The Tyrant Billionaire

Taylor was a bit nervous at first, but when she saw Hardy sitting there, she suddenly became very confident.

Hitchcock had Taylor perform several scenes, and she quickly got into character, interpreting all the feelings the director wanted.

"Your performance is excellent. I think the female lead has been decided. What do you think?" Hitchcock looked at Hardy and the head of MGM's performing arts department.

They naturally had no objections.

"Excellent, beyond my expectations," said the head of MGM's performing arts department.

"Well, then it's settled," Hardy concluded.

"Yay~!"

Taylor cheered loudly, ran to the judges to thank them, and finally came to Hardy's side, giving him a big hug.

Next was the audition for the main villain, played by an old actor from MGM, in his forties, often portraying villains. The director praised him for embodying the villainous image to the bone.

As for the other supporting roles, like Matilda's parents, siblings, and the old policeman, those were decided by the assistant director.

Hardy also had a talent agency under him. He asked Edward to get those signed artists into the crew, giving them a chance as well.

In the evening, Taylor's family invited Hardy to their home for dinner to express their gratitude.

It was a joyful gathering.

As Hardy left, Taylor insisted on seeing him off. Mrs. Sara and Mr. Taylor smiled and returned to the villa.

Taylor looked at Hardy with big eyes and said somewhat reluctantly, "The crew will soon be going to New York to shoot. The director said it would probably take four to five months. I won't be able to see Mr. Hardy for several months."

In just over a month of contact, Taylor felt like she had already developed a sense of reliance on Mr. Hardy. And it was a very strong feeling.

Hardy smiled and patted Taylor's head, "A few months isn't long. You focus on your acting, and if I have time, I'll come to New York to see you."

Taylor's eyes brightened up. "Will Mr. Hardy really come to New York to see me?"

"Well, I promise." When this girl spoke to this extent, Hardy could only agree.

"That's great!" The girl's face was full of joy.

As Hardy prepared to get into the car, Taylor hesitated for a moment, then suddenly threw herself into Hardy's arms, hugged him tightly, kissed him on the cheek, and then ran back into the villa.

Watching the little girl disappear, Hardy smiled.

Is this girl now in the throes of adolescent infatuation?

The next day, Hardy arrived at Noah Films to welcome the return of the crew of "The Wild Bunch." Ava Gardner got out of the car, saw Hardy, and gave him a hug directly.

"Hardy, it feels like it's been ages since we were apart," Ava said.

"I feel the same way."

They separated, and Hardy greeted the director and other actors. They walked into the reception room together, and Hardy asked Nolan, "How long will the production take from now on?"

"It'll probably take about two months to finish, then there's editing, promotion, and it should be ready for release by October."

"In that case, let's speed up the production and aim for an early release."

As the evening approached, Hardy took the entire crew of nearly a hundred people to the designated hotel to celebrate the wrap of the film.

There's no longer a tradition of wrap parties in Hollywood, but Hardy, as the boss, personally treated everyone to dinner. Everyone was very happy, the atmosphere was lively, Hardy drank quite a bit, and by the time he returned home, he was a little tipsy.

As they went upstairs, Ava supported him.

Opening the door, they found the room very clean, knowing that Hardy must have arranged for someone to tidy up in advance.

This man was sometimes domineering, sometimes gentle, sometimes careless, but sometimes considerate.

Ava helped him take off his coat, went to run the bath, and when she came back after filling the tub, she helped him into the bathroom.

It was at this moment that he opened his eyes.

"Ah, aren't you drunk? Then you should take a bath," Ava said.

Hardy chuckled and grabbed the woman, pulling her into the tub.

The two of them played a few games in the bathtub.

...

The next day.

Henry returned and reported to Hardy about the investigation of Andy.

"The judge who presided over Andy's case has retired last year. Andy has always claimed his innocence in court, stating that he didn't kill his wife. The court couldn't find the gun, and the evidence was insufficient. However, the judge sentenced Andy to two life sentences for murder."

"Andy was sent to Shawshank Prison. He never stopped seeking justice. He wrote a letter to the court every month to state his grievances. He has never stopped for the past seven years."

"Boss, we found the thief's gun. It's a Colt revolver. It has changed hands three times. I found it in the utility room of the last person."

Henry said that and put a paper bag in front of Hardy.

Hardy picked up the paper bag and emptied the gun inside—a very ordinary revolver worth only twenty or thirty dollars—but it was this gun that ruined a banker's life.

"Is there any other information?" Hardy asked.

Henry thought for a moment and said with a smile, "That Andy loves to write letters. Besides writing to the court that sentenced him, he also writes to the state government. He felt that there were too few books in the prison library, so he wrote a letter every month. Finally, a batch of books and records arrived, which improved Andy's reputation in prison, and he was rarely bullied after that."

Hardy remembered that there was indeed such a plot in the movie.

"Henry, find a lawyer and go through the normal process to apply for a retrial. The murderer Aimo, who killed Andy's wife and her lover will turn himself in. You personally follow up on this matter and report to me anytime if there is any situation." Hardy said.