King of Hollywood-Chapter 580 - 301 Why Don’t You Tell the Truth?

"Hey, we saw it first!" As Natalie was about to take a pack of tissues from the shelf, a hand suddenly reached out and snatched it away, and Maimie, standing beside her, immediately called out.

"Oh?" The brunette girl who had grabbed the tissues turned around, her simple yet refreshing attire made her look quite attractive, standing out among the other girls. She raised an eyebrow at Natalie before speaking in a lazy tone tinged with a hint of scorn, "I’m really sorry, Your Majesty, we didn’t notice you were here."

The girls accompanying her all burst into laughter, sharing the same look of disdain.

"Please forgive my bluntness, Your Majesty," the brunette girl continued in the same manner, "but I presume you won’t mind me taking this pack of tissues, right? You certainly wouldn’t understand the enormity of the welcoming party we are throwing for our new members and how many tissues we need for it. Of course, if you wish, I could have Camy invite you to watch from the sidelines."

"Don’t be so childish, Deanna, you look just like a little girl who hasn’t grown up, always bragging about her toys!" Maimie sneered, she had more to say, but Natalie held her back.

"They’re yours, Deanna, but please allow me to remind you," Natalie said seriously, "all royal expenses must be reported to Parliament, so I’ll have to note the transfer of this pack of tissues to you in the documents for them."

With that, she shrugged her shoulders and walked away with Maimie before the other girl could respond.

"I wish I’d stayed there to see Deanna’s face when you mentioned noting it in the documents, oh God, that must have been hilarious," Maimie giggled.

"It wouldn’t have been, Deanna might be ostentatious, but she’s one of the few in the sisterhood with a bit of a brain; she would never let her displeasure show," Natalie said in an indifferent tone.

"Don’t you care at all, Natalie?" Maimie asked, curious.

"Why should I care about them? Yes, they are wealthy and influential, but do we need to grovel to them?" Natalie shrugged.

Brotherhoods and Sisterhoods have always been traditional organizations in American universities, maybe not as powerful as student unions, but once the students who join them are able, they can easily build their own networks. Thus, children from the upper echelons are members during their college years, and the majority of children from the middle and lower classes are also eager to get in.

Typically, it’s easy for children from wealthy families, especially those who are connected to each other, to get in, but not so much for those from the middle and lower classes. They would face all kinds of strange pranks, which are part of the initiation. If they can’t pass, they can’t join the brotherhood or sisterhood.

Keep in mind that the brotherhoods and sisterhoods are controlled by those wealthy kids, among whom there is no lack of elites, but there are also many who are simply dilettantes. Thus, it’s common for them to make fun of those middle and lower-class students who want to join, and looking down on other students is their norm. Conflicts like the one today have been happening to Natalie since she started at Harvard.

After all, there aren’t many people who are famous across the United States or even the world before even enrolling in college — even though the new prequel was criticized by many hardcore Star Wars fans, Natalie indeed became widely known because of that movie. Anyone could feel psychologically imbalanced, even those rich kids who’ve never wanted for anything. But that also meant, as Natalie had told Maimie, why should they bother trying to please them?

"Let’s see, blank notebook, People magazine, ketchup... that should be about it, let’s head back," Maimie said after going around the convenience store and gathering everything she wanted to buy.

"Wait, there’s this too," Natalie took something off the shelf and tossed it into the shopping basket.

"Yes, the chips for Verina," Maimie laughed, about to joke around, when the voices of those girls from before suddenly drifted in from diagonally behind the other side of the aisle. freeweɓnovel-cøm

"You know, what’s that bitch so proud of? ’All expenses must be reported to Parliament?’ Does she really think she’s some kind of queen?" This was one girl’s voice.

"Unfortunately, she indeed is. Now the whole United States knows she’s Queen Amidala," came Deanna’s voice.

"Oh, come on, she’s just a star," a girl’s voice piped up, "You know, just a week ago I went back to New York for the MTV Awards ceremony, and I saw her getting cozy with that... famous Hollywood playboy Adrian Cowell at the ceremony."

"No way? I heard she was born into a conservative Jewish family and listens to her parents a lot." A voice full of disbelief rang out.

"That’s just too normal. Before you really know someone, you can never tell what they’re truly like." Deanna’s voice sounded again, this time with a languid air, as if proud of catching someone in the act.

"These bitches." Maimie muttered under her breath, ready to loudly remind these idiots who gossip behind others’ backs, but Natalie pulled her back again.

Her face calm, she shook her head at Maimie and then headed for the checkout counter along the goods rack. Maimie sighed and followed behind her.

"It’s too much. How can they talk about people like that," Maimie fumed on the way back, "as if we were provoking them!"

"That’s normal for them, others are always to blame," Natalie shrugged unconcernedly.

"But you also shouldn’t let them spread rumors, right?" Maimie frowned.

"Don’t worry, Maimie, believe me, the tabloids definitely know better than they do whether I attended the MTV Awards last week," Natalie chuckled lightly.

"That’s true..." Maimie’s eyes lit up but soon she hesitated again and looked back at her.

"Ask whatever you want to ask," Natalie glanced at her.

"Well..." Maimie smiled awkwardly, but still asked, "I remember your first film was a collaboration with Adrian Cowell, right? And there were rumors that he recommended you for the role of Amidala, so... so..."

"What do you think?" Natalie laughed, turning her head playfully to look at Maimie.

Maimie coughed and then lowered her head.

"But it’s indeed something to consider," Natalie said suddenly, making her friend look up in surprise.

"My first film was indeed a collaboration with him, and the role of Amidala was indeed a recommendation from him. Regardless of the gossip, he is certainly a very charming man, maybe I really should try dating him next time." Natalie spoke as if she meant business, but ended up snorting with laughter.

Maimie also burst into laughter, glaring at her fiercely, "Alright, alright, I’ll never talk about this topic again."

The two girls returned to the dormitory teasing and fussing, chatted for a bit, and then Natalie entered her own bedroom. The moment the door closed, the original smile disappeared instantly, and her entire face became somber.

After several seconds, she regained her composure and then furrowed her brows. She had thought she could wait a bit longer... She paced twice in the room and closed her eyes to recall carefully, reorganizing all her plans, making sure there were no oversights, so she quickly made up her mind.

"Ed?" Natalie spoke as soon as the call connected, then frowned, realizing that she should have waited for the other party to speak first.

But the person on the other end didn’t seem to notice anything amiss, the tone was cheerful, "Hey, Nata, getting a call from you is such a pleasure, you know, I’ve missed you again."

"Are you in Los Angeles now?" Natalie asked directly.

"Yes, just back from London, you know, the casting for ’Harry Potter’ is finished, we’re about to start filming, I had to go see for myself. Also, I brought Keira over from London, there’s a role here that’s perfect for her. Then I’m off to New Zealand soon, the shooting continues over there," Adrian answered with a laugh.

"Do you have time right now?" Adrian ran his fingers through his hair at his temple, his voice steady, completely in control of his emotions.

"Of course, what do you need me to do for you?"

"There’s something... I want to talk to you about?"

"Did something happen?"

"No, actually, I’ve been thinking about talking to you for a while now, but it always seemed inappropriate. Now, having calmed down and after some thinking, I’ve finally sorted out my thoughts, so... The day after tomorrow is the weekend, and tomorrow I have to go to an event in Los Angeles. If possible, could you spare me some time this weekend?"

"...No problem."

After hanging up the phone, Natalie took a deep breath, now just one last step. As long as she could get there...

When the weekend duly arrived, the already lively Cambridge became even livelier as the Brotherhood and Sisterhood started decorating their party venues for a grand celebration. Natalie, however, had already gone to Los Angeles. The charity event wasn’t big, so she slept well in the hotel that night, adjusted a little after waking up and went to Adrian’s Beverly Hills mansion only when she was feeling her best.

"Why are there so few people in the house?" Although she followed Adrian through the living room to go upstairs, she hardly saw any servants along the way, let alone his secretary or that "personal maid".

"It’s because you were coming," Adrian turned and smiled.

Natalie couldn’t help but smile in response. Although she hadn’t been here many times over the past few years, Adrian always made everyone else leave whenever she visited to prevent someone from seeing her. Time really flies, a few years passed in the blink of an eye. She had to admit, sometimes Adrian was very considerate... She quickly realized her thoughts were drifting and promptly reined them in.

"Would you like something to drink?" Upon reaching the study, Adrian opened his liquor cabinet, "How about a ’77 Romanee-Conti? Pure and smooth."

"That’s okay, Ed," Natalie smiled as she sat down.

"Oh no, a bit of red wine is good for beauty, even though you’re already beautiful," Adrian said, turning his head with a tsk-tsk sound.

For a brief moment, Natalie felt like laughing, but she immediately controlled herself. Many times it was like this, unconsciously being led by his words. Not today, though, or she might spoil everything.

"Ed!" She called out with emphasis.

"Well, well," Adrian sighed, closing the liquor cabinet before sitting down behind the desk, "So, what is it then? You’re dressed so formally, do you want to break up with me?"

His tone was joking, but Natalie nodded seriously, "Yes!"

Adrian was visibly stunned, seeming somewhat at a loss, and Natalie continued, "I know this is sudden, but I really think it’s time to end our relationship. This isn’t a choice made on impulse, but the result of careful consideration."

She lifted her head and looked at him sincerely, "We’ve had a great time, Ed, and I’ve never denied that. Although... I have no regrets. I’ve very much enjoyed talking, shopping, and playing with you. You always catch my thoughts, and I’ve been truly happy. But... there are some things that have always troubled me... I know you have many women, and I know that you know that I know you have many women, but you... you’ve never brought this up to me, not even a hint.

I don’t know what you’re thinking, Ed, even though I’ve tried to understand. But you’ve always given me a... foggy feeling, and I can’t get a hold of you. I was waiting, waiting for your explanation and reassurance, even though I knew you wouldn’t give up the others for me. Yet you have always remained silent on this matter... after much hesitation, I finally chose to give up. I don’t want to be an accessory in your life, and I don’t want to compete with those women for you, so... I’m sorry."

She exhaled a long breath and stood straight, gazing at Adrian, waiting for his response. The smile had already disappeared from his face. As he listened to her, Adrian was first surprised, then his brows furrowed, and he finally settled into calm. Now sitting behind the desk, his hands crossed in front of him, he was motionless as he watched her—his dark eyes giving off a depth that suggested they held secrets no one could find.

Faced with his indescribable gaze, Natalie’s fingers, resting on the armrest, couldn’t help but fidget slightly.

After what seemed an eternity, Adrian finally spoke, his voice soft but the words he said anything but light: "Why not tell the truth, Nata?"

Natalie didn’t respond, just unblinkingly looked at him. She had said all she had to say; any rash response now would only hand the initiative to him.

"I admit, there are reasons for your decision to end things," Adrian said without waiting, speaking again quickly, his voice still light, as if coming from the sky, elusive. "But the main reason is not those. You’re choosing to end it because—because you think there’s nothing more you can get from me, or rather, what you’re getting from me is far less than what you’re losing!"

Natalie remained silent, looking at him without speaking, her hands imperceptibly squeezing together.

"You’ve always been a very special girl, smart, mature, confident, and... proud," Adrian continued, his tone emotionless, "You’re always able to quickly adapt to your surroundings and know how to achieve your goals. Even when faced with difficulties, you can quickly find solutions, like—getting a second audition through an agent familiar with the director, or cozying up to the director to maintain your advantage, all the while planning for the future, despite knowing his many issues.

But that’s not your ultimate goal. Deep down, you want to be unique, irreplaceable, you want to be Natalie Portman first, not Audrey Hepburn the second! Being close to the director has indeed brought you many advantages, and this director is truly adept at promoting talent. Since he started directing movies, Oscar-winning actors and actresses have emerged from his hands, and you believe that one day you will also climb onto that throne.

But you soon realize the disadvantages as well, because he is very promiscuous, and nearly every woman he’s worked with has slept with him. If it were just that, you wouldn’t mind. After all, your goal doesn’t lie there. But what will others think? Especially when there’s gossip about a certain actress who won the Oscar, all because she made him very comfortable in bed, you become even more certain that you must make a change.

You don’t want to be talked about in the same way in the future, even though you’re well aware that this is normal in the entertainment industry, and you don’t care much; the benefits you reap are most important. But you would never allow your own honor to be taken lightly!

Leaving him would be easy, because you’ve heard from others that he said if his woman wanted to leave, as long as she stated it clearly, he would definitely not stop her, and that’s pretty much what he did. But the problem is, leaving him right away would cost you many opportunities, and you understand what opportunities mean. Moreover, due to various family reasons, even though you’ve some decent works, you’ve been a second-tier actor for a while, and even that director can’t change this for now. So, you’ve been patiently waiting and planning, until the release of the Star Wars Prequel and Harvard’s acceptance of your application.

By scoring well on the SAT and AP exams, winning the AP Scholar Award, and publishing papers, you’ve successfully established a unique actor image, beautiful and intelligent; and the release of the Star Wars Prequel has made her name echo through the whole United States, thus gathering a huge popularity. More importantly, after the Star Wars Prequel, two more films are to be made, and you don’t have to worry about your popularity and commercial value for a long time. You can freely work with other directors and march toward the Oscars, without having to rely on that guy.

At the same time, the nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the beginning of the year was certainly an honor, but it also sounded an alarm for you—if you continue, what you fear most may become a reality. So, after making proper preparations, just a little provocation would be enough to make you decide to confront him."

At this point, he finally sighed slightly, looking at her and shaking his head. As if he was both saddened and regretful, "You’re very realistic, Nata." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote for it with recommended tickets and monthly tickets on qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢