Chapter 157: The Alluring Model
"Mmm…"
Inside the airplane lavatory, Aaron and Elizabeth Hurley were locked tightly together, lips meeting in a breathless kiss.
Standing at 175 cm, Elizabeth Hurley was the embodiment of glamour and sensuality—her figure elegant and alluring, every line accentuated by long years as a professional model.
Leaning close, Aaron murmured, "So… how did you end up becoming an actress?"
"I studied ballet at first," Elizabeth replied softly, arms wrapped around him. "Later I became interested in acting and enrolled at the London Studio Centre. My first roles were in a musical comedy, then television. I'm twenty-seven now, but most of my work hasn't really made a splash."
Aaron smiled and brushed a few kisses across her lips. "And how long have you known Hugh Grant?"
"About five years," she said. "We met while filming Rowing with the Wind."
"Mm. You two must be quite close."
Some time later, Elizabeth straightened up, rubbing her knees lightly before looking at Aaron with a playful smile.
"If I were wearing a flight attendant's uniform," she teased, "wouldn't this feel even more exciting?"
Aaron exhaled slowly, savoring the moment. "Next time, maybe we should try it. At cruising altitude—it does sound thrilling."
"As long as you like it," she replied casually while adjusting her clothes, "I'm always open to it."
They tidied themselves and returned to their seats together.
"When does Passenger 57 come out?" Aaron asked, reclining into his seat.
Perhaps emboldened by their newfound closeness, Elizabeth leaned naturally against him.
"The first week after Halloween."
"So early November, then," Aaron nodded. "Dawnlight has a remake of Scent of a Woman scheduled for mid-to-late November."
He glanced at her. "Are you heading to the U.S. for a new project?"
She shook her head lightly. "I'm still a newcomer in Hollywood. Roles aren't handed out—you have to chase them. I'll audition, and do some magazine shoots and advertising as well. After all, modeling is still part of my career."
Aaron gave her a knowing look. "And a top-tier model at that. With a figure like yours…"
He chuckled softly. "Hugh Grant is a lucky man."
Elizabeth laughed and replied teasingly, "What? Aren't Catherine Zeta-Jones and Sophie Marceau enough for you already—an English rose and a French kiss?"
"And besides," she added lightly, "Hollywood has every kind of beauty imaginable."
Aaron closed his eyes, smiling. "We still have a few hours left. Let's get some rest."
The following morning, the two arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. After what they had shared, there was an unmistakable reluctance to part.
"Aaron, I'm staying at the Hilton Garden Inn in Midtown Manhattan," Elizabeth Hurley said softly. "If you want me with you, just call anytime."
No matter how one looked at it, Aaron Anderson's appeal was overwhelming—especially to women like Elizabeth Hurley, who longed for a deeper foothold in the entertainment industry.
Aaron nodded. "Don't worry. If there's a role that suits you, I'll keep an eye out. Once I have some time, I'll come find you."
Elizabeth knew exactly what she wanted, and so did Aaron. Catherine Zeta-Jones was already a living example of how quickly fortunes could change.
They embraced once more.
"Alright," Elizabeth smiled. "I'll be waiting."
---
Aaron's return to New York wasn't merely personal. He needed to give instructions regarding the upcoming short position against the British pound. A historic event like Quantum Fund's attack on the pound was not something to miss.
Moreover, Microsoft had completed its fourth stock split just last month—a two-for-three split—when the price had already climbed past $112 per share. The shares Aaron held were now worth nearly $70 million, and the upward trend showed no sign of slowing.
Before long, Aaron leveraged his Microsoft holdings to secure a $50 million cash loan, handing the funds over to Dawn Funds to monitor the foreign exchange market—specifically, the pound.
"Ten times leverage?" the investment manager asked, visibly startled.
"And you want to start shorting when GBP/USD hits 2.0? If it climbs to 2.2, you'll be wiped out."
"2.2?" Aaron shook his head calmly. "Hedging always carries risk."
Besides, with Britain's economy already struggling, how long could it really sustain such an exchange rate? Exports were vital.
Meanwhile, negotiations over the North American Free Trade Agreement were nearing completion. Once the U.S., Canada, and Mexico formed a unified free-trade zone, it would become the largest regional economic bloc in the world—surpassing even the European Community in scale and market size.
---
At the Pierre Hotel on the Upper East Side, a lavish celebration was held for Indecent Proposal surpassing $100 million at the North American box office.
With $100 million domestically, $160 million overseas, and a global total of $260 million, the film was an undeniable success—even if it didn't quite reach the explosive numbers of Basic Instinct.
Michael Ovitz raised his glass to Aaron.
"Congratulations. Another blockbuster added to your résumé. Your winning streak continues."
Aaron smiled and took a sip. "And another premium title added to CAA's package slate."
The profits were substantial. After production and marketing costs, Indecent Proposal left roughly $40 million in net revenue—of which CAA took 15%. That didn't even include future income from home video, laserdisc releases, and television licensing.
Without counting actor commissions, CAA would earn tens of millions from this single project alone.
No wonder agencies championed this model.
"Oh, by the way," Ovitz added casually, "the prosecutions against Giancarlo Parre have officially gone through—both in Europe and the U.S. Crédit Lyonnais has seized the collateral."
The collateral, of course, was MGM and EMI Films.
"Crédit Lyonnais is now MGM's parent company," Ovitz continued. "They're considering a sale to ease the debt burden—but for now, MGM's valuation is low. That's why they've entered a strategic partnership with CAA."
Ovitz glanced at Aaron knowingly. With Aaron Anderson's reputation and track record, there was no shortage of banks or funds willing to back him.
"I see," Aaron said, nodding.
He'd already suspected as much when CAA began helping MGM search for new management.
For now, MGM's heavy debt had significantly depressed its value. Crédit Lyonnais would likely inject more capital, stabilize operations, and wait for the studio to regain strength—raising its price before any sale.
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