The richest actor in Hollywood.

Phoenix, known for its tropical desert climate, was still scorching hot in late September. Stephanie Meyer arrived at the coffee shop, where she had arranged to meet her publisher. After parking her car, she took out a compact mirror to check her appearance and applied some lipstick before getting out and walking towards the café.

The short walk in the afternoon heat made her sweat, but she felt a refreshing coolness upon entering the well-air-conditioned café. She was a regular there, and a server greeted her as she entered. "Is Ms. Christina here?"

"Right this way," the server replied, leading her to a table on the right.

Stephanie followed the server and soon saw Christina, her contact from the publisher, sitting across from a man. The man, broad-shouldered and muscular, sat with his back to her. Was this the famous Hollywood star?

She had come here because her publisher mentioned that the renowned Matthew Horner was interested in adapting "Twilight" into a film. Having her novel turned into a movie had been a long-held dream, especially as "Twilight," "New Moon," and "Eclipse" had consecutively hit The New York Times Best Seller list, bringing Hollywood seemingly within reach. However, she had yet to bridge that final gap.

Initially, she thought the success and popularity of her novels would naturally attract Hollywood's attention. But the reality was different; those who approached offered disappointingly low prices and wanted to adapt her work into a low-budget romance film, which was not what she envisioned.

She later collaborated with a screenwriter friend from Phoenix to adapt the screenplay, sending it to several Hollywood studios. Half a year had passed with no feedback. Her agency repeatedly contacted Paramount Pictures, the most notable studio they approached, but all they heard was that the studio was still considering the project.

Then, a month ago, Summit Entertainment, a seemingly more reliable company, reached out to her and her agency. Summit offered the best terms yet, but the rights fee was still only a million dollars, with a proposed adaptation budget not exceeding eight million dollars.

Stephanie Meyer was still negotiating, particularly concerned about the low investment in the film. Initially, she believed a "Twilight" movie couldn't be made for less than fifty million dollars; now, she was willing to settle for around twenty million.

"Hi, Stephanie," Christina greeted her, standing up.

Hearing this, Matthew turned around to see a red-haired woman in her thirties approaching, dressed in red from head to toe—red hair, red necklace, red dress—resembling the glaring sun of Phoenix. Her outfit was, to say the least, quite tacky.

Though he thought so, he didn't show it, instead greeting her with a bright smile.

After Stephanie joined them, Christina introduced them. "Stephanie, this is Matthew Horner, a Hollywood star and producer."

She then introduced Stephanie Meyer to Matthew, "Matthew, this is Stephanie Meyer, the author of 'Twilight,' 'New Moon,' and 'Eclipse.'"

Matthew extended his hand warmly. "Hello, Ms. Meyer. It's a pleasure to meet you. You've written some incredible novels."

Praise from a celebrity carried a different weight than from an ordinary person. Having only recently transitioned from a housewife to a well-known author, Stephanie Meyer felt quite flattered and slightly nervous.

She shook Matthew's hand, saying, "Hello. I'm honored you like my books."

Christina chimed in, "Let's sit down and talk."

"After you, Ms. Meyer," Matthew gestured, taking his seat only after she had settled in. He got straight to the point, "Ms. Meyer, I'm here today to discuss the film adaptation of the 'Twilight' series."

Helen Herman had done extensive research beforehand, confirming that Stephanie Meyer was very keen on seeing her novels adapted into movies. Summit Entertainment might also increase their offer at any moment, securing the rights. Hence, Matthew chose a direct approach.

Before coming to Phoenix, Helen Herman had secured cooperation with the publisher. If the publisher helped secure the film rights, they would receive a substantial commission. In North America, unless it's a specially commissioned work or part of a system like Marvel and DC, authors generally hold the rights to their work.

Though Christina had mentioned Matthew's interest, hearing it directly from him excited Stephanie Meyer. With a slight tremor in her voice, she asked, "Mr. Horner, you really want to adapt my novel?"

"Yes!" Matthew continued his persuasive approach, "A week ago, I happened to come across 'Eclipse' at a friend's place. I found the world you've created fascinating, so I sought out 'Twilight' and 'New Moon.' I've read all three, and they are truly captivating."

Stephanie Meyer, perhaps disheartened by Hollywood's initial responses, said, "But the film companies I've spoken to said there's little value in adapting my work, calling it a cheap and tawdry high school romance."

"Hollywood..." Matthew shook his head, "I've been in Hollywood long enough to understand the industry. The system there is incredibly rigid, with many studio executives stuck in a mindset that only values sequels, action sci-fi films, or superhero movies. They dismiss romance films, believing they are no longer profitable..."

He sighed, then with renewed enthusiasm, addressed Stephanie Meyer, "In my view, your novels are not just simple romances. The film adaptation won't be some cheap high school love story."

Stephanie Meyer looked at him, listening intently.

Matthew continued, "Your novels blend vampire lore, werewolf stories, school life, suspense, and adventure with poignant romance—the strongest emotion in the series."

These insights weren't his own but carefully prepared by Helen Herman after thoroughly reading the novels.

However, even a well-prepared script needs a good performance. Matthew continued, "Love is just a part of the story, but it serves as a guide to life!"

"Uh..." Stephanie Meyer was taken aback, hearing Matthew quote her idol, Orson Scott Card. She nodded, "That's exactly how I see it."

Such praise, coming from a major Hollywood star, was quite gratifying, and she accepted it wholeheartedly.

Matthew, fully engaging in his performance, said, "Ms. Meyer, your novel may seem like a simple high school love story, but with the supernatural backdrop, it becomes epic and soul-stirring."

He continued with great earnestness, "The novel is filled with the dramatic tension of love and hate, yet it's as elegantly crafted as Jane Austen's works, reaching the pinnacle of romantic fiction. I believe it will become a literary phenomenon."

Matthew then leaned forward, his hands clasped on the table, adding emphasis, "After reading your novels, I've already envisioned the film adaptation. 'Twilight' should be adapted into a film that has a gripping, fantastical story, with delicate and sincere emotional portrayals and a hauntingly beautiful love theme. Even the vampire and werewolf elements should highlight not violence and bloodshed, but an elegant and clean moral code, providing a unique backdrop for romance."

"And the protagonist," he continued, "Through the film adaptation, every girl can see themselves in the heroine, Isabella Swan. She's not a hero, not into luxury brands, not particularly cool—she's just an ordinary girl. Bella is a good girl, just like the teenagers we imagine. We've all been young, and we know that being seventeen or eighteen is a pivotal time in life, a time for making life-changing decisions, and for falling in love, but also too young to think independently and make those decisions. This gives the film adaptation a lot of room to explore."

Stephanie Meyer nodded continuously, clearly resonating with what Matthew was saying.

Many of these elements were things she hadn't considered. If they could be realized in a film, it would be truly remarkable.

It was evident that Matthew Horner hadn't approached her on a whim but had thought deeply about it, even having a basic concept for the film adaptation.

In contrast, Summit Entertainment, currently negotiating with her, hadn't shown much interest in her as an author, let alone in her work.

These stories were her creations, and she felt that Summit wasn't valuing them as much as they should—at least not yet!

Matthew didn't expect this speech alone to completely win over Stephanie Meyer, who, after all, was in her thirties and had some life experience. So he had prepared something more substantial.

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