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Chapter 15 - Chapter 15 Shameless 

For Gilbert, this was a golden opportunity. He knew how to edit the film to make it truly shine. If this editing job proved successful, getting final cut approval for his next movie would be much easier. 

He had Steven Spielberg to thank for this chance to edit independently. If he hadn't borrowed Spielberg's influence, he wouldn't have gotten this opportunity so easily. 

Since he had used Spielberg's name, it wouldn't be right not to call and explain himself. Plus, Universal Pictures was bound to inform Spielberg, which would leave a bad impression. 

"Hello! Jonathan, it's Gilbert. Is Uncle Steven there?" Gilbert dialed Spielberg's office number. 

"He is. One moment, I'll transfer the call." 

"Okay, thank you..." 

After a short wait, Spielberg's voice came through the phone: "Hello, Gilbert, what can I do for you?" 

"Uncle Steven, it's like this..." Gilbert explained his dispute with Paul Collins and Lou Wasserman's final ruling. 

"Oh, so that's what it is. Lou already told me about it," Spielberg sounded a little pleased. "The fact that you actively came to me shows you haven't lost your head. Gilbert, while it's good that you're passionate about the film, this industry strongly disapproves of those who break the rules of the game. Do you understand?" 

"I understand, I get it. It's all my fault, Uncle Steven," Gilbert quickly admitted. 

"Alright, how about this? I'll make a call for you. Buy some things and go apologize to Paul Collins. Remember, make it look convincing. I'll have Jonathan go with you. With him there, Paul Collins won't dare to make things difficult for you," Spielberg said. 

Gilbert was touched that Spielberg would even go out of his way to give Paul Collins a face-saving gesture for his sake. "Thank you, Uncle Steven." 

"You're welcome. I'm just returning a favor to your father. Without him, I would have left the film industry long ago," Spielberg replied. 

That statement made Gilbert curious about what kind of past connection his old man had with Spielberg. It seemed he'd have to go back and ask his father sometime. 

Spielberg continued, "As for the editing work, since Universal Pictures has already decided to let you both cut a version, why not use this opportunity to prove your abilities? Is that clear, Gilbert?" 

Gilbert quickly agreed, "It's clear. Thank you again, Uncle Steven." 

"Hmm, good. Go do it, young man," Spielberg seemed satisfied and hung up the phone. 

With Spielberg's support, Gilbert had no further worries. Of course, such an unconventional move would eventually get out and be known throughout Hollywood. 

But what did it matter? 

Gilbert deeply understood that this was a circle that chased success. As long as you succeeded, all past mistakes would transform into the right decisions. 

If you failed, even seemingly brilliant decisions from before would appear utterly foolish. 

 

Although Gilbert was somewhat reluctant to apologize to Paul Collins, it was a task assigned by Spielberg, and Gilbert carried it out without fail. 

As for pride or "face," Gilbert had long since tossed his supposed dignity into the Pacific Ocean before becoming a big shot in Hollywood. 

To make it in this business, you just have to be shameless... 

Paul Collins opened the door to see Gilbert standing there, holding cigars and alcohol. 

Gilbert immediately shoved the items into his arms, then bowed a perfect 90-degree angle, even more precise than their Japanese executive. 

"I'm sorry, Mr. Collins. I was wrong earlier. Please forgive my rash behavior, and forgive a young man's impulsiveness." 

Paul Collins found the situation somewhat amusing. Just a few days ago, they were fiercely arguing and cursing each other to drown. 

Now, a few days later, he was here to apologize. 

Paul Collins was about to retort with a sarcastic remark but swallowed his words as he noticed the person standing beside Gilbert. 

He recognized this man: Jonathan, Director Spielberg's assistant. 

Sending Jonathan clearly conveyed Spielberg's intentions. 

Paul Collins speculated whether Gilbert was Spielberg's illegitimate son, given how much he was helping him, while accepting Gilbert's gifts. 

"It's fine, Gilbert. It's all for work; it's quite normal." 

"Yes, Mr. Collins, it's all for work." 

The two shook hands warmly, as if their previous argument had never happened, appearing exceptionally harmonious and friendly. 

After some polite insincerity, Paul Collins invited Gilbert in: "Why don't you come in and sit for a bit?" 

"No, Mr. Collins. There's a lot of work to do in the editing suite, so I won't bother you. Goodbye." With that, Gilbert quickly made his exit. 

Jonathan, standing nearby, frowned. He hadn't expected Gilbert to still hold a grudge in the end. It seemed he truly was young and impetuous! 

After stepping out, Gilbert thanked him, "Thank you, Jonathan. If you hadn't come, I probably would have gotten into a fight with Paul Collins." 

"Don't mention it; I was just doing my job." Jonathan thought for a moment, then added a few more words: "Gilbert, words are sometimes the weakest form of counter-attack. You need to achieve tangible results. Then, no matter what you say, people won't be able to ignore you." 

"I've got it, Jonathan. I'll treat you to authentic Chinese food sometime soon..." Gilbert acknowledged. 

After watching Jonathan leave, Gilbert returned to his apartment and began thinking about how to approach the editing work. 

A short while later, his phone rang. It was Gwyneth Paltrow. 

"I heard you had a conflict with Universal Pictures' editor?" 

Gilbert feigned surprise: "You knew about that?" 

"Of course," Gwyneth Paltrow said proudly from the other end of the line. "Not only do I know about it, but I bet all of Hollywood knows. Congratulations! A joke, arrogant, ignorant of the world – no new director in Hollywood has ever received such high attention and negative reviews." 

Gilbert responded nonchalantly, "There's an old Chinese saying: 'Many lice don't itch, and many debts don't bother.' Since it's already like this, let them talk. As long as the movie is successful, all the doubts will disappear." 

"You're quite open-minded about it," Gwyneth Paltrow had called to comfort Gilbert, but it seemed he didn't need it at all. 

"What have you been up to lately?" Gilbert asked. 

"Don't even ask," Gwyneth Paltrow began to lament. "My father and mother are watching me constantly, making me take acting classes and exercise. I haven't had a chance to sneak out and see you." 

"That's good, actually. You're improving yourself. Maybe after you perfect your acting, you'll win an Oscar for Best Actress," Gilbert chuckled. If he remembered correctly, Gwyneth Paltrow did win an Oscar for Best Actress for "Shakespeare in Love" in the future, only to be criticized as the "weakest" Best Actress in history. 

"Never mind that for now. How have you been these past few days without me?" Gwyneth Paltrow asked. 

"What else could I be doing?" Gilbert tilted his head, even though Gwyneth Paltrow couldn't see him on the other end of the phone, and said in a teasing tone, "I got a girlfriend." 

"What? You got a girlfriend? Who is it? Is she as pretty as me? Are her legs as long as mine?" Gwyneth Paltrow sounded very surprised and quickly pressed for details. 

"Not really. Her name is Ms. Five Fingers," Gilbert's answer was quite intriguing. 

"What is Ms. Five Fingers?" Gwyneth Paltrow was completely clueless. 

"It's my hand, silly..." Gilbert revealed the riddle. 

Gwyneth Paltrow on the other end of the phone paused, not expecting that meaning. After a moment, she couldn't help but burst into laughter, cackling incessantly like a hen. 

"I can't believe you've been suffering so much without me and didn't even think about finding other women." After laughing, Gwyneth Paltrow said in a mysterious tone, "It's hard to hold it in like that. How about this, I'll introduce you to my good friend." 

"A good friend? Who?" 

"You'll see when the time comes. My father's here, I have to hang up. Bye-bye..." 

"Bye-bye..." 

Gilbert hung up the phone and shook his head, then dismissed Gwyneth Paltrow's "good friend" from his mind. 

This American girl was something else; calling him just to ask if he was lonely, completely disregarding the film's situation! 

Unable to understand Gwyneth Paltrow's thought process, Gilbert promptly returned to work. 

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