America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

"Last year, a master mixologist rose in Los Angeles, creating a myriad of new cocktails such as the Paper Plane, Penicillin, Inflated Screw, and Italian Cannon with her genius creativity and skill!"

Hundreds gathered at the venue as the president of the International Bartenders Association prepared to present an important award from the podium, "She is Louise Mel, a new master, the next legend in mixology, and therefore we will officially bestow upon her the title of Master and present the Special Contribution Trophy."

He raised his voice, "Welcome Louise Mel to the stage!"

Martin stood up and applauded; Louise got up, hugged him tightly, and gave him a playful bite on the ear, whispering in a volume only the two of them could hear, "Thank you."

At that moment, her smile was exceptionally bright; there is no greater joy in life than this.

Movies were just work; mixology, however, was a passion.

Louise, in her gown, strode towards the podium.

Martin gestured for those around to stand up.

The International Master Mixologist Louise created an astonishing number of new cocktails last year, prompting mixologists around her to stand up, followed by everyone in the hall.

By the time Louise got onstage and received the jade trophy shaped like a cocktail glass, most of the people at the venue were standing and applauding.

The atmosphere inside the hall was extremely heated.

Louise held the jade trophy aloft, her eyes slightly moist, and said into the microphone, "Thank you to my assistant, Martin, without whom I would not have achieved today's success. Also, I've brought two new cocktail recipes: The Godmother and Overturning Heaven and Earth. Plus, three classic cocktail recipes revised, which I invite everyone to taste at the party later."

The attendees, being either mixologists or seasoned drinkers, applauded even more enthusiastically upon hearing this.

Louise stepped down from the stage, greeted by numerous mixologists on her way.

In recent years, new cocktails that could be widely popularized and deemed classic were rare; Louise created several just last year.

When Louise returned, she handed the jade trophy to Martin, "Half of it is yours."

Martin feigned honor, "I'm truly honored to have half."

Louise, still excited and thrilled, embraced Martin with a passionate, prolonged kiss.

Seeing Louise's fiery enthusiasm, Martin simply went for a deep kiss.

After a long while, they separated.

Louise said, "I just had an idea?"

Seeing her pouted backside, Martin knew which position she wanted to use, "You're not thinking of making a biopic about yourself, are you?"

Louise shamelessly nodded her head in agreement, "Exactly! The only female mixology master, and in a few years, definitely the queen of mixology—a world-class legend. Shooting a biopic about myself, an actress could win an Oscar for Best Actress!"

Martin asked, "Should I play myself?"

"No, you can't be in it, absolutely not," Louise realized a key issue, "I'm the queen of mixology, not the queen of scams."

By the evening, as the party started, Louise's excitement had worn off, her mindset gradually returned to normal, and she stopped mentioning making a personal biopic.

She personally demonstrated a few new cocktails, taught a group of mixologists, and then relinquished the bar.

Many people came over to greet Louise, and Martin accompanied her, using the information he had reviewed the previous night to search for their targets.

To their surprise, a target approached them of his own accord.

The president personally came over with a slim, middle-aged man, followed by a girl in her twenties.

"Miss Mel, Mr. Davis, this is Mr. Wu Maoting from Myanmar, and this young lady is his daughter, Miss Wu Dan," the president specially mentioned, "Mr. Wu is a jewelry merchant. The jade used for this year's trophy was all sponsored by Mr. Wu."

Louise and Martin shook hands with Wu Maoting in a very courteous manner and greeted Wu Dan.

Both spoke fairly fluent English.

After chatting about cocktails for a bit, the Wu father and daughter each got a cocktail personally mixed by Louise before heading off somewhere else.

Martin took another glance at Wu Maoting.

While no one else was coming over, Louise asked, "Is there a problem with him?"

This was one of the individuals Martin had specifically marked the night before, "I reviewed his information last night; to be exact, he's an owner of a jade mine."

"A suitable potential investor?" was the only thing Louise could think of, since she wasn't familiar with Myanmar.

Martin explained, "A lot of the wars in Myanmar are over the jade mines, where mine owners are essentially minor warlords or their proxies. They might rise to power one year and potentially fall the next, and even if they manage to keep their estate for a long time, they often like to arrange a more secure path for their progeny."

Louise understood, "He's invested in the film industry?"

Martin nodded, "Yes, the public records I saw yesterday show that he and his only daughter are shareholders and directors of a film and television production company in Harbor City."

In East and Southeast Asia, jade has the highest recognition, and Harbor City is an important consumer market.

Louise said, "You have the right idea."

Martin replied, "Although I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, I made sure to pay extra attention to a few figures associated with the film industry."

Louise nodded, "Not bad, you're really going for it."

Martin spoke frankly, "If I had your background, I would never start a business. I'd just while away my time."

Seeing that Wu Maoting was alone, he said, "I'll give it a try and see how it goes. If it doesn't work out, I'll just back off."

Louise encouraged him, "Your efforts now are related to your bright future."

This sounded much like what Martin often said to Thomas, "The pitcher goes often to the well, but is broken at last."

Martin grabbed a glass of wine, mingled for a bit, then quietly approached Wu Maoting, and they happened to bump into each other.

"Hi, Mr. Wu," Martin said with a smile, "That jade trophy is quite unique, this kind of oriental green gem injects a sense of nobility and beauty."

He inquired, "I heard there is also a kind of top-grade 'emperor green' jade?"

Wu Maoting responded, "Quite rare and extremely precious."

Martin asked, "Do you happen to have any? Louise is soon attending a movie premiere red carpet, and I plan to give her a special gift—a heart-shaped 'emperor green' jade pendant would be perfect."

"I don't have it in stock right now," Wu Maoting noticed something of interest in Martin's words, "Premiere? A movie premiere?"

Martin had been waiting for precisely this kind of interest, "Louise and I are not merely bartenders; she owns Pacific Pictures in Hollywood, and I am a Hollywood movie star. I don't know if you've seen 'House of Wax', but I played the lead role. Soon I'll be in a movie that Louise has invested tens of millions of US dollars in."

To Wu Maoting, a Hollywood star wasn't much of importance, but the owner of a Hollywood film company certainly was, "I had no idea Miss Mel was so outstanding."

Martin knew that Louise was the key, "Hollywood's youngest female millionaire and one of the most successful female producers. She attracts investments from all over the world to make movies, a remarkable businesswoman and artist."

Remembering that Wu Maoting only had one daughter, he added, "And she's an outstanding alumnus of the University of California's School of Cinematic Arts, too."

After the success of Titanic, Hollywood movies had dominated the globe, and Wu Maoting was quite curious about Hollywood, "Drawing investments from all over the world?"

Martin replied with a smile, "Hollywood is an open film production center that pulls in talent, technology, and capital from around the world, creating one amazing film after another, driving the development of cinematic art while rewarding all investors. Many from Harbor City go to Hollywood to seek their fortune."

Wu Maoting mentioned, "Jack Chen."

Martin said, "His kung fu is memorable." He sighed, "I've seen many kung fu movies from Harbor City, the early Shaw Brothers' films, the later Huang Feihong, Jack Chen's 'Police Story' series, and John Woo's action-packed gunfights, all classics."

Being able to cite those films impressed Wu Maoting, "Indeed classics. My daughter and I are movie aficionados. It's a pity the film market in Harbor City has shrunk, with few good works in recent years."

Martin took the conversation further, "Many talents from Harbor City have gone to Hollywood to develop their careers, and most have done quite well. Compared to Jack Chen and Jet Lee, I'm just a nobody. And there's John Woo, whom Tom Cruise personally requested to direct Mission: Impossible II and to design the gunfight scenes.

Yuan Heping's action directing team was key to the success of 'The Matrix' series."

He didn't mention those who had failed; it was as if going to Hollywood from Harbor City guaranteed success.

Wu Maoting, an investor in a Harbor City film company and interested in Hollywood, asked, "Miss Mel's visit is for more than just attending the Bartenders' Association conference?"

"She's also here to gather investments. Hollywood produces so many movies each year, most require syndication to resolve funding," Martin briefly explained the concept of film syndication, "This time, Louise plans to invest in a big project. Do you know Alan Mak and Zhuang Wenqiang, two filmmakers from Harbor City?"

Wu Maoting nodded, "I know them."

Martin said, "Perfect. They are involved in the project. Warner Bros. has purchased the adaptation rights for the Harbor City film 'Infernal Affairs' and plans to make an American version."

Wu Maoting recalled, "I think I've heard someone mention it."

Martin continued, "The American version will be directed by Martin Scorsese with Leonardo starring in it."

"One of the four great directors of Hollywood?" Wu Maoting's interest wasn't just piqued, it was intense, "The Leonardo from Titanic?"

"Yes, them!" Martin delivered the clincher, "Louise's Pacific Pictures is ready to invest and has already been in contact with Warner Bros. The total investment in the film might be around 100 million US dollars, so we're out here looking for like-minded investors."

Wu Maoting immediately understood why he had been approached.

Having said this, Martin took out Louise's business card and handed it over, "If Mr. Wu is interested, you can contact us."

Wu Maoting thought for a moment and took it.

When Martin went to approach others, Wu Maoting left the cocktail party, called over his aide, and took out his phone to start making calls.

He was acquainted with Zhuang Mai but not close; however, the film company he invested in could make contact with them.

The next morning, Wu Maoting received detailed news and the relevant documents faxed from Los Angeles.

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