The richest actor in Hollywood.

"Matthew, look this way!" 

"Megatron, my Megatron, just look at your Decepticon fans!" 

"Long live Megatron! Long live Decepticons! Long live Matthew!"

Walking on the red carpet with Alexandra Daddario, Matthew could hear the shouts from the enthusiastic Transformers fans, especially the Decepticon fans, who clearly regarded him as their leader.

Whenever he heard a voice calling out, he would wave in that direction. Alexandra Daddario kept her arm linked with his, smiling at the fans and journalists on both sides of the red carpet.

This was the premiere of "Transformers." Above the entrance to the El Capitan Theatre, a giant poster hung down from the building, featuring close-ups of Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and Megatron.

As for the lead characters Sam and Mikaela, there were no promotional posters of them at the premiere site.

From the production company DreamWorks to the distributor Paramount Pictures, everyone knew what the fans had come to see. The so-called lead characters could only step aside.

Matthew and Alexandra entered the interview area, where the crew had arranged for him to say a few words to the media.

After taking photos in front of numerous photographers, a reporter from CBS immediately approached. She looked at Alexandra Daddario and asked, "Miss Daddario, are you and Matthew officially dating?"

Standing next to Matthew, Alexandra Daddario smiled but said nothing, as if she hadn't heard the question.

The female reporter hit a wall and was about to ask Matthew when he reminded her, "I don't answer questions unrelated to 'Transformers.'"

"Uh..." The reporter thought for a moment, discarding the pre-set question, and asked a tricky one instead, "Matthew, you've always played positive roles. Why did you decide to voice a major villain in this film?"

Matthew thought for a moment and answered, "In my eyes, Megatron has never been a villain. He was my childhood companion."

The reporter seemed to press the issue, "But Megatron is indeed a villain in this film."

"Is he? I don't think so," Matthew said, embodying the leader of the Decepticons, "Megatron is dedicated to saving his home, Cybertron, just as we humans want to save Earth."

He decided not to continue with this line of conversation and refused further questions from the reporter, leading Alexandra Daddario into the El Capitan Theatre.

Following the guidance of the staff, they entered the VIP room, where Steven Spielberg greeted them.

"Hi, Matthew." Spielberg was very enthusiastic.

Matthew gave him a light hug, "Hi, Steven."

After the polite hug, Spielberg said with a smile, "I've been meaning to call and congratulate you, but I've been busy. So, I'll say it now. Congratulations on another box office hit."

"Thank you," Matthew replied modestly, "It's mostly luck, thanks to Depp."

Spielberg wouldn't attribute it to luck, and he continued, "Your comments at the last press conference provided new ideas for the crew, and the promotional effect was excellent."

Matthew smiled back, "You're too kind, Steven. As a member of the crew, it's what I should do."

After exchanging pleasantries with Spielberg, Matthew went inside the VIP room. Alexandra Daddario pointed to a girl about her age not far away and said, "I see a friend. I'll go say hello and be back soon."

Matthew nodded lightly, "Go ahead."

As Alexandra Daddario left, Matthew encountered Spielberg's goddaughter, Gwyneth Paltrow. Due to their connection through "Iron Man," Gwyneth Paltrow stopped to greet him and chatted for a bit, expressing her congratulations similar to Spielberg.

The reason both godfather and goddaughter were congratulating him was mainly due to the box office success of "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End."

As of today, the film had been in theaters in North America for over a month, grossing over $300 million domestically and approaching $800 million worldwide, making it the top contender for both the annual North American and global box office titles.

After making the rounds in the VIP room and greeting several acquaintances, Matthew found Michael Bay and chatted with him for a while. Bay was feeling triumphant. Although "Transformers" hadn't been released yet, the pre-sale figures were out. The opening weekend pre-sales were close to $20 million, with external predictions estimating a $90 million opening weekend.

For Michael Bay, who had been having a run of bad luck since the new century began, these were numbers that could turn things around for him.

"I really hope we can continue working together," Michael Bay said to Matthew. "You're the kind of actor any director dreams of."

Matthew replied deliberately, "That may not be the case. Many directors probably don't think much of me."

Like Matthew, Michael Bay followed a purely commercial route and scoffed, "Those people say one thing but think another. They wish you'd star in their films but don't want to pay your full fee."

He scoffed again, "These people want to benefit without paying the proper price. There are no such good deals in this world."

Hearing Michael Bay say this, Matthew thought of Harvey Weinstein's pudgy face. That big Jewish guy repeatedly invited him but didn't want to pay even $20 million, always leveraging his reputation and influence in the Oscars to get people to lower their fees.

While Matthew and Michael Bay were talking, one of Hollywood's most recognizable black couples was watching them.

"Jada, do you see that?" Will Smith, with his distinctive ears, looked at Matthew and warned his wife Jada Pinkett Smith seriously, "Matthew Horner is now one of the hottest stars in the A-list. His network is as extensive as ours, if not more. So, drop any silly ideas. We stay out of each other's way."

Jada Pinkett Smith disagreed, "He tarnished Spike Lee's reputation. Are we just going to let that go?"

Will Smith quickly pulled her aside, looked around, and saw that no one was paying attention. He said very seriously, "How many times have I told you? We have nothing to do with Spike Lee. Never have!"

Jada Pinkett Smith waved her hand dismissively, "Alright, alright, I get it." She seemed irritated by Will Smith's warning and used an excuse, "I'm going to the bathroom to touch up my makeup."

Without waiting for Will Smith's permission, she walked away.

Watching his wife leave, Will Smith showed a bit of helplessness on his face. Marrying a woman like her was truly a headache.

He turned back to see Matthew Horner approaching.

Matthew had noticed the Smiths earlier. Before reaching Will Smith, he smiled and said, "Hello, Will. Didn't expect to see you here."

"Hello, Matthew." Seeing the offered hand, Will Smith extended his right hand for a shake, "Long time no see."

Matthew's friendly approach raised Will Smith's guard but also made him wonder if Matthew had let go of the past incident.

Last time, it was Jada Pinkett Smith who had stepped forward, and Will Smith had publicly apologized on her behalf.

Matthew had no idea what Will Smith was thinking. He chatted briefly, showing no hostility, much like many Hollywood stars who, after competition, went their separate ways—neither friends nor enemies.

However, deep down, Matthew knew very well what Will Smith had done and the consequences it could have had if it succeeded.

Think about it. Given Hollywood's current situation and the social environment in North America, if he were labeled as a racist, he wouldn't be able to sustain his position, not just as a big star but even in the industry.

He never saw himself as a good person, let alone a saint who repays evil with good.

After chatting with Will Smith for a while, Matthew asked, "Did you come here alone today? I didn't see your wife."

"Ah, she went to the restroom." Will Smith looked at Matthew, "You didn't bring a date?"

"She's chatting with a friend." Matthew smiled.

At this point, they had nothing more to say and found excuses to leave for different places.

Matthew spoke with Megan Fox for a while, then met Shia LaBeouf. Unlike when they first met, this young actor behaved like a good boy in front of the public and media. However, his face changed noticeably when he saw Matthew.

Matthew didn't care about this. There's a saying in Hollywood: the more people like you, the more people hate you. He wasn't the kind of person everyone would like.

A person like Shia LaBeouf, he just needed to watch and see him fail.

When it was almost time to enter the screening room, Alexandra Daddario hadn't returned yet. Matthew couldn't find her in the VIP room. Michael Bay informed him that Alexandra had left the VIP room alone.

Alexandra had left the VIP room to head to the restroom. Her friend had accidentally dropped her lipstick, and while helping pick it up, she got some red on her hand.

This was the hand she would use to hold Matthew's arm later, so she went to wash it off.

As she was about to reach the restroom, a black woman suddenly turned the corner from the restroom and stopped upon seeing Alexandra.

"Are you Matthew Horner's date?"

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