The charity auction incident was just a small episode — such things happened in Hollywood every single day.
Perhaps because of Gilbert's identity, and the fact that Scarlett's prank earlier had humiliated David Ellison, people now had something new to gossip about.
Everyone was watching with amusement, curious to see what would happen next — how Gilbert would retaliate against David Ellison.
After the charity auction ended, Gilbert went back to work on the post-production of Batman Begins, while also receiving a report from Ivanka.
"That French baron really does have close contact with David Ellison," Ivanka said. "The two sides are about to reach a cooperation agreement."
"Hmm." Gilbert nodded. "Don't stop keeping in touch with him. Don't let David Ellison notice anything. We'll wait until he takes the bait."
"Alright," Ivanka said, though she was still doubtful. "But he's got Michael Ovitz by his side — a seasoned veteran like that won't be easily fooled."
Gilbert waved his hand dismissively. "Doesn't matter. A lot of those so-called veterans believe this project is bound to succeed. Michael Ovitz is no exception.
Keep turning up the heat. I'm going to tear David Ellison apart and stew what's left of him."
Ivanka covered her mouth and giggled. She had heard before that her boss could be petty — and sure enough, that gritted-teeth look on his face proved it true.
Poor David Ellison — he was still completely unaware he'd already fallen into the trap, proudly thinking he had scored a major victory by stealing a hot project from Gilbert.
Then Gilbert asked, "Right, about those big, promising films with huge budgets I told you to find — did you get them?"
"Of course." Ivanka handed him a notebook with a neatly written list. "These are all projects that studios have been hesitating to greenlight because of massive investment costs.
Without a big fool willing to throw in money, I doubt anyone will start them soon."
Gilbert flipped it open. "John Carter? Based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' A Princess of Mars?"
"That's right," Ivanka replied. "That novel inspired George Lucas to create Star Wars. It's one of the world's most influential sci-fi classics — often called the origin of modern science fiction films.
People have tried to adapt it for years, but rights issues and technical limitations always got in the way. Now, the timing might finally be right."
"I remember Director Cameron once mentioned this," Gilbert said with a smirk. "He said that was the story he originally wanted to adapt — but since he couldn't get the rights, he made Avatar instead."
He sneered. "No need to think twice. It's obviously a money-losing project. Go and make contact."
"Oh, and these ones too," Ivanka pointed out. "Tron: Legacy, Battleship — all fit your criteria."
Gilbert looked over the list, quite pleased with Ivanka's selections. "Good. Approach all of them — but keep it subtle. Don't make it too obvious, or others will get suspicious."
Ivanka nodded and clicked off in her high heels to handle it.
These were all long-standing Hollywood projects that had been shelved for years due to their enormous budgets.
It was normal for a film to sit in limbo for years — sometimes even decades — before getting made. Very few directors worked as efficiently as Gilbert, who could propose a movie and start production almost immediately.
People often said Gilbert seemed completely unafraid of financial risk — full of confidence. And indeed, he had never lost money on a film.
But this was a kind of success that only Gilbert could replicate. No one else could pull it off.
After all, investing over a hundred million dollars into a single movie wasn't child's play. If a newcomer failed, their career would be over. If a veteran failed, it would still leave a deep scar.
Over the years, thanks to Melon Studio's string of consecutive hits, investors had come to fully trust Gilbert's judgment.
So whenever Gilbert showed interest in a project, it instantly drew attention from across Hollywood — dramatically increasing its chances of getting funded.
That was precisely why the French baron's project had become so hotly pursued — because Gilbert was involved.
Sure enough, once word began to spread that Ivanka was quietly approaching massive, long-dormant projects like John Carter, Tron: Legacy, and Battleship, the rumors began to fly across Hollywood.
Donald's big mouth played an essential role in all this. On his talk show Walking with Millionaires, he boasted to the audience that Gilbert was his son-in-law.
To prove it, he even blurted out on the show the very projects Ivanka had been approaching.
"Isn't that a business secret? Aren't you afraid Gilbert will sue you?"
"He's my son-in-law. How could he possibly sue me?" Donald kept talking without pause. "Besides, who in all of Hollywood could outdo Gilbert?"
Technically, that made sense. But Ivanka was furious. She and her boss had a strictly professional relationship — how did she suddenly become a daughter-in-law?
So she called Donald and scolded him.
Donald, however, replied, "I've been watching you two for so long with no progress, so I figured I'd give you a little push."
Ivanka fumed and swore under her breath. "I'm telling you again, it's purely professional…"
"Yes, yes, professional," Donald murmured in response to his daughter, quietly muttering, "Man and woman? How can it ever be just work?"
"What did you just say?" Ivanka asked, not hearing the last part clearly.
"Nothing," Donald said, giving her some fatherly advice. "Focus on Gilbert's side. I've got your back here, no rush."
It has to be said, although Donald never held back with his mouth, he also managed to create the impression that Ivanka's relationship with Gilbert wasn't simple.
When people saw that Ivanka could represent Gilbert, they naturally assumed that her involvement with those projects meant Gilbert would be interested too.
Suddenly, the projects that had been ignored due to massive investments instantly became hot commodities.
Ivanka played her role convincingly, negotiating hesitantly, taking two steps forward and one step back, making others even more certain that these projects truly had potential.
She approached the matter with genuine sincerity, giving the impression that the deals were earnest.
As soon as David Ellison noticed this, he consulted with Michael Ovitz, discussing the idea of joining the fray.
"You know, if we take these projects from Gilbert, it'll really wound him, right?" David Ellison began imagining the glorious outcome.
Michael Ovitz advised him against daydreaming. "David, it won't be that serious. At most, it'll affect his mood.
Besides, I think the prospects of these projects aren't all that clear. We should evaluate them before deciding."
But David Ellison was already determined. "No need. Gilbert has already done the hard work for us. We just need to follow in his footsteps and snatch these projects."
Michael Ovitz, a seasoned veteran, sensed that something wasn't quite right. But he couldn't put his finger on what exactly was off.
Over all these years, Gilbert's judgment in films had always been widely praised; no one had ever doubted his eye, including Michael Ovitz.
'Maybe I'm overthinking it,' he told himself.
With that thought, Michael Ovitz stopped trying to persuade David Ellison to reconsider.
....
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