America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Marietta, Clayton Community.

When fifteen-year-old Lily stepped off the school bus, she heard the convenience store owner Nanni yell, "There's a package for your family, from Los Angeles."

"Los Angeles?" Lily knew who had sent it and ran over to search for the two boxes, which she picked up and carried away.

The larger box was somewhat heavy, so Nanni lent her a cart to push it. He asked, "That idiot Martin Davis?"

Lily set down the boxes, "Exactly, the moron."

Pushing the cart, she reached the front door of her house. In the neighboring yard, Holle was digging a hole in the front yard with a cardboard next to his feet.

Lily shouted, "What else can you do, you idiot, other than dig holes?"

Holle kept digging, "Wait for him to come back and fall in to break his leg."

The Carter Family's kids always expressed their emotions in a straightforward, unadorned way. Lily said, "Dig it deeper. When that moron comes back, let the earth break his leg."

After moving the boxes into the house, Lily returned the cart and came back to unpack. There were only two kinds of items: beautifully crafted animal fang accessories and more primitive buffalo horns.

Among them was a piece of paper with crooked letters that Lily knew was written by Martin.

There were animal fangs for all four siblings, but the buffalo horns were raw materials for craftwork.

They were only for her, Lily Carter.

Lily took off with long strides and ran out to the yard, shouting to the neighbor, "Idiot, stop digging the earth! Fill in all the holes you've dug!"

Holle turned around, "Have you gone mad? You just said..."

Lily pulled out her trump card, "If you don't fill the holes, I'll tell Elena what you're up to, guess what she'll do?"

Holle turned back sullenly, continuing to shovel dirt to fill the holes he'd dug too many of in the yard, all intended for that bastard.

All had to be filled back in.

Lily returned to the living room, took out all the buffalo horns, and laid them on the table. She then looked for a set of carving tools and pondered what to carve first.

After carving, she would mail them back.

Lily's eyes fell on a thick, long, slightly curved buffalo horn, and she immediately had a great idea for a special carving.

To carve it in the likeness of Martin.

"I am a genius!" she laughed happily.

......

Los Angeles, Century City.

Martin hurriedly drove to the appointment after receiving a call from his agent Thomas.

Upon entering the company lobby, he noticed a large number of young men and women in their twenties. Among them were a few familiar faces, clearly clients of the company.

Thomas was waiting for Martin and waved at him as he saw him.

Martin approached and asked, "What's happening? Is the company building team spirit? Or throwing a big party?" MVLEmPyR-your-story-source

While speaking, his gaze landed on a young Latino next to Thomas.

Thomas introduced him, "This is Oscar-Isaac, also my client. Oscar, this is Martin Davis."

Martin shook hands with Oscar, exchanging a few polite words.

The interaction between them was cordial as there was no obvious conflict in resources due to the clear difference in their positioning.

Martin quickly scanned the lobby and spotted six or seven handsome brunettes, his real competitors within the company.

Of course, he couldn't help but take a longer look at the young actresses.

Some of them had great figures.

Martin asked again, "Why are the young actors and agents gathering here? What's the occasion?"

Thomas briefly said, "Many Hollywood film and television production companies have switched to a brand-new digital management system. The company wants to update your profiles to facilitate actor recommendations, including digital photos and videos."

At this moment, Oscar asked, "Aren't there more young clients than just us?"

Thomas replied, "Not counting the stars, those who have not really made it big, you guys are the most valued group. When recommending young actors to production companies, the company will prioritize you all."

Oscar spotted a female Latino actress, "I'll go say hello."

Martin, seeing no one nearby, asked in a low voice, "Which bastards are our competitors?"

Hearing 'our', Thomas grew serious and subtly pointed, "See that blond hunk shorter than you? His name is Mike Vogel. He's a former boxer and the company positions him almost the same as you. He's already starred in 'Skateboard Fever,' 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre,' and 'Wuthering Heights,' gaining some popularity."

He turned his finger slightly, "The one with long hair on the left is Joe Anderson, he's been in 'Subway Horror' and 'Soul Traction.' On the right, the brother and sister together, Eric Lively; his father Ernie-Levitt is a well-known actor and producer in the industry with a wide network."

Martin inquired, "The one beside him is his sister?"

"Blake Lively." Thomas cautioned, "You can befriend these siblings but don't mess around. Their dad is no simple character."

He looked around and didn't see another person, "Originally, Adrian was the company's focus for resource allocation, even planning to partner him with Annie-Hathaway for a project called 'Deadly Party.' Now, forget about it."

Martin nodded. "Are these people ranked above me in terms of resources?"

After thinking it over, Thomas said, "The North American box office for 'Zombie Stripper' which you starred in was not bad, and you played the first male role in 'House of Wax.' The higher-ups know you come recommended by Miss Mel; aside from Mike Vogel, the others are not as good as you."

Martin glanced at Mike Vogel again and asked, "Does his agent have an independent office?"

Thomas felt a pinch in his heart. "Yes, he does." He quickly changed the subject. "If you can get the Saturn Award, your priority will not be worse than his. There's still hope for a nomination, but winning is too difficult."

As they were talking, Jim Witt, a member of WMA's board of directors and a senior partner, came down from upstairs, checked the temporarily arranged image capture studio, and had a few words with Mike Vogel.

Martin was too far to hear clearly but could tell that he was encouraging Vogel.

Someone called Martin's name from the image capture studio. He tidied up his clothes slightly and entered the studio, where he was required to be photographed and filmed without makeup.

Martin didn't wear makeup usually and quickly finished and came out.

Jim Witt was standing next to Thomas and nodded slightly when he saw Martin. "You're Martin Davis?"

Martin responded with a smile, "That's me. Good afternoon, Mr. Witt."

Jim Witt said, "I met Susan the day before yesterday, and she mentioned you. You performed exceptionally well during your shoot in Australia."

Martin could tell that Jim Witt was on good terms with Susan and said, "Susan is a very professional producer. She taught me a lot on set, and I learned a great deal from this shoot."

"Keep up the good work," Jim Witt encouraged and left the lobby.

The others in the hall cast glances over Martin.

Martin, as if unaware, took it in stride.

Once Oscar-Isaac finished with his image capture, Thomas carefully verified it and then sent him on his way.

Thomas called Martin over to an office partition.

Martin asked directly, "How's the operation for Best Young Actor going?"

"I communicated with a few judges on the Lionsgate side. Through the company's connections, I reached out to two auditors," Thomas had done quite a bit of work these past few days. "There's a very good chance of getting a nomination, but winning is much harder."

Martin asked, "How much influence does Wes Craven have?"

Thomas was surprised. "You can connect with Craven? In terms of horror films, his suggestions are decisive."

Martin shook his head. "I wanted to ask if you or the company have any channels."

"I don't. The company definitely does," Thomas stated frankly. "But the company won't use such important favors and resources on the Saturn Award for Best Young Actor, nor on an actor of your level. The input-output ratio does not justify it."

After thinking for a while, Martin chose to reveal a bit. "I'll try other channels."

Immediately, Thomas thought of Louise below Martin. "Call me when you need to."

Once in the car, Bruce asked, "Where to?"

Martin took out a pen and notebook from the storage box and, while writing, said, "Take me to Sherman Oaks."

Bruce started the car and said, "One against two, if you keep it up for too long, you'll burn out."

Martin, in full pride and confidence, joked, "What are you talking about? I can handle two more, no problem."

On the way, he phoned Louise, "How are things?"

Louise replied, "Kelly and I are back. Hurry over."

"On the way."

The car stopped at the estate's front entrance. Martin took the keys and entered alone; Louise and Kelly were sitting at the bar drinking.

The former had mixed a cocktail—Inflated Screw.

Martin went to the bathroom to clean his hands, returned to replace Louise, and proceeded to make a new cocktail with gold liqueur, violet liqueur, ice cubes, lime, and Gatorade.

"Welcome to try, 'Beneath the Diving Board,'" he said.

Louise took a small sip and said, "Refreshing and intoxicating, nice."

Martin then handed another cup to Kelly. "Try this."

In a quiet tone, Louise mentioned, "Kate has come to Los Angeles and is starting to prepare for the award season at the end of the year."

Martin knew she was referring to Kate Winslet. "So early?"

"Not early at all. Many people start preparing a year in advance, and even move to Los Angeles for a year or longer," Louise said slowly swirling her glass. "Kate has a friend in fashion design, also Britsh, named Georgina Chapman."

Martin was familiar with the name—Weinstein's wife.

Louise's words did not stop. "Georgina is now Harvey Weinstein's public mistress; they might get married once Weinstein divorces. She's having a big fashion party in Beverly in a few days. Craven has lots of collaborations with Weinstein. I'm sure he'll appear at Georgina's party."

She emphasized, "I'm barely acquainted with Wes Craven, so I can only get you into the party. The rest is up to you."

Martin considered it for a moment. "Let's try. There's always hope in trying. If it doesn't work, I still gave it my best shot."

Without any restraint, he grabbed Louise with one hand and Kelly with the other. "If there's no way out, Sugar Mama, take care of me!"

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