Entertainment: Starting as a Succubus, Taking Hollywood by Storm

Libya in 2011 was a mercenary's paradise.

Both Muammar Gaddafi and the rebels were jacking up their offers. Mercenary groups, lured by hefty paydays, flocked to Libya, trading lives for cash.

Gaddafi's situation was dire.

The U.S. and NATO had decided on military intervention.

On December 9, 2010, President Barack Obama announced at the UN: "The U.S. and NATO are considering all options, including military intervention, to address the situation in Libya."

That same day, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen added, "NATO is fully prepared."

Russia, however, viewed Libya's unrest as a civil war and opposed foreign intervention. Despite this, under pressure from France and the UK, the UN Security Council passed a resolution authorizing military action against Gaddafi's forces.

Russia, Germany, India, and Brazil abstained.

The resolution paved the way for Europe and the U.S. to launch airstrikes on Libya. Dubbed "Operation Odyssey Dawn," the campaign was initially coordinated by the U.S., with France and the UK setting up command centers. NATO later took over full command from the U.S.

…

By 2011, the dark clouds of high-level warfare loomed over Libya.

To counter NATO and U.S. attacks, Gaddafi hiked mercenary pay, drawing more fighters to his side.

On February 16, 2011, Libya saw massive protests demanding the ouster of Gaddafi, who had ruled for 42 years since 1969, along with calls for democratic reforms.

On March 19, at sunrise, the U.S., France, UK, and other nations launched airstrikes on Libya.

Gaddafi made multiple televised pleas, urging his supporters to resist the rebels and NATO. He warned former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair by phone that if he fell, terrorist groups would rise in the Middle East and inevitably attack Europe.

…

While Libya burned, across the Pacific, the U.S. mainland basked in relative peace.

Flash back to February 27, 2011.

The 83rd Academy Awards unfolded on schedule at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre, flashbulbs popping like stars in the night sky.

"Mr. Meyers, rumors say you're directing The Avengers. Is that true?"

"Yep, I've finalized talks with Marvel Studios. I'll be directing The Avengers."

"When does production start?"

"This year. Prep work's already done."

"Martin, The Avengers is another ensemble blockbuster. Are you worried about handling it?"

"Not at all. I don't find it challenging. Think I'm bluffing? Haha, wait till the movie drops—you'll see I'm a man of my word."

The reporters shifted to the petite beauty beside Martin. "Miss Lawrence, are you and Martin dating?"

Jennifer glanced at Martin, unsure how to respond.

He shrugged, unfazed, and leaned in to nibble her ear in front of the cameras. "Go ahead, tell the truth. I'm not hiding anything."

Jennifer's mood soared, her face visibly brightening. "Yes, Martin and I are together," she declared loudly.

A less-than-friendly reporter piped up, "Don't you mind that Martin has other women?"

Normally, this would've flustered Jennifer. But under the influence of Martin's "emotional seed," she was unfazed.

"I don't care," she said coolly. "Martin's got the ability to satisfy all our physical and emotional needs. So what if he has other women? You jealous or something?"

Her unconventional response stunned the press pool, especially the reporter who'd asked, left speechless and red-faced.

Martin roared with laughter, pulling Jennifer into a tight embrace and kissing her deeply. "That's my girl!" he shouted to the cameras, then whisked her away, arm around her waist, grinning.

Will Smith, nearby on the red carpet, couldn't hide his envy. Glancing at his wife, Jada Smith, he thought, Man, if only my woman were that sweet and compliant.

Lately, Jada had stirred trouble, publicly criticizing Obama's tax policies as "grossly unfair to the wealthy"—a foolish move. It alienated not just ordinary Americans but even the rich, who, while unhappy with Obama's taxes, preferred quiet lobbying over Jada's inflammatory outbursts. Her comments painted a target on their backs.

Will was also annoyed about their son Jaden's new friend, underground rapper August Alsina, whose shady background worried him. He feared Alsina would be a bad influence.

What Will didn't know was that, in the future, Jaden would introduce Alsina to Jada, leading to an affair between the 21-years-younger rapper and his wife, leaving Will with a bright green hat.

[TL/N: I rarely leave notes these day in the middle of a chapter, but when I read the paragraph above, a song suddenly played in my earbuds with the lyrics, "You're my fantasy, you're my reality." I know it's an old song, but I laughed so hard my mom thought I'd lost it. Then I looked up this guy Alsina—apparently, he went raw with Jada multiple times. HAHAHA!]

At the interview area, reporters didn't let Jada off the hook.

"Mrs. Smith, why are you upset about Obama's new tax policies? Is it because your wealthy husband will have to pay more?"

Before Jada could respond, Will, fearing another outburst, jumped in. "I'm a law-abiding citizen. I'm happy to pay all legal taxes—it's every American's duty."

The reporters pivoted. "Mr. Smith, Obama's new tax policy means the wealthy pay more. Do you support or oppose it?"

Will exhaled quietly, relieved the focus was off Jada. "I support President Obama. He's a hero to our community. As for tax policies, that's for Congress to handle, not regular folks like me."

Jada, visibly annoyed, felt Will had stolen her spotlight.