"Is Ivanka's side handled?"
"It's handled. That person compromised."
Naomi Watts hesitated and asked, "You really let him go?"
"Let him go?" Gilbert shook his head slightly. "Sometimes letting someone go is a punishment of its own."
Commissioner Smith obediently went to the club to carry out his undercover mission. They had an unwritten rule: if someone messed things up, they would be cold-shouldered for a long time.
They probably never expected Commissioner Smith to betray them. Those above didn't send anyone to monitor him and didn't notice anything unusual about him.
They were so used to manipulating others and behaving without limits that they forgot others could also calculate against them. Even now, these people still believed Gilbert didn't know who targeted him.
Rick watched Commissioner Smith return to the club with ease and suddenly understood the boss's words.
"The whole world is made up of a huge ramshackle troupe. As long as you're a little clearer and a little smarter than them, you can play them in the palm of your hand."
The plan proceeded smoothly. Both sides believed they were clever, but in any plan, no matter how thorough, errors would appear during execution. It depended on who was more fortunate.
Back in Los Angeles, after sweeping aside Jada Smith's baseless accusation with thunderous speed, Hollywood suddenly realized that Gilbert's status there was still unshakable.
Instead, Will and Jada Smith now found themselves in an awkward position. They had botched things, and the club's invitation no longer counted. Their backers abandoned them, so both husband and wife suffered.
Will Smith still had The Pursuit of Happyness releasing this year, but under the influence of this incident, audience anticipation on major film sites plummeted rapidly.
In addition, the originally finalized Hancock—they were about to sign the actor contract. But after this incident broke out, the producers immediately replaced him.
This was normal. If someone did something and didn't have to bear the consequences, the world would become lawless.
Will Smith quickly stepped out and stated, "I was only protecting my wife. She said she suffered mental illness due to assault.
Please forgive the heart of a husband wanting to protect his wife. I hereby solemnly apologize to Director Gilbert.
I'm sorry…"
His attitude was sincere, but it was already too late.
As for Jada Smith, she had already started playing ostrich and refused to appear. She didn't dare show up—Gilbert's fans were extremely aggressive.
Now, in forums and blogs, posts attacking Jada Smith had exceeded over a hundred thousand entries. Just reading them made her feel she truly was developing a mental illness.
Across the ocean, news lagged. When North American public opinion had already reversed, the media over there was still reporting the Gilbert assault case.
Netizens online were also criticizing Gilbert. Turns out their old friend was "like this."
Even if a few raised doubts, thinking Gilbert wouldn't look twice at Jada Smith, they were ignored by most people.
Who knew—maybe he did like that type?
While criticizing, many still left comments about how messy the industry was, and secretly envied the corrupt lifestyles of capitalists.
Of course, if Gilbert didn't have extremely high attention over there—being the most-watched Hollywood director in that region—this incident wouldn't have stirred waves in the Chinese internet.
After all, a foreigner, and a director behind the scenes, no matter how famous, couldn't compete with celebrities in the Chinese entertainment world.
Coincidentally, that year was extremely chaotic for the Chinese entertainment industry. Hidden rules were exposed, and Super Girl was explosively popular.
Starting from this year, the practices of fan support, voting, ballot-stuffing, comment control, and image scrubbing began forming and expanding. Later, fan circles almost developed into cults.
With so many trending entertainment topics, the matter involving the Hollywood director Gilbert from across the ocean didn't get much attention.
Later, when public opinion flipped and it turned out Gilbert hadn't done it, the crowd who had enjoyed the spectacle no longer cared.
In Europe and island nations with closer ties to Hollywood, the discussion was even hotter. And when the reversal came, the effect was even more striking.
The Times published a commentary: "For a celebrity director, constant threats of scandals and accusations of crime are ever-present.
Director Gilbert's current status seems to threaten many people. In the future, he will face more challenges and dangers."
The Times, being an old aristocratic paper, carried a natural sense of superiority. Though the glory of the British Empire had faded, the arrogance within The Times remained.
Naturally, it looked down on those North American "bumpkins" and spoke without restraint—almost outright saying Gilbert had been framed.
Italy's Rome newspaper also commented, while France's Feroja listed Gilbert's wealth.
Their report pointed out that because of Gilbert's public influence and wealth, some people coveted his reputation and assets.
There were two solutions: either Gilbert surrendered to someone, or he was eliminated so his wealth could be divided.
The first was already proven impossible. The second also seemed unfeasible at the moment—unless enormous benefits were promised to get the military–industrial groups involved.
The struggle within Western upper society was once again laid bare before the public. But most ordinary people wouldn't pay much attention—it had little to do with their lives.
For audiences and fans, the real question was whether they could continue seeing Gilbert's works. That was what mattered most.
At this moment, Gilbert accepted an exclusive interview with The Los Angeles Times. After this media battle, The Los Angeles Times surfaced and Gilbert was its largest shareholder, one of the three major North American newspapers.
Only then did Wall Street and the medical–industrial complex realize Gilbert wasn't just a film director and investment genius—he was also a media tycoon.
The usual tactic they relied on—controlling media to smear someone, like Michael Jackson, leaving them unable to defend themselves—could no longer be used.
The internet was even more difficult to touch. Gilbert controlled the largest social networking company in the United States, which gave him absolute advantage. People now noticed the importance of online public opinion, but it was already too late.
On the traditional media side, major outlets like The Los Angeles Times were Gilbert's mouthpieces. With Disney's ABC television channel as well, Gilbert would not be at a disadvantage.
After the incident calmed down slightly, Gilbert appeared publicly.
Regarding the matter, he did not mention a single word. He only talked about his filmmaking ideals and the world he envisioned.
"I have always held a strong passion for film. I love the artistic form of cinema. Through the big screen, I complete an exchange with my audience."
A reporter asked, "We know you have entered the top ten of the Forbes rich list for several years in a row. With such wealth, have you ever considered not making films and instead focusing fully on managing your business empire?"
"No, I haven't." Gilbert denied it. "Film has always been my passion. Unless the day comes when I physically can't make films anymore, I will never consider leaving the film industry.
With so many lovely fans accompanying me and waiting for me to bring them good works, I can't bear to leave."
"When will your next work meet the public?"
"I mentioned a long time ago that this time it is a series. I think the audience will like this brand-new story."
After the interview was released, fans were naturally overjoyed—Gilbert would continue making movies.
Before this incident, most fans did not have an accurate understanding of Gilbert's wealth. But afterward, Gilbert revealed all his cards, showing his deep financial background for the first time.
So fans once worried that Gilbert, having earned enough money, would stop making films.
But now he personally said he would not retire until he could no longer film. Clint Eastwood was still active in Hollywood, and old Martin's The Departed did well this year.
A large number of directors continued creating into their seventies and eighties. Gilbert was only thirty-six this year—fans could watch his work for a long time!
Hollywood now had to consider a problem. The Jewish influence in Hollywood was deeply rooted. Although Gilbert belonged to the weaker Jewish faction, when facing threats, everyone could still unite.
Many Jewish executives felt uncomfortable about this incident, and some believed it was time to teach Gilbert a lesson. Always acting independently, staying on the fringes of the circle while enjoying its benefits—that was not ideal.
This was why, in this incident, except for George Lucas who openly supported Gilbert, the other high-ranking executives collectively remained silent.
Of course, Robert Iger still acted quietly, but that was because Gilbert had offered Disney possibilities.
Warner Bros. remained neutral this time and did not participate.
Rumors circulated that Washington was launching an antitrust investigation, believing that Gilbert holding shares in both Disney and Warner constituted monopoly.
If the investigation truly began, Gilbert would have to sell part of his shares.
Although such rumors spread, they did not affect the cooperation between Warner and Gilbert. After Gilbert returned from Toronto, Doug Walter made a special visit to see him.
"I'm about to step down as CEO of Warner Bros. Pictures and transfer to a position at the parent group," Doug Walter said.
Gilbert congratulated him. "Congratulations, Doug. This is a promotion, isn't it?"
Doug Walter smiled bitterly. "Being an executive in the parent group is nowhere as good as being CEO of Warner Bros. Pictures. But this is the group's decision, and I must obey."
"Who will take over as CEO?"
"Kelly Ross, someone the parent group is parachuting in. I heard she's a hardliner and a feminist."
Gilbert nodded. "Meaning our cooperation may run into trouble?"
"Melon Studios has always operated independently. If Kelly Ross becomes CEO, she won't sit back—she will intervene," Doug Walter said.
Gilbert expressed his understanding. "Troubled times indeed. Thank you, Doug, for still telling me these things."
"You're welcome. At least we remain good friends."
"Yes, we are still friends."
Gilbert shook hands with Doug Walter, and the two completed their farewell.
...
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