Courteney Cox had been unconsciously paying attention to many things related to Simon during this period.
She heard Meg Ryan claim to be uninterested in Simon's films, but quickly remembered her identity: the established female lead of 'When Harry Met Sally'.
Hence, she felt a bit disdainful.
If she wasn't interested in his movies, then why would she star in 'When Harry Met Sally'?
Although this film wasn't personally directed and written by him, he would definitely serve as the most powerful producer.
Jonathan Friedman watched Meg Ryan leave before turning to Courteney and asking, "Have you seen Simon?"
Courteney nodded, a hint of regret on her face, and said, "He's a bit busy right now".
Jonathan looked at the girl in front of him, paused, and in his usual gentle tone, said, "Then, try to find more opportunities to chat with him later; you two were the first to meet, after all".
Having worked in this industry for over twenty years, Jonathan had seen too many actors miss opportunities.
However, he still felt a bit emotional about the ups and downs of fate at this moment.
If Courteney had seized the opportunity back then, things would surely be different now.
Currently, among Jonathan's clients, Sandra Bullock had risen to fame with 'Run Lola Run', and Elisabeth Shue had also reached A-list status thanks to 'The Butterfly Effect'.
Both actresses were similar in age and positioning to Courteney Cox.
Coupled with Nicole Kidman, whom Simon had just recommended, he clearly couldn't devote too much attention to Courteney anymore.
The two chatted for a few more minutes, and dusk had imperceptibly enveloped their surroundings.
Lights came on, truly illuminating a world of glittering extravagance.
The clear sound of "ding-ding-ding" came from the direction of the villa, and everyone present quickly quieted down.
Jonathan and Courteney looked over together, following the sound.
Simon was standing under the eaves of the villa's back porch, holding a glass of champagne.
Once he had everyone's attention, he handed a spoon, which he had just used to tap the glass, to a nearby waiter, and then began his speech for the night's party in a clear voice.
Excluding 'Final Destination', which was filming in New York, the party included the main and supporting cast, as well as behind-the-scenes personnel, from four films: 'Run Lola Run', 'The Butterfly Effect', 'Pulp Fiction', and 'When Harry Met Sally'.
Additionally, there were invited guests from companies like WMA, Orion, and Fox, plus the partners accompanying the guests, bringing the total number of attendees to over two hundred.
At this moment, hundreds of eyes gazed at the young man under the eaves, and the air was filled with countless mixed emotions.
Although 'Run Lola Run' and 'The Butterfly Effect' had achieved unexpected box office success, strictly speaking, Simon's influence in Hollywood was still limited compared to his fame.
Many people also viewed the three ambitious films produced by Daenerys Pictures as having an uncertain future.
Perhaps by next year, the young man at the centre of everyone's attention would realize the reality that no one can succeed forever in Hollywood.
However, everyone couldn't ignore one point: Simon Westeros was only 19 years old this year.
A 19-year-old, in just one year, directed and wrote films that accumulated over $300 million at the North American box office, which was unprecedented in the entire history of Hollywood cinema.
Moreover, the cinematic talent this young man displayed through his two films surpassed that of most Hollywood directors.
No one doubted that in the long future, Simon would have many more opportunities to create box office miracles similar to 'Run Lola Run'.
Furthermore, and most importantly.
Thanks to 'Run Lola Run', Simon had already accumulated tens of millions of dollars in wealth when many of his peers hadn't even considered their future, which was enough to evoke envy and astonishment from many.
The trend of high film salaries in Hollywood had only significantly increased in recent years, driven by the overall expansion of the industry and the promotion of talent agencies.
Therefore, the over $40 million Simon earned from 'Run Lola Run', even after deducting high taxes, was enough to surpass the entire accumulated wealth of most A-list Hollywood stars over many years.
In the glitzy world of Hollywood, what everyone pursued was nothing more than 'fame' and 'fortune'.
At the age of 19, a certain young man had already achieved two things that many might spend their entire lives seeking in vain.
After Simon's brief thank you speech, the night's festivities officially began.
The open space on the opposite side of the villa from the pool was designated as a dance floor.
The music in the air quickly became more lively, and people moved back and forth between the villa and the courtyard, creating a bustling atmosphere.
Simon and Janette circulated among the crowd for over half an hour, socializing.
Back inside the villa, Simon was sitting on a sofa, chatting with Sandra, Nicole, and others, taking a short break, when Kathryn approached with two other people: Dino De Laurentiis, the owner of De Laurentiis Entertainment, and Martha Schumacher, its president.
After exchanging greetings, Dino De Laurentiis said, "Simon, can we talk privately?"
Simon observed the other party's expression, vaguely guessed what it was about, and nodded, saying, "Of course, Dino, let's go to the study".
Seeing that Simon had business, Janette stood up and said to the others, "How about this, everyone, let's go see my studio. I've been quite inspired lately and have finished several new paintings".
Dino De Laurentiis saw Janette about to lead the others away and added, "Miss Johnston, perhaps you could come along too".
Janette blinked, but only smiled and said, "Simon is enough. His decision is my decision".
Saying this, Janette, along with Sandra, Nicole, and a few others, stood up, finally pulling Kathryn along as they headed towards her studio within the villa.
Simon also led Dino De Laurentiis and Martha Schumacher to the study, which he usually used for entertaining guests.
Dino De Laurentiis's purpose was indeed as Simon had expected; the other party was interested in the enormous profits Simon and Janette had gained from 'Run Lola Run'.
Since its release on June 19th, 'Near Dark's opening weekend box office ultimately reached $11.56 million, far exceeding De Laurentiis Entertainment's initial expectations.
However, due to Simon's involvement, the film's technical details, such as its cinematography, were excellent, but the story was ultimately a bit too mediocre.
Based on the box office trends of recent days, the film's final box office would likely be between $30 million and $40 million.
Compared to its production cost of $5 million, this box office performance was clearly excellent, but even with pre-sales from later distribution channels, the film's earnings would not be enough to pull De Laurentiis Entertainment, whose expansion had been too blind in recent years, back from the brink of bankruptcy.
Dino De Laurentiis, now nearing seventy, had been a producer since the golden age of Hollywood and was somewhat well-known in the industry.
De Laurentiis reorganized his long-standing De Laurentiis Pictures into De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, rapidly expanding amidst the booming overall North American economy and the Reagan administration's support for the media industry.
Since its establishment, De Laurentiis Entertainment merged with several other small film companies, built its own filming base in North Carolina, and in just a few years, successively invested in and produced over twenty films.
These included high-budget works like Arnold Schwarzenegger's 'Commando' and Diane Keaton's 'Crimes of the Heart', as well as renowned director's works like David Lynch's 'Blue Velvet'.
However, among all these films, the highest-grossing was only Diane Keaton's 'Crimes of the Heart', with a North American box office of $22 million, but 'Crimes of the Heart' had a production cost of $20 million.
Other films generally only brought in a few million dollars at the box office.
Orion Pictures, which had produced and distributed blockbusters like 'The Terminator', 'First Blood', and 'Amadeus' in recent years, almost faced receivership last year.
One can imagine the situation for De Laurentiis Entertainment, which had continuously invested in over twenty films without a single box office hit.
Now, Dino De Laurentiis was clearly unwilling to accept failure, and thus hoped Simon could inject a sum of money into De Laurentiis Entertainment to pull the company back from the brink of bankruptcy.
$80 million for a 25% stake.
These were Dino De Laurentiis's terms, and he also promised to help distribute films produced by Daenerys Pictures.
Simon had indeed considered how to establish Daenerys Pictures' distribution channels.
Acquiring a complete distribution team directly by merging with other film companies was clearly the best option.
However, Simon wasn't interested in any of the current second- and third-tier Hollywood film companies.
Since De Laurentiis Entertainment could push 'Near Dark' into a popular summer slot, its distribution capabilities were certainly much stronger than emerging companies like New Line and Miramax.
But Simon absolutely could not justify spending $80 million for only a 25% stake.
As for the Big Seven, even the dilapidated MGM could sell for $1.5 billion, and Simon couldn't afford any of them.
Therefore, during this time, Simon had been mostly considering the issue of self-reliance.
Although North American theatre resources were strongly monopolized by the Big Seven, as long as films produced by Daenerys Pictures could frequently become blockbusters, it wouldn't be a big problem for Simon to open up domestic North American theatre channels.
As for overseas, it would definitely have to be a step-by-step process.
Therefore, Simon could only refuse Dino De Laurentiis's invitation for cooperation.
After chatting for about twenty minutes, seeing that they couldn't persuade Simon, Dino De Laurentiis and Martha Schumacher could only leave disappointed.
Leaving the study with Dino De Laurentiis, Simon stopped at the corridor exit near the living room.
He signalled for a drink from a waiter's tray and quietly leaned against the wall, taking in the scene before him.
Most of the lights in the living room were turned off at this time, an old phonograph played soothing music, and some guests stood or sat around, while couples slow-danced in the centre of the room.
Jennifer POV -
Disliking the commotion in the backyard, she had sought refuge here.
After politely declining a few attempts at conversation, she settled into complete quiet.
Sitting alone on a sofa in the corner, holding a glass of red wine, she occasionally wondered where he might be now.
Then she saw him appear.
Leaning against the corridor entrance, hidden in the shadows, holding a glass of champagne, looking pensive.
He clearly hadn't noticed her.
Yes, she was such an inconspicuous girl.
She thought with a touch of melancholy.
So she continued to watch him, both worried and hopeful of being discovered.
Several minutes passed.
Yet, she remained undiscovered.
Instead of feeling disappointed, a sense of tenderness arose within her.
She didn't know why, but she could clearly feel that when he was quiet, a sense of loneliness would emanate from him, as if he were isolated from everything around him, as if he were just an observer, not belonging to this world at all.
She had felt this aura from him during their first encounter at Venice Beach.
However, back then they were strangers, and she couldn't walk up to him and ask, 'Hey, are you okay?'
Now.
She unconsciously stood up, approached him somewhat tentatively, and softly said, "Hi, do you... want to dance?"
Simon heard the voice, turned his head, and saw Jennifer Raybould in a light blue silk evening gown.
The girl wasn't wearing a ponytail today; her loose blonde hair covered her beautiful neck.
After graduating from Yale in May, Jennifer Raybould came to Los Angeles to work at George Norman's law firm.
Simon had actually seen the girl more than once during this time, but mostly for work; today was the first time they met in a private setting.
Hearing her now, Simon smiled and nodded, saying, "Of course".
Setting his wine glass aside, Simon extended his hand to Jennifer, leading her to the dance floor.
Mimicking the others, he placed his hands on the girl's slender, soft waist, and Jennifer draped her arms over his shoulders, her eyes cast down, swaying gently with his movements.
Simon looked at the girl's shy expression and smiled, taking the initiative to start a conversation, saying, "How are your bar exams coming along?"
Although she had a Juris Doctor degree, Jennifer couldn't yet be considered a lawyer; she needed to pass the California bar exam in July to obtain her official license.
With his hands on her waist, she felt like a fawn wanting to flee but trapped.
Hearing his question, she looked up briefly, then lowered her gaze again, softly saying, "I don't know if I can be a good lawyer".
"Sure you can" Simon said without hesitation, "You're a top student from Yale! If you can't do it, then not many people in the entire country are fit to be lawyers".
"I mean" she thought for a moment, then said, "I might not be able to, like my parents and uncle, treat being a lawyer purely as a profession".
Simon listened to the girl's still somewhat vague explanation, but he understood.
In the United States, lawyers are definitely one of the highest-earning groups, and they can easily transition into various political and business circles.
But at the same time, if you want to be a top-tier lawyer, then too often you must cast aside your sense of justice and purely advocate for your client's interests, whether that client is a paedophile or a murderer.
Thinking this, and after a moment's consideration, Simon said, "Jenny, why don't you come work for me?"
Jennifer paused, suddenly looked up, then blushed and lowered her gaze again, saying, "I, you, what kind of work?"
Simon smiled, saying, "My assistant".
She immediately thought of the recent rumours about him, something about hiring an actress as his secretary.
Her face flushed even more, but she couldn't help but say, "I don't know much about Hollywood, I'm not sure if I can do it well".
Simon continued to smile and said again, "Then it's settled. Actually, I've been looking for an assistant recently, but haven't found a suitable one".
Seeing his eager expression, she felt like a little white rabbit caught by a big bad wolf, or Little Red Riding Hood tricked into opening the door by the wolf grandma.
In short, the kind with a rather tragic ending.
Yet, inexplicably, she didn't want to resist.
And even felt a little anticipation.
So she asked again, "Simon, is it really okay?"
"Of course" Simon nodded, saying, "Many Hollywood executives actually come from legal backgrounds, like Disney President Frank Wells. Perhaps you could even become the president of Daenerys Pictures someday".
Only then did she relax, but she smiled again, glancing up at him, and said, "What about Amy then?"
"Amy will definitely get promoted".
"What about you?"
"I'm the boss, so ideally, I wouldn't have to work".
"So lazy".
"Heh, remember to remind me to add a clause to the employment contract: teasing the boss results in a salary deduction".
"I won't remind you".