In the Century City Shopping Center plaza, everyone watched the interview on stage. The interview was gradually coming to an end. Brian and Daenerys had already put down their posters and were carefully listening to the questions from the reporter on the stage. The person standing up to ask a question was the young female reporter they found so strange.
Lily Collins took the microphone handed to her by a staff member, stood up, and said, "Matthew, your most recent film, 'National Treasure,' has faced a lot of controversy. How do you deal with all these negative comments?"
Hearing this question, Matthew glanced at Lily Collins with a hint of surprise. To be able to ask such a question, it seemed this girl had matured quite a bit.
"I tell myself to try not to read negative comments. I hardly ever read reviews of my own work," Matthew said, just as he always did, with most of his interview remarks being promotional bluster. "Sometimes, some comments remind you to recognize the path. All acting opportunities are obtained after making certain judgments, and you have to bear the consequences, whatever they may be. I've been in this business for a long time, and now I've developed a pretty thick skin."
These words carried far through the microphone, and a wave of good-natured laughter erupted across Century City Shopping Plaza.
"Thank you," Lily Collins politely returned the microphone and sat back down. She saw Matthew nod at her with a smile and quickly smiled back.
Next to her, a reporter's question was directed at Charlize Theron. "Ms. Theron, may I ask…" He adjusted his glasses and asked, "There are reports in the media that you and Matthew have been looking at houses recently, preparing for marriage. is this true?"
Charlize Theron picked up the microphone and said flatly, "There's no such thing."
The reporter, however, wasn't giving up and turned to ask, "Matthew, is there such a thing?"
Matthew could faintly see the TMZ lanyard around the reporter's neck and said, "There wasn't such a thing before, but now…"
He suddenly stood up, unexpectedly walked in front of Charlize Theron, knelt on one knee in the most common Western proposal style, and pulled out the "dove egg" diamond ring from his pocket.
In the media section, all the reporters were stunned. They weren't fools and could guess the meaning of such a gesture. And from such a close distance, the dazzling diamond ring was clearly visible.
"Quick! Quick!" A reporter called to his cameraman, "Hurry and shoot this!"
Other reporters quickly put down their pens and notebooks, pulled out their camera-equipped phones, and frantically started filming.
Lily Collins gasped, her mouth wide open. Was Matthew… proposing to Charlize Theron?
Next to her, a male reporter from Yahoo Entertainment took a few photos with his phone and then turned and ran. Since his car was in the parking lot opposite the stage, he didn't have time to go backstage and jumped directly from the front.
"Let me through! Let me through!"
He pushed through the crowd, with only one thought in his mind: he had to get this news on Yahoo Entertainment as soon as possible. This was huge news that could shake the entire United States.
The coolest couple, whom all of North American media and movie fans believed should be together, with the man finally proposing to the woman amidst widespread anticipation—how could it not attract attention?
Below the stage, a large number of movie fans, followers, and passersby instantly fell silent. Everyone stared at the couple on the stage.
Brian's eyes widened in surprise, while Daenerys clutched his arm tightly, her face filled with happiness and anticipation as she looked ahead.
Matthew knelt on one knee and declared loudly, "Sally, you are the most brilliant diamond in this world, and I am willing to be your guardian angel!"
Charlize Theron covered her mouth in surprise, trembling as she stood up from her chair, seemingly overcome with emotion and unable to utter a single word.
Seeing Charlize Theron deliver an Oscar-winning performance, Matthew also said with exceptional sincerity, "Sally, your happiness is my greatest pursuit in this life, your smile is my greatest satisfaction in this life, and your contentment is my greatest gain in this life. My dear, will you marry me, because marrying you is the greatest blessing of my life!"
"It's really a proposal…" Daenerys touched her chest, feeling her heart pound. "How romantic."
Charlize Theron just covered her mouth with one hand, unable to say a word.
Matthew said once more, "My dear, will you marry me?"
Throughout the entire Century City Shopping Center, every device capable of taking photos was pointed at Matthew and Charlize Theron. All the reporters witnessing this recorded what was happening using every available means.
At the outermost edge of the plaza, someone pulled out their phone.
"I have a news tip: Matthew Horner is proposing to Charlize Theron in the plaza in front of Century City Shopping Center!"
In just half a minute, dozens of similar calls had reached reporters and paparazzi, big and small, across Los Angeles.
Anyone with even a slight nose for news knew that a sensational breaking story was unfolding!
"Theron, you idiot!" Daenerys, seeing Theron cover her mouth but not speak, shouted out in exasperation, "Say yes!"
Brian also shouted loudly, "Say yes!"
The two dozen Matthew fans who came with him, hearing Brian's shout, also yelled, "Say yes!"
In just over ten seconds, the plaza in front of Century City Shopping Center filled with a chorus of voices.
"Say yes!"
"Hurry up and agree!"
"Get together! Get together…"
Finally, amidst widespread anticipation, large tears rolled down Charlize Theron's eyes. She released the hand covering her mouth and said to Matthew, "I… I will!"
Matthew immediately stood up, placed the dazzling diamond ring on Charlize Theron's hand, cupped her face, and kissed her.
Below the stage, scattered applause began to ripple, then the applause merged into a continuous wave, finally crescendoing into a roaring ocean.
"Congratulations, Matthew!"
Near Brian and Daenerys, Matthew's fans shouted loudly.
Correspondingly, Charlize Theron's supporters on the other side also shouted, "Congratulations, Sally!"
Unfortunately, compared to Matthew, who pursued a purely commercial route, the number of Charlize Theron's fans present was much smaller.
Amidst countless blessings, Matthew and Charlize Theron separated. The reporters in the media section opposite seemed to be at a breaking point, ready to rush forward at any moment.
The press conference, of course, couldn't continue. Akiva Goldsman called for the security personnel, who were already prepared, to quickly escort Matthew and Charlize Theron back to the shopping center's lounge. After a few brief words, the event concluded.
However, no media reporters were dissatisfied; they had obtained more explosive news than expected, and they wouldn't have to worry about tabloid headlines for tomorrow, or even the entire coming week.
Back at Century City Shopping Center, Charlize Theron followed Matthew into his lounge.
"You memorized your lines well," Charlize Theron said.
Matthew shrugged and said, "Sally, we should quickly leave here now and head straight to the nearest hotel to get a room."
Charlize Theron couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Can't you think of anything else besides that?"
Matthew stepped forward and put his arm around Charlize Theron. "Sally, do you know how captivating you are when you're dressed up?"
He didn't know why, but sometimes he felt that Charlize Theron, when dressed, was even more attractive than when she was undressed.
Of course, being with an Oscar-winning actress felt entirely different, even giving one the illusion of having conquered Hollywood.
A knock on the door sounded. Matthew released Charlize Theron and said, "Come in."
The door opened from the outside, and Matthew's agent, Helen Herman, Charlize Theron's agent, Heidi Schaefer, and the film's producer, Akiva Goldsman, entered one after another.
"The effect is excellent!" Akiva Goldsman seemed a bit excited. "My assistant, who stayed at the office, just called. The proposal pictures and news have already been published on Yahoo Entertainment. The clicks instantly surpassed ten thousand, and in five minutes, it exceeded one hundred thousand!"
He made a decision: "For the next week or so of promotion, we will use Matthew and Charlize's proposal, comparing it to the film's Mr. & Mrs. Smith, as a promotional point, and intensify the hype."
At this point, Akiva Goldsman looked at Matthew and Charlize Theron and instructed, "You two must be high-profile. Buy the house before the movie is released." He thought for a moment and added, "Matthew, didn't you say last time you liked a mansion in Beverly Hills, the kind you can move into immediately? Can you get it done before the premiere and move in with Charlize?"
Matthew shrugged, "I'm having some financial difficulties."
That mansion was quite valuable, and he was buying it for his own use, so the production team couldn't foot the bill for him.
"is that so…" Akiva Goldsman pondered for a moment and said, "My brother is a manager in a bank's loan department. I've spoken to him, and loosening the mortgage conditions won't be a problem."
Matthew thought about it and said, "Okay."
Helen Herman also agreed, "I will help Matthew resolve the housing issue as soon as possible."
If the film sold well, she and Matthew would both directly benefit.
Akiva Goldsman then added, "In the second week after the film's release, Matthew and Charlize will hold a grand engagement ceremony."
This was an agreement they had discussed earlier, and neither Matthew nor Charlize Theron had any objections.
If "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" had a strong opening weekend at the box office, Matthew and Charlize Theron's engagement at that time could also continue to generate buzz, keeping the film's momentum going, and helping it compete against "Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith," which would be released a week later.
The five people gathered in the well-soundproofed lounge, discussing for a long time and finalizing a more detailed plan. They didn't leave until close to noon.
Matthew and Charlize Theron, as the parties involved, naturally couldn't avoid being surrounded by reporters and paparazzi. This was just the beginning.