Chapter 243: You're Not as Skilled as She Is
"Your performance in The Age of Innocence earned you a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Congratulations," Aaron said, clinking his glass lightly with Winona Ryder.
"From my perspective, you've got a very strong chance of winning."
"You've always had sharp instincts," Winona replied with a smile.
---
In the underground parking garage of the Peninsula Hotel, Aaron pulled her into a heated kiss inside the car, feeling the familiar intensity between them.
A while later, as she leaned against him with her clothes slightly disheveled, Winona said casually, "I ran into Gwyneth Paltrow a few days ago. She mentioned you."
"Oh? What did she say?" Aaron asked, lazily tracing his fingers along her waist.
"She said you're… not simple," Winona gave him a meaningful look. "Seems like she's experienced just how impressive you can be."
Aaron shook his head. "We ran into each other at a bar in New York. Nothing much happened."
Winona laughed softly and leaned closer. "Is that so? Gwyneth told me everything."
Aaron only murmured, "Go on."
---
Later that night, back at the Bel-Air villa, Aaron found himself curious.
"You two seem close," he said. "She told you even that?"
"We get along well," Winona replied, resting against his chest. "What do you think of Gwyneth?"
Aaron leaned toward her ear and teased in a low voice, "If we're talking purely about… technique? She might have you beat."
Winona froze for a second before pinching him sharply. "That's not what I meant, and you know it. If you keep talking like that, don't expect any favors from me again."
"Alright, alright," Aaron laughed, kissing her cheek. "I'm joking."
He grew more serious.
"You know her background. Her father's a producer, her mother's an actress. She's close to Steven Spielberg — she's even his goddaughter. She doesn't lack resources. With her looks and presence, it won't be hard for her to rise."
Winona nodded. "She signed a three-picture deal with Miramax. But she's not comfortable with Harvey Weinstein."
Aaron raised an eyebrow.
"She says he's always finding ways to get close to her… trying to take advantage."
The atmosphere shifted slightly, the playful tone fading into something more complicated — a reminder that in Hollywood, opportunity and danger often walked side by side.
Aaron responded casually, "That's just how Harvey Weinstein operates. Harvey Weinstein backs art-house films and is always looking for actresses. To him, they're opportunities."
He squeezed Winona Ryder lightly. "Let's get some rest."
Winona caught her breath. "You're in quite a mood tonight, aren't you? I still have to head back to the Little Women set tomorrow."
"I'm flying to Asia tomorrow myself," Aaron replied, lifting her into his arms.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and laughed softly. "At least shower first."
"Of course. Together."
---
Not long after, Dawnlight Pictures officially completed the $140 million acquisition of the Samuel Goldwyn film library, adding more than a thousand feature films to its catalog and dramatically strengthening its long-term asset base.
---
Burbank – Dawnlight Headquarters
In Aaron's office, Paula Wagner arrived for a meeting.
After pouring her a drink, Aaron asked, "So Cruise/Wagner Productions' first project is officially Mission: Impossible?"
Paula set down the Con Air script she'd been reviewing and took the glass. "Yes. Tom and I want to be fully involved—from script development to director and casting choices. After years as an agent, stepping into producing… the pressure feels very different."
Aaron smiled. "What do you think of Con Air?"
"It's a pure action film—tight, high-stakes, visually intense. Your instincts are usually right."
It made sense. With Mission: Impossible also shaping up as an action franchise, this project would give Tom Cruise another large-scale vehicle first.
"Why not come aboard as a producer on Con Air?" Aaron suggested. "It's bigger than Speed—the scale is doubled. Budget's set at $60 million."
Cruise's $15 million salary alone justified the figure.
"I'd be one of the producers?" Paula hesitated—but she was clearly tempted. Producing would mark a major step in her career transition.
"Tom likes the concept," Aaron added. "As for director—I'm thinking Renny Harlin."
Harlin had helmed Die Hard 2 and Cliffhanger, both global action hits. He was more than capable of handling something like Con Air.
Paula nodded. "Targeting a summer release the year after next?"
"Exactly. So we need to move fast."
"Then Tom and I will get on board as soon as possible."
---
After Paula left, Aaron's assistant, Evelyn Beckett, entered with another script.
"It's from a new writer—Kevin Williamson. A teen horror-comedy set around a campus serial killer."
Aaron flipped through it.
"Scream," he murmured. "No wonder it's being described as horror with comedic undertones."
He leaned back.
"It's strong—young cast, brutal murders, self-aware humor. Give it to Twilight Pictures."
Twilight was currently shooting P2, a sleek, erotic-tinged thriller. Scream had a very different tone—meta, playful, violent.
Evelyn added, "Dimension Films—Miramax's genre label—has also made an offer. There's a bidding war. It's Williamson's first script, and the price has already passed $600,000."
"A bidding war?" Aaron waved dismissively. "Raise it. Scream has real commercial upside."
He'd learned one thing in Hollywood: sometimes the smallest scripts carried the biggest returns.