King of Hollywood
Chapter 468 - 189 Goodfellas

Chapter 468: Chapter 189 Goodfellas

Is there something you need, dear Innie? I have guests," Trump said as he quickly stood up.

A young girl entered the room, around sixteen or seventeen years old, with soft brown hair that fell over her shoulders. She was almost 5 feet 10 inches tall, and her ginger coat and pencil skirt, paired with 5-inch high heels, showcased her slender curves to great advantage. Moreover, she carried an indefinable elegance, was delicately charming, full of vitality, although her eyebrows were slightly raised, as if somewhat displeased.

"Did you forget something, Dad?" she asked her father with dissatisfaction in her voice.

"Did I forget something?" Trump recalled, trying to remember, but still could not think of what it might be.

The girl rolled her eyes, glanced at Adrian, then whispered a few words to her father.

"Ah, I know now, but I still have some things to handle, so... could you entertain them for a bit, Innie?" Trump then chuckled, speaking to his daughter as if he were negotiating a business deal.

Clearly accustomed to such requests, the girl rolled her eyes once more before letting out a long sigh: "There won’t be a next time, Dad."

"There won’t be a next time, I promise," Trump said with a complicit smile, though his tone lacked any real sincerity. Then, something else occurred to him, "Oh right, let me introduce you. This is the famous Hollywood Miracle Director, Adrian Cowell, who is also the chairman of AC Media, young and successful. Ed, this is my most outstanding daughter, Ivanka Trump."

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Ivanka," Adrian, who had been watching the exchange with amusement, now stood up and extended his hand. Truth be told, he had completely forgotten that Trump had such an impressive daughter.

"So you’re the famous Playboy?" Although Ivanka shook his hand, her words were anything but polite, and her gaze held a mix of surprise, curiosity, and a bit of disdain, "No wonder you get along so well with my father."

"Hey, Innie! Don’t be rude," Trump called out, a bit embarrassed. He too was a man who enjoyed chasing after beauty, and according to Adrian’s scant memory, his daughter had apparently struck an agreement with him not to pursue girls younger than her brother. So it was not surprising for her to speak in such a manner. She truly was a girl with character, wasn’t she?

Adrian laughed, seemingly not taking her words to heart, after giving it some thought, he then said, "If I’m not mistaken, Ivanka, you’re modeling now, right?"

"Yes, I joined Elite Model Management during the summer break." Although his gaze was on Trump, Ivanka answered first.

However, Adrian didn’t turn his head, still looking at Trump, he gestured with both hands: "See, how perfect is this? What are you hesitating for, Donald?"

"I admit, the proposal is indeed to my liking, and I am somewhat tempted, but I can’t be sure if I’m up to the task," Trump didn’t give in, after all, those who built empires were no fools.

"What are you discussing, Dad?" Ivanka, who hadn’t left yet, asked curiously.

"Oh, well, Ed’s TBS network is preparing a model talent show, and he wants to invite me to be one of the judges. It’s quite interesting, right?" Trump chuckled as he explained.

"You are invited to be... a judge... on a modeling talent show?" Ivanka raised an eyebrow and her gaze towards Adrian became a touch more hostile.

"Yes, I think your father would be perfect for the job, Ivanka," Adrian’s gaze swept over her face, without lingering too long, "to stand in the position of an outsider, yet with some understanding of the industry, and then to offer his views and opinions on the potential commercial value of the contestants."

He paused there before continuing, "Actually, this should be a piece of cake for you, so I have other considerations. I’ve got a really interesting idea for a reality show related to business that needs a passionate and energetic person, who loves to showcase their success, to take part. From what I can see, you’re a very suitable candidate, and I want to observe you comprehensively through this collaboration. Besides, we need to broaden our horizons in New York."

With that, he spread his hands upward to conclude his speech and throughout the conversation, he did not take another glance at Ivanka.

"Oh?" Trump’s eyes suddenly lit up. Even though Adrian’s invitation was very tempting, and the business reality show seemed interesting as well, he was more eager to hear that last sentence.

"Innie, dear, could you greet the guests outside for me? I’ll be out soon," he then said to his daughter in a different tone.

"Okay, Daddy." Although Ivanka wanted to say something else, she was not the kind of girl who couldn’t prioritize. She nodded and left the study, but not without shooting Adrian an annoyed glance as she closed the door.

The negotiation with Trump didn’t last too long. They merely exchanged rough opinions, as business matters were more suited for Claude to negotiate. However, the two did reach a partial consensus. Then Adrian detailed some of the specifics of "America’s Next Top Model" for him. Having locked down what Trump was most eager to see, with his love for attention, he wouldn’t refuse the role of a judge.

The next day, Adrian returned to Los Angeles, and the rest was left to Claude to handle. As a show of respect to Trump, he would soon make a trip to New York to meet him. As for Ivanka Trump, frankly, she was indeed a very beautiful and unique girl, and Adrian felt a bit of thrill as a hunter would.

However, getting a girl like her was not easy. No matter how unique her family upbringing was, she was born with a silver spoon, a privileged princess from birth, and naturally had higher pursuits. But well, women are women after all; they always have curiosity. Just make them curious—like a well-known playboy who, from start to finish, did not regard her with a proper look, as if in his eyes, she had no allure—then opportunities would arise. It was just the beginning.

Ding ding ding, the clear sound of a spoon tapping against a glass rang out, and the previously noisy guests immediately fell silent. Adrian then raised his glass and stood up.

"The leading man has already said a lot, so I won’t say much more here, lest I’m accused of stealing the limelight," he said with a chuckle, eliciting a low wave of laughter.

"Dennis is someone I’ve watched grow step by step to where he is today. He’s a cheerful, passionate person, and also a warm and sincere friend. I’m delighted that I discovered him. Now that he has finally found his other half, I believe they will soon spend their lives together. I’m here to wish them well," Adrian said, raising his glass towards the couple seated at the head table, prompting others to do the same.

"Thank you," Dennis Knight replied with a grin, raising his glass. Next to him, Jennifer Aniston, also beaming beautifully, looked radiant and charming, immersed in the glow of love.

This was the engagement party for Dennis and Aniston, who began preparations after finishing the filming of "Shakespeare in Love" and "Elizabeth," eventually settling on the first day of December. This left Adrian plenty of time to go to New York for Thanksgiving and take care of some matters, then to appear here with Kate.

The engagement ceremony was not large in scale; it took place in Dennis’s villa, not attended by many. Aniston’s parents both came, though they were still not on good terms, arguing in low voices more than once even during their daughter’s engagement ceremony. Thankfully, they both refrained from bringing their lovers. Only Dennis’s mother came from his side; his parents were also divorced, with apparently a poor relationship with his father. He rarely spoke about his family, so Adrian hadn’t inquired.

Apart from that, there were some close friends, such as the other five main cast members of "Friends," or David Fincher, as well as Adrian and Kate.

"When are you planning to get married? Have you made any plans yet?" Adrian asked after dinner as the party got underway, pulling Dennis and Aniston aside.

"Next year, probably. We haven’t set a specific date yet, but it should be within the year," Dennis replied after looking at his girlfriend, who smiled very sweetly.

"Look at her, how happy she is," Courtney Cox said with a sigh beside them. "I didn’t expect you to be the first one to get married, Jenny."

"Oh, Courtney, we’re both on our way to becoming old maids," Lisa Kudrow teased, and Matt LeBlanc elbowed David Schwimmer, "Hey Ross, Rachel’s getting married, but the groom isn’t you."

"My heart is breaking." Schwimmer said in a sorrowful tone with a pained expression, which immediately drew a round of laughter.

Time sure flies, Adrian thought to himself. The scene where he met Dennis in that coffee shop was still vivid in his mind, and now, in the blink of an eye, Dennis had become a leading star in Hollywood. Not only did he have a love triangle with the Pure Girl and America’s Sweetheart, but now he was even about to marry the sweetheart. Adrian shook his head and then noticed a person in the corner.

"Hey, Matthew, everyone’s teasing Dan and Jenny, why are you sitting over here alone?" he walked over and asked in a half-joking tone.

"Um... it’s nothing, I just... just feel a little..." Matthew Perry gestured as if trying to say something but it couldn’t hide his lackluster expression and gaunt appearance.

"I’m just a bit tired, I’ll be fine in a bit," Perry said as he was about to leave, but Adrian grabbed his shoulder, "Looks like you still haven’t kicked that habit, have you?"

He dropped the smile and looked at him seriously.

"I... I’m trying..." Perry forced a smile, his gaze flickering, avoiding eye contact with Adrian.

"Well, today is Dan and Jenny’s engagement, so I won’t say much," Adrian sighed, his grip on Perry’s shoulder firming up, "but that doesn’t mean I’ll continue to let you go on like this. Tomorrow I’ll arrange for someone to give you a better sounding out, and then I’ll give you a month. If there’s no significant change by then, Matthew, I’m sorry, but..."

He patted his shoulder, "You know, this is Hollywood, no one is irreplaceable."

Hollywood has produced many stars, but even more shooting stars, who usually shot to fame because of a single movie, quickly got caught in the whirlpool of fame and fortune, and started to seek thrills and indulge themselves: smoking marijuana, taking stimulants, even taking drugs, and then silently falling from the sky. Child actors, in particular, were like this, and very few could pull themselves together like Drew Barrymore had.

Matthew Perry was now caught in such a vortex. Before "Friends," he was just another unknown actor, but now, though he couldn’t yet compare with the big-screen stars, he was one of the top ones among TV actors—so naturally, he began to indulge. Partying in nightclubs had become commonplace, and he was becoming addicted to alcohol and stimulants. On more than one occasion, he had appeared drunk on set, and Schwimmer, LeBlanc, and Aniston had all tried to talk to him more than once to no avail. He would verbally agree but then revert back to his old ways.

Adrian knew about his situation and at first didn’t take it seriously, merely having the head of the TV department advise him. But seeing no change for so long, he used the engagement as an opportunity to take a harder line. If Perry could recover, so much the better, but if not, it was time for a change. They couldn’t let one person drag down the whole show.

As for how replacing him would affect "Friends" ratings in the future, that was up to the ability of the TV department. A mature production team could minimize the impact of such things.

Well, what will be, will be, and they’d know in a month. There was no need to think too much about it now. Adrian didn’t stay much longer and soon said goodbye to Dennis and Aniston with Kate.

"It’s... enviable," Kate said softly, gazing out at the streets where lights twinkled, as they drove back.

"Is that so?" Adrian asked lightly, gripping the steering wheel, "Do you want to wear a wedding dress, Kate?"

Kate glanced at him but didn’t respond.

"Though I can’t give you a legally binding ceremony, we could still have one privately," Adrian shrugged his shoulders and then added teasingly, "Of course, I’d also love to try the feeling of pinning you against the wall in a wedding dress."

"Pervert!" Kate blushed, spat at him, but her eyes became misty.

Because they kept it deliberately low-key, the news of Dennis and Aniston’s engagement wasn’t known by outsiders – it was just a minor episode in Adrian’s life, unless what happened afterward hadn’t occurred.

The afternoon after the engagement, Dennis ran to Adrian’s home, looking utterly despondent as if something terribly bad had happened.

"What’s up?" Adrian poured him half a glass of whiskey, then half-jokingly asked, "Don’t tell me Jenny suddenly regretted it and ran off with someone else that night?"

Dennis managed a wry smile, took the glass without looking, and downed it in one gulp. He choked on the whiskey because he drank too fast, coughing several times.

"Take it easy — okay, no more jokes. Tell me, what happened?" Adrian chuckled and shook his head.

Dennis smiled bitterly again, snatched the bottle, and poured himself another glass. He gulped it down and then sighed deeply with a dejected air.

"Hey, buddy, if you don’t say anything, not even I can help you." Adrian’s curiosity was instantly piqued.

"Okay, okay," Dennis, clutching his hair, deliberated over his words for a long time before muttering through gritted teeth with an embarrassed tone, "Ed, I think... I think if... if one day, you woke up... and found that... it wasn’t just your fiancée beside you, but also her best friend, what would you do?"

"Ha, then I must have had a pretty amazing night, that would be a dream come true." Adrian laughed heartily.

"Oh, damn it, I knew it, I shouldn’t have asked you." Dennis lamented, holding his face, looking quite desperate.

"Oh?" Adrian raised his eyebrows and looked at him with a smirk, "Are you trying to tell me, Dan, that today..."

"Yes," Dennis said, despondent and past caring about secrecy, "This morning when I woke up hungover, I had Jenny in my arms, Courtney draped over my back, and Lisa was hugging Jenny."

"Wow! Congratulations!" Adrian immediately whistled, "You’ve done what most American men only dream of doing – gotten the three leading ladies of ’Friends’ into bed all at once!"

"Ed!" Dennis wailed instantly.

"OK, OK, let’s get serious!" Adrian raised his hands, but within a second, he chuckled, and Dennis could only cover his face again.

"Alright, tell me the details." Adrian finally stopped laughing and then, as if remembering something, asked, "I thought Lisa Kudrow was relatively conservative, and seemed to already have a boyfriend."

"She broke up with him early last year," Dennis said with a bitter smile, then waved his hand dismissively, "Anyway, it was all alcohol’s fault. The party got wilder later on, and they made me drink a lot. I don’t even remember how I got back to the bedroom, I just remember... the entire night was very... passionate... intense... as if I had endless energy that needed to be released... Although I’ve been... I’ve never felt as completely... satisfied as I did this time!"

Saying this, the corners of his mouth involuntarily curled upward, obviously very fond of that wild sensation, but he quickly slapped himself hard, returning to his previous forlorn state.

It looks like he must have given them quite a night, the little rascal. I’ve only made it to a threesome, and this guy has already reached a foursome. Not bad, he really has potential; my efforts weren’t wasted. Adrian thought this but didn’t show it. Instead, he asked, "So, how did Jenny react when you all woke up this morning?" (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to vote for it at Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)