America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz
Chapter 294: Chapter 291 Oscar Award Presenter

Behind the long bar in the villa's living room, Louise personally made a Swollen Screw cocktail for Martin and placed it in front of him.

Martin picked it up and took a sip, saying, "Your skills have improved a lot."

"It's not as good as the drinks you make." Louise raised her long eyebrows. "I still remember the Penicillin you made for me in Atlanta, so wonderful it was, it cured a drunkard's soul."

Martin understood the compliment and moved behind the bar, picking up a brand-new cocktail shaker and mixing a glass of Penicillin.

Louise took it, took a sip, and as the liquid ran over every taste bud, it stimulated her nerves, as if something exploded in her mouth.

She slowly closed her eyes, savoring the sensation, and said, "The expansion and spiciness, like a massive thing suddenly pushed into you, then become round, mellow and sweet. The bloating and impact feel as powerful as before!"

Martin picked up his own glass, clinking it against Louise's. "As long as you like it."

Louise leaned against the bar and said, "An Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, with your current fame and influence, guaranteed quality of roles and films, and willingness to invest resources, there's still a chance."

She asked, "Did you bring the contact list of those people I asked for?"

Martin opened his bag, took out the contact list, and handed it to Louise.

Recorded inside it were the contact details left by the parents of those he had saved during the incident at Burbank Middle School.

Louise meticulously went through the list, circling two names and pointing them out to Martin: "This person was promoted to deputy editor-in-chief of 'Hollywood Reporter' at the end of last year, and this newspaper's influence is top-notch in the industry. Have Thomas contact him."

She continued with the next person: "This is a senior executive of the Actors' Guild, a key member of the Actors' Guild Awards nomination committee, who has the power to recommend actor nominations, meaning he can include your name in the list, and then it's up to the nomination committee to vote for or against it."

Burbank Middle School is one of California's top-ranked private middle schools, where the students' families are extraordinary, and its location ensures close ties with the media and entertainment industries.

Martin, following up on Louise's comment, asked, "Directly related to an Oscar nomination?"

"Closely related," said Louise. "Core members of the guild are mostly members of the Academy, meaning Oscar judges. If you get an Actors' Guild nomination, your chances of getting an Oscar nomination increase significantly."

Louise circled a few more people: "These are also industry insiders, don't use them for now. It's your first time going for an award, and the production isn't focused on your role. Chances of winning are low, and these favors are one-time only. Wait until the critical moment to use them."

This was Louise's area of expertise, and Martin took her advice.

Pacific Pictures would also leverage its network accordingly, garnering nomination votes for Martin when the time came.

Martin raised his glass to Louise again: "With your guidance, the fog before my eyes has cleared, and everything is illuminated."

Feeling the burst from the Penicillin in her mouth, it took Louise a while before she said, "Then stay with me tonight."

Martin looked at his watch: "We still have two and a half hours before dinner. You can let loose, and I'll be with you till the end."

Louise tilted her head, examining Martin: "Girlfriend?"

"Blake is very outgoing and doesn't ask much of me." Martin lifted his glass again. "When she's in Los Angeles, as long as she doesn't stay out all night, it's fine."

Louise hopped onto the bar.

The Penicillin that could cure alcoholism was finished, but she wanted to savor the Penicillin that could heal the soul.

Her body temperature suddenly rose, and she needed a fever reducer.

Around five o'clock, Martin drove out of Louise's gate and once again saw Elizabeth Olsen.

She was leading her dog down from the park on the mountain.

Martin, now particularly resilient, had little interest in sweet girls and beauties. With the distance between them, he drove away without a second thought.

"Potato, that seemed like Martin's car," Elizabeth said to Goldie. "Didn't he see us?"

Goldie barked a few times in response.

Elizabeth, leading her dog, crossed the street and entered her home.

Her two sisters had already come back.

Mary Olson waved her over and asked, "Liz, are you serious about pursuing a career in the entertainment industry?"

Recollecting that Blake Lively, Elizabeth replied, "I want to be a star too."

Mary said, "It's not an easy path."

Ashley Olson, however, disagreed: "It's less difficult than breaking into an unfamiliar industry."

Descendants of Hollywood insiders usually continue to work in or around the industry because their predecessors have laid a foundation.

Young as she was, Mary understood this and said, "Okay then."

Elizabeth immediately asked, "Did you replace a suitable role?"

"You're an inexperienced newbie," Mary reminded her. "It's not that easy."

Elizabeth argued, "I acted in two movies in the '90s, and I've been a crucial member of the school drama club for years, performing at least twice a year with the Cody Community Theater..."

Mary shattered her fantasy: "It's not as simple as you think, and your sisters don't have the ability to shoot you straight to stardom."

Ashley brought over several job advertisements and laid them in front of Mary.

Mary said, "These are advertising contracts, and I can help you land a job."

"Okay, I'll work hard." Elizabeth had the dreams of a girl her age but had also seen the harsh reality of the world and carefully considered the job listings.

All advertising contracts.

The first was for a makeup brand advertisement, followed by Green Arrow chewing gum…

By the third contract, Elizabeth picked it up and read every word seriously.

An advertisement for Coca-Cola was recruiting a model or actress under 20 years old to play a holy woman beside the Sect Hierarch of the Cola Cult, requiring an attractive appearance and a smile with appeal...

Elizabeth asked, "Mary, the holy woman in this advertisement, will she appear alongside the Sect Hierarch?"

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"That's right, it's Coca-Cola's annual ad campaign for the year." Ashley knew more and continued, "The role of the holy woman in this ad will be played together with Martin Davis."

Elizabeth thought back to last year when, if not for Martin, there was a 99% chance she would've died in Burbank Middle School just like the other victims.

At that time, it felt as if she had plunged into hell, and Martin was the single ray of light.

If anyone asked Elizabeth if she believed in light, she would definitely say, "I believe in light."

Though it had faded somewhat now, the scenes from that time were etched into her mind.

Picking out the Coca-Cola advertisement, Elizabeth said, "Sis, please get me this job, okay?"

Mary took it over, glanced at it, and said, "Shouldn't be a problem."

Elizabeth's smile was especially sweet as she kissed each of her sisters on the cheek, "I love you guys!"

Ashley laughed, "What, if you don't get it, you'll hate us?"

"Off you go, Goldie, come help me with my lines," Elizabeth called up to the dog as she walked upstairs, then waved to her sisters, "I'll love you forever."

......

On the way back to Cody Community, Martin made a call to Thomas and sent him the contact information for those two individuals; the rest was up to him to handle.

Agents are adept at handling relationships.

The 78th Oscar ceremony had not yet begun, yet Martin was already preparing for a push at next year's Oscars.

The "Infernal Affairs" production team had also started early on the award campaign, securing for Leonardo, Nicholson, and Martin the opportunity to attend this year's Oscar red carpet.

Among them, Jack Nicholson was set to present the award for Best Picture.

With WMA and the promotional sponsorship of Coca-Cola for the award ceremony, Martin would not only walk the red carpet but also present the award for Best Documentary Feature.

As for Leonardo, he didn't need to do anything; just standing on the red carpet would make him the center of attention.

Martin, attending the Oscars red carpet, could also bring a female companion.

It would naturally be his publicly acknowledged girlfriend, Blake Lively.

With one week left until the award ceremony, Blake set a strict diet plan.

Martin roughly went over it and measured Blake's figure inch by inch, saying, "It's good enough, no need to torment yourself like this."

Blake stood before the full-length mirror, scrutinizing the blonde beauty inside, her figure explosively attractive yet still not satisfied, "It's still not perfect."

Martin pointed at the diet plan, "It's going to be a tough week for you."

Blake said, "I've consulted a professional nutritionist and fitness coach who advises many top celebrities. Charlize Theron slimmed down by strictly following her diet and exercise plan after winning Best Actress. Plus, I'm young with a fast metabolism, my portions on the meal plan are twice that of women nearing thirty."

Martin knew that actresses in pursuit of the perfect figure were all maniacs.

Under this meal plan, Blake would only eat twice a day, each meal comprising two boiled eggs, with a few almonds added for breakfast and some vitamin supplements for dinner.

On the day of the awards ceremony, no water would be consumed to avoid bloating and a protruding belly.

Whenever Martin walked the red carpet in the past, he would just pay a bit more attention to his diet that day.

Blake reassured, "I'm young, it will be fine. Don't worry, I won't resort to anything too extreme."

She paused briefly then added, "Some people use even more drastic methods for the awards ceremony, like intravenous injections, absorbing necessary vitamins via IV, and not eating at all during the preparation phase…"

"Fame is momentary, health is forever," Martin stated earnestly, "My dear, promise me, no matter what happens in the future, never resort to those extreme methods."

Blake nodded, "I'll remember."

Martin glanced at his watch, "Let's go, it's time to check out the dresses."

Blake said, "I don't have any sponsor brands at the moment, let's just rent a dress."

"Rented ones don't look good, they don't show off your beauty," Martin took her hand and led her out, "Top-tier ladies' gowns are single-use, once you put them on you can't take them off."

Jewelry can be rented, but if there is no sponsorship for the dress, it's best to buy.

Martin himself didn't need to worry; Armani had already contacted WMA and offered to provide him with formal attire.