"I urge once again..."
Standing at the podium in the central hall of the World Palace, Matthew's speech had reached its climax. Like the time in South Africa, he delivered an impassioned performance, pleading loudly, "Please pay attention to the refugee crisis in Africa! Please pay attention to women's rights in Africa! Please pay attention to the issues facing African children!"
"Thank you."
Matthew nodded slightly and concluded his speech.
The central hall erupted in applause, louder than the reception for Emma Watson's speech earlier. Unlike Emma Watson, who had just entered this circle to elevate her status, Matthew had been involved for a long time, genuinely contributing to various causes regardless of his ultimate intentions. The supplies sent to Africa were verifiable through the United Nations Refugee Agency.
"Thank you."
After these words, Matthew descended from the podium and walked toward his seat. On the way, he encountered Natalie Portman, who was preparing to speak. They exchanged knowing smiles, like old friends who understood each other well.
Only three Hollywood stars were present today. Compared to the Secretary-General, the heads of the Women's and Children's Fund, and the High Commissioner for Refugees, who each had about ten minutes to speak, the time allocated to them was very brief, limited to five minutes each.
Matthew understood that this was a high-level, mutually beneficial relationship. The politicians at the UN were well aware of the real motives behind these stars' involvement. However, the UN also needed their influence to rally more people.
Back in his seat next to Emma Watson, she took the opportunity during the short break to ask, "Did you see a bunch of Muggles out there?"
Matthew shrugged. "Even if there were ten times as many people, I wouldn't be nervous."
He had developed a thick skin from frequent public appearances.
Emma Watson nodded lightly and said, "That was a great speech."
"My agent helped write it," Matthew admitted frankly. "I didn't even finish high school; my writing skills are terrible, unlike you, a straight-A student."
"Straight-A student?" Emma Watson was curious.
Matthew pointed at her. "You're a straight-A student." Then he pointed at himself. "I'm the opposite."
Emma Watson smiled and said, "You're much more interesting than Tom Felton."
"Who is Tom Felton?" Matthew asked, unfamiliar with the name.
"Malfoy," Emma Watson said openly. "I used to have a crush on him... Actually, I chased him. I confessed, but he turned me down."
Matthew widened his eyes. "He turned you down? Someone actually turned down Emma Watson?"
Emma Watson tilted her head toward Matthew. "What's so strange about rejecting me?"
"True," Matthew replied offhandedly. "Hermione should be living happily with Harry Potter, but Malfoy was Harry's nemesis."
Emma Watson laughed again. "Unfortunately, Hermione and Harry don't end up together." She changed the subject, "My agent suggests I go to the US for college. Do you have any recommendations?"
"Come to Los Angeles, where the USC School of Cinematic Arts is," Matthew said seriously. "It would also be good for your acting career."
He deliberately adopted a mysterious tone, "Didn't you say last night? If you're in Los Angeles, I can help you out. Just give me a call, and I'll be there quickly."
Emma Watson nodded, "Hmm... I'll think about it."
On the podium, Natalie Portman had already begun her speech, and Matthew reminded Emma Watson, "It's starting again. There are cameras everywhere, let's pay attention."
"This is so boring," Emma Watson complained, then closed her mouth and pretended to be very serious.
Matthew stopped talking and looked toward Natalie Portman, as the hall quickly quieted down.
The central hall of the World Palace was grand and solemn, with granite and marble floors and walls. The circular hall had six levels and over 1,800 seats. The front of the hall was for representatives, equipped with simultaneous translation facilities, while the back part was for the audience.
The walls and ceiling of the hall featured paintings by European masters, depicting themes of justice, strength, peace, law, and wisdom. A relief mural spanned the entire ceiling, showing five giant hands in the universe tightly clasped together, symbolizing the unity and friendship of the people from the five continents.
Natalie Portman quickly began her speech, focusing on environmental protection and human rights.
Matthew, Emma Watson, and Natalie Portman were ambassadors for different UN organizations, each with specific topics. However, the ultimate goal was the same: to use the UN to boost their image and gain a good reputation.
Emma Watson's completed speech focused on children's and women's rights, in line with her role as an ambassador for the Women's and Children's Fund. It's evident that her management team was preparing for her future, anticipating that her acting career might face challenges once the Harry Potter series ended.
For actors like her, known for a specific series, transitioning to other roles can be difficult and often painful, with few achieving success.
Matthew remembered that after "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," Helen Herman highly regarded Emma Watson, even flying to the UK several times to try to sign her with Angel Agency. However, Emma Watson's management team was strong and valued her highly, and Helen Herman was ultimately unsuccessful.
Actors like Emma Watson have a better chance of successfully transitioning with a strong management team.
Seeing Natalie Portman, Matthew suddenly thought that Emma Watson could follow her example by attending a top university, staying out of the public eye for a few years, and then taking on new roles when the public's memory of Hermione Granger fades.
He turned to look at Emma Watson, who had mentioned considering universities in the US.
However, a high education level is not rare in Hollywood, with many actors from Ivy League schools and British actors from Oxford and Cambridge. Yet, Natalie Portman's Harvard background is often highlighted, likely due to effective publicity and marketing.
Like a phase when Angel Agency actively revealed Matthew's past, the media would eventually uncover these things. It's better to release them strategically, as the public and media love stories of ordinary people achieving success through hard work.
The applause interrupted Matthew's thoughts as Natalie Portman concluded her speech, and he joined in the applause.
Several representatives from various rights organizations spoke afterward. The main purpose of such meetings was to raise awareness, characterized by lengthy speeches and more talk than action.
The morning session ended, with more scheduled for the afternoon.
The participants stayed at the World Palace's restaurant for lunch instead of returning to their hotels.
Emma Watson was called away by her agent, while Matthew and Natalie Portman got their food and found a quiet spot to sit together.
"I heard you've been to conflict zones in Africa?" Natalie Portman asked, eating a piece of salad.
Matthew nodded lightly. "I went to the Somali border, didn't dare go deeper, and was protected by peacekeeping forces."
Natalie Portman ate only a little, then put down her fork and wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Next month, I'm going with a UN team to visit some countries in Central Africa," she said, like a close friend. "Do you have any advice?"
"Hmm... The mosquitoes and other insects are intense there, so prepare for that," Matthew thought for a moment before suggesting a solution. "Before you go, find a Chinese store and look for a product called..."
He struggled to translate it, speaking slowly and elongating the words, "Essential... Balm... Very effective."
"Essential... Balm... Got it?" Natalie Portman, ever the scholar, repeated.
"Yes, that's the name," Matthew reminded her, "It's for applying to insect bites or on clothes to repel bugs. Don't misuse it."
Natalie Portman acknowledged, "I've got it."
Her approach of seeking advice from Matthew helped foster a sense of trust and camaraderie, subtly bringing them closer together.
Then she asked, "When are you going back to Africa? After finishing the project with Disney?"
"No immediate plans," Matthew replied casually. "The Disney project has a budget of $250 million, and I'm planning to invest and fundraise."
He spread his hands, "I might be looking at about $100 million, so I need to stay on top of it and won't be going to Africa soon."
Natalie Portman agreed, "You should definitely keep an eye on that."
After lunch, they returned to the conference hall, where the meeting concluded in the late afternoon. Matthew invited Natalie Portman and Emma Watson to dinner that evening, and he returned to Los Angeles the next day, where the crew was waiting for him.
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