Chapter 222

In the summer of 2006, Charles Capet ended up not going to Germany to watch the World Cup. 

On the weekend, Charles and Eva Green drove back to Paris; after all, it was just a two-hour drive.

"Are we going straight home?" Once they arrived at the Ritz Hotel in Paris, Charles asked Eva Green.

"Flying to Los Angeles on Monday," Eva Green looked up at Charles, "We can go home tomorrow!"

Charles smiled, turned around, picked up a file from the table, and handed it to Eva Green. "The seaside villa in Propriano, on the southern coast of Corsica, is all set up. We can go there anytime in the summer to soak up the sun!"

Eva Green took it and opened it. It was a beautiful villa, complete with a property certificate and some pictures.

"Charles, this..." Her eyes wandered.

Charles leaned in and kissed her directly and, after a moment, chuckled. "Take it, it's not much!"

Close to 3 million euros. Charles was indeed spending a lot of money to charm Eva.

Eva knew Charles was wealthy, and becoming his lover was a decision influenced by her need for support in the entertainment industry.

Regardless, Eva Green knew that breaking into Hollywood would come with costs. Better to be exclusively with Charles than to be used up by someone else.

"Will you go on vacation with me there?" Eva Green was a bit moved. She hadn't planned to ask anything of Charles, just hoped he could help her out with trouble or opportunities.

"Of course, the Mediterranean islands are perfect for vacations," Charles said as he held her, stroking her hair.

"Next time, let me see your blonde look," Charles said.

"Alright, next time I'll dye my hair completely blonde just for you," Eva Green didn't mind.

"I will let someone take you home. Rest well tomorrow. We're flying to Los Angeles the day after tomorrow!" Charles suggested.

Eva nodded. She had spent enough days with Charles to be okay with a short break.

In May, The Da Vinci Code and X-Men: The Last Stand competed fiercely, while Mission: Impossible III and Poseidon underperformed. The competition in June was equally fierce.

Pixar's Cars, distributed by Disney, earned a whopping $61 million on its opening weekend. Concurrently, Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn's The Break-Up, as well as Adam Sandler and Kate Beckinsale's Click, were also notable comedies. At the end of the month, Warner Bros. was slated to release the DC reboot Superman Returns.

However, Capet Pictures' The Devil Wears Prada was set to release just a little over a week after Warner Bros.' Superman Returns. Superman Returns was set for a Wednesday premiere, while The Devil Wears Prada was scheduled for a Friday night release the following week.

At the Ritz Hotel in Paris, early in the morning, Charles was woken up by his phone ringing in his suite's bedroom.

"Hmm, calling this early?" Charles grumbled as he opened his eyes. The girl in his arms, Olga Kurylenko, woke up too.

"Hey, Sophie, good morning, what's up?" Charles immediately inquired when he saw the call was from Sophie Marceau.

Olga Kurylenko was about to speak when Charles gestured for her to remain silent.

"Calling so early, didn't interrupt your dream, did I?" Sophie asked.

"No, I always wake up early!" Charles replied.

"Still in France?" Sophie continued.

"Yes, returned to Paris from Deauville and stayed another week!" Charles said.

"Seems like you really like Paris. Why not buy a house here so you can stay whenever you want?" Sophie suggested.

"Buy a house? I've thought about it, maybe next year or the year after. It's no big deal," Charles said casually.

"Alright then, but congratulations! Capet Pictures' The Da Vinci Code surpassed $200 million at the North American box office in a month and over 400 million overseas!" Sophie announced.

"Haha," Charles couldn't help but laugh.

Although X-Men: The Last Stand also crossed $200 million domestically, its overseas revenue couldn't compete with The Da Vinci Code.

"Everyone's hard work..." Charles started, but he felt something warm beneath the covers. Olga had slipped under the blanket to do something Charles liked.

"What's up?" Sophie noticed his hesitation.

"Nothing, just got bitten!" Charles fabricated an explanation.

"You little rascal. Your voice sounds just like that morning in Cannes. Who's the poor girl you're tormenting now?" Sophie teased, knowing full well, as she had been in that position herself.

"Anyway, calling so early must mean it's important, right?" Charles attempted to redirect the conversation while enjoying Olga's actions.

"The script for Anthony Zimmer - I had a chat with a producer friend last night out of the blue. He mentioned that the script was purchased by a Hollywood producer," Sophie explained.

"What? I hadn't given any instructions yet. It shouldn't be Capet Pictures. James Tounan is busy with the release of The Da Vinci Code and the promotion of The Devil Wears Prada," Charles expressed his confusion.

"It's not your company. It's Hollywood producer Roger Birnbaum. Sony-Columbia is backing him to develop the script, and they made the deal in March!" Sophie elaborated.

"Seems like Hollywood folks still have their eyes on international films," Charles sighed without much disappointment.

"Well, figure it out yourself. I won't disturb your rest anymore. About the biopic Second Wind, I've reviewed it, and it's decent. You've acquired the adaptation rights, right?" Sophie shifted the topic.

"Got them. Right here with me," Charles confirmed.

"Great, I'd like to see how Hollywood's geniuses develop it. I'll even offer to be your production assistant for free!" Sophie joked.

"In that case, I guess I can always..."

Before Charles could finish, Sophie laughed and hung up.

After putting the phone down, Charles breathed a sigh of relief. The blanket went quiet as well.

Actually, the script for Anthony Zimmer was challenging to adapt. Even Charles didn't plan to invest too much in it. Sophie Marceau's version hadn't received great reviews either.

After a while, Olga Kurylenko emerged from the covers, sweat dripping from her hair.

"Capet Pictures has notified me. Next month, I'll be auditioning for The Mist. If all goes well, filming starts in October." Olga appreciated Charles's help and willingly spent three days with him.

Charles smiled, "You deserve it! I'm flying to London today. Make sure to do your best."

Charles was heading to London because he was not satisfied with the progress of Mamma Mia!

*****

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