America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

The following morning, Martin received a call from Bruce; Vincent and Sophia wanted to treat him to a drink at House of Beast.

Martin drove to West Strip and entered the club.

Bruce was behind the bar pouring drinks.

Vincent took off his cowboy hat and waved Martin over; once Martin sat down at the bar, Vincent said, "Here's to you."

Martin clinked glasses with him and Sophia, and they all drank together.

Vincent set down his glass, "A very spectacular film, an outstanding investment."

Martin smiled, "Boss, I'm someone who knows how to be grateful."

Sophia chimed in, "You are also a smart man."

Martin's gaze drifted over Old Cloth's face; Old Cloth showed no reaction, so Martin went straight to the point, "Boss, Sophia, you didn't invite me just for a drink, did you?"

This time, Vincent didn't speak; Sophia picked up the conversation, "During the shooting, I heard that you plan to go to Los Angeles to develop your career."

Martin nodded, "I do have such plans."

Sophia signaled Bruce to pour another drink, "Los Angeles has many opportunities, lots of film companies, and many crews; I've heard they make hundreds of films each year."

Martin spoke honestly, "I've never been to Los Angeles, so I'm not really sure about the specifics."

Sophia had received a notice from the studio that morning indicating they were very satisfied with the previous investment. Business is done better with experience, so she and Vincent once again set their sights on Martin, "Hollywood movies often warrant tens of millions, even hundreds of millions in US Dollar investments.

If you encounter such an opportunity, don't forget your old friends in Atlanta."

Upon hearing this, Martin was at ease; without saying anything more, he knew they could bring in the funds when it was crucial.

Without needing to mull it over, his words were filled with sincere emotions, "Atlanta is my home, and even if I go to faraway places, I will come back someday. Why? Because I have my most precious memories and friends here."

While speaking, Martin deliberately glanced at Old Cloth.

Bruce was in perfect sync, slyly flipping him the middle finger.

Martin continued, "How could I forget you if there's an investment opportunity? I've told Vincent, being able to land the lead role this time, it's all thanks to your investment support."

Sophia raised her glass, "I propose a toast to our future collaborations."

Martin clinked glasses with her and Vincent in turn, drinking the contents of his glass.

It was only upon closer inspection that he noticed Sophia's curved upper arm was even thicker than Lily's thigh.

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Martin realized something was amiss; why did he think of Lily's legs? He was certain he'd never peeped.

Vincent then said, "The most successful investment I've made to date was lending money to Jack Davis. That money allowed me to meet Martin."

Martin reluctantly replied, "Boss, can we not talk about Jack?"

"That old scoundrel hasn't contacted you?" Vincent laughed, a rare occurrence, "If I were you, Martin, I'd break his legs when I see him again."

Martin, however, shook his head, "It's not worth it if he ends up in jail."

Sophia continued to have Bruce pour drinks, "Let's have another."

Martin clinked glasses with them again.

While Vincent and Sophia were drinking, Bruce suddenly gave him a meaningful look.

Martin got the hint, chatted a bit more about so-called investment opportunities, and when the time was right, excused himself, "I have to make a trip to the Marietta Theatre; I have an appointment with the troupe leader I can't miss."

Sophia extended her hand, "Let's talk another time."

Martin politely shook her hand, which felt like holding stone, "Sure."

After leaving the club, Martin went to the Marietta Theatre Company; Jerome had indeed asked to meet him.

Once he entered the community theater, he saw dozens of people sitting inside, with seven or eight on the stage—including the big-headed Robert, who was directing their performance.

Robert had become a teacher...

Martin gestured to the stage and headed straight to the second-floor office.

Jerome pointed to the opposite seat, "Sit."

Martin sat down and remarked, "The company is thriving."

Jerome casually mentioned, "Quite a few newcomers. The troupe has signed a temporary actor usage agreement with Gray Company; many temps are seeking to join."

Martin heard about this from Andrew, "Gray Company's late-night shows won't stop; you should contact Andrew more."

"I will," Jerome abruptly changed the subject, "Last night, I spoke on the phone with Robert Patrick. I told him about your situation, and he said you can look for him in Sherman Oaks when you arrive in Los Angeles."

The troupe leader handed Martin a card with the address, "Patrick will provide you with some assistance."

Martin earnestly said, "Thank you, troupe leader."

Jerome suddenly became more emphatic, "Martin, you're from the Marietta Community Theater, and since you're going to Los Angeles, you need to make a name for yourself; don't let the troupe down."

Martin promised, "Troupe leader, I will."

"I want to thank you for everything you've done for the troupe; without you, it wouldn't be as prosperous as it is today," Jerome sighed lightly, "As the troupe leader, my abilities are limited; this is all I can help you with."

Martin originally wanted to invite Jerome for lunch, but Jerome politely declined.

He called for Robert on his way downstairs. Robert was busy and only had time for a brief chat.

"After the photo of me with the crew appeared in the newspaper, a very beautiful actress pursued me," Robert whispered about a recent incident, "I know she's not into me; she's after something else."

Martin was cooperative, "And after that?"

Robert said, "The day before yesterday, she kept pestering me, so I bought a bottle of Coke. It might have been shaken or something, I didn't notice, but when I twisted the cap, the Coke exploded all over her. Now she wants to sue me."

Martin found a lawyer's number and sent it to Robert, "Go consult a professional."

Robert glanced at it, his large head drooping a little, "I don't know why, but ever since you were in Savannah, my luck has gotten worse."

Martin thought of Adam Smith and Ma Zhen, and said solemnly, "Endure for a while and keep your phone on. I might call you at any time when I'm in Los Angeles."

Robert was a bit reluctant, "Going to Los Angeles means leaving home."

"We'll talk about it when it's time," Martin knew that talking more now was pointless, "I have a dinner date with Old Cloth, if you're not going, I'm off."

Robert had a very teacher-like demeanor, "I am now the chief acting instructor at the Marietta Community Theater, I've still got to coach these rookies."

Leaving the theater, Martin went to the same Rosario Restaurant he'd been to before, and when Bruce arrived, they ordered some Mexican food.

Bruce reminded him, "Be careful when you drink with Sophia, she can really hold her liquor."

Martin immediately let his imagination run wild, "Old Cloth, don't tell me you got drunk..."

"Shut up!" At first Bruce didn't want to mention it, but after a while, he revealed a sadness, "I didn't know at the time, I had a few more drinks with her than I should have, and ended up hammered..."

Martin poured him a beer, "That is a sad story indeed, the stacker gets stacked against eventually."

Bruce was about to drink his beer, but hearing that he subconsciously reached for his jacket.

Martin quickly said, "Civilized man, there are patrol officers over there, don't give those bitches any chance to empty their magazines."

Bruce withdrew his hand, "You have some damn good luck!"

Martin, thinking of Scott, asked, "How long does Sophia's interest in someone last?"

Bruce shook his head, "It varies. Some last longer, others bore her in just a few days."

Martin asked again, "Who had the worst outcome?"

Bruce couldn't help laughing, "As far as I know, Sophia's never killed anyone; the worst case just ended up with a prolapsed anus."

Martin thought of a possibility, "It wasn't you, was it?"

Bruce really wanted to draw his gun, "You pile of stinking dogshit, I'm going to blow your head off and see what kind of dog crap you've got in there..."

Martin said again, "Old Cloth, if it's not you, why so agitated?"

"Right, why should I be agitated?" Bruce suddenly calmed down and said, "Next time you end up with a mess that needs cleaning up, don't come to me. Not even for a hundred thousand dollars would I help you."

Just then, the waiter came with the food, and Martin said, "Let's eat, this meal is on me."

Bruce changed tack, "Seeing as you're picking up the tab, next time you need me, it'll cost you double."

Martin speared a piece of pepper steak, "Don't worry, by the time I ask for your help again, I'll book you a first-class plane ticket and a five-star suite, and maybe throw in a big-bootied beauty."

After finishing the meal, Martin paid the bill and drove back to the community.

Entering the Carter family home, he heard Lily shouting, "Hol, you dumb pig, come over here and see, am I taller than Elena now?"

Barefoot Lily stood beside Elena, measuring with her hand, "I really am taller than you."

She saw Martin, "Look, am I right?"

Martin, chewing on gum, sat in the armchair.

Elena, not bothering with her, picked up two magazines and came to sit on the armrest next to him.

Lily, with her hands behind her back, said earnestly, "Elena, I'm taller than you now, you can't just do whatever you want to me anymore..."

Before she could finish, a magazine thrown by Elena smacked her in the face.

Lily clutched her pert nose, her voice nasal, "Martin, are you a masochist?"

Martin picked up the baseball Hol had left by the armchair, tossing and catching it.

Lily stopped talking, sitting huffily on the couch.

Elena pointed to the room, "Go help Hol with his homework."

As it turned out, though Lily had grown taller, she was still the little sister and had to submit to Elena's authority.

Elena got cozy with Martin for a while, checked the time, and said, "Harris went to make deliveries with the Ford, can you take me to work?"

Martin slapped Elena's butt, "Happy to oblige."

The two of them got into the BMW, and Martin drove out of the community.

It was just the two of them in the car.

Approaching Clearwater Bar, Martin stopped the car and asked Elena, "Have you ever considered living in Los Angeles?"

"Why go to Los Angeles?" Having landed a formal job, Elena was no longer foul-mouthed, "My home is in Atlanta, my family is all in Atlanta, and all my relatives and friends are too."

Martin suggested, "We could go together."

"I still have to wait for Emma to come back." Elena's deep concern showed, "If she comes back and we're not here, Scott might go crazy and hurt her. No matter what she did, she's still Lily and Hol's mother."

She steered away from that topic, "When is that movie you're in coming out? Take me to see it."