"Dad wanted to come too," Ivanka Trump said to Duke while walking through the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel. "But considering how terribly he dies in the film, he decided against it in the end."
It was obviously a joke, and Duke didn't take it seriously. He casually replied, "I'm just happy that you could come."
As they gradually approached the banquet hall where the party was being held, Ivanka suddenly stopped Duke, straightened his bowtie, then looked him over from head to toe, smiling with satisfaction.
"Among Hollywood directors," she said with a charming smile, "you must be in the top five based purely on looks."
"I thought I'd be number one."
Duke continued toward the door of the banquet hall, and Ivanka followed, expertly slipping her arm into his.
When they arrived at the door, a staff member was already there to open it for them. As they entered, the applause from the banquet hall erupted. The applause wasn't as overwhelming as in a cinema, but it was still long-lasting. From the executives of Warner Brothers to representatives from the North American Film Alliance, to the entire crew, everyone was applauding for Duke!
The Fellowship of the Ring was a huge box office success, and Warner Brothers and Duke Studios were the direct beneficiaries.
But the profits from such a mega-hit movie would spread across all related sectors.
Actors, cinema chains, peripheral manufacturers, and so on – they were all beneficiaries of The Fellowship of the Ring's success!
Christopher Rokenkort was standing in a corner of the banquet hall, slowly clapping his hands. His gaze towards Duke was especially intense – after all, Duke's future lifestyle was now guaranteed!
It wasn't a secret in Hollywood that the director's contract Duke had signed was highly lucrative. For The Fellowship of the Ring, it was a base salary of $15 million plus a share of the box office and peripheral income. Now, The Fellowship of the Ring's global box office was heading toward $1.1 billion, with peripheral sales exceeding $500 million. Even without considering his shares in Duke Studios and Warner Brothers, how much would Duke make just from being the director?
With a smile and congratulations on his face, though gritting his teeth silently, Christopher Rokenkort knew that even with the most conservative estimates, Duke Rosenberg would make around $200 million from just the first film!
This was the true top-level Hollywood director! Unless James Cameron made a comeback, no one in Hollywood – from actors to directors to producers – would come close to matching his commercial income!
And he didn't even do commercial endorsements!
Looking at Duke, who was surrounded by people, and then at himself, with only Jessica Alba by his side, Christopher Rokenkort couldn't help but sigh. He had entered Hollywood almost at the same time as Duke. It had taken him nearly ten years and countless efforts to barely reach his current net worth of tens of millions.
And Duke?
In the same ten years, his net worth was conservatively estimated at over a billion dollars!
With this thought in mind, Christopher Rokenkort steeled his resolve. Duke had such a vast fortune – he just needed to take a small piece of it.
"Let's go, let's go greet Duke."
Christopher Rokenkort pulled Jessica Alba toward Duke, but as they approached, they couldn't get closer. There were just too many people crowding around Duke, trying to socialize with him. They couldn't push through and could only hear constant flattery coming from the crowd.
"Duke, AMG guarantees that The Fellowship of the Ring will be shown until next year's Oscars."
The speaker was Christopher Rokenkort's acquaintance, Lynch, vice president of AMG Cinema. "For The Two Towers, AMG will at least provide 1,500 theaters and 3,500 screens!"
As soon as that voice faded, Christopher Rokenkort caught sight of the executive president of Imperial Entertainment, North America's largest cinema chain, speaking with absolute confidence.
"Imperial Entertainment will provide 1,800 theaters and no fewer than 4,000 screens for The Two Towers! Duke, the entire Imperial Entertainment Group is looking forward to the film's release."
"At least 500 cinemas from the American Artist Cinemas..."
"Tracy Chain Cinema..."
One after another, the voices represented cinema chain companies, all seemingly crazy about The Two Towers!
Having been in Hollywood for ten years, Christopher Rokenkort was no stranger to such scenes, but he had never seen anything like this before. The cinema companies practically wanted to press their faces against Duke Rosenberg's shoes.
Unlike Christopher Rokenkort, Jessica Alba's eyes were fixed on a tall blonde girl standing next to Duke. She quietly stood beside him, exuding an elegant smile. Besides necessary greetings, she seemed to have said nothing, yet she was the center of attention, even without speaking!
Because she was standing beside Duke Rosenberg!
Holding Christopher Rokenkort's arm, Jessica Alba's mind wasn't on him. She was imagining what it would be like if she were the blonde girl standing next to Duke. How wonderful it would be?
Then she would be the center of attention in the banquet hall, the object of admiration for all Hollywood executives, the center of attention for Hollywood and even the entire world!
As long as she could stand next to Duke Rosenberg! She could easily have the attention of the whole world!
Her gaze shifted from Christopher Rokenkort to Duke, and Jessica Alba made a firm decision. When that major project started, and she became the lead actress, she would definitely kick Christopher Rokenkort to the curb.
That blonde girl was only a bit taller than her. What was she even compared to Jessica?
"Darling, let's go."
With the crowd thinning out, Christopher Rokenkort and Jessica Alba eagerly made their way to Duke.
"Hi, Duke."
"Hi, Chris."
Seeing the French count, whom they were about to collaborate with, Duke put on his best acting, neither overly friendly nor distant, greeting him. The woman next to him suddenly extended her hand. "Hello, Director Rosenberg. We meet again."
"Hello, Miss Alba."
Christopher Rokenkort waited for Duke and Jessica Alba to shake hands, then looked at Ivanka Trump and smiled faintly. "Duke, won't you introduce us?"
"Chris, this is my friend Ivanka Trump. She's from New York. Ivy, this is Mr. Christopher Rokenkort, a producer; and this is Miss Jessica Alba..."
Although Ivanka hadn't said much earlier, she knew when to act and had already shaken hands with the two. Socializing was no challenge for someone of her background.
Duke's eyes shifted from Ivanka to her performance tonight. She was impeccable—subtle, reserved, confident, and always saying the most appropriate words at the right time.
Her etiquette and upbringing were flawless.
Given Duke's family background and the strict upbringing from his mother, he naturally had a favorable view of such a person. People who entered public occasions without knowing their place, acting in eccentric ways to show their individuality, not only made a fool of themselves but also brought ridicule upon their families.
This was a simple principle. Take Duke, for example. He might not care what others think of him, but he certainly cared about the reputation of the Rosenberg family and his mother.
Those who dressed oddly at such public events, ate excessively, and acted as if they were too good for everyone else, didn't just disrespect others – they didn't even respect their own family and parents.
When others criticized someone for lacking manners, they weren't just talking about the person themselves!
However, Duke had attended so many public parties that he had rarely come across such people. Even eccentric individuals like Drew Barrymore and Johnny Depp knew how to maintain basic decorum.
"Hi, Duke."
Someone else walked over to greet him. Duke turned and walked a few steps forward to meet Charlize Theron, who was dressed in a silver-white evening gown, walking gracefully toward him. She smiled and said, "Long time no see. Are you sure you don't want to take charge of The Matrix crew? You haven't come to Australia since April."
"Because I trust Zack."
After a brief handshake, Duke noticed Zack Snyder had also come over. When Zack approached, he didn't say anything but simply gave him a hug.
"Congratulations, Duke!"
After parting, Zack Snyder laughed. "Congratulations on surpassing $1 billion!"
"That includes your credit too."
The two were long-time collaborators, so there was no need for many words. Zack briefly updated Duke on the crew situation and then asked, "Where's Anna? I haven't seen her."
"She should be here. She just came over to greet me with Wallace Lee."
When Zack looked confused, Duke explained, "Wallace Lee is the new assistant director."
"We'll talk more later."
Zack Snyder wasn't being polite. "I'm going to greet other people."
Duke nodded, but Charlize Theron didn't seem ready to leave. She pointed toward Ivanka Trump behind Duke and suddenly leaned in to whisper, "Your new..."
"She's just my friend." Duke shot her a glare.
Charlize Theron chuckled. "She's been talking to others, but she's been watching you the whole time."
Although Ivanka was talking to Christopher Rokenkort and Jessica Alba, her gaze often turned toward this side, as if the only thing she cared about in the entire banquet hall was Duke.
"Sorry..."
Ivanka politely excused herself from Christopher Rokenkort and Jessica Alba, then walked toward Duke and Charlize Theron.