Chatting with a beautiful woman is always enjoyable, especially when the woman focuses on you entirely, smiling with admiration in her eyes.
This kind of charm was irresistible for Gilbert.
Initially, because of Mel Gibson's influence, Gilbert did feel cautious. But as the conversation deepened, he let his guard down.
That was the perfect moment for Sophie Marceau to make her move.
Feigning discomfort with the stuffy banquet hall, she suggested, "Why don't we find a spot in the garden to chat?"
With people bustling around the banquet hall and occasionally interrupting to greet Gilbert, Sophie Marceau had no opportunity to act.
Gilbert, suspecting nothing, immediately agreed, "Sure..."
An invitation from such a stunning woman to a private place? Perhaps this might lead to a one-night stand. Gilbert certainly wouldn't say no—being with Sophie Marceau was a rare opportunity.
Of course, Sophie Marceau felt the same way.
If she could use this chance to get closer to Gilbert, it might at least secure his support.
But unfortunately for her, Sophie Marceau was on a mission.
Clinging to Gilbert's arm with a radiant smile, Sophie Marceau looked alluringly charming.
The seasoned attendees in the banquet hall exchanged knowing glances and smirks, thinking, Looks like our genius director has found his catch for the night.
Sophie Marceau ordered two drinks and handed one to Gilbert.
The two of them walked to a bench in the garden, where they continued chatting. Since no one was there to interrupt or distract Gilbert, Sophie Marceau found it difficult to slip anything into his drink.
At this moment, Mel Gibson appeared like a ghost.
"So, this is where you two are," Mel Gibson remarked with a cold smirk, as if he had caught a third party in the act. "Gilbert, enjoying your conversation with my film's leading lady?"
Gilbert remained calm. "Chatting with Sophie Marceau is quite pleasant. What's the matter? Are you unhappy? Sophie Marceau isn't your plaything."
"Of course not," Mel Gibson retorted, still smirking. "I don't have the right to interfere with Miss Marceau's freedom."
Seizing the moment while Gilbert turned to speak with Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau discreetly slipped a pill into Gilbert's drink.
She was anxious, afraid that Gilbert might catch her in the act, which would ruin everything.
When Gilbert accused Mel Gibson of treating Sophie Marceau as a plaything, her hands trembled slightly.
In truth, she thought, Am I any different from a plaything to Mel Gibson?
But Gilbert was different. His eyes held not only the usual possessiveness of men but also admiration and respect.
Unlike the crude Mel Gibson, this contrast left Sophie Marceau feeling a twinge of regret.
Yet, what could she do? The compromising photos were in Mel Gibson's hands. Disobedience would mean her doom.
Sweating profusely from her nerves and fears, Sophie Marceau's makeup began to smudge.
When Gilbert and Mel Gibson's verbal sparring ended with Mel retreating again, Gilbert failed to notice the sinister smirk lingering on Mel's face.
Turning back to Sophie Marceau, Gilbert resumed their conversation.
Seeing her tense expression, Gilbert chuckled, "Relax. That annoying guy has been dealt with."
Forcing a smile, Sophie Marceau couldn't genuinely feel at ease.
As Gilbert raised the drugged drink to his lips, Sophie Marceau became increasingly distressed. She fervently wished for some miracle—a sudden shattering of the glass or some other intervention—to prevent Gilbert from drinking.
She felt an inner turmoil, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into and never come out.
But no such intervention occurred.
Looking at Gilbert's handsome face, Sophie Marceau made a split-second decision. She snatched the drink from his hand and downed it herself.
Gilbert froze. What was going on? Was she playing some kind of game?
Feeling a sudden heat surge through her body, Sophie Marceau realized the drug was taking effect. In her last moments of clarity, she confessed, "Mel Gibson... he made me seduce you. Th-That drink was spiked with an aphrodisiac."
"He planned for me to lure you to a private place. Everything is set up—he wanted to record videos and take photos to blackmail you."
After her confession, Sophie Marceau collapsed into Gilbert's arms.
Gilbert frowned as he listened. When her unconscious hands began to wander over him, he realized it was true.
That was close. He had almost drunk the spiked drink. For some reason, Sophie Marceau had changed her mind.
Gilbert quickly summoned Sheena Boone to discuss their next move.
Meanwhile, after setting the stage for Sophie Marceau, Mel Gibson left the banquet hall and went to a private apartment, waiting patiently for his prey to arrive.
He couldn't contain his excitement, imagining the aftermath of this night. The genius director Gilbert would be under his thumb from then on.
The thought of Gilbert's glamorous girlfriends writhing under him brought a twisted smile to Mel Gibson's face.
But Mel Gibson had no idea that Sophie Marceau had betrayed him, despite the photos he held over her.
Back at the banquet hall, Gilbert brought Sophie Marceau to an empty lounge, where Sheena Boone soon arrived.
Seeing Sophie's state, Sheena immediately understood. "This was a trap set by Mel Gibson. He sees you as his prey."
This was the first time Gilbert had faced such imminent danger in both his lives.
Previously, Sheena had warned him to avoid interacting with unfamiliar people. He had thought Sophie Marceau was familiar enough but had underestimated her loyalty.
Embarrassed, Gilbert said, "I'm sorry, Sheena. I didn't think it would turn out like this."
"No point in apologizing now." Surprisingly, Sheena comforted the visibly shaken Gilbert. "Thankfully, Sophie Marceau changed her mind and drank the spiked drink herself. Otherwise, things could've been much worse."
Watching Sophie Marceau trying to kiss him and tear at his clothes, Gilbert remarked with sympathy, "She must've struggled internally. This must've been tormenting for her."
Sheena rolled her eyes. "You almost got into serious trouble, and you're worried about her?"
"Anyway, do you know where they planned to take you?" Sheena asked.
Gilbert recalled Sophie Marceau's words. "I think it's a nearby apartment, the third room on the sixth floor. Mel Gibson has everything set up there."
"Mel Gibson is definitely waiting for you there, but you can't go," Sheena decided. "I'll have Anna Singh drive you both to the Melon Estate."
"Sophie Marceau, too?" Gilbert asked, surprised.
"Of course. Drugs like these are potent; it'll take four or five hours for the effects to wear off unless she..." Sheena hesitated.
"Sophie Marceau must have been blackmailed by Mel Gibson to take such a dangerous risk. She wouldn't knowingly put herself in harm's way."
"She saved you, so it's best to keep her under our watch and figure out Mel Gibson's next moves."
Sheena's reasoning made sense to Gilbert, and he nodded in agreement. "Alright. But what about Mel Gibson?"
"Leave him to me. I'll call the police and have them check the place," Sheena replied.
"Alright, we'll do it your way."
They split up, with Gilbert helping Sophie Marceau into Anna Singh's car and heading back.
Meanwhile, as the banquet wound down, people noticed Gilbert's absence.
Jeff Robinov joked, "Looks like our genius director is having a spectacular evening."
The crowd laughed knowingly; they were all experienced enough to understand what he meant.
At that moment, Gilbert was indeed "busy." Had Sophie Marceau not changed her mind, things would've gone another way entirely.
Even in the car, Sophie Marceau, under the drug's influence, couldn't keep her hands off Gilbert.
Gilbert didn't want to take advantage of her, but resisting an aroused Sophie Marceau proved nearly impossible.
The two ended up engaging in an intense physical encounter right there in the back of the Rolls-Royce. Fortunately, the car's privacy features were excellent, with a partition separating the driver's seat from the back. Otherwise, Anna Singh would've had quite the show.
Meanwhile, Sheena contacted the police.
Thanks to Speed, Gilbert had a good relationship with the Los Angeles Police Department, even earning the ire of critics who labeled him a propagandist for the LAPD.
Sheena gave them the location, and soon a team of officers arrived to investigate.
In a nearby room, Mel Gibson watched the surveillance feed, eagerly awaiting Gilbert and Sophie Marceau.
But instead of his intended victims, he saw the police storming in.
Realizing something was wrong, Mel Gibson cursed, "That damned woman betrayed me! I'll ruin her life!"
Now wasn't the time for revenge. Mel Gibson had to escape before the police reached his room.
The lack of security bars on the windows gave him an idea. Relying on his action star agility, Mel Gibson climbed out and onto the water pipe.
As he slid down, exhaustion overcame him when he was still seven or eight meters above the ground. Losing his grip, Mel Gibson fell.