On the way back, Martin chatted casually with Dakota Fanning.
This young lady had entered the entertainment industry at the age of five.
Back then, she and the legendary musician Ray Charles shot a TV commercial for "JCPenney."
She started much earlier than Martin.
As the conversation progressed, Dakota Fanning gradually calmed down and began laughing and talking with Martin.
"Martin, you know what? When I was little, I used to perform at home. My mom said I was too energetic. I often stuffed a blanket into my shirt to pretend I was pregnant, and my sister Elly (Elle)—oh, she's an actress now too—would play the baby. Hehe, she didn't even need to act back then; she was just a baby."
"Since I was seven, I often performed at a local weekly kids' theater for parents. The theater owner, Uncle Williams, took special notice of me. He told my mom: 'Miss Fanning is very talented. I suggest you find her a manager.'"
"Hehe, that was the first time I heard someone call me 'Miss Fanning.' It left a deep impression on me."
"Later, my aunt took me to Los Angeles. We waited there for six weeks. I stood out among dozens of kids in the auditions and landed my first job—the lead in a national Target commercial. I was awesome."
"Then, in 2001, when I was seven, I acted in my first film, I Am Sam, with Sean Penn playing the lead—a man with intellectual disabilities working at a Starbucks. I played his daughter, Lucy."
"I've seen that film. You were so adorable as a child!" Martin said.
He had indeed seen I Am Sam and greatly admired Sean Penn's acting. Dakota Fanning's natural talent in the film was also deeply impressive.
"Really? Thank you for liking it. How many of my films have you seen?"
After the initial awkwardness faded, Dakota began to show her lively side.
Martin thought for a moment and said, "Quite a few, actually. War of the Worlds, Charlotte's Web, The Nine Lives of Chloe King, Push... oh, and In the Valley of Elah with Charlize Theron."
"That is quite a few," Dakota said happily. "Which character did you like the most?"
"Probably Finn from Charlotte's Web."
"Really? I loved my role in Push. When I read the script, I thought, 'Wow, predicting the future? That's so cool!' Oh, and I've worked with Kristen several times—The Runaways, The Twilight Saga: New Moon. On set, I often heard her talk about you."
"Oh? What did she say about me?" Martin asked with interest.
Dakota's face suddenly turned red. "Uh, well, she said you're great, really talented, smart, and handsome."
Actually, she also mentioned how exceptionally "powerful" Martin was in certain private aspects. When girls get together to talk about men, it's no more elegant than when men talk about women—it's just as crude.
In fact, if Kristen Stewart's descriptions of Martin hadn't left such a deep impression, Dakota wouldn't have immediately thought of him when looking for someone who could offer her opportunities.
Despite having mentally prepared herself multiple times, Dakota finally decided to offer herself in exchange for better opportunities. But who wouldn't want their "benefactor" to be a young, handsome, and talented man?
Dakota's blushing expression was charming and captivating. She was the type who grew from a cute child into a beautiful woman—adorable as a kid and sweet as an adult, perfectly fitting Martin's type.
Truth be told, Martin's warmth toward her stemmed from a vague sense of guilt—after all, he had taken away what could have been the best film of her career.
Yes, Hide and Seek.
In the original timeline, Dakota Fanning's commercial success was never overwhelming. Though she had roles in The Twilight Saga, none were particularly shining. The peak of her acting career, both in box office and critical acclaim, was Hide and Seek.
In this timeline, without Hide and Seek, Dakota's commercial performance had indeed been lackluster.
As they chatted, time flew by, and the car soon arrived at Dakota's apartment building.
Martin parked the car and said nothing, just silently looked at the girl beside him.
Dakota also stopped talking, her gray eyes fixed on Martin.
The atmosphere in the car suddenly grew ambiguous.
"Dakota, you can do this!"
"Dakota, be brave, go for it!"
"Dakota, don't back down now. Haven't you already made up your mind?"
"Dakota..."
At this moment, Dakota wanted to do something but didn't dare, constantly psyching herself up internally.
Martin watched the girl's alternating expressions of determination and hesitation with amusement.
How long is she going to psych herself up?!
So—
Martin took the initiative.
He leaned forward, closing the distance.
His left arm slipped under her arm, wrapping around her back.
Then, with a slight pull—
Amid the girl's soft gasp, their faces met, and they kissed.
The ambiguous atmosphere turned passionate.
After a long while, their lips parted.
Dakota mustered her courage and said, "M-Martin, would you like to come up for coffee?"
A real man never refuses such an invitation. Martin nodded happily.
As he got out of the car, he signaled to the nearby Rolls-Royce, indicating for his bodyguards to wait there.
The apartment Dakota rented wasn't luxurious but was located on the outskirts of Beverly Hills, with a safe environment and complete amenities.
After entering, Martin looked around. The apartment was about ninety square meters, with three bedrooms and a living room—not too big, not too small. The walls were painted light blue, and the furniture and decorations were mostly in blue and green tones, creating a fresh and cheerful vibe.
"Do you live alone?" Martin asked.
"Most of the time, yes. But my sister, Elle Fanning, visits sometimes. She studies nearby. Oh, she's an actress too."
"I know her. In I Am Sam, she played your younger self."
"Hehe, yeah. She was only two back then."
Martin added, "But what impressed me most about your sister was her role as the little girl, Jazmine, in Eddie Murphy's comedy Daddy Day Care. Her piercing scream was unforgettable."
"Haha, the screaming girl! That's what I've called her since that movie," Dakota said with a laugh.