Regardless of the external competition, the larger a company, the more factions there are internally.
So, when vying for power and profit, factions generally restrain themselves, avoiding actions that would harm the company's interests.
Once that bottom line is crossed, the company's decline is not far off.
Gilbert was clearly unaware of Disney's internal struggles, and even if he knew, he had no intention of getting involved. Such infighting within corporate giants was still too far removed from him.
As long as he made good films, no matter what internal struggles were happening, he would be someone all parties needed to win over and appease.
For a film director, movies are the foundation of everything.
Cameron Diaz's agent secured her several audition opportunities. Although she was living with Gilbert, he didn't often see her return.
However, unexpectedly, Winona Ryder, whom he hadn't seen in over half a year, reappeared.
"I hear you're dating a girl named Cameron Diaz?" Winona Ryder entered the apartment, searching around for condoms, but instead found two different colored sets of women's lingerie.
Comparing the sizes, Winona Ryder nodded contentedly, muttering to herself, "They're quite big."
Gilbert said, exasperated, "Ms. Ryder, long time no see. You just walk in and start searching my apartment?"
"I heard you moved, so I'm checking around to make sure I don't lose track of you," Winona Ryder said self-righteously.
Needless to say, Gwyneth Paltrow must have given her the new apartment address. They were good friends, even sharing men.
"Do you know what?" Winona Ryder, making herself at home, pulled a can of beer from the fridge, took a swig, and said to Gilbert, "I actually missed you. I was upset for a while, and thankfully, you were there."
Gilbert was speechless, feeling like a high-class escort.
So he quickly changed the subject: "I heard you and Johnny Depp are back together?"
To his surprise, Winona Ryder shook her head. "We broke up again. I'm single now."
"Huh?" Gilbert was shocked. "Are you serious?"
"Of course, I'm serious," Winona Ryder said with a very serious expression.
Gilbert felt that Winona Ryder was somewhat mentally unstable, and Johnny Depp was similar.
They were a perfect match, an unsolvable pair.
To avoid Johnny Depp showing up at his door, Gilbert didn't have any "activity" with Winona Ryder. Instead, he sweet-talked her into leaving.
After Winona Ryder left, Gilbert breathed a sigh of relief.
Hollywood relationships are indeed chaotic. It's a place brimming with stars and immense pressure, and it's quite common for two people who click to engage in "activity" anytime, anywhere.
Undeniably, there are still Puritanical gentlemen in Hollywood, but more than half of the actors, directors, and producers have incredibly messy private lives.
In comparison, although Gilbert lived a rather free and easy life, he seemed like a virtuous gentleman.
After all, he didn't touch marijuana and didn't participate in the popular wild parties of the time.
In Gwyneth Paltrow's words, he was an oddity in Hollywood, completely lacking the charm of the old Gilbert.
Time slowly moved to June. Final Destination had largely completed post-production, with final editing, soundtrack creation, and a small amount of special effects integrated into the main feature.
The entire film ran for 102 minutes, and Gilbert believed it would be a thrilling experience for the audience.
Cameron Diaz also constantly kept an eye on the film's post-production. After all, this was her first movie role.
Although the main content wasn't revealed to her, Gilbert reassured her that the film was definitely no worse than The Shallows.
June 29th was Gilbert's birthday.
He had originally planned to celebrate his birthday at his aunt's place in San Francisco, but his old man merely bought him a watch as a gift and then left him to his own devices.
However, his uncle's family went on vacation to Hawaii, so Gilbert had to celebrate alone in Los Angeles.
Of course, his birthday wouldn't be boring. His agent, Sheena Boone, personally baked him a cake.
Matt Damon gave him a pair of signed Jordan sneakers. At the time, Jordan had just won two consecutive championships and was one of the most famous basketball players in the NBA and worldwide.
Gwyneth Paltrow was quite amusing; she gave him an inflatable doll.
What did that mean? Did she think he had no women? That he needed an inflatable doll? Gilbert found it funny, but he accepted it nonetheless.
Of course, there were also gifts from others: Spielberg gave Gilbert his years of directing notes, and George Lucas gave him a lightsaber...
Although his second film wasn't a collaboration with Universal Pictures, President Akio Tanai sent him a set of Panasonic electronics.
Disney's Touchstone Pictures didn't want to be outdone. Robert Iger heard that Gilbert had a younger cousin, less than twelve years old, whom Gilbert doted on.
His cousin also loved classic Disney animated characters, so Robert Iger took a roundabout approach, sending a set of Disney animation dolls directly.
Once you reach a certain position, birthdays are no longer just a personal or family affair, and Gilbert was living proof of that.
At noon, Gilbert had a meal with his subordinates at the studio to celebrate his birthday.
In the evening, back at his apartment, Cameron Diaz personally cooked dinner for them, and they enjoyed a candlelight meal.
"Try this dish. I learned it from my grandmother," Cameron Diaz enthusiastically recommended her specialty dish to Gilbert.
Gilbert took a bite, and his brows relaxed. "Mmm, it's really good, quite delicious."
Cameron Diaz feigned shyness, her big, sky-blue eyes gazing at Gilbert. She said in a sweet, soft voice, "Grandmother said this dish is made for the man you love."
Her soft, sweet voice was mesmerizing. Gilbert was sure that the so-called "baby voices" of two or three decades later wouldn't even come close to Cameron Diaz's voice.
Looking at Cameron Diaz's alluring face, Gilbert didn't want to act like a cad. "Michelle, you know I'm completely focused on my film career right now. I don't want to be in a relationship, nor do I want to be tied down to one woman."
Logically speaking, in modern society, women are independent and no longer subservient to men.
There are plenty of good men out there, and she could be perfectly happy on her own. If she ever felt lonely, finding a man wouldn't be hard for such a beautiful woman.
To his surprise, Cameron Diaz stared intently into Gilbert's eyes, making him feel a bit flustered.
After a long moment of wide-eyed staring, Cameron Diaz chuckled. "I know that big shots in Hollywood have had many women, and you're no exception."
"I'm not a big shot in Hollywood yet!" Gilbert said.
"You will be, one day," Cameron Diaz said, looking around gracefully. "An excellent man is certainly surrounded by many beautiful women.
This comes with power and wealth.
I admit I'm vain and yearn for the spotlight. Rather than giving myself to those old men in their fifties and sixties, I'd rather find a young, handsome, and promising one and entrust myself to him."
The meaning of her words couldn't be clearer: Cameron Diaz was no longer content with just being a superficial girlfriend or a physical relationship.
Even if marriage wasn't on the table, Cameron Diaz wanted a deeper connection than their current one.
This was Cameron Diaz's judgment based on her long-term observation of Gilbert; he always took care of his own people.
Since she had said all that, and the woman was so proactive, it would be pretentious to refuse any further.
Gilbert could only raise his glass. "Since you've put it that way, I can't refuse anymore. That would be unsympathetic."
"That's wonderful!" Cameron Diaz plopped onto Gilbert's lap, her slender body wriggling in his arms. "I've been dreaming of this moment."
"Stop squirming; I can't even focus on my food," Gilbert said, holding Cameron Diaz's waist.
"Then what are we waiting for? Can food fill you up? Just eat me!" Cameron Diaz gave him a big, seductive wink.
Any man who could resist would not be a man.
Without a devilishly charming smile, Gilbert simply gave Cameron Diaz a princess carry, blew out the candles, and walked towards the bedroom...