Before the release of 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest,' Matthew had already received a joint invitation from Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, inviting him to their pre-wedding party at the Hollywood Celebrity Centre.
Of course, Matthew could bring a female companion.
After receiving the formal invitation, Matthew had Bella Anderson send a formal reply to Tom Cruise's team, confirming his attendance.
Despite recent setbacks, particularly after his split with former agent Pat Kingsley and his departure from CAA, which led to numerous backhanded moves from his former agent and agency, Tom Cruise remained an undiminished Hollywood superstar. His presence still stirred enormous buzz wherever he went.
And especially for an event like a pre-wedding party.
As the date for the party approached, Tom Cruise's news began to dominate entertainment media, even appearing in general news segments. The buzz from 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest' was easily overshadowed by him.
Such was the influence of a superstar.
However, most of the coverage about Tom Cruise wasn't positive.
A superstar being smeared by a former agent and agency provided ample fodder for the media, who eagerly dug up more scandals, especially with his impending marriage. Gossip about his past relationships, and prominently, Scientology, filled the air.
The attention on Tom Cruise's pre-wedding party attracted many reporters eager to infiltrate the Hollywood Celebrity Centre to uncover any links between Tom Cruise and Scientology.
But such parties came with stringent security measures, firmly barring media personnel.
In the living room of the Horner Estate, Ilena Boyar moved her long legs and stood by the large floor-to-ceiling window, looking down. "Matthew, did the thief really climb up from this cliff side?"
Matthew joined her at the window. Despite Ilena Boyar wearing flat athletic shoes, she still stood slightly taller than him.
When they first met, Ilena Boyar was tall and strong, resembling a tennis player like Maria Sharapova. Over the past few years, she had worked hard to slim down, with noticeable results.
Nonetheless, Ilena Boyar's height and frame still made her appear formidable.
Charlize Theron was already considered broad-shouldered and big-boned, but Ilena Boyar looked even more imposing.
Matthew glanced down from the large window. "The wall was built after the break-in. Before, there wasn't one. Some skilled climbers could still make their way up."
Ilena Boyar nodded and asked with concern, "Any progress from the police?"
"No," Matthew replied with some frustration. "I've been pressing them hard. The police had three suspects, but there was solid evidence proving they weren't involved."
He pondered for a moment, then added, "I've also hired private investigators to look into it, but they haven't found anything either."
"A professional thief?" Ilena Boyar asked, puzzled.
Matthew gazed into the distance. "Possibly. Or it could be someone with no prior criminal record, especially a minor."
Ilena Boyar understood his implication. "That would indeed make it harder to trace." She sighed. "It doesn't matter who the criminal is. It's their actions that matter most to you."
Stealing underwear is not something a typical person would do.
Matthew shook his head slightly. "That's exactly what Helen is most worried about. It's the crazed, obsessive fans that are the most terrifying."
Ilena Boyar laughed carelessly, "After your look in '300' is revealed, it might drive that person even crazier. Maybe they'll come back for more of your underwear."
Matthew shot her a glance and changed the subject, "Did you come here for something specific, or just to check on whether the thief was caught?"
Although they were friends, Ilena Boyar usually had a very clear purpose in her actions.
Ilena Boyar asked, "Have you been following the entertainment news lately?" Seeing Matthew nod, she continued, "Tom Cruise is really in the spotlight now."
Matthew immediately grasped her point. "You want me to take you to Tom Cruise's pre-wedding party?"
"Exactly," Ilena Boyar admitted straightforwardly. "This party is getting a lot of media attention and public interest. If I can get some exclusive inside news, it would be a sensation."
She turned to face Matthew. "Tom Cruise invited you, right? Such invitations usually allow you to bring a date. How about taking me?"
"No way," Matthew walked over to the sofa, talking as he went, "This isn't like Uwe Boll's 'Raging Bull' boxing match. Bringing you to this party is very inappropriate."
Ilena Boyar followed him, saying, "No one will know I'm from TMZ if you don't tell them."
Matthew turned to look at her. Unlike Uwe Boll's boxing event, where he could bring Ilena Boyar close to the action without an invite, Tom Cruise's pre-wedding party was different.
"Ilena, let me put it this way," Matthew explained to prevent further pestering. "The invitation from Tom Cruise indeed says I can bring a date, but it also clearly states that media professionals are not allowed."
The Hollywood Celebrity Centre, being Scientology's stronghold in Los Angeles and Hollywood, would not welcome journalists who had repeatedly exposed their scandals.
Hearing this, Ilena Boyar didn't push further. As a friend, she didn't want to make things too difficult for Matthew. She shrugged, "I was hoping to sneak into the Hollywood Celebrity Centre and find out how Scientology chose Tom Cruise's new bride."
Matthew, circling around the sofa, sat in an armchair. "Aren't you afraid Scientology will throw you into the ocean?"
He couldn't recall where he had read it, but in the 50s and 60s, Scientology reportedly made people disappear.
"Times have changed," Ilena Boyar sat across from him, "I have TMZ backing me."
"By the way, Ilena," Matthew was curious about her earlier comment, "Is it true that Scientology picked Tom Cruise's wife?"
"Unless you're among the top leaders of Scientology, or Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes themselves, no one can be 100% sure," Ilena Boyar crossed her legs and thought for a moment. "But there's one thing for sure. The lead actress auditions for 'Mission: Impossible 3' at the Hollywood Celebrity Centre were essentially Scientology's way of helping Tom Cruise pick his future wife, while also casting the female lead for the film."
Matthew was intrigued. "Really?"
It sounded like something out of a royal court, selecting a bride for an emperor.
Ilena Boyar, an executive at TMZ, knew a lot of Hollywood gossip. "Originally, Scientology picked British actress Nazanin Boniadi for Tom Cruise. She's a devoted Scientologist. You might have heard, Tom Cruise and Nazanin Boniadi had a brief relationship before breaking up over some issues. Apparently, as punishment, Scientology made Nazanin Boniadi clean toilets for a week."
Matthew didn't know what to say. Thinking of what he had learned about Tom Cruise, Scientology had indeed deeply infiltrated his life. Yet, Tom Cruise himself was equally embedded in the upper echelons of Scientology. If one day, the aging actor became the head of Scientology, Matthew wouldn't be surprised.
Everyone knew Tom Cruise was a smart man. Being deeply entangled with Scientology without extricating himself might indeed have some hidden reasons.
Seeing Matthew's interest, Ilena Boyar continued, "Katie Holmes was originally a Catholic. To marry Tom Cruise, she not only signed a strict prenuptial agreement but also a legally binding contract with Scientology, converting to the religion."
Matthew asked curiously, "I heard Tom Cruise's divorce from Nicole Kidman was also due to Scientology's interference?"
"Nicole Kidman publicly stated in the late 90s that she was a Catholic," Ilena Boyar explained. "Reportedly, such statements angered the top brass of Scientology. They couldn't tolerate a non-believer being married to their poster boy. The reasons for Tom Cruise's divorce from Nicole Kidman are complex, but Scientology was definitely a part of it."
Ilena Boyar glanced at the time and stood up to leave. Before going, she cautioned, "Be careful, Matthew. Tom Cruise inviting you to the Hollywood Celebrity Centre might have other motives. Don't let yourself get brainwashed."
Matthew escorted her to the door and joked, "If I accidentally get brainwashed, Ilena, you have to snap me out of it."
Ilena Boyar laughed, "I'll drive you to Malibu and kick you off a cliff."
She then got into her car and drove away from the Horner Estate.
Matthew watched her car exit the estate before turning back inside. For Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' pre-wedding party, he could bring a female companion, but currently, he didn't have a girlfriend.
After some thought, he called Alexandra Daddario, only to find out she was back in New York for the time being. He decided to give up on the idea of bringing a date.
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