——"What?"
The words slipped out.
Marta thought she had misheard and was filled with questions as she blinked at David Klein, then couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"April Fool's Day has long passed."
David Klein didn't respond with words, only met Marta's gaze quietly, gradually sinking into thought. His expression said it all.
Clearly, he wasn't joking.
The smile on Marta's face gradually stiffened as she adjusted her sitting posture slightly. "But why? He and Anson haven't even met."
David Klein shrugged lightly. "Marta, we always say, be wary of women; it's better to anger a madman than a jealous wife. But in truth, the same goes for men."
Marta slightly opened her mouth, thought about it seriously, and then showed a peculiar expression—funny, absurd, confused, awkward, and a bit helpless.
For a moment, she couldn't find the right reaction, as if a robot had malfunctioned.
"Wait." Marta raised her hand as if to surrender. "Are you saying that Brad Pitt, two-time winner of the title 'Sexiest Man Alive,' is jealous of an eighteen-year-old newcomer actor, and because of that, he's demanding we cancel this role and completely blackball Anson Wood?"
*People* magazine, founded in 1974, was initially created to tell the stories of ordinary people. But over time and with changing eras, it gradually evolved. Now it has become a part of American culture, covering a wide range of subjects and exerting significant influence across North America.
The magazine once launched a special selection event in 1985, "Sexiest Man Alive."
Originally just a small entertainment activity, Mel Gibson became the first "Sexiest Man of the Year." But unexpectedly, over time, it has become a special selection that attracts a lot of attention every year and has become a significant event.
Not only does *People* magazine itself report on it, but other newspapers and magazines also follow suit, gradually turning it into a special honor worth celebrating.
In just fifteen years, only one actor has won the title of "Sexiest Man Alive" twice—
Brad Pitt.
This actor, who has become a Hollywood sex symbol, received this honor in 1995 and 2000, which is this year.
Precisely because of this, when Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston announced their upcoming marriage, the union of the "Sexiest Man Alive" and "America's Sweetheart" stepping into marriage was almost the perfect ending to a modern fairy tale, with many media outlets calling it the wedding of the century.
However!
But!
Brad is actually jealous of the eighteen-year-old newcomer, Anson?
Marta thought...
"Haha."
Thinking seriously about it, Marta finally couldn't help herself and burst into laughter.
"Sorry, I don't mean to underestimate Anson. I mean, Anson is very charming, believe me, I've felt it fully."
"But the point is, Jennifer loves Brad. Brad really doesn't need to make a fuss over a role. Anson's acting career is just starting, there's really no comparison. Maybe nothing would have happened, but now, with Brad's reaction, something is bound to happen."
"For example, me."
"I'm starting to overthink now."
"There's no need, really no need."
Marta waved her hand repeatedly, her smile fully blooming—
She thought Brad might be joking.
But David Klein didn't think so, so he didn't laugh. "Marta, Brad must have heard something or felt something."
"Maybe, when Jennifer was talking about fun things on set, she kept mentioning Anson's name; maybe, when other actors were chatting with Jennifer, they casually mentioned the details of Anson and Jennifer's scenes; maybe, he watched last night's episode and felt the spark between them."
"Marta, maybe men aren't as sensitive as women, but when it comes to jealousy, there's no gender distinction."
Marta opened her mouth but found the words stuck in her throat, unable to refute.
David Klein shrugged lightly.
"Of course, there's another possibility. Maybe Brad isn't truly jealous; he might just not like Anson hanging around Jennifer."
"Given Brad's position, ending a newcomer's chance at a guest appearance isn't difficult at all. We have no way to refuse."
Hearing this, Marta remembered, "At the very beginning, there were rumors in the crew that Anson only got the audition because Jennifer personally arranged it."
Maybe those rumors had reached Brad's ears too.
Marta straightened up. "David, maybe you should explain to Brad that Anson was your arrangement, not Jennifer's."
David Klein looked at Marta. "Do you think Brad would believe that? Or would he think I'm making up a lie to cover up the rumors?"
Marta let out a soft sigh. "Ah..."
David Klein continued, "Besides, the origin doesn't matter anymore. What matters is that he's already suspicious and feels uncomfortable."
The reason, in fact, is not important.
The important thing is the action.
Brad has already taken action.
David Klein felt Brad's certainty and dissatisfaction from the phone call very clearly. He knew Brad wasn't joking.
Marta finally realized and let out a long breath, showing a wry smile. "Ha, this is Hollywood. Up and down like a roller coaster, and when you're a bit older, it gets harder to handle. We were just looking forward to the future, and now we have to block someone else's future."
"So, what are you going to do?"
David Klein responded, "That's Brad Pitt we're talking about, and he's also Jennifer's husband. If Jennifer finds out about this, what do you think she'll do? Will she side with Anson or with Brad?"
Marta felt a headache coming on. To clear her name, Jennifer would probably choose to support Brad. "So, that's the end of it?"
Luckily, they hadn't contacted Anson yet, and they hadn't mentioned the plan for Episode 23. Canceling it now wouldn't require notifying Anson.
No difficulty.
But Marta still felt regretful. She sincerely believed in the potential of Episode 23, and she genuinely liked Anson, this young man.
David Klein chuckled softly, "Heh, how could it end like that? We're still proceeding as planned."
Marta was shocked, "What?"
David Klein raised an eyebrow slightly. "He's Brad Pitt, but I'm David Klein."
With that simple statement, his confidence was clear, and any more words were unnecessary.
That was his assurance.
"And Marta, Anson has Darren Star behind him. That's a truly tricky old fox. If Brad went up against me, I'd confront him directly; but if it were Darren, he'd have a hundred ways to trap Brad in a situation without him even realizing it, and he wouldn't be able to say a word."
*Tap. Tap.*
David Klein gently tapped the table, the sound of his nails hitting the surface crisp and clear, and then the light in his eyes grew brighter.
"Not only should we proceed as planned, but we can also add a little spice."
*Tap.*
The tapping stopped.
"We should let it slip that Brad asked for Anson to be kicked off the show."