The enormous ballroom was silent, dozens of guests stood in the ballroom, watching the Hollywood stars on stage who were about to become an engaged couple.
The engagement ceremony was held as a cocktail party, with no dedicated seating or banquet arrangements.
A cameraman moved from one side of the stage to the area directly below it. The camera he carried first gave a close-up of the pastor, then switched to a wide-angle lens, capturing Matthew and Charlize Theron.
Matthew was not religious. Inviting a pastor was partly a formality and partly out of consideration for Charlize Theron.
Not everyone was like him, without a clear faith.
Matthew stood to the pastor's left and glanced at the cameraman below. The cameraman was from TMZ. Matthew and Charlize Theron had previously negotiated that TMZ would buy the exclusive video and image rights to the engagement ceremony for 1.5 million US dollars.
Of course, Matthew and Charlize Theron were not foolish and would not keep this money. After TMZ's related reports were published, they would jointly issue a public statement, donating the 1.5 million US dollars to the UNHCR.
This way, they could achieve their original intention of publicity and promotion, and also earn a good reputation for themselves at others' expense, which was definitely a very cost-effective deal.
With Helen Herman planning behind the scenes, and Matthew being thick-skinned and ruthless enough, they naturally had to find ways to maximize their profits.
Otherwise, wouldn't this show be for nothing?
The engagement ceremony was very simple, mainly divided into two parts: the pastor's admonition and the exchange of engagement rings.
The famous marriage pastor from Beverly Hills stepped forward and said in a loud voice, "Before God, I admonish you, the two newcomers, to remember that love and faithfulness are the cornerstones of joy and eternity. You must always keep the solemn vows you have made, and steadfastly seek and follow the will of the Heavenly Father. Your lives will always be happy, harmonious, and joyful; the family you build in the future will be able to withstand any changes."
Matthew stood solemnly, appearing to listen attentively.
Charlize Theron, wearing a white dress, stood quietly there, deep in thought.
The pastor articulated clearly, with an undulating tone, "Remember that you are not embarking on a new journey in life alone. When facing difficulties, do not be afraid to ask others for help. Your friends, lovers, and the church you believe in will all extend a helping hand to you. Accepting help is not a shame; it is a sincere act. Around us, the Lord will always extend a helping hand to us; the hand of Jesus Christ is everywhere."
Finally, the pastor said, "Most importantly, we have now witnessed the union of this couple, Amen."
The pastor stepped back and skillfully said, "You may now exchange engagement rings."
Matthew and Charlize Theron each took a step forward, coming to the center of the stage. Michael Fassbender, who was on one side, immediately followed, handing the ring box to Matthew.
Matthew took out a ladies' diamond ring and placed it on Charlize Theron's hand.
Then, Charlize Theron's mother also came over. She first hugged her daughter, and then placed an exquisite ring box in Charlize Theron's hand.
Charlize Theron took out the men's ring and put it on Matthew.
Loud applause instantly erupted in the ballroom. All the guests clapped vigorously. Matthew took the opportunity to kiss Charlize Theron, and this simple yet grand engagement ceremony concluded.
Below the stage, Elena Boyar quietly approached the cameraman and asked, "No problem?"
The cameraman nodded, "Everything went smoothly."
Elena Boyar, following Matthew's instructions, said, "That's enough, no need to record the rest."
With the boss's command, the cameraman didn't hesitate and immediately turned off the camera. Elena Boyar then said,
"Go back to the news agency now and process the video. I'll tell you when to release it after I get back."
"No problem." The cameraman began to pack up his equipment.
As he finished packing and left through the side door, he looked back at the stage. Gerda Theron, Charlize Theron's mother, who was speaking on behalf of the female side, was just finishing her brief speech and walking off the stage.
"It's your turn." On one side of the stage, Michael Fassbender nudged James McAvoy. James McAvoy straightened his tie, "I know."
He strode to the center of the stage.
James McAvoy was a very good friend of Matthew's long before Matthew became famous. He knew many things about him and also knew that Matthew had no family. So, when he heard Matthew say he wanted him to be the male representative, he agreed without hesitation.
Aside from Michael Fassbender, he didn't think anyone else was more suitable.
"Ladies and gentlemen."
Standing in the center of the stage, James McAvoy displayed that unique seriousness characteristic of Britons. "Matthew Horner, my good friend Matthew Horner, when he asked me to be the male representative, I was very happy."
Matthew looked at James McAvoy; he didn't know what this guy would say.
"Who is he?" Elena Boyar asked Helen Herman curiously, "Matthew has such good friends?"
"Very good friends." Helen Herman pointed to Michael Fassbender on one side of the stage and said, "And that person. The three of them have been friends for several years. Matthew's friendship with those two is much deeper than with Johnny Depp."
Elena Boyar nodded slightly.
On stage, James McAvoy continued, "I am honored and surprised. I promise Matthew that I will do my best to complete this task, a task more challenging for me than all previous challenges." Then, he smiled, "Also, thank you very much for his trust in me. To some extent, I was almost moved."
Matthew also smiled and muttered, "This guy."
Charlize Theron said, "Britons can be quite amusing when they joke."
"Matthew is a very special person." James McAvoy turned to look over here. "He's not a good person in the traditional sense, but he's the best friend. Ever since I became friends with Matthew, I've felt it's a very fortunate thing."
He laughed again, "I remember when we were chatting once, Matthew asked Michael and me if ten thousand dollars was enough if we wanted to find a wife. I told him it would take twenty thousand dollars, and Matthew immediately prayed to earn twenty thousand dollars quickly."
James McAvoy called out to Matthew, "Matthew, have you earned twenty thousand dollars yet?"
Matthew smiled and didn't respond to James McAvoy's joke.
Such a speech couldn't be long and tedious. After telling two jokes, James McAvoy became serious and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, today we are here to congratulate Matthew Horner and Charlize Theron on their upcoming adventure."
Once he became serious, he was a standard British gentleman.
James McAvoy looked at Charlize Theron and said, "Charlize, Matthew Horner is a man you deserve to have!"
Upon hearing this, Charlize Theron had an urge to roll her eyes, but she knew it wasn't appropriate now. Not only did she forcefully suppress it, but she also turned to look at Matthew beside her.
Matthew happened to look over as well, and their eyes met in a deep gaze.
Loud applause once again erupted in the ballroom.
Matthew and Charlize Theron also applauded with everyone, giving their applause to James McAvoy.
As James McAvoy walked off the stage, the engagement ceremony's procedures were all completed. Matthew waited for Charlize Theron to change into a more comfortable dress, and then they each held a glass of wine and entered the ballroom to thank the distinguished guests who came to congratulate them.
"Let's have a toast together."
Johnny Depp looked at Matthew and called out to Keanu Reeves, "Let's congratulate Matthew and Sally together."
Keanu Reeves raised his glass to Matthew, "Congratulations to you both."
"Thank you," Matthew said with a smile.
Charlize Theron nodded and, together with Matthew, took a small sip.
As soon as Johnny Depp and Charlize Theron left, Zack Snyder and David Ellison walked over together.
After Zack Snyder offered his congratulations, he said to Matthew, "When will you be done with *Mr. & Mrs. Smith*? David and I are still waiting for you."
David Ellison also said, "Matthew, I invested in this film because of you... and Zack. Do you intend to just cast it aside and ignore it?"
Matthew was a little helpless and said, "Please, gentlemen. I'm just an actor. You want me to be the male lead, no problem, but I don't understand anything about preparing a movie, so I can't help." He explained, "Before June, I have to report to the *Pirates of the Caribbean* crew, and filming might take over half a year."
Zack Snyder and David Ellison also knew this was true. Their concerns stemmed from the fact that *Mr. & Mrs. Smith* was already a guaranteed blockbuster, and Matthew would certainly be inundated with film offers in the future. They were very afraid of a situation where Matthew would violate their agreement and no longer star in this film.
This wasn't impossible. After the failure of *Kingdom of Heaven*, many media outlets were predicting the demise of epic films. Although Matthew had signed an agreement with Skydance, his commercial appeal was now enormous. It was likely that some film crews would be willing to pay a huge breach of contract fee to have Matthew as their male lead... Matthew wasn't stupid and said, "Zack, David, we have an agreement, and I will definitely play this male lead."
Reassured by Matthew's guarantee, Zack Snyder and David Ellison relaxed considerably and soon left.
"Are you talking about the adaptation of that graphic novel?" Charlize Theron asked curiously.
Matthew nodded gently, "Yes, *300*.")