Chapter 410: I'd Rather Die Quickly

Upon entering the studio, Matthew first headed to the changing room to switch into the training clothes specially designed by the crew. Then he walked into the massive studio, which had been temporarily divided into two sections by the crew. The area near the changing room was filled with rented fitness equipment for the Spartan warriors' workouts. The other half of the space, further from the changing room, was covered with mats to prevent injuries during sword training.

"Hi, Matthew."

A greeting came from nearby as Matthew approached the area with exercise bikes. He asked, "How's it going, Nebola? Are they holding up?"

The fitness coach hired by the crew this time was recommended by Matthew. Nebola had previously collaborated with Hollywood crews as well.

Standing next to Nebola, Matthew saw nearly forty stationary bikes in front of him, with over thirty muscular male actors pedaling furiously, sweat pouring down their faces as they gasped for air.

"Don't worry." Nebola crossed his arms and said, "My training programs are all progressive."

Matthew nodded. He maintained a regular fitness routine and knew the importance of gradual progression. For those unaccustomed to exercising, starting with high-intensity workouts could be overwhelming and prone to injury. He'd heard Nebola mention that someone once suffered from rhabdomyolysis due to over-exercising, which was life-threatening.

Nebola suddenly shouted, "Hang in there! Bill, what are you doing? You're slowing down!" He walked forward, shouting at the actors on the bikes, "Three more minutes! This set will be done in three minutes!"

"Ah..."

Someone groaned in pain and exhaustion.

Matthew wasn't planning to join the equipment training today. He would be heading to the other side of the venue for swordsmanship training with the stunt team. For now, he just stood by and watched.

Including his two best friends, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, everyone's clothes were drenched with sweat. However, the letters on their T-shirts were still prominent: "I Died at the Battle of Thermopylae!"

To motivate the actors to work hard on their fitness, Zack Snyder had the costume designer create these T-shirts.

"Stop!" Nebola called out, ending the training. "Twenty-minute break!"

The fast-spinning stationary bikes came to a halt, and Nebola's assistants immediately helped the actors replenish electrolytes. While Nebola prepared the next set of training equipment, Matthew waited nearby as James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender approached him.

"Wow, James," Matthew said, punching James McAvoy playfully. "You've built some muscle."

He glanced at Michael Fassbender. "Michael, your workout results are impressive."

Michael Fassbender, still catching his breath, replied, "That's because my physique is naturally better than James'."

James McAvoy made an exaggerated face, gasping, "I'd rather die quickly than endure this daily hellish workout."

Matthew pretended to grab James McAvoy by the neck and joked, "If you want to die, I can help you."

"I'm willing to give up everything for you, even my life," James McAvoy said with a laugh. "My king."

Matthew nodded cooperatively, "Alright then, James, your car and house are mine."

James McAvoy showed a rogue spirit, "My car and house are rented."

Michael Fassbender gently patted Matthew's shoulder, reminding him, "Your dark goddess is here."

Matthew turned to see Eva Green entering the fitness area in a black, tight-fitting training outfit, talking to a female fitness coach from Nebola's club, seemingly discussing training routines.

Spartan women were equally tough. According to Zack Snyder's requirements, Eva Green's portrayal of the Spartan queen also needed to include some muscle definition—not overly developed, but she couldn't look frail.

"I just don't get it," James McAvoy said, looking at Eva Green. "She has such an odd appearance, and she doesn't look like a good person. How did you end up with her?"

Matthew lowered his voice, "Eva isn't someone you can easily understand. She has some private and mysterious qualities that are rare for someone her age in this era. Michael's right, she's 'dark,' but she's much more interesting."

Michael Fassbender mocked without hesitation, "Interesting in bed, right?"

"You have no idea," James McAvoy said, looking at Matthew knowingly. "I bet you, Michael, Matthew hasn't succeeded yet!"

Matthew shrugged, "The pursuit is the most exciting part. Once you've succeeded, where's the mystery?"

When men gather, beautiful women are always a common topic.

The three moved to a secluded area to continue their conversation.

James McAvoy asked curiously, "I've always wondered about your thoughts."

"What thoughts?" Matthew asked, puzzled.

"With your fame and wealth, what kind of woman can't you find?" James McAvoy said bluntly, "If you want women, just spend some money, and you can have a different one every day. Young models, whether in looks or figure, are better than most women in the industry. Why go through so much trouble?"

Matthew didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked, "James, do you often do that?"

Before James McAvoy could reply, Michael Fassbender exposed him, "Not often, just occasionally. When he was in London, he went for the third-rate women, the flashy, low-class types."

"You think I don't want famous models?" James McAvoy snorted. "If I made millions per movie, I'd go for those famous models too."

Matthew wasn't surprised by James McAvoy's words. He had been in the spotlight for a few years and had gradually become aware of the many hidden aspects of the entertainment industry. Hollywood was indeed chaotic, but compared to the modeling world, Hollywood was far behind.

Aside from those supermodels and top models who didn't worry about work and income, many models, including some well-known ones, might be doing another job on the side.

This wasn't absolute, just a part of it.

Many major modeling agencies and famous models had been involved in underground transactions. Top models could earn tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars for a night with a male client.

For someone like Matthew, who earned tens of millions of dollars annually, this wasn't a secret.

After initially encountering a woman promoting the Olsen twins, he later met others trying to sell models to him. For example, Lester had once told him that if he needed, he could contact famous models who often walked the top-brand shows from Europe.

However, Matthew refused. He had no interest in Europe's skeletal models; if it were Victoria's Secret Angels, that would be different.

Unfortunately, at the level of a Victoria's Secret Angel, it was difficult to attract them with just money. These models also earned millions of dollars annually.

Of course, throwing out an astonishing number might tempt a Victoria's Secret Angel. Matthew, however, wasn't that foolish. In his view, no woman involved in such transactions was worth that much.

Most models had average education, came from humble backgrounds, and had been trained in strict physical regimes since their teenage years. Besides their bodies, they had no other skills. Not everyone could become a supermodel, and unlike Hollywood actors, models entirely depended on their youth, which made them value money highly.

Models understood the value of money and knew it represented a lot. Many enjoyed the transactions, especially if their partner was a good-looking man.

As Lester put it, that's how the fashion industry operated. Most models achieved their goals through such means. Red Penguin Company facilitated the transactions, and one of America's largest modeling agencies was their "partner."

To make Matthew a customer in this regard, Lester even shared some price lists.

Wealthy individuals would have representatives contact Red Penguin Company to invite these girls to private dinners, sometimes costing six figures. Of course, agencies and Red Penguin Company took their cut, and models couldn't expect free travel.

If models were lounging on a wealthy person's yacht, sipping his champagne, something was bound to happen—kissing, long dances, or deeper interactions were all possible.

Even, Red Penguin Company's top model charged two million dollars for a night!

Matthew had asked Lester who this model was, but Lester wouldn't reveal her name unless Matthew confirmed the transaction. Red Penguin Company couldn't disclose her name otherwise.

This somewhat piqued Matthew's curiosity. After all, a model daring to ask for two million dollars a night wasn't just any famous model.

After hearing Lester's pitch, Matthew briefly considered spending two million dollars to see which model had the audacity to set such an outrageous price.

However, after calming down, he realized it was a typical marketing ploy by Lester and Red Penguin Company to stir up curiosity.

"Matthew, you still haven't answered my question," James McAvoy said. "Why go through so much trouble?"

"You wouldn't understand, lacking a sense of romance," Matthew said, taking on a teacher-like demeanor. "The pursuit is also an enjoyable process. When you finally get your target into bed after much effort, all the accumulated emotions release at that moment. It's exhilarating."

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