The richest actor in Hollywood.

Matthew was also very pleased with the huge box office success of "I Am Legend" over its opening weekend. During the following two days of promotional appearances, he seemed particularly spirited. Amid his busy schedule, he made time to visit Universal Studios.

A movie based on a comic book, "Wanted," was being filmed there, with James McAvoy as the lead.

Since he had notified James McAvoy in advance and had previous collaborations with Universal Pictures, Matthew easily entered the set. The studio had been transformed into a temporary shooting range. In front of the camera, a voluptuous and sexy woman was teaching James McAvoy how to shoot.

The shooting was temporarily interrupted. Matthew stood on the periphery and waved at James McAvoy, who saw him. At that moment, a burly director approached McAvoy, seemingly discussing the shoot. Matthew's eyes fell on the woman in the tight-fitting costume.

"It's been a while."

This woman was his guide into Hollywood—Angelina Jolie.

Years ago, when Jennifer Aniston caught Brad Pitt in bed with Jolie, causing a scandal, both Pitt and Jolie had temporarily disappeared from the public eye. However, they were not ordinary small stars and had been developing their careers in Hollywood for many years. When they returned, their starting point was still higher than that of most people.

Moreover, in some sense, scandals also provided publicity.

David Ellison kept Matthew informed about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's situation. Pitt was working on "Cloud Atlas" and pursuing "John Carter," reportedly meeting with Andrew Stanton on Tuesday. Jolie was actively involved in charity work, leveraging her multinational adopted children to engage in philanthropy and clean up her image.

Their fame was still strong, and as the scandal faded over time, Hollywood had no shortage of people willing to work with them.

For instance, Angelina Jolie had secured a supporting role in a mid-budget film with an investment of around $70 million.

Matthew quietly watched the filming from the sidelines. James McAvoy's character seemed to be a trainee assassin, while Jolie's role followed the style of her "Tomb Raider" days. Apart from being older, she still resembled Lara Croft.

After about half an hour, the crew took a break. Matthew asked a crew member, and an assistant director led him to the actors' lounge.

"Hey, Matthew," James McAvoy waved from a distance. "Over here!"

Matthew went to where McAvoy was resting, bumped fists with him, and said, "You came back without letting me know."

McAvoy smiled, "I returned to Los Angeles the day before yesterday and called you yesterday."

Matthew noticed someone observing him from nearby. Turning, he met Angelina Jolie's gaze about ten feet away and greeted her with a smile, "Good morning, Jolie."

Jolie, still as cold as ever, nodded slightly, "Hello, Matthew."

She then turned to talk to her assistant, clearly not wanting to engage much with Matthew.

Matthew pulled up a chair next to McAvoy and said, "You've been too busy these past two years. Whenever I called you in London for a promotion, you weren't there. And when I called in Los Angeles, you weren't in the States. You've been traveling all over the world."

McAvoy chuckled, "Michael and I rode the wave of '300' fame, and more producers started approaching us. I've taken five movie roles in two years. I barely have time for get-togethers. I haven't even visited my parents in nearly a year."

He pointed to the noticeable wrinkles on his face, "If this keeps up, I'll probably age prematurely."

Matthew, having experienced a similar phase, said, "Once you get through this, you'll find the time to enjoy yourself." He then asked, "What about Michael? I haven't been able to reach him for over half a month."

The three of them had kept in touch, calling at least once a month.

"Michael took a role in a movie called 'Hunger.'" McAvoy shook his head, "It's intense. The director wants him to look like a bag of bones, so he's cut off all contact, probably starving in some remote part of the world."

Matthew was about to say this wasn't good for health but held back. Michael Fassbender always had higher aspirations for his acting than Matthew or McAvoy.

The next scene was Jolie's solo, so she soon left the lounge for the set.

McAvoy watched her leave and asked, "What do you think of her?"

"Isn't she dating someone?" Matthew tilted his head at McAvoy, "You're not thinking of hitting on her, are you?"

He warned, "She's not easy to deal with. Don't get involved unless you're sure."

Thinking of Brad Pitt, McAvoy looked away, "Forget it. I'm not a saint; I better not take on such a role."

Matthew gave him a thumbs up, "James, you're getting wiser."

In Hollywood, actresses often wanted to marry a rich man after a life of partying before they aged. Likewise, playboys would settle down with young, beautiful women when they were tired of the lifestyle, ensuring they still had some control and could still play the "reformed bad boy."

McAvoy suddenly asked, "Matthew, it's been years since your first love. Haven't you found someone you truly love?"

Matthew thought for a moment, "The ones I like don't like me."

Being close friends, McAvoy knew who he was referring to and didn't press further. He asked, "Haven't you met anyone else you want to date seriously? There are plenty of good-looking and good-natured women in the industry."

"Buses and trains can never be together," Matthew said slowly.

McAvoy was puzzled, "What's that got to do with buses and trains?"

Matthew spread his hands, "Trains worry buses will get loaded by others, and buses fear trains will go off track. How can they stay together for long?"

"You..." McAvoy pointed at him, at a loss for words, then finally said, "With such theories, you'll end up alone."

Matthew didn't respond, instead asking, "What about you?"

In reality, McAvoy and Fassbender weren't much better off in relationships than he was.

In truth, the entire circle was like this—men chasing women, women chasing men, men with men, women with women, and mixed relationships. The variations were endless.

Expecting a circle like Hollywood to be as pure as a white lotus, or hoping that those who navigated this world would remain untainted, was as likely as winning the lottery's top prize.

It's not just Hollywood. All circles involving fame and fortune were similar.

For instance, Nina Dobrev had told him about the professional gymnastics world, where inappropriate relationships between coaches and athletes or doctors taking advantage of female athletes weren't uncommon. She specifically mentioned the teams from Russia and the USA, with even some Olympic champions involved.

There was little difference between the sports and entertainment circles when it came to chaos. Westerners were generally more open, and professional athletes, driven by high hormones, often became playboys and playgirls.

He vaguely remembered reading a gossip article about a top-tier American female track and field champion working as a high-end escort to deal with her hormonal overdrive...

Hearing Matthew's question, McAvoy dropped his playful demeanor and said, "After this busy period, I plan to propose."

"What?" Matthew felt like he had seen Superman wearing his underwear outside his pants. "Propose?"

McAvoy nodded seriously, "Yes." He explained, "I met a woman I really like while filming 'Shameless.' She's nine years older than me. We've been dating seriously for two years, and I've decided to propose to her this year."

Matthew nodded slightly and smiled, "Best of luck, James."

The fact that McAvoy, once the most notorious among the three of them for his flings, was going to become someone's husband was a bit hard for Matthew to process.

"Uh... right, James," Matthew asked, "Michael isn't thinking the same, is he?"

McAvoy shook his head, "No, he doesn't have a steady girlfriend."

Matthew laughed, "Good, I've still got a comrade." He added, "If you get married, count me in as a groomsman."

"Of course!" McAvoy said, "If you don't be my groomsman, I'll use..."

He thought for a while, then said, "I'll use Tiger Balm against you."

Last year, during their only gathering, Matthew had briefly mentioned what had happened with their former drill instructor, leaving McAvoy and Fassbender curious.

Soon, McAvoy had to get back on set. Matthew watched for a bit longer, then received a call from Helen Herman. After notifying McAvoy's assistant, he left Universal Studios and headed to Burbank's Angel Agency. Helen had something important to discuss.

Besides regular business, Helen's main reason for calling was that Stephen Sommers wanted to meet with Matthew.

Since Sommers had helped him in the past, Matthew readily agreed.