"Miss Hepburn is here."
"Let her in," Garbo responded, rising from the sofa and walking toward the door.
"Katherine." Wearing a tailored suit and trousers, Hepburn entered, only to pause briefly when she saw Charlie.
"Hi, Hepburn," Charlie greeted her with his usual charm, though his gaze lingered a moment too long on her outfit.
The suit looked awkward—one glance was enough to confirm it. It was undoubtedly a men's suit, complete with boxy, straight-cut trousers and no form-fitting waistline. Though compact, it lacked the elegance Charlie was accustomed to.
"Wait for me," Garbo said, excusing herself to the suite to change.
"Are you going out?" Charlie asked Katherine casually.
"Yes, Garbo and I are heading to the premiere of Hell's Angels. Does this look like it fits?" Katherine tugged at her ill-fitted suit.
"Why don't you step forward, and I'll take a closer look," Charlie teased, his tone light.
Katherine instinctively tightened her legs, her posture stiffening. No matter how rebellious her personality might be, she was still a woman. Having someone scrutinize her like this—especially with Garbo just steps away—felt bizarrely uncomfortable.
"Where are you headed?" Charlie asked, releasing her from his gaze.
"The Star Theater. Didn't you receive an invitation?" Katherine countered.
"EVA," Charlie called for his secretary.
"Boss I thought you wouldn't be interested, so I arranged for Miss Garbo to represent DreamWorks," Eva explained.
"Together?" Charlie said, glancing between the two women with amusement.
"You can come along," Garbo interjected, emerging from the suite.
She wore a light blue dress that accentuated her features, her hair styled high and pinned with a peacock-shaped jewel. The signature V-shaped neckline had become her trademark.
"Okay," Katherine replied, standing abruptly, though her demeanor seemed a bit flustered.
Though the earlier conversation had been innocent enough, Katherine now felt as though she had been caught doing something improper.
"I'll join you," Charlie declared, picking up his breakfast steak with a fork and eating it in three quick bites. Grabbing a napkin, he dabbed his mouth and stood to indicate he was ready. Katherine blinked in astonishment.
"Eva, my sky-blue tie," he ordered.
Taking the tie, Garbo stepped forward to knot it for him, her movements precise and deliberate. If only her cold expression could soften into a smile, it would have been a picture-perfect moment.
"Katherine and I can take a car together," Garbo suggested as they headed downstairs. "That way, she can be easily overlooked by the reporters."
"See you at the Star Theater," Charlie said, waving as he entered his own car.
The Star Theater was not just hosting the premiere but was also an opportunity to showcase its cutting-edge features. Charlie had invested heavily, importing the best film equipment from other countries to ensure that this was a theater like no other.
"Catherine," Garbo said suddenly, stopping Katherine as she was about to get into the car.
"If you value our friendship, keep your distance from him."
"I—I don't know what you're talking about," Katherine stammered, visibly nervous.
"Listen, Katherine," Garbo's voice was sharp, her gaze piercing. "I can't control his freedom, but I can choose my own friends. No one tolerates a friend meddling with her man. If it were you, you'd feel the same."
Without another word, Garbo entered the car, leaving Katherine behind with a conflicted expression.
In the car, silence reigned. Garbo sat on one side, staring out the window, her emotions concealed. If Charlie had seen this scene, he might have felt a mix of amusement and exasperation. Clearly, Garbo cared far more than she let on.
When they arrived at the theater, the atmosphere was electric.
"It's Garbo! She's here!"
"Katherine! Over here! We love you, Katherine!"
Screams erupted from fans as the two actresses stepped out of the car. Katherine quickly composed herself, her face lighting up with a practiced smile.
"Feelings are uncontrollable," Katherine whispered to Garbo, her voice barely audible amidst the crowd's cheers.
"It seems you've made your choice," Garbo replied, letting go of Katherine's arm and walking ahead.
As Garbo walked away, she mentally added Katherine's name to her blacklist, marked with a glaring red.
Inside, Charlie was already waiting, standing confidently near the entrance.
"You've been waiting long," Garbo said, slipping her arm into his.
"What about Katherine?" he asked, glancing behind her.
"My task is done. There's no need to arrive together anymore," Garbo said curtly.
"…" Charlie was stunned. Had the tension between the women escalated this quickly?
"Is that Hughes?" Charlie asked as they entered the venue, his eyes spotting the tall, handsome figure standing out even amidst the star-studded crowd.
"Yes, boss," Eva confirmed.
"Let's go meet this genius," Charlie said, his tone carrying a hint of intrigue.
Howard Hughes was a man of legend—his 1.93-meter frame and striking features made him impossible to miss.
"Mr. Hughes," Charlie called, extending a hand. "I'm Charlie Lee. My friends call me Charlie."
"Charlie, this theater is remarkable. The retractable octopus roof is a stroke of genius," Hughes said, recognizing him instantly. Charlie had been making headlines for months.
"Thank you. It seems you're confident in the success of your film," Charlie remarked with a smile.
"No, I simply have nothing to worry about," Hughes replied with calm assurance. "If I fail, I'll just go back and inherit my family's fortune."
"…" Charlie was momentarily speechless. Was Hughes showing off his wealth?
"Care for a drink after the show?" Charlie offered. Hughes agreed, and with that, Charlie escorted Garbo to their seats in the front row.
"Are you planning to collaborate with him?" Garbo asked as they settled in.
"You can tell?" Charlie raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"It's obvious. You rarely invite men for a drink," Garbo replied, her tone carrying a double meaning.
Charlie chuckled awkwardly. Though he preferred to keep business strictly professional, Hughes' brilliance and confidence were undeniable assets he wanted to align with.
The lights dimmed, and the film began. Hell's Angels—a pioneering blockbuster—was about to take the audience on an unforgettable journey.
Its large-scale production, gripping storyline, and groundbreaking effects had already cost three pilots their lives during filming. Yet, Hughes' ambition was apparent, and the crowd was riveted from the first frame.
Charlie leaned back, his mind wandering as the film played. He pondered his next move—how to secure Hughes as an ally and ensure his vision for the future aligned with his own.
As the credits rolled, applause filled the theater, marking the beginning of Hughes' rise as both a cinematic genius and a legend in Hollywood's history.