America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz
Chapter 226: Chapter 225 Stabilizing Your Foothold

The textile factory was in shambles. Martin, with a gun in each hand, battled an array of assassins from the Assassins' Guild. Each time his M9 pistols fired, another assassin would fall to the ground with a bullet wound.

Director Leterrier was seated in a tracking vehicle, controlling one of the cameras together with the director of photography, capturing both wide and close-up shots.

He had specifically designed a long take for this scene.

All the prop looms were destroyed in the gunfight, as assassin after assassin fell to the ground, gushing blood.

The film was destined to be rated R, with naturally a larger scale of violence.

The Frenchman Leterrier even suggested Martin do a full-frontal nudity scene, which was flatly refused by Martin.

With the completion of the long take, the studio was a complete mess, and most of the props and sets could be sent directly to the dump—there was no way to audit the expenses.

Martin wasn't concerned about how much money was actually spent; his portion was guaranteed.

"Cut! That's a wrap on the last shot!" Director Leterrier stood up in the tracking vehicle and shouted, "I hereby declare the shooting of 'Wanted Order' officially finished!"

The crew erupted into cheers, with streamers and confetti flying everywhere.

Then it was time to divide the loot.

Most people would receive a souvenir, like Martin who got the two prop M9 pistols he used in the film.

Producers Louise Mel and Kelly Gray entered the studio together, their assistants carrying a large suitcase.

Louise clapped her hands loudly to draw everyone's attention before saying, "For the past two months, everyone has worked hard and cooperatively. It has been quite tough, and I want to say thank you. On behalf of the crew, we have prepared a special memento for you."

Assistant Nikki opened the suitcase to reveal the small gift boxes inside.

Martin sighed inwardly.

Bruce whispered, "Should we call Australia again?"

Quietly, Martin replied, "We'll talk about it later."

Louise personally delivered the gift boxes to every crew member.

Some people couldn't wait and opened them to replace a fang pendant inside, engraved with Martin's name.

Morgan Freeman asked, "These don't look like coyote teeth."

Louise explained, "When Martin was filming 'House of Wax' in Australia, he hunted down a dozen or so six-meter-long Bay Crocodiles."

She added with a smile towards Martin, "Don't worry, it was all legal hunting, everything is by the book. This is actually a gesture from Martin; I'm just delivering it on his behalf."

No one doubted her words, nor did anyone doubt Martin's ability to hunt six-meter-long Bay Crocodiles. They had all seen how ferocious Martin was, even exploding the heads of thugs armed with automatic rifles using just a Coke can.

Martin thought to himself that even his most outrageous boasts had only been about the size of crocodiles, but in Louise's mouth, one had become a dozen.

All the crocodile teeth pendants were distributed to the crew members.

Most people were pleased with the gift. After all, it was a present from Martin and could become a very special souvenir should he become a megastar.

Louise and Kelly then left, with the former needing to catch a flight back to Los Angeles.

Martin invited Director Leterrier, the stunt coordinator Chad, and others to join Elena's housewarming ceremony.

Back at the hotel, Kelly had just returned from the airport and entered Martin's room with him.

Martin asked her, "Is she gone?"

Kelly grabbed a bottle of sweet wine, pouring a glass for each of them, "That demanding harlot is finally gone."

Martin too exhaled in relief, glad to be free of the chaotic shoot and looking forward to some time off.

Kelly shared new information with Martin: "Coca-Cola wants to place an ad in 'Wanted Order.' I agreed on behalf of the crew."

Martin was not opposed to the idea, "Just add it in post-production; you're the producers, it's your call."

"I feel there's a very high chance this project will succeed." Facing Martin, Kelly certainly would not repeat Congresswoman Erika's original words, but offered a different phrase, "I will continue to support you. If you come across good projects, call me anytime. With me backing you up, you can seize any opportunity in Hollywood."

Martin pulled her over to sit down, "I'm so touched! How can I ever thank you?"

Kelly raised an eyebrow, "That floozy's gone, so you figure it out."

In front of his female financier, Martin was sincerely devoted, both in words and in action.

His reaction was evident in his actions: hands moving, mouth moving, and, of course, other parts as well.

Absolute sincerity was met with the financier singing with satisfaction.

Meanwhile, 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' had its grand global premiere in Los Angeles.

The film received heightened attention due to a scandalous gossip incident.

In North America, it grossed nearly 55 million US dollars in its opening weekend.

For an original film neither adapted nor a sequel, this was an outstanding commercial performance.

Under Martin's tutelage, student Jolie had fought a successful comeback battle, reversing her recent downturn and successfully climbing back to stardom.

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More importantly, the mainstream media had embraced her image as a caring mother who had turned her life around.

When the opening week's box office results were announced, Jolie, having secured the support of 20th Century Fox, joined UNHCR officials and, in front of countless media outlets, set out to Africa and the Middle East with one child in hand and another in her arms, to visit and help orphans who had lost their families due to war.

Why take the children to such dangerous places? Jolie had patched things up in advance, claiming that on the one hand she couldn't be away from her children, and on the other, she wanted them to understand the importance of freedom and democracy from a young age.

This resonated precisely with the needs of the American mainstream media.

A saintly mother was gradually taking shape.

In turn, Jolie knew that Hollywood was her base, and the film's performance was still very important to her. She frequently mentioned the new film "Wanted Order" during a series of interviews.

She also praised Martin: "Martin's acting is excellent, it's hard to believe he's only 24. He seems more like a veteran actor, who has been in the business for thirty years and in his fifties, and he's an ideal male companion—modest and humble, with a strong and sturdy physique. Had I met him when I was 20, I would have undoubtedly fallen hopelessly in love with him."

After the interview was published, reporters also sought out Martin.

Martin made a special response: "The Jolie I know is a truly good mother. I grew up without a mother and was fairly vague about the concept, but Jolie has made the image of a mother vivid in my mind, a good mother is probably just like her."

It's all about mutual flattery in business, of course: you've got to blow things out of proportion. "Jolie has a truly compassionate heart. When seeing news of war on set, she often brought it up for discussion with me. She is concerned about those children affected by war, whether they can have enough to eat and drink, whether they can receive basic education.

She's very brave and has now actually gone out to do something about it."

Being a celebrity requires daring to bare when it's time to strip, to confront when it's time for a showdown, and to shamelessly boast when it's time to brag.

Before leaving Los Angeles, Martin did another important thing—he called his friends to join him at the housewarming party for Elena and her siblings.

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Northville Community.

The sun had not yet set when Elena arrived at the front door to welcome the guests.

Harris and Lily were in charge of entertaining indoors.

The nearby neighbors, who had accepted Elena's invitation, brought gifts with them.

Robert had invited several members of the community committee, including Mrs. Gianna, one of the heads.

"Elena is a remarkable bartender," boasted Robert, who now had an impressive title as a partner and artistic director of Atlanta's largest entertainment agency.

He received Mrs. Gianna by saying, "She won the Georgia State Bartending Competition last year and created the widely known cocktail, the Paper Plane. She herself has been hailed as the greatest female bartender in North America, second only to Louise Mel."

Mrs. Gianna had taken note of this new community member and remarked, "That's a remarkable achievement."

Robert then pointed toward Harris: "The second son of the Carter Family, he started a business in college, he's the founder of the Atlantic Astronomy Association and he makes more money than me."

Mrs. Gianna had not paid much attention to Harris before and now looked at him with new respect: "Young people who dare to venture have a certain fighting spirit."

Of course, she didn't take it too seriously as they were just starting out and lacked a solid foundation.

Just as she thought this, several people came in through the door. Among them, Mrs. Gianna recognized Justin from Coca-Cola's top management.

Another person looked familiar, and she quickly recognized him too: Martin Davis, a celebrity from Atlanta, a hero of America!

The group was busy greeting others and hadn't made their way over yet.

Mrs. Gianna's attention, however, was drawn to the fact that Martin Davis and Harris embraced tightly; they clearly had a special relationship.

She couldn't help asking, "Who are they?"

Robert didn't need to exaggerate, explaining, "Martin grew up with Elena and her siblings as neighbors. To be exact, he grew up in the Carter house."

He went on to introduce others: "The slightly shorter one is Justin, Deputy Director of Marketing at Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola Company is looking to collaborate with Elena on a new bottled cocktail drink. The man with a steady bearing over there is my boss, Jerome, the owner of Atlanta's largest entertainment agency."

Mrs. Gianna smiled and said, "Could you introduce me?"

Robert waved repeatedly at Martin's group, and Martin, Justin, and Jerome came over.

After the introductions, both parties exchanged pleasantries.

When Morgan Freeman made an appearance and congratulated the hostess Elena, Mrs. Gianna wasn't surprised anymore.

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This was indeed a rising middle-class family; strictly speaking, new money. But their network was significant, and they had already gained considerable influence.

During the party, Mrs. Gianna extended a formal invitation on behalf of the community committee, inviting Elena to attend a fundraising dinner for the community foundation the following week.

This represented community approval and integration.

The housewarming party was enough for Elena to firmly establish herself in the Northville Community.

After the party ended, Martin stayed a little longer.

Elena asked her siblings to clean up, and she accompanied Martin to the small garden behind the house: "I've announced in the newspaper that I've severed ties with Emma, and your people have helped me get custody of Lily and Hol. They can't threaten me with these things anymore; I've left the Clayton house untouched as it's theirs."

After so many disappointments, she had made a firm decision: "We've all changed our phone numbers."

Martin nodded: "Call me if you run into trouble. Most of it can be handled by Robert and Jerome. If they can't deal with it, there are others who can."

Elena replied without hesitation, "I will."

Martin then stayed in Atlanta for three more days before heading back to Los Angeles.

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