376-380

Chapter 376: The Yacht Party  

   It was the weekend, and in New York Bay, a luxurious four-story yacht drifted along the water. This yacht was owned by Bled Investments and was one of the company’s assets.   

  At first, Richard hadn’t planned on buying a yacht, nor a private jet. Buying such things after getting rich seemed too flashy. However, Ellie and Michelle convinced him otherwise. If he were still a celebrity boxer, it would be fine not to have such luxury items.   

  but now, he was the 20th wealthiest person in the world.  

      With his status, social standing, and wealth at such a high level, certain things became necessary—like a yacht.  

  As he became more influential, so would his friends. People like Larry Ellison, Trump, and Larry Page were part of that circle.  

  Hosting a gathering on a yacht offers a different level of prestige than doing it in a hotel.  

   A yacht party gives guests a feeling of respect, much like being flown in on a private jet for business meetings is a step above using a car.  

  Yachts and private jets become essential tools for high-end social interactions—a hallmark of the wealthy.  

  For example, if he wanted to curry favor with the Oscars, all he’d have to do is invite the judges for a cruise, and they’d be thrilled, seeing it as a great honor, something to boast about.  

  Sometimes, this kind of networking is simpler and more effective thangiving cash directly.  

  Richard thought this made sense. After researching yacht prices, he found that even the more luxurious ones only cost around $30-40 million. Without hesitation, he ordered two—one named the **Louis**, and the other the **Annie**.  

  The **Louis** was in New York, while the **Annie** was stationed in Los Angeles. Today’s party was being held on the **Louis**, and he had brought the two kids aboard, along with Mrs. Bündchen.  

     “Ha ha, Richard, this yacht of yours is fantastic!”  

  Trump approached, his face glowing with excitement. His flushed complexion wasn’t due to shyness but from sheer enthusiasm; he felt attending today’s party was definitely the right choice.  

  Richard had invited many influential figures. Larry Ellison, ranked 9th on Forbes, was there. Rupert Murdoch and his wife had shown up, as had Jeff Bezos and his wife. Larry Page and Sergey Brin were in attendance, along with the First Lady of the country.  

  Many CEOs and directors from companies that had worked with Richard also came.  

  Hollywood stars, supermodels, and athletes filled the yacht as well—Levi’s, Depp, Jolie, Theron, Gwyneth, Sandra Bullock, Jude Law, Paul Walker, Brad Pitt, Gwyneth again, Angela, Shaquille O’Neal, Venus, and Floyd Mayweather, to name a few.  

  Trump mingled around, chatting with guests, and noted that none of them were nobodies.  

Well, except for one person. At first, Trump found him unfamiliar—he wore a plain black jacket, had an unremarkable face, and was sitting alone by the railing, quietly sipping water, completely out of place with the rest of the crowd.  

  Trump initially thought the man might’ve snuck on to enjoy the free food and drinks. But then, he saw the First Lady approach the man for a conversation, clearly warm and familiar with him.  

  Intrigued, Trump discreetly asked the First Lady’s secretary about him. The answer left him stunned—the plain-looking man was Frank Campbell, the head of state intelligence for New York and the future director of the FBI.  

    Was someone like that useful to his future ambitions?  

  Absolutely.  

  Just the blackmail material the FBI held on political enemies, along with its 100,000 agents across the country, made someone like Frank invaluable.   

  After the First Lady left, Trump saw the Speaker of the State Legislature go over to chat with him. After waiting a while, Trump finally gathered the courage to approach Campbell, but the man barely engaged, just listening quietly, making it clear he was hard to connect with.  

  Frustrated, Trump decided to seek out Richard for help.  

  “Richard, what’s your relationship with Mr. Campbell?”  

  Trump was curious. Most of the guests Richard invited were close friends, though a few state politicians had asked to attend. Frank Campbell didn’t seem like someone who would have asked.  

  Richard smiled. “We’re good. Why, what’s up?”  

  “I want to get to know Mr. Campbell. Could you introduce us? I’d even donate an extra $500,000 to your charity,” Trump generously offered.  

  “Don, no need for that. If you want to meet Frank, that’s easy to arrange,” Richard replied, then walked over to Frank.  

  “What brings you here?” Frank asked, looking up.  

  Richard grinned. “Big boss, this is a party. Is sitting here looking cool by yourself really the best move? Give me a break. How about a dance? I hear your tap dancing is pretty good.”  

No way. I’m here for work. Don’t bother me,” Frank waved him off.  

Since there were so many important figures aboard today, Frank had brought a few colleagues along for security. Officially, they were there to protect everyone, but in reality, they were there to relax, enjoy the food and drinks, and take in the views.  

Richard didn’t push the matter.  

  “Frank, Trump wants to meet you. Interested?”  

  “Why would I want to? He’s just a show-off businessman. Getting too close to someone like that could be bad for my image,” Frank replied.  

  Richard chuckled. “Trump wants to get into the White House.”  

  “???”  

  Frank furrowed his brows. “Are you serious? Don’t tell me he’s your candidate for investment.”  

  “Why? What’s the problem?” Richard asked, smiling.  

  Frank shook his head slightly. “I don’t think he’s got what it takes to get into the White House.”  

  “Well, who knows? Anyway, he’s going around lobbying guests, which is making things a bit awkward for me. Just talk to him for a bit, okay?”  

  Fine, fine,” Frank sighed, reluctantly agreeing.  

  Thus, the most reserved man on the yacht sat down with the most outgoing, and nobody knew what they discussed.  

  Richard returned to the deck and continued chatting with the party guests. The main purpose of this gathering was to thank everyone for their support of the foundation.  

  Since its launch, everyone had been incredibly supportive, so Richard and Bündchen had taken the time to invite them all aboard for a casual chat.  

  They also explained the foundation’s rescue plans, ensuring the funds would be used appropriately, and promised to provide timely updates on the donations.  

 This gathering was hosted by Mrs. Bündchen, with foundation leaders like Eva and Aniston actively participating. The UN Refugee Agency even sent a representative.  

 “Richard, how about I join your foundation?” Paris Hilton asked as she approached.  

 Richard smiled. “That shouldn’t be a problem. You can talk to Bündchen about it.”  

  “Alright~”  

 Paris stepped closer and whispered, “We haven’t had a get-together in months. When do you have time? I’ll call Eva too.”  

 “I’m swamped right now. After the foundation stuff, I’m headed to Morocco for filming. Let’s catch up when I get back.”  

 “Okay, I’ll hold you to that,” Paris winked and walked away with a smile.  

 Richard shook his head and joined Levi’s, Pitt, and the others for a chat. His friends were all enthusiastically supporting his charity work, which felt great.  

 After a bit of conversation, Richard noticed Mrs. Bündchen chatting with the First Lady, surrounded by women like Deng Wendi, Mrs. Bezos, Theron, Jolie, Aniston, and Gwyneth. The group looked like a beehive, making his scalp tingle just watching them.  

 He took a step toward them but ultimately lacked the courage to approach.  

 Forget it!  

 Thinking it over, he made his way to Larry Ellison instead. The big boss had mentioned needing to talk.  

 “Larry, I’m free now,” Richard said, sitting down.  

 Larry was practicing golf swings on the deck.  

 “Richard, I heard you’re planning to buy an NBA team?”  

 “Yeah, I am, but I haven’t decided which one yet.”  

 It wasn’t a secret that Richard was in the market for a team. Putting the word out would help potential sellers approach him, speeding up negotiations.  

 “Richard, I’m thinking about buying a team too. What do you think of the Golden State Warriors?” Larry asked.  

  The Warriors were based in San Francisco, California, and played at Oracle Arena. They were currently a second-tier team, ranked 13th in the Western Conference, similar to the Brooklyn Nets that Richard had his eye on.  

 “Not bad. How about this—you buy a team, I buy a team, and in a few years, we’ll see who manages theirs better,” Richard suggested, laughing.  

 Haha, deal! Loser buys the winner a yacht.”  

 “Alright, if I lose, I’ll buy you a Boeing 757.”  

 “Haha, it’s a bet!”  

 The two bumped fists.  

 After chatting a bit more, Elon Musk came over to discuss business matters.  

 This year, SpaceX had purchased 20% of Surrey Satellite Technology and was preparing to take on orders to supply the International Space Station. Musk also invited Richard to watch a rocket launch.  

 Richard agreed. He planned to bring Annie and Louis along to inspire their interest in science. After all, he wanted them to grow up to be scientists, not boxers.  

 —    

(End of Chapter) 

Chapter 377: Eva Green 

The cruise departed from the Hudson River, took a loop around the east coast, and made a half-day stop at the scenic Davis Island for food, entertainment, games, and dancing. The next afternoon, it returned to the New York port. 

Richard arranged for two private planes to send the guests home. 

After finishing up matters at home, Richard was ready to start working. At the end of May, he flew to Morocco in West Africa to begin filming Kingdom of Heaven. 

He had been to Morocco many times before. Both Black Hawk Down and Mr. & Mrs. Smith had filmed scenes here. With its abundance of historical architecture, the grand and majestic landscape was perfect for historical dramas. 

Once he joined the crew, he met some of the actors. Edward Norton was cast as King Baldwin of Jerusalem, while Liam Neeson played the protagonist’s father and swordsmanship teacher. 

In Batman Begins, Liam Neeson had also played Batman’s mentor, so this was their second collaboration, making them fairly familiar with each other. 

Then there was the female lead, Eva Green. 

For the female lead, since the character is French, the choices were limited: Marion Cotillard, Eva Green, Léa Seydoux, and others. 

The initial choice was Marion Cotillard. She had a good reputation and excellent acting skills, but her look in period costume was not quite stunning enough. 

Léa Seydoux was a fresh newcomer, but she wasn’t well-known, didn’t have the right aura, and next to Richard, she seemed too much like a little girl. 

Eva Green had gained fame in 2003 with The Dreamers, and though she had a striking, cool appearance, her presence wasn’t quite strong enough to carry the role of a queen. 

The crew had even considered Sophie Marceau, but at 39 years old, her performance in Braveheart was so iconic that casting her would present many challenges. 

After going through several options and finding no perfect match, they settled on Eva Green. The issue with her aura could be cultivated over time with more practice, so it wasn’t a big problem. 

Not long after Richard joined the crew, filming began. 

The scenes were not filmed chronologically. They started with the Jerusalem segments before moving on to the scenes of the protagonist’s small-town origins. 

"Scene 1, take 1, action!" 

The first scene was Balian’s arrival in Jerusalem. 

After leaving his small town, the protagonist, Balian, traveled east to the port, where he boarded a ship bound for Jerusalem. Along the way, he encountered pirates in the Mediterranean. Balian and the crew fought back, but just as they were about to win, a storm hit, destroying the ship and killing everyone. 

Fortunately, as the protagonist, Balian survived. He washed ashore. 

This scene depicted Balian waking up on the beach, his clothes tattered, hair and beard disheveled. Staggering, he scavenged food and supplies from the wreckage, eventually finding a black horse and rescuing a surviving black slave. 

He rode the black horse, accompanied by the slave, across the desert toward Jerusalem. Along the way, they encountered bandits attacking a caravan. Balian single-handedly fought off the bandits, saving the caravan and ultimately following them into Jerusalem. 

This segment involved multiple locations, from the beach to the desert and finally to the city of Jerusalem. It took over 20 days to film, with Richard running back and forth with the crew. 

Once the crew settled in the city, Richard could finally relax. 

"Mr. Brad, when do you have time? I'd like to rehearse the next scene with you," Eva Green asked somewhat nervously. 

They had met a few times before but hadn’t talked much. After joining the crew, they had been filming separately, so they weren’t very familiar with each other yet. 

Since the two would play lovers in the film, their current level of comfort wasn’t enough to make the scenes convincing. They needed more interaction and connection before filming. 

Richard smiled at her. She was beautiful and sexy, with a hint of wildness, but her presence was indeed lacking compared to models like Gisele Bündchen or actresses like Charlize Theron and Angelina Jolie. She still needed more practice. 

"Eva, just call me Richard. We'll be working together, so it’s better to keep things casual. I need to train for a couple of hours around noon, but how about we rehearse in the studio at 3 p.m.?" Richard asked. 

"Okay, see you in the afternoon, Mr. Brad." 

Eva smiled, turning to leave the room, but her steps were a little unsteady. 

Richard shook his head. He had hoped to chat with her, but she seemed too nervous to even stay longer. This would have to be addressed gradually through more communication. 

Knock, knock, knock~ 

Richard had just taken off his jacket, ready to change for training, when there was a knock at the door. 

When he opened it, a stunning beauty greeted him. She wore a wide-brimmed white sunhat, her burgundy curls draped over her shoulders, and a tight black dress that accentuated her narrow waist and curvy hips. She looked incredibly alluring, like a ripe peach. 

"Monica, what brings you here?" Richard asked curiously. 

"Haha, don’t you want me here?" Monica smiled as she walked in, removing her hat and scarf. 

"Of course not. I missed you." 

Richard lifted her up, pressing her against the wall. 

"You came just in time. You know how I am—my hormones have been surging, and I’ve been stuck filming for half a month with no release. I was going crazy." 

"Oh really? Then why did I just see Eva Green clutching her chest, face red, as she hurried out of your room?" Monica teased, her arms wrapped around his neck. 

"Was it that dramatic? I haven’t talked to Eva much. She just gets nervous when she sees me. She barely stayed five minutes before leaving." 

"Hmm, devil, what if I’m nervous too?" 

Monica whispered in his ear. 

"Haha, don’t worry, I’ll be gentle." 

"No! I like it when you’re rough. The rougher, the better," Monica said teasingly. 

"Haha, no problem!" 

They took a two-hour nap in the room. 

When Richard woke up in the afternoon, Monica was still sleeping. She played the role of a noblewoman in the film, a French lady who had an affair with the protagonist. 

Her scenes wouldn’t be filmed for another month or two, and the filming would take place in Spain, so she was here just to visit. 

It was 2:30 p.m., and there was no time for training. Richard headed to the studio for rehearsal, planning to train in the evening. 

When he arrived, Eva Green was already there, sitting cross-legged on the couch, flipping through the script and eating an avocado while humming a song, her movements a bit carefree. 

Seeing him come in, Eva stared at him with the avocado in her hand, some pulp still on the corner of her mouth. 

"Good afternoon, Eva. How’s the avocado? Can I try some?" Richard asked as he sat down. 

Cough, cough~ 

Eva quickly put down her legs, straightened her skirt, and wiped her mouth. 

"Mr. Brad, please help yourself," Eva said. 

"Thanks. Call me Richard!" 

Richard smiled as he took a bite of the avocado. 

"Oh, okay. Richard." 

Eva stood up. 

Richard smiled at her. "Eva, I’ve seen your The Dreamers. You were fantastic." 

"Thank you!" 

Eva brushed her hair aside. "Richard, I’ve seen all your movies. Every single one. You’re the coolest man I’ve ever seen." 

Richard smiled, wiped his hands with a napkin, and stood up, extending his hand. "Since we admire each other, I hope we’ll have a great collaboration." 

"Looking forward to it!" Eva reached out to shake his hand. As she did, she realized she hadn’t wiped her hands properly, making her even more embarrassed. 

"Eva, are you ready to rehearse now?" 

"Yes, let’s start." 

Once they got started, Eva was initially nervous, but she quickly adjusted and became very professional. 

Her acting was good, with a certain French artistic flair that added charm to her performance. 

However, her presence was still not mature enough. She seemed a bit raw, like an unripe peach, unable to fully exude the allure required by the role, limiting her ability to tap into the character's full potential. 

In short, she needed refining. 

As Richard was also a producer of the film and stood to gain 20% of the global box office revenue, it was in his interest for the actors to perform well. 

To mold her into a qualified leading lady, Richard had to spend more time rehearsing with her, playing together, and even traveling around Morocco. 

This not only helped build rapport but also allowed her to loosen up and feel less restrained. 

The results, however, were less than ideal. 

(End of chapter) 

**Chapter 378: Wild Girl** 

“Richard, hurry up! Why are you so slow? Even us girls are faster than you!” 

On the Gobi Desert outskirts of the Moroccan Laorae Castle, another filming location for the crew, Eva Green was riding a horse, waving a whip as she called out. 

Richard, also on horseback, followed slowly behind. He looked at the woman ahead with a hint of helplessness. He had initially treated her as a friend, hoping to train her along the way. 

But after spending time together, he realized that despite her cold and elegant exterior, she was a goofball at heart. Once they got comfortable with each other, she acted like a wild girl—energetic, cheerful, and playful. 

“What’s wrong, Richard? Why is your face so dark? Are you feeling sick?” 

Eva Green stopped her horse, staring at him and even reaching out to touch his forehead. 

Richard grabbed her hand and pushed it aside. “I remember you used to blush the first time we met. Was that all an act?” 

“Uh…” 

Eva scratched her head and gave an awkward smile.   

“Well, I didn’t know you back then! You’re a legend—ranked 20th on the global billionaire list, super boxing champion, international superstar, and even a real-life superhero. It’s crazy! Richard, how can you be so amazing? At 27, you're worth over a hundred billion dollars. Are you the man of the goddess of wealth? 

“No, wait. You’re also super strong, stronger than those legendary war gods. Maybe you're like Achilles, a descendant of Zeus, right?” 

“You sure have a wild imagination.” 

Richard continued riding forward. 

“I didn’t make it up. The newspapers say it. I even heard some people worship you, believing that if they follow you, they’ll become as rich and powerful as you. So I put up a picture of you on my bedroom wall, and every night before bed, I meditate in front of it, hoping you’ll grant me strength.” 

Eva clasped her hands, closed her eyes, and struck a dramatic pose, mumbling, “Richard, please grant me strength. Richard, please give me wealth.” 

“Stop! What nonsense is that?” 

Richard's face darkened. 

He regretted becoming friends with her. Now that they were too familiar, all the boundaries were gone, and she constantly fooled around. 

“Let’s go, Eva. The crew is about to start shooting.” 

Richard gave his horse a slight whip. 

They could’ve taken a car, but Eva insisted on riding so she could practice for the upcoming scene that required horseback riding, and Richard didn’t object. 

“Richard, do you think I’m annoying?” 

Eva, riding her horse slowly behind him, had her head down, sounding dejected. 

“No, don’t overthink it. I just find you... incredibly annoying.” 

“What?!” 

Eva’s eyes widened in shock. 

“Haha, just kidding.” 

Richard lightly tapped her head with his whip. 

“Ah! Richard, you’re so mean.” 

Eva raised her whip to retaliate, but Richard spurred his horse forward, leaving her behind. 

“Wait for me!” 

Eva, waving her whip, chased after him. 

Once they reached the crew, they resumed filming. 

The male lead, Balian, had inherited his father’s fiefdom—a humble castle, a village, and several kilometers of land. When he arrived, he found that the people of his fief were extremely poor, struggling with basic needs. 

He began a farming project, leading the people to dig wells and canals and even farmed the land himself. In his spare time, he made farming tools for the villagers. 

“Scene 147, take 3, action!” 

Clang, clang, clang~ 

Inside a blacksmith’s forge, Richard, shirtless, wielded a large hammer, pounding iron as sparks flew everywhere. 

He was really forging iron. 

To prepare for this scene, he had trained with the crew’s blacksmith for a week. The blacksmith, Simon Atherton, was also a weapons expert, hired specifically for the production to oversee all the weapons used by the crew. 

Since last year, Simon and his team had crafted 18,000 various weapons, including swords, bows, shields, and two custom-made commander’s swords. 

Richard had learned traditional blacksmithing techniques from him, not just hammering iron but also working bellows and casting molten iron. 

With his strength and quick learning, Richard mastered the basics in just over a week, able to craft simple items like knives and hoes, but more complex work was beyond him. 

Clang, clang, clang~ 

Richard swung the heavy hammer over the glowing iron on the anvil, his back to the blazing furnace. Sparks flew as he worked, and sweat poured down his body. 

“Very good, you’re really in character!”  

Director Ridley Scott nodded in approval while watching the monitor. 

This was the second time he worked with Richard. Their first collaboration on *Black Hawk Down* left a deep impression on him. One scene required Richard to carry an injured teammate and run repeatedly under the scorching sun—he did it eight times without a single complaint. 

In other scenes, even after the director was satisfied, Richard often asked for another take, saying he could do better. And sure enough, the final takes were always excellent. 

Richard was dedicated, serious, and always willing to put in the effort—qualities Scott admired. 

Going into this second collaboration, Scott had mixed feelings. 

The first time, Richard wasn’t as famous or wealthy as he was now. At the start of filming, Scott worried that Richard might have changed—perhaps he’d act like a diva or not take the role as seriously. He even prepared several backup plans, just in case. 

But his worries were unnecessary. 

Richard had changed, yes—his aura was more commanding, his presence more powerful. 

But his attitude toward acting hadn’t changed a bit. He remained professional, serious, and diligent. He treated everyone in the crew kindly and worked well with the team. 

He only had two assistants, and he never missed rehearsals. Even for challenging scenes, he didn’t rely on a stunt double, insisting on doing everything himself. 

Like in this blacksmithing scene, Richard swung the hammer with a focused expression, fully immersed in the role of a real blacksmith—a rare quality in an actor. 

“Cut!” 

“Richard, keep hammering. When Sibylla comes in, don’t look up.” 

Scott directed. 

“Got it!” 

Richard nodded and continued hammering. He was crafting a shovel, which wasn’t easy—it had to be evenly thick and curved. He hammered for a while but still hadn’t gotten it right. 

“Here, Richard, use this.” 

Simon handed over a nearly finished shovel. The camera would cut to the queen soon, and when it switched back to Richard, the iron lump would have become a half-finished product. It worked perfectly. 

“Thanks!” 

Richard took the hammer and resumed his work. 

In the story, Balian had previously saved Sibylla, the future queen, without knowing her true identity. 

Now, the queen had come to find him. Seeing his strong, muscular body, she naturally admired him, and eventually, the two would grow close. 

“Scene 148, take 1, action!” 

Clang, clang, clang~ 

Balian, shirtless, hammered away in the blacksmith’s forge. 

Clip-clop, clip-clop~ 

A group of well-equipped knights approached, with a graceful woman in the center, her face covered by a veil. She was Sibylla, the sister of the King of Jerusalem, the wife of Duke Guy de Lusignan, and the future regent queen. 

The knights stopped outside the forge. 

The queen stared directly at Balian, her beautiful eyes blinking. 

“You are Balian, the son of Godfrey?” 

Clang~ 

Balian set down his hammer and looked at her. 

“Yes, madam.” 

Balian replied. 

“Remember, I am Sibylla.” 

Sibylla removed her veil, revealing her delicate features. 

“Cut!” 

“Face close-up. Lights, make it brighter.” 

“Scene 148, take 2, action!” 

— 

(End of Chapter) 

**Chapter 379: Do You Know What Fashion Is, You Pervert?** 

"Sorry, Richard, I’m late." 

In the morning, on set, Edward Norton, who was playing the king, walked in with his script. 

"It’s fine, I just got here too," Richard said as he put down his newspaper. 

Edward Norton was playing Baldwin, the King of Jerusalem, a leper who had to wear an iron mask to hide his disfigured face and body. As a result, Edward Norton had to wear a mask throughout his performance, relying only on body language, movements, and his eyes to act, which made his role particularly challenging. 

But Edward Norton was a talented actor.  

He had received two Academy Award nominations for Best Actor in *Primal Fear* and *American History X*, and his film *Fight Club* grossed over a hundred million at the box office. In the industry, he was considered about a B+ level actor, with a lot of strength. 

He didn’t have many scenes in this film, only about a week’s worth. 

Today, their scenes were mostly dialogue-heavy, so they needed to rehearse several times. 

"Richard, Edward, are you ready?" the art director and assistant screenwriter asked. 

"Yes!" they both replied as they got ready. 

In the rehearsal, Edward leaned on a table, writing casually with a quill, while Richard slowly walked into the great hall. 

"Come closer!" Edward said casually as he sat in his chair. 

"I’m glad to see you, Godfrey’s son. Your father was my best teacher. When I was playing with my friends as a child, I cut my finger but didn’t feel any pain. It was he, not my father or the royal physician, who realized something was wrong. He cried as he reported to my father that I had leprosy." 

Richard quietly watched him perform, a hint of shock and unease flashing in his eyes when he heard the word "leprosy." 

"Shall we play chess?" Edward moved to the chessboard. 

"I don’t know how," Richard replied, slowly sitting down on the ground. 

"This world is like a chessboard. Any move you make could lead to your death, unless you stay at the starting point. Have you ever thought about how you want to die?" Edward asked as he leaned on the table. 

"Yes, I have," Richard said after a moment of thought. 

"Tell me," Edward said, gesturing with his hand. 

"A hundred feet from my home—that’s where my grave will be," Richard replied with a smile. 

"And now?" Edward asked. 

"Now I’ve come to Jerusalem, meeting the King," Richard said, looking at him. 

"Cut!" 

"Richard, Edward, you’re both doing great. Just a few small details to adjust," the art director and assistant screenwriter stood by, offering some advice. 

The art director gave pointers on positioning and pacing, while the assistant screenwriter advised on the tone of the lines but didn’t interfere with the actors' performances. After all, when it came to acting, the actors were the experts. 

The two provided suggestions, but whether the actors took them was up to them. If the director felt something was off during filming, he would step in. 

Listening to their feedback, Richard and Edward Norton reflected on their performances, making changes where they agreed, and defending their choices where they didn’t. Then they rehearsed again. 

After five rehearsals, the set was ready, and filming officially began. 

"Scene 185, shot 1, take 1, action!" 

The clapperboard snapped, and Richard and Edward stepped in front of the camera. 

"Do you know what this is?" Baldwin, the King of Jerusalem, asked as he held a piece of parchment. 

"A diagram of the city walls," Balian said, glancing at it. 

"What do you think?" Baldwin asked. 

Balian stroked his chin thoughtfully and shook his head slightly. 

"Not satisfied? How would you improve it?" Baldwin asked with a slight smile. 

Balian furrowed his brow and thought for a moment. "Building it in a cross shape, or a star shape, would be better. That way, no matter where the enemy attacks from, they can’t avoid long-range fire from the walls." 

"Yes, I agree. Your design is harder to breach," Baldwin said. 

"Thank you," Balian replied with a smile. 

"Cut!" 

"Richard, you need to tone it down a bit. Baldwin is the king; Balian is just a minor noble, so he shouldn’t come across as too arrogant," the director, Scott, called out. 

Richard raised his eyebrows. "I can’t smile?" 

"It’s not just that. In front of the king, you need to be more composed, not overbearing. Otherwise, what’s the difference between Balian and Duke Guy de Lusignan?" 

"Okay, I get it. I’ll adjust," Richard nodded slightly. 

The director and the cinematographer discussed a slight camera adjustment to shoot from a different angle that would downplay Balian’s presence and highlight King Baldwin a bit more. 

"Alright, take two, action!" 

They continued the scene. In front of Baldwin, Balian was a loyal vassal, a general with leadership ability, smart, strong, and healthy. Richard adjusted his movements to be more restrained and steady. 

"That’s better," the director said, pleased with the change. 

Richard’s portrayal of a hero was spot on. 

Edward Norton’s performance as King Baldwin was also impressive, capturing the king’s effortless authority. 

"Cut!" 

After a few adjustments, the scene was completed in four takes. 

That afternoon, after filming, Richard returned to the villa he had rented and trained. In the evening, Edward, Liam Neeson, and Eva Green came over for a visit. Richard invited them to try some Monaco wine from the villa’s cellar. 

The next day, filming continued. 

--- 

After filming in Monaco for over a month, the set in Spain was completed, and Richard began traveling between the two locations, busier than ever. 

By the end of July, they wrapped up in Spain, with just a few large-scale battle scenes left to film in Morocco. These scenes were tricky and took two or three weeks to prepare. 

Richard took some time to return to the U.S. While filming abroad, he usually only returned two or three times a month to check in on Gisele and their two kids. 

Gisele had just finished recording this year’s fashion show and was focusing her energy on the foundation and *LIFE* magazine. 

In mid-June, the Richard-Gisele Charity Foundation officially began operations. 

The first batch of donations went to 12 children’s charities, supporting 68 children in need. This included children under the age of 10 suffering from congenital diseases, disabilities, orphans, and others from 18 different countries. In total, they donated $18.6 million. 

This charitable event was largely managed by Gisele and the team at UNICEF. 

Once the first round of donations was distributed, the foundation provided detailed information on the recipients to the donors, keeping them updated with real-time progress to ensure the funds were properly used. 

Richard flipped through the reports, which were comprehensive, including information about the donors, photos, and reviews from the audit team. 

"You’ve worked hard, dear. Now that the foundation is running smoothly, you don’t need to oversee everything yourself," Richard said, setting down the papers. 

During the donation phase, Gisele had traveled to seven or eight countries with her team, constantly on the move. 

"Yes, I won’t need to keep such a close eye on the foundation anymore. Now I can focus on *LIFE*. Last month, *LIFE* sold 680,000 copies worldwide, down 50,000 from May, and 100,000 from this time last year. It dropped to eighth place on the sales charts," Gisele said, flipping through the magazine with a shake of her head. 

"Why?" Richard asked. 

"The positioning isn’t clear. Magazines like *Vogue*, *Harper’s Bazaar*, *W*, and *Elle* focus on women, covering fashion, beauty, luxury goods, and food. Then you have men’s magazines like *GQ*, *Esquire*, and *Playboy*, which focus on technology, fitness, sports, and style for men.  

In comparison, *LIFE* has a more neutral stance, without a clear target audience. The content lacks focus, and the editors don’t have the courage to make timely changes, so sales have gradually declined," Gisele explained. 

Richard glanced at the magazine. "You’re right. Even just looking at the cover, the model’s outfit is a bit too traditional. Personally, I prefer the covers of *Sports Illustrated* and *Playboy*." 

Gisele rolled her eyes at him. "This is a fashion magazine, not an erotic one. What do you know about fashion, you pervert?" 

"Haha, nothing at all. That’s your area of expertise," Richard said, pulling her in for a kiss. 

"I’m thinking of rebranding to focus on fashion, fitness, clothing, and luxury. What do you think?" Gisele asked with a smile. 

"That sounds great! You go for it, and if anything goes wrong, I’ve got your back," Richard said confidently. 

"You said it. There’s actually something you can help with," Gisele said with a playful smirk. 

"Whatever it is, just say it. I’ll support you 100%." 

"I’ve discussed it with the editorial team, and they have a great idea to boost *LIFE*’s sales next month. We’re aiming for at least two million copies sold," Gisele said, blinking mischievously. 

"Oh? What’s the idea?" 

"We’re going to put you on the cover." 

“How about next week, we use a fully nude photo of you for the cover? It’s sure to boost sales.” 

"…" 

Richard frowned and glared at her coldly, “What did you say? You want me fully naked?!” 

“Why not? You said you'd fully support me.” 

Gisele asked, holding back a laugh. 

“Heh, Gisele, it’s been a while since I last taught you a lesson. Have you forgotten what pain feels like? Today I’m going to remind you.” 

Richard wrapped his arms around her. 

“Louis, come quick! Daddy’s going to hit Mommy!” 

Gisele shouted. 

Richard stopped immediately, turning his head to look around—there was no one. The little guy was still napping in his room. 

“Hahaha, you fool!” 

Gisele shoved him aside and dashed up the stairs with her long legs. 

Richard chuckled softly and chased after her. 

— 

(End of chapter) 

**Chapter 380: Probably Going to Lose 100 Million** 

"Fly!"  

In the garden, on the green lawn, Louis threw a frisbee into the air. Four little dogs ran after it, with the white Samoyed catching it gracefully. 

"Hehe~ puppies, puppies!" 

Little Annie, holding another frisbee, was about to throw it. She spun around cluelessly but ended up sitting on the ground before she could toss it. 

"Haha, you're still too young for that. Play with this first." 

Richard handed her a small colorful ball, showing her how to throw it. Instantly, two silly dogs rushed over, chasing the ball at full speed. 

"Hehe, Daddy, the puppies are running!"  

Annie gleefully jumped up and down. 

"That's right, throw another one." 

Richard gave her another small ball, placing it in her hand. 

Annie held the ball high, let out a little shout, and tossed it—about two feet away. Luckily, the silly dogs played along, running over and biting at it wildly. 

Annie was even happier now, running after the ball herself and joining Louis in playing with the dogs. 

Richard smiled. Last time, after finishing her movie, Ms. Theron had brought Annie back to Los Angeles. Annie stayed home for two days but kept asking for her dad and brother. 

Ms. Theron, swamped with work, couldn’t always be there to take care of her. 

Seeing how much Annie enjoyed playing with Louis, she sent Annie over again. Richard wasn’t around at the time, but according to the housekeeper, Ms. Theron and Ms. Bündchen had a long chat and seemed to get along quite well. 

Neither of them mentioned it afterward, and Richard didn’t ask much about it. 

Whenever Ms. Theron had some free time, she’d visit Annie, often bringing gifts for both Annie and Louis. It was as if Ms. Bündchen had gained a daughter and Ms. Theron, a son—things seemed to be working out just fine. 

"Richard, the first-week box office results for *Stealth* are in." 

Anna, Richard’s assistant, walked over with some documents. 

"What’s the number?" 

Richard sat down, pouring two cups of tea. 

"21.06 million!" 

Anna reported. 

Richard paused for a moment. "You mean the weekly box office?" 

"Yes, the opening box office was only 13.25 million, and the first week’s total is 21.06 million. It’s ranked fourth for the week, and according to data analysts, the total box office won’t exceed 50 million." 

Anna read the report. 

"How could it be this bad?" 

*Stealth* was directed by Rob Cohen, who did *xXx* and *The Fast and the Furious*. The cast included Jamie Foxx, Jessica Biel, and Josh Lucas. 

The lineup seemed decent enough. 

With a total investment of $110 million, it was a major production. 

Normally, a film of that scale should break even with at least $60 million in the first week. 

But *Stealth* only brought in 21.06 million—an utter flop. 

The main investors included Columbia Pictures, Original Film, Phoenix Pictures, and David Ellison, who had put in $20 million and even got New Regency to chip in another $20 million. 

Back when they saw the script, with its fighter jets, aircraft carriers, and aerial combat scenes, they figured even if it didn’t make a ton of money, it wouldn’t lose much. 

Richard and Frank discussed it and decided to invest $20 million to test the waters. 

But instead of water, they found a pit. Tossing 20 million into water would at least make a splash; throwing it into a pit did nothing—it was a huge loss. 

"Here are some reviews; you might want to take a look." 

Anna handed over some documents. 

Richard flipped through them, and the negative reviews were plentiful. 

Most of the criticism was about the dull storyline, likening it to a two-hour long airplane racing game. 

The plot was too formulaic—viewers could predict every move the characters would make, killing any sense of suspense. 

It didn’t compare well to other films in the genre, like Spielberg’s *A.I.* or Michael Bay’s *Pearl Harbor*. 

Some even said the movie crammed in too many elements—artificial intelligence, aerial combat, a love triangle—turning it into a sci-fi war romance. Except for a few cool flight scenes, the rest of the movie fell flat. 

Others criticized the cast, noting that none of the leads—Jamie Foxx, Jessica Biel, or Josh Lucas—were top-tier stars. In contrast, *Pearl Harbor* had Kate Beckinsale, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon, while *Mr. and Mrs. Smith* starred Richard and Angelina Jolie, both much bigger draws. 

The film’s release date didn’t help either. The summer box office was fiercely competitive, with *Fantastic Four*, *Wedding Crashers*, and *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* all doing well. *Stealth* didn’t stand a chance. 

"Well, I guess we’ll need to be more cautious with investments in the future." 

Richard reflected. 

From now on, he figured, if a film’s lead actors sparked recognition, it might be worth investing. If not, better to pass or leave the decision to Copposon and his team. 

"Richard, *Ray* has finished its overseas run. The total box office is in—$135 million. *Mr. and Mrs. Smith* has grossed $587 million globally." 

Anna added. 

"Finally, some good news." 

Richard chuckled. 

*Ray* had premiered in April in the U.S., where it grossed $81.04 million, with another $54.10 million internationally. 

With a $22 million budget, the film’s total box office hit $135 million, yielding profits around $50 million. 

Meanwhile, *Mr. and Mrs. Smith* had been even more impressive, with $256 million domestically and $331 million internationally. 

Richard’s personal studio earned roughly $130 million from salary and profit shares, while New Regency pocketed about $160 million—definitely a big win. 

In terms of box office performance, the only movie currently surpassing *Mr. and Mrs. Smith* was *Star Wars: Episode III*. 

*Star Wars* grossed $362 million in the U.S. and $828 million worldwide, while Tom Hanks’ *War of the Worlds* ranked third, with $228 million domestically and $556 million globally, though it was still showing overseas and wouldn’t surpass *Mr. and Mrs. Smith*. 

Aside from those, Richard checked the box office results for *The Fast and the Furious 4*, *The Island*, and *Cinderella Man*. 

*Fast & Furious 4* grossed $112 million domestically, with overseas markets still open. It was expected to hit $200 million globally, so Neal Moritz’s plan to acquire the rights might not go smoothly. 

Scarlett Johansson’s *The Island* suffered a similar fate as *Stealth*. Directed by Michael Bay with a $128 million budget, it grossed just $35.81 million and was now banking on overseas markets and home video sales. 

*Cinderella Man*, produced by Miramax and starring Russell Crowe and Renée Zellweger, had a $55 million budget. After four weeks, it was still sitting at $50 million. 

AMC theaters even offered a "watch first, get a refund if unsatisfied" policy to lure viewers, but the box office still hadn’t cracked $60 million. 

Though it was an artistic film, possibly contending for awards, its box office performance was another disappointment. 

Seeing the numbers, Richard sighed in relief. Luckily, he hadn’t invested or agreed to star in it—another bullet dodged. 

"Anna, when does *Little Miss Sunshine* come out?" 

Richard asked. 

*Little Miss Sunshine* was New Regency’s second production of the year, with an $8.5 million budget and a cast of relatively unknown actors. It had been recommended by two producers, with Copposon backing it as well. 

Given the small investment, Richard hadn’t opposed it, though he still doubted whether the film would break even. It was too low-key and had no star power. 

"New Regency has scheduled it for an August 10 release. *Saw 3* comes out on October 22." 

Anna replied. 

"Alright, got it." 

Besides these, there was also *Batman Begins*, which Warner Bros. planned to release during the holiday season. 

After going through the reports, Richard continued to relax in the sun, watching the kids play. 

Before long, his assistant brought over the phone. It was David Ellison calling. 

Richard smiled, wondering what expression David would have after seeing the box office numbers. 

"Richard, *Stealth* is probably going to flop." 

David Ellison sighed. 

"Probably?" 

Richard chuckled. "It’s already flopped, not just ‘probably.’" 

"Well, not necessarily. There’s still three more weeks, so there’s a chance." 

David insisted. 

"There’s no chance. Based on the first-week box office, *Stealth* will likely make around $40 million domestically, meaning we’ll probably lose $100 million." 

“…” 

The other end of the line fell silent. Then David spoke again, "Richard, I need your help." 

"How can I help?" Richard asked, curious. 

"Help me promote the movie. You’re so influential—if you just give it a shout-out, the box office will definitely bounce back. 

You’ve seen *Stealth*. The aerial combat scenes are incredible. The quality’s there—it’s just that the marketing wasn’t done right, and that’s why it’s struggling. 

"As long as you step up, this movie might have a surge like Titanic did in its second week. What do you think, Richard?" 

David Ellison urged. 

Richard shook his head. Stealth wasn't that bad in terms of quality, but it was nowhere near Titanic. 

"David, increasing the promotion will just result in losing more money, so stop struggling. This is just your first movie. Just be more careful next time." 

"Richard, think about it again. New Century also invested in this film. Are you really okay with letting 20 million go to waste? Can you really accept that?" 

David Ellison said, unwilling to give up. 

"It’s fine. New Century’s profits are around 200 million this year. What's 20 million? David, don’t worry too much about the box office. Anyway, I’ve got things to handle here, let’s talk next time." 

Richard shook his head and hung up the phone. 

— 

(End of chapter)