The Tyrant Billionaire-Chapter 649 The Duel of the Beauties

A Few Days Later

A towering statue was erected on Hollywood Boulevard, standing an impressive eight meters tall.

It depicted Monroe in her iconic white dress, the hem billowing like waves caught mid-air.

The statue attracted crowds, becoming the next day’s headline news.

"Hollywood Boulevard unveils a massive Monroe statue, likely inspired by her new film. Just looking at the statue, one feels the allure—imagine what the movie must be like! It’s a must-see."

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The statue served as excellent publicity for the movie and, over time, became a notable Hollywood landmark.

October

Following an extensive promotional campaign, Monroe’s film premiered in over a dozen countries simultaneously, with more than a thousand theaters in the U.S. alone.

Monroe’s fame in America now eclipsed that of any other actress.

The new movie generated immense buzz, drawing audiences eager to secure tickets, especially mature men.

The lighthearted and comedic storyline, coupled with Monroe’s stunning, seductive performance, left audiences captivated.

One Week Later

The North American box office results were in.

The film grossed over $5 million in its first week alone.

Distributors were ecstatic, confident that North American ticket sales would surpass $10 million.

In other countries, the film also performed exceptionally well, far outpacing local productions.

During this time, Monroe tirelessly toured cities to promote the movie, further boosting its box office performance.

Meanwhile, Hardy returned to HD Studios for another screening—this time forRoman Holiday, which had just been completed.

A stylish romance, the film required little post-production due to its lack of special effects.

At the screening, Hollywood’s top executives were once again in attendance. Their confidence in Hardy’s productions had grown immensely.

Hardy entered the screening room hand-in-hand with Hepburn.

All eyes turned to them.

Some gazes carried an unspoken curiosity.

Hardy’s reputation for being a ladies’ man was well-known. Just days ago, he had walked in with Monroe. Now, he was accompanied by another young woman.

Although this newcomer was unfamiliar to many, her pure and radiant beauty struck a chord, evoking a nostalgic sense of youthfulness.

The Screening Begins

Hepburn was far more nervous than Monroe had been, clutching Hardy’s hand throughout the film. Her eyes, however, never left the screen.

As the film concluded, the audience once again rose to their feet, applauding enthusiastically.

"This is a fantastic romantic drama. Miss Hepburn has a style entirely different from Monroe’s—pure, elegant, and graceful, with a unique charm that’s perfectly captured in this film. It’s a great piece of work," someone remarked.

However, not everyone agreed.

"While this film is undoubtedly fresh and Miss Hepburn’s purity and elegance are indisputable, audiences today seem to favor Monroe’s more sensual style. I’m not sure how well the market will accept this," another person commented.

Indeed, the current American preference leaned heavily toward voluptuous actresses, as evidenced by the immense popularity of Monroe’sThe Seven Year Itch.

Hepburn’s reserved nature made her even more nervous upon hearing this.

Hardy smiled and said, "I believe this film will resonate with the audience. When something reaches the pinnacle of beauty, it becomes universally appreciated."

"Currently, the market is saturated with voluptuous actresses. Introducing someone with Hepburn’s purity might provide a refreshing change for audiences."

"If you’re worried about failure, Hardy Films will handle the distribution ourselves."

Hearing this, the executives quickly backtracked. "No, no, we’re not doubting the quality of the film. We simply think it may not reach the same level of popularity as Miss Monroe’s movies. That said, the film’s standard is unquestionably high, and we’re happy to collaborate on the distribution."

"Absolutely, we’re in."

Hardy had become a leading figure in the film industry and a major shareholder in the joint distribution company. No one wanted to risk offending him over a single movie.

Besides,Roman Holidaylooked promising. It might not be a blockbuster, but it was unlikely to lose money.

Hardy, unfazed, was confident thatRoman Holidaywould exceed everyone’s expectations and become a massive hit. If anything, he considered these distributors lucky to share in the profits.

November

Promotions forRoman Holidaybegan across television, newspapers, and radio. This marked the public’s first introduction to Audrey Hepburn, and the initial impression of her was one of pure and radiant beauty.

The male lead, Gregory Peck, was already a well-known actor, capable of drawing his fanbase to theaters.

Early December

AsThe Seven Year Itchbegan to wind down in popularity,Roman Holidaypremiered. Initially, the film’s performance aligned with expectations—nowhere near the explosive reception of Monroe’s films.

But as time went on, newspaper articles, magazine features, and television critiques started pouring in.

All were overwhelmingly positive about Hepburn.

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Her youthful beauty and elegance captured countless hearts.

Attendance rates began to climb.

In Europe, the response was even more fervent than in North America. Europeans seemed to favor Hepburn’s delicate charm over Monroe’s bold sensuality.

Roman Holiday’s plot was simple yet enchanting, akin to a fairy tale. It fulfilled a deep emotional yearning for many viewers.

A princess, an ordinary working man, falling in love, but ultimately unable to be together.

It was a classic love story.

Bittersweet yet deeply beautiful.

Hepburn quickly ascended to become a new kind of goddess in people’s hearts—a "pure goddess," distinct from Monroe’s "sensual goddess" image.

To borrow a phrase from the future, Hepburn had become the "leader of the virtuous beauties."

This year, the film industry saw a revitalization thanks to these two movies. The previously sluggish market was reinvigorated. Critics began comparing Monroe and Hepburn, coining the term "The Duel of the Beauties."

Roman Holidayin the United Kingdom

When the film premiered in the UK, the British royal family received a private copy for a screening at Buckingham Palace. Princess Margaret, upon watching it, felt an uncanny resonance with the story.

A princess on an adventure, meeting a journalist named Jon, falling in love.

The plot reminded her of her own encounter with Hardy.

The next time they met, she vowed to ask him if the film was inspired by her.

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