kisses with Adrian lying on her back.

“Oh, you’re always so impressive, Ed,” Gwyneth murmured, her eyes half-closed, after a while.

“The first round just finished, and now we’re moving right into the second round,” Adrian said as he shook his lower half, causing Gwyneth to let out a cry of surprise. Since her trousers never came off, her buttocks remained tightly squeezed together, and because of this, the area of intimate contact had not separated after ending.

“Ed… Ed…” Gwyneth quickly grabbed his hand that began to move, looking at him with pleading eyes.

“I see…” Adrian raised an eyebrow and suddenly whispered a few words into her ear.

“Now… now?” Gwyneth’s cheeks, already flushed, turned even rosier, as if water might drip from them.

“Of course, you should know I’ve been waiting for a long time,” Adrian said as he shook his lower half again.

Gwyneth moaned again, then as if struck by an idea, her face lit up with excitement.

“Not now,” she turned her head and said softly, staring at Adrian with a seductive, unblinking gaze, “but I have a good idea that will leave a deep impression on you, Ed.”

“Is that so?” Seeing Gwyneth so serious, Adrian didn’t insist, but…

“However, before that, I’ll leave a deep impression on you!” With his words, a scream suddenly erupted.

As time went on, the debate about “whether an American actress can play a famous English literary heroine” slowly cooled down. Both Adrian and Gwyneth, though not as silent as they had been during “Braveheart,” only made noncommittal statements through the film’s spokespersons, like “the movie is not finished yet, don’t jump to conclusions too quickly.”

Almost all media remembered what Adrian had said last time and what the outcome had been, and as the interest it generated decreased, it was time to move on to new topics.

As for Gwyneth, perhaps because she had taken a half-day “sick leave” the day after that night, her performance was particularly eye-catching. She had a slight breakthrough in her acting, portraying the proud, matchmaking-loving Miss Emma with just the right touch of evil humor and full of English flair. Both Jeremy Northam, who played Mr. Knightley, and Alan Cumming, who played the vicar Elton, praised her performance highly.

“If those media saw this, they would definitely take back all their previous doubts,” Northam had said.

Faced with such a favorable situation, Adrian immediately sped up the filming. Knowing that he could film so quickly because of his precise handling of the camera, minimizing unnecessary shots, required the actors’ cooperation.

It could be said that as long as they kept up their performance, he could continue filming continuously until all the scenes were completed. Of course, that was impossible, so Adrian could only seize every opportunity when the actors were in good form.

Gwyneth’s good form lasted for about four to five days, and most scenes only took two or three takes to get right; two particularly tricky parts even went smoothly in just one take, a record that was quite commendable.

Afterward, Adrian slowed down the filming pace and started focusing on some other tasks that had been neglected during the rush, such as making some minor changes to the script. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to recommend votes and monthly tickets on Qidian (NovelFire.net). Your support is my greatest motivation.)