Simon felt Madonna's fiery gaze, leaned closer to the woman, and whispered in her ear, "Fifth room on the left, upstairs. Sneak over later, and remember to be naked when I arrive".
Madonna hadn't expected Simon to be so direct, and for a moment, she was at a loss.
It wasn't until Simon casually walked away from her that Madonna quickly caught up, slowed her pace once she was beside him, and said, "Simon, you were just messing with me, weren't you?"
Simon went to the buffet table, picked up a plate, and selected some food, saying, "Why would I mess with you?"
Madonna paused, then looked at him with disdain. "Then you really are a scoundrel. I thought you considered Sean a friend".
"Sean is a wonderful actor and a guy worth befriending", Simon commented indifferently. "But what does that have to do with you?"
Madonna retorted, "I'm his wife".
Simon glanced at the woman. "If you don't care yourself, why should I?"
Madonna was speechless, stammering for a moment before defending herself. "Sean and I don't have feelings for each other anymore. He, he sometimes hits me".
"I'm sorry", Simon shrugged. "However, that's your private matter".
Madonna stood beside him, observing Simon for a moment, then said, "I suddenly realized, Westeros, you truly are a cold-hearted person to the core".
Simon responded indifferently, "Hmm".
Madonna was inexplicably annoyed and was about to say something more when Robert Redford approached with a fair-skinned, oval-faced woman. "Simon, oh, and Maggie, am I interrupting you two?"
"Of course not, Bob", Simon smiled and shook his head, then looked at the woman beside Redford.
Robert Redford gestured to the woman beside him and said, "Perfect timing to introduce you. Simon, this is Melanie Griffith. She's the second female lead in my film".
Simon had actually recognized her identity earlier. Melanie Griffith, one of Hollywood's renowned actresses of the 1980s, also came from a Hollywood acting family. Her mother was Tippi Hedren, the veteran Hollywood actress who rose to fame with Hitchcock's 'The Birds'. If history didn't change, she would later have a daughter, Dakota Johnson, the lead actress in the 'Fifty Shades of Grey' series.
Hearing Redford's introduction, Simon politely extended his hand and said, "Hello, Ms. Griffith".
Melanie Griffith shook Simon's hand and, in a naturally childlike voice, said, "Hello, Simon, please call me Melanie. I watched your 'Pulp Fiction' yesterday; it was fantastic. It's a shame I didn't get a chance to act in it".
Simon politely replied, "I've seen your performance in Brian's 'Body Double', it was excellent. Perhaps we'll have a chance to collaborate in the future".
Melanie Griffith's tone became a little excited when she heard Simon say that. "Really? Simon, I'll take that seriously".
Simon nodded, "Of course".
Robert Redford watched them chat, raised his glass, and said, "Well then, you two chat. I'm going to say hello to Miller".
Watching Robert Redford leave, Melanie Griffith unconsciously moved closer to Simon, twirling the wine glass in her hand and staring at him intently, saying, "Simon, how's the preparation for 'Batman' coming along? Do you think there's a role in it that suits me?"
Simon picked up his plate again and, smiling, shook his head. "The script is still being written. If there is, I'll have someone contact you".
Melanie Griffith noticed Simon's hand picking at food, reached out, and took his plate. "Simon, how about you show me around the back? Your place is really nice. Hmm, I'll hold your food for you." As she said this, Melanie Griffith looked at Madonna, who had been left aside and was clearly displeased. "Maggie, want to come along?"
Madonna glanced at the guy who was sometimes cold and distant, and sometimes chatting and laughing, and retorted, "Of course".
Before Simon could voice his opinion, he was pulled past the living room and towards the backyard.
The mansion covered over 1.5 hectares, but the main and auxiliary villas themselves occupied only 2000 square meters, less than a seventh of the total area.
Because there were guests, all the lights in the mansion were on.
The three walked down the villa steps. Illuminated by the lights, a twenty-meter long white marble path appeared before them. On either side of the path were expansive, flat lawns and shrub barriers. Continuing forward, through the path, was a curved staircase extending in both directions. Descending the shrub-covered steps, the view suddenly opened up again.
Madonna gazed at the massive swimming pool built on the edge of the mansion, clearly overlooking the entire city of Cannes. Even after years of fame and seeing many sights, she couldn't help but blurt out, "This place is absolutely amazing".
As she said this, remembering that the young man beside her had bought such a mansion just to attend the film festival in Cannes, her slightly displeased mood due to Simon's coolness unconsciously became fervent again. How wonderful it would be if she could capture such a man.
Simon accompanied the two women to a spot not far from the pool and stopped, slowly eating the food on his plate. After they had walked around the pool to the other side and gazed at the city night view for a while, he said, "Ladies, shouldn't we head back?"
Melanie Griffith came to Simon's side, saw him still eating, and with some dissatisfaction, snatched the plate again. "Simon, are we not as attractive as this food?"
As Melanie Griffith spoke, Madonna also moved closer.
Simon felt the two bodies pressing against him, gently rubbing, and inexplicably felt a sense of being hunted. He knew that these two women were definitely the 'playgirl' type.
Taking a slight step back, Simon put his arms around the two women and squeezed gently. Seeing them pressed together, Melanie Griffith, who was a little taller, thought Simon wanted to play some games and, giggling, leaned in to kiss Madonna.
Simon took his plate back from Melanie Griffith's hand, looked at the two women embracing, and said, "I think you two can comfort each other. I'll go over there and keep watch for you. Have fun".
Madonna watched Simon walk directly towards the villa, not believing his nonsense about keeping watch. She grumbled under her breath, "What a scoundrel".
Melanie Griffith's expression also showed disappointment.
The young man who had just left, Simon Westeros, was practically a star-making machine. Last year's 'Run Lola Run' made Sandra Bullock famous, 'When Harry Met Sally' during the Easter holiday made Meg Ryan famous, and 'Pulp Fiction', which just premiered in Cannes, also brought the relatively unknown Australian actress Nicole Kidman into the public eye. If you also count the several teenage stars who rose to fame with 'The Butterfly Effect' and 'Final Destination'.
Born into a film family, Melanie Griffith was not short of opportunities to develop in Hollywood. From her debut on the big screen at the age of twelve until now, she had appeared in over twenty films and television shows, including works by renowned directors such as Brian De Palma, Jonathan Demme, and Robert Redford.
However, Melanie Griffith understood even more clearly how rare Simon Westeros's ability to make stars famous was. Even a director like Woody Allen, who actresses flocked to, only brought style and nominations to actresses, but Simon Westeros could truly significantly increase an actress's worth.
Sandra Bullock and Meg Ryan, actresses who had only been in the industry for a few years, because they were lucky enough to star in 'Run Lola Run' and 'When Harry Met Sally', directly ascended to the A-list, and their current salaries could easily reach two to three million dollars. Although Melanie Griffith herself had starred in a large number of films and television shows over the past decade, she had never encountered a commercial hit, so her current worth was only one-tenth of Sandra Bullock's. She even only received fifty thousand dollars for playing the second female lead in Redford's 'The Milagro Beanfield War'.
It's just a pity that this young man doesn't seem to be so easy to get close to.
Hmm, perhaps the timing isn't quite right either.
I was too impatient.
Thinking this, Melanie Griffith nodded casually at Madonna, then lifted her skirt and chased after him. She had finally managed to meet Simon Westeros through Robert Redford's opportunity; at the very least, she had to get his private contact information.
Inside the villa.
Janette, who was leaning on the sofa chatting with Nastassja Kinski, saw Simon return to the living room with a plate. She immediately poked Nastassja Kinski in the waist and said triumphantly, "See, you lost, a thousand dollars, hand it over".
Nastassja Kinski checked her watch and said, "He left with those two women for five minutes. How can you be sure they didn't do anything?"
Janette pouted, "If you want to renege, say so sooner. My man wouldn't only last five minutes".
"Who's reneging?" Nastassja Kinski squeezed her handbag, hesitated for a moment, then frankly admitted, "I don't have any money right now. I'll give it to you when I do".
Janette said unhappily, "Then why did you bet with me?"
"I, I just wanted to earn some money. My husband even cancelled my credit card".
Janette became even more displeased, her eyes wide. "I consider you a friend, and you want to earn money from me".
"The necessities of life," Nastassja Kinski leaned back on the sofa indifferently, casually saying, "Also, I can only crash here tonight".
"You and that, um, that Egyptian businessman, if you're so unhappy, why don't you just get a divorce? Then just take on some roles, support yourself, free and easy, how wonderful".
Nastassja Kinski tilted her chin towards Simon, saying, "If you and that guy feel unhappy, would you break up?"
Janette immediately said, "Simon and I are different".
Nastassja Kinski didn't argue, her eyes darting around. "Hey, you're leaving after the film festival, right?"
"Huh?"
"Lend this place to me, I want to separate from him for a while".
"No".
"So stingy".
"Letting you stay for one or two nights is already being a good friend. I don't want to get involved in your cold war with your husband".
Nastassja Kinski glanced at the figure not far away who was once again entangled with a woman, and said, "If that guy agrees, can I stay here?"
Janette followed Nastassja Kinski's gaze and nodded, "Yes, try to convince him".
After ten o'clock, guests gradually left.
Because they had suddenly gotten excited talking about the 'Mad Max' sequels, George Miller only got up to leave close to eleven o'clock. Simon personally saw him off. Back at the villa, the chefs and waiters hired from a nearby restaurant had also left, and the living room was restored to its original state.
Then, Simon saw Nastassja Kinski curled up like a lazy Persian cat on a sofa in the corner of the living room. The woman was idly flipping through a magazine, with obvious signs of fatigue on her face, her beautiful eyes narrowed, seemingly completely unaware of Simon's gaze.
After observing for a moment, Simon was about to walk away when a voice spoke up, "Can I stay here?"
Simon stopped, confirmed the voice was female, and said with a smile, "You finally realized you should ask the owner's opinion about something like this?"
Nastassja Kinski didn't respond, repeating, "Can I?"
Simon shrugged, "You have to sleep in the guest room".
Janette and Jennifer happened to walk out of the kitchen. Nastassja Kinski, having received Simon's answer, immediately looked at Janette and said, "He agreed".
Janette had also heard their conversation and, smiling, said to Simon, "Nastassja wants to continue staying here after we leave Cannes".
Simon understood, then shook his head, "Sorry, that's not possible".
Nastassja Kinski sat up from the sofa, staring at Simon and saying, "You just agreed".
Simon didn't argue, shaking his head again. "I'm afraid I've changed my mind".
Nastassja Kinski paused, then said, "Westeros, don't forget, I'm a judge in this year's main competition".
Simon unashamedly changed his tune, "Oh, I'll think about it for a few days and get back to you after the film festival2.
Nastassja Kinski retorted, "Then should I consider voting for you next time I'm a judge?"
"That's your freedom", Simon nodded indifferently, walked to Janette's side, picked her up, kissed her on the cheek, and headed towards the stairs. "Baby, I thought of a very interesting bedtime story. I'll tell it to you later".
"Heh heh, you little scoundrel, you're just so aroused by those women, aren't you? You only know how to bully me".
"It really is a bedtime story".
"Bah".
Jennifer's face flushed slightly as she listened to their shameless conversation. After they went upstairs, she looked at Nastassja Kinski and said, "Ms. Kinski, shall I prepare the guest room for you?"