"Thank you to the Academy! Thank you to all the Oscar voters!"
"Thanks to Director Stephen Daldry, and to the brilliant scripts by David Hare and Michael Cunningham, you were all outstanding."
"Thanks to Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep, you were the best partners, and I appreciate all your help on set."
After Nicole Kidman finished reading the list of people she wanted to thank on stage, some sharp-eyed people in the audience noticed that Martin's name was missing.
"Wasn't The Hours invested by Martin's Myers Entertainment?"
"Didn't they work together on The Others? In that movie, Martin helped Nicole win an Oscar for Best Actress!"
"Isn't their relationship supposed to be really good?"
"Could it be that this Oscar win is not related to Martin, and that Nicole did it all herself?"
Countless doubts began to arise.
Harvey felt a bit amused, but before he could even grin, he heard Nicole pause on stage, then suddenly add:
"Today, here, I want to specially thank one person."
"It's Martin! Yes, him, Martin Myers!"
"When I first met him, he was only twelve. In the blink of an eye, four years have passed."
"The little boy has grown up, and I've grown old."
"I want to say, Martin, everything I have achieved today is because of you."
"To be able to receive the highest honor in the film world once again as I age, my life is complete because of you..."
People in the audience started to exchange confused glances.
Was this... a confession?
Nicole's words were so vague, it almost sounded like an overly excited expression of gratitude!
Tom Cruise's face turned pale!
After all, as an ex-husband, he understood Nicole; these two must have gotten together!
"Tonight, to be standing here again, I am so thrilled—"
Nicole's face was flushed, and she looked more like someone who was overwhelmed with emotion.
Many people in the audience looked relieved.
Meanwhile, Harvey, the second person after Tom Cruise to catch on, had jealousy in his eyes!
Why should Martin be able to be with her, but I, Harvey, can't?
Nicole raised her Oscar trophy and continued, "Yes, I'm so excited! What I'm about to say may not have come from my brain, but it definitely came from my heart, and I want to say—"
"Martin, I love you!!!"
The audience erupted! Whispers and discussions filled the room!
Martin stared, his beautiful blue eyes looking bewildered, as if shocked by Nicole's words.
But in fact, inside, he was... indeed shocked.
He never expected Nicole to express her love for him in public.
But at the same time, he felt a wave of excitement and happiness.
For Nicole's courage.
He knew that tomorrow, no, tonight, the internet would be full of news about "Nicole confesses her love to Martin at the Oscars." He wasn't sure whether this would have a good or bad impact on Nicole, but he knew that no matter what happened, he would protect her and not let her be hurt.
Nicole walked down the stage, proudly holding her head high and ignoring the various stares around her. She walked confidently toward Martin.
Her heart was also a bit nervous, not because of what the world might think, but because she wasn't sure of Martin's feelings.
This confession was sudden, and Nicole wasn't sure if Martin would be willing to make their relationship public.
She saw Martin open his arms and laugh as he walked toward her. Her heart finally relaxed, and she suddenly felt like crying.
Then came a warm embrace, much less reserved than before. They clung to each other tightly in front of everyone.
Then Martin kissed Nicole on the forehead and the tip of her nose.
Someone in the audience began clapping, and soon, applause filled the room.
Whether it was from genuine blessings or other emotions, few were willing to cross Martin in such a situation.
Except—Tom Cruise and Harvey Weinstein.
Meanwhile, Jessica Alba, Lindsay Lohan, Dorothea Duster, Miranda Kerr, Scarlett Johansson, and other women in Martin's life, watching from their homes, were all equally excited.
Jessica Alba admired, "Nicole is so brave. I really admire her."
Lindsay Lohan blushed, saying, "Me too. I also want to confess my love to Martin in front of everyone, but I don't dare."
Dorothea Duster laughed, ruffling Lindsay's head, "You need to build up your courage. Boxing is a good option. By the way, Martin and I are opening a gym, and I'll get you a membership card!"
Back at the Oscars venue, Nicole's public confession to Martin, who was eighteen years younger than her, was truly shocking.
Even after more than ten minutes, the entire venue remained in an excited, almost stunned, buzz.
People were discussing it fervently.
The Hours cast members also exchanged complex glances as they watched Nicole settle down.
Meryl Streep was the first to express her support.
She was sitting next to Nicole and leaned in to hug her with one arm, whispering in her ear:
"Hey, Nicole, don't mind the gossip or people's eyes. Just be yourself, pursue what you want, and go for it."
The rest of the crew also woke up from their stupor and started offering Nicole words of encouragement and blessings.
Nicole wasn't sure how many of them were sincere and how many were because of Martin.
After comforting Nicole, Meryl Streep looked at the beautiful woman surrounded by stars and felt a pang of jealousy. Hollywood had gained another woman no one dared to mess with!