Hollywood: Star Kid

Ryan remembered very clearly that in his previous life, Basic Instinct was released in early 1992. Now it was already the end of 1991, and filming hadn't even started yet. What was going on? Could it be that the small wings of his butterfly were becoming increasingly powerful?

The script handed over by Kinsley was only a partial one, with about a dozen scenes, including the passionate scenes of the female lead, Catherine.

He glanced at Nicole Kidman. The Australian lady sat beside him, rolling her eyes in resignation. When it came to Ryan, she truly had no good way to deal with him. Discipline him? She couldn't bear to. Let him be? He became increasingly unruly.

Handing the script over, Ryan didn't say much. He knew Nicole had her own pride and judgment. Although, due to their deep relationship, his advice would carry special weight, Ryan didn't want to interfere too openly. After all, sometimes conflicts arose bit by bit, through accumulation.

Besides, even if she really intended to accept this script, he had his ways to sabotage it behind the scenes.

Nicole read the first few parts and even showed some interest. The character setup for the female lead was indeed unique. But as she read further, her brows furrowed. Clearly, the role required full nudity.

This wasn't like in the previous life when Nicole Kidman, in order to break away from her image as Mrs. Cruise, dared to take on any bold art films. Now, she was an A-list actress, known for her acting skills and beauty. There was no need to attract attention through such shock tactics. Besides, if she really took this role, how would Ryan see her?

Others might not know, but she certainly did — Ryan had a natural aversion to nude scenes in films.

Without much consideration, Nicole closed the thin script and handed it back to Kinsley. "Turn it down, Pat."

Ryan smiled. Although he had liked Nicole Kidman in his previous life — and that had much to do with the sensual films she starred in — in this life, she was his most intimate partner, and he didn't want her to go down the same path.

Even if she were to reveal anything, it should only be to… Ryan pinched his own thigh hard, cutting off his wild thoughts.

What followed were some matters related to Ryan. Faced with various invitations, he didn't even think before saying, "Turn them all down. I'm very busy."

These were either bizarre advertisements or film crews he had never heard of. One was even a B-grade movie. The entire film's budget might not even cover his personal appearance fee!

"There's also this!" Kinsley handed over two very formal invitations.

"What's this…" Ryan hesitated but still took them. With just one glance, he passed them to Nicole Kidman — that person was her idol.

…

On Christmas night, the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel was brightly lit. Thousands of people and hundreds of reporters gathered at the hotel entrance. A long security line extended for hundreds of meters. The number of guards had tripled, each looking solemn and tense.

Even during the Oscars, it wasn't like this. Even if George H. W. Bush came, he wouldn't receive this level of treatment.

Even with British staff attempting to persuade them, these security personnel didn't relax in the slightest.

The crowd at the entrance held up the same portrait and shouted the same name to express their respect for the person in the image.

"Talk about seeing the King of Hell, the little demons are the real trouble," Ryan muttered in Chinese under his breath, only to get a light knock on the head from Nicole.

He quickly adjusted his bow tie. As he passed the mirror in the lobby, he glanced at his appearance — a well-fitted black tuxedo, black leather shoes, black bow tie. If he had a gentleman's cane, he'd be the perfect British gentleman.

Led by a waiter, as they approached the entrance of the grand banquet hall, Ryan immediately saw the center of the entire room — a woman with exquisite makeup, fair skin, deep features, blonde hair, blue eyes, and a tall figure. She was the standard of beauty in the eyes of Westerners.

But in Ryan's eyes, she was a bit rough and not delicate enough. Still, there was no denying her outstanding aura. Coupled with her many titles, she appeared noble and beautiful.

Ryan could feel Nicole's eyes sparkling and couldn't help but shake his head slightly. In his past life, he had been a fanatical admirer, but when he actually met her and Natalie, aside from mild amazement, he had no inappropriate reactions. Seeing Nicole like this now, he gently pulled her hand and walked toward the woman.

"God bless you, Your Highness," Ryan gave a slight bow. He wasn't British, so he certainly wasn't going to kneel.

Nicole had planned to curtsy, but Ryan discreetly stopped her, so she could only give a slight bow as well. Her eyes, however, coolly drifted past Ryan.

"No need for such formality." The woman's manners were elegant, every smile and gesture radiating noble grace. "Hello, Miss Kidman and Mr. Jenkins."

"Your Highness, just call me Nicole. And him," Nicole glanced at Ryan, "you can call him Ryan."

"Nicole, you're truly beautiful." After exchanging a few words with Nicole, she turned her gaze to Ryan. "I've long heard that Hollywood has produced a super genius. Ryan, your works are Prince William and Harry's favorites."

"That's my honor, Your Highness." Ryan had to bow again, slightly helpless.

"No need to be so formal. This isn't Britain." Princess Diana sighed softly, a flicker of sadness passing through her eyes before returning to normal. "Thank you both for coming."

"It's only right. Children with leukemia need the care of every member of society." It was Nicole who spoke, while Ryan rolled his eyes.

Diana had come to Los Angeles in her private capacity this time, hosting this charity banquet to raise funds for her leukemia foundation. With her status and influence, she had easily gathered a large number of wealthy people and celebrities.

"Noble, graceful, beautiful — she's practically an angel incarnate," Nicole was still sighing even after they sat down.

"Noble and graceful I'll agree with. As for beautiful…" Ryan leaned closer and whispered, "Honestly, Nicole, you're more beautiful than her."

"Ryan, mind your manners." Nicole pushed him back and gave him a fierce glare.

Ryan shook his head and looked again at the princess surrounded by stars, feeling a bit emotional. In his previous life, he would never have believed that he'd one day meet her in person.

Judging by the timeline, her conflict with the British royal family should be irreconcilable by now, and she would soon officially separate from Charles. After that, this English rose would devote herself to charity, and eventually wither away in Paris.

In his previous life, opinions about her were extremely polarized. Those who liked her worshipped her, while those who disliked her said she was temperamental and manipulative. But it was undeniable that she earned the recognition of the vast majority of people in the world.

Like most celebrities, her private life was a mess. As for who cheated first between her and Charles, probably only they knew. Moreover, her taste in partners wasn't great — each new lover was worse than the last. Especially the one she was seeing now, who would soon betray her and ruin the Princess of Wales' reputation.

The story of princes and princesses, in the end, was just a fairy tale. Diana was no Cinderella marrying into wealth — she came from a prestigious background, the daughter of Earl Spencer, an old Scottish noble family.

Yet one thing about her was unquestionably admirable: her dedication to charity. Even if some of it was for show, she personally walked through minefields, kissed AIDS-stricken children, and visited Africa multiple times — far more than most people in the world had done.

Besides, no one is perfect. Everyone has a glamorous side for the public and a darker side behind the scenes.

She was truly a person worthy of respect. Her death made countless people mourn — and also made countless people rich. Up until Ryan's rebirth, her cause of death was still debated. Was it a car accident? Or the doing of the British royal family? Or perhaps orchestrated by the Freemasons?

Ryan had seen many major events, and none had changed due to his presence. This one likely wouldn't either. Still, he didn't plan to interfere. Politics was the darkest and dirtiest thing in the world. He didn't want to get involved — whether it was MI6 or the British Special Air Service, he couldn't afford to mess with them.

Besides, if the rumors were true, then behind the conspiracy stood a true powerhouse — Prince Philip.

"Ryan! Ryan!" Nicole saw Ryan's blank stare and knew he was lost in thought. She pinched his ear lightly.

"Ah~" Ryan smiled and said, "Sorry, I spaced out."

Charity galas were just like movie premieres — more or less the same. After a short speech from Diana, several singers performed, and then… it was time for the auction.

Attending such an event meant being prepared to part with money. Ryan and Nicole casually donated some personal items and then spent money buying them back — that counted as fulfilling their duty for the night.

What they didn't expect was that as Diana moved among the tables to personally thank attendees, she walked over — and her target was Ryan.

"Ryan, I'm going to visit a medical institution tomorrow to see some children with leukemia. May I invite you to join me?" Her smile made it impossible to refuse.

"It would be my honor, Your Highness."

Under such circumstances, could he say no? Still, he was a bit curious why she picked him. "Your Highness, why me?"

Although he was becoming quite well-known, he didn't think himself important enough for the Princess of Wales to humble herself like this. Among the attendees, there were at least eight or ten stars with more clout than him.

"No one is more suitable than you," Diana explained briefly. "Who else could be more popular among children than the author of Harry Potter and The Ryan Tales?"

On the ride home, Nicole looked envious. If she could trade a million dollars for that opportunity, the Australian lady wouldn't hesitate.

Ryan, however, scratched his head. Charity? He really wasn't good at it. In his previous life, he had been on the receiving end of charity. After winning an Oscar, he only had Kinsley donate money for the sake of his image. Personally participating? That had never happened before.

He glanced at Nicole beside him. She was staring intently at the small gift from the princess, lost in thought. He deliberately sighed, "A noble princess… may not necessarily be happy"