America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

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"The Dark Knight" sets a new record, grossing over 400 million US dollars in North America just 16 days after release and reaching a global box office of 700 million US dollars!"

In an office on Peachtree Street in Atlanta, Jerome put down the newspaper and looked at Robert across from him, "Can you believe it? Our very own Marietta Theatre Company has truly produced a superstar."

Robert sat in front of an old wooden desk, diligently wiping every speck of dust from its surface. Two bottles of Coca-Cola from 2003 sat on the desk; they had been there since the premiere of "The Dark Knight."

Jerome added, "These strange rituals of yours seem to really work."

Robert shook his large head and said, "It's a blessing ceremony of the Cola Cult."

Jerome, with a smile, asked, "So Martin grew up step by step through your blessing ceremonies?"

"Martin is the Sect Hierarch; success was inevitable," Robert said earnestly. "I'm merely the High Priest."

Jerome looked at the wall where a photo of Robert in a Cola Cult shirt next to Martin dressed as the Sect Hierarch hung, and suggested, "I wonder when Martin will be back in Los Angeles. Robert, when you get a chance, you should ask Elena."

Robert knew that on some holidays, Martin would often secretly return to Atlanta to meet with Elena, but he didn't divulge this, simply nodding in agreement, "No problem."

Jerome glanced at the wall clock and said, "Let's go, we should head to Gray Film and Television Center. Zack Snyder's 'Watchmen' is almost done filming. With so many of our actors in it, we should show our faces at the wrap ceremony."

Robert followed Jerome out of the company and drove to Gray Film and Television Center.

Just downstairs, in a black Chevrolet SUV, a man built like a bear put down his digital camera.

The man with the large beard asked in Russian, "Is it them?"

The bear-like man, however, spoke English with an Eastern European accent, "Yes, it's them, Jerome and Robert, the notables of Atlanta's film industry, who have grown on the back of Martin Davis's network of connections."

He inquired, "Victor, should we..."

The man with the large beard pressed his hand on his shoulder, "Because we have spent some time in America, the boss assigned us to set things up here, do some prep. If you act against someone from Atlanta, Martin Davis will surely get word and become more alert!"

The bear-like man nodded and started the car towards Gray Film and Television Center, saying, "I didn't expect the boss to be so patient."

"You think everyone is as impatient as you?" Victor was clearly the leader between them, "The boss's son and grandson died in Los Angeles, all because of Martin Davis. He's more eager for revenge than anyone."

He shook his head and sighed, "But even revenge has its proper moment. At that time, Martin Davis was close with the LA police, very vigilant. Then some idiot from some department in Moscow gets caught by a movie star for spying, linking Martin Davis to the FBI. Just a bunch of hopeless fools!"

The bearded man cut in, "I'd do a better job than them!"

Victor reminded him to focus on driving, then continued, "For the past few years, the boss has been closely watched by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, unable to make any big moves. But this year is different. The boss could be free by the end of the year. After a few years of living a safe and prosperous life, Martin Davis's side will inevitably have lowered their guard.

No one can stay on edge for that long."

The bearded man finally understood, "So, the boss sent us ahead, and when he's free, that's when the revenge happens?"

"Essentially," Victor had done a lot of work, "Martin Davis is not the same small-time celebrity anymore; his influence and underlying network are very troublesome. Atlanta is not the place to act. Let's observe a little longer, then we'll go to Los Angeles."

The bearded man said, "Get a bunch of AKs and RPGs, just blast his brewery!"

"This is America, not Russia. We don't have the network of fools from the security bureau here," Victor was much more thoughtful than the bearded man, "You think those large caches of arms don't have eyes all over them? Ha, the moment we dare to buy, we'll be watched."

The bearded man might have been slow-witted, but he had one advantage, "I can't see things as clearly as you do, so I'll listen to you. You must have a reason for saying this."

......

Angel's Club, the recently expanded fitness area now sported a boxing ring.

Chad, Chen Hu, Mene, Marcus, and others watched two men engaged in close combat on the boxing ring, under the guidance of the club owner, Cain.

Martin flung himself at Bruce, aiming for a critical hit between Bruce's legs, but Bruce quickly blocked. Yet, a fist larger than a punching bag slammed towards his face.

"Groin strike, eye gouge..." Marcus grinned, "Martin's learning bad habits from the tiger."

Chad agreed, "It seems like Martin has mastered the essence of all the fight techniques that the tiger has trained him in."

Chen Hu said with a smile, "In a life-or-death struggle, to kill an enemy of course you use the harshest methods to target their most vulnerable points."

Bruce raised his hand to parry Martin's blow but Martin was quicker, grabbing Bruce's arm and sweeping his legs with powerful force, causing Old Cloth to thud down to the ground.

Martin mimicked drawing and firing a gun, "Buddy, you're dead."

Bruce rubbed his arm and thigh as he got up from the ground and said, "You're in your prime with body, technique, and experience. I'm quite a bit older than you; losing to younger folks in a fight is no disgrace for me."

Martin had a good foundation to begin with, and the continuous training over the years had clearly paid off.

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"Guys, guns are way more convenient than fighting bare-handed!" Cain shouted from below the stage.

Martin removed his boxing gloves, jumped down from the ring, and called out, "Cain, Old Cloth is waiting for you to step up and challenge!"

Bruce hastened down and said, "No more fighting, let's go practice shooting."

None of the people gathered here were benign; playing with guns and fists was nothing to them.

Seven or eight of them then went to the shooting range and emptied quite a few magazines from pistols and automatic rifles.

As noon approached, Martin suddenly received a message.

"Meet inside the east side door of Century City Shopping Plaza!"

The number was unfamiliar, signed JJN.

Martin knew what these three letters stood for—Old Jack's full name was John-Joseph-Nicholson.

What's with this sudden secrecy? What does he want to do?

Martin said goodbye to Chad, Cain, and the others and went to Century City with Bruce.

Arriving at the east side door, Martin put on a baseball cap and entered the lobby.

There weren't many people around, but Nicholson was nowhere to be seen.

Suddenly, a maintenance worker dressed in overalls and wearing a safety helmet emerged from a nearby security passage and whispered, "Leo's favorite."

Martin immediately responded, "Gisele Bundchen."

Nicholson, disguised as a maintenance worker, crossed the lobby and entered another security passage on the opposite side.

Martin had no choice but to follow, and seeing no one in the security passage, he asked, "What's going on?"

"We are doing something very secretive, and you'll need to have a sense of confidentiality!" Nicholson said dissatisfied with Martin's casual approach: "You didn't disguise yourself at all, just wearing this lousy cap to meet me? You'll blow my cover!"

Martin could only say, "Next time, next time I'll surely dress up before I come meet you." He added another question, "Is that really necessary?"

"You fool, blinded by money and beauty, you don't understand the pleasure of it!" Nicholson climbed up two steps and looked down as he spoke, "You have to follow my orders. When I send a secret signal, you must come disguised."

Martin nodded repeatedly, "I remember now." He urged, "Jack, let's get to the real issue today."

Nicholson lowered his voice and said, "My student, Jennifer Lawrence, has infiltrated the Studio Four that you mentioned and has already taken two acting classes taught by James Franco himself. Franco's school only admits female students, but since he has limited energy, he's been looking for other celebrities to partner with."

Martin, who had seen the gossip about James Franco in his previous life, asked, "What's the content of those acting classes exactly?"

"Hollywood stars' acting classes, what else could they be?" Nicholson said tersely, "There's always some intimate contact between the teacher and the students, like touching sensitive areas in front of everyone."

He casually slandered, "Martin, you're an old hand at this, you must understand deeply how Hollywood stars are behind closed doors. Aren't you the epitome of that?"

Of course, Martin couldn't take the fall for that, "Don't talk nonsense, I am known to be a good guy, always living for others' joy."

Nicholson let out a cold laugh, then continued, "It's not just that. According to Jennifer, Franco even teaches some scenes with explicit content personally to get his female students quickly adjusted to Hollywood."

He waved his hand dismissively, "It's all petty stuff compared to Marlon Brando. Back in the day, to make money, Marlon set up an acting class where all students had to be completely naked during lessons. Celebrities like Sean Penn, Robin Williams, Zeta-Jones, Madonna, and even Leo took his classes. That scoundrel even secretly filmed the lessons, planning to release them on videotapes and DVDs."

Martin said, "Your old pal deserved his poor and downcast later years not one bit."

"Yeah, he got senile," said Nicholson, "How could those people let the tapes get out."

Martin's interest was suddenly piqued, "Do you know who has the tapes? I don't mean anything by it, I'm just curious. With so many promiscuous guys and girls together, didn't something happen?"

"Let's stick to the main point, stop talking about these pointless things." It was evident Nicholson knew a lot but didn't want his old buddy Marlon Brando to be posthumously hounded by a legion of celebrities.

He asked, "What do you plan to do next?"

Mulling it over, Martin said, "Try acting as a mediator, setting people up with each other. Franco needs a partner with fame and resources; Ben Affleck needs a quick big buck for his brother. Aren't they a good match? Since we're so conscientious, shouldn't we help them out, bring them together?"

Nicholson thought about it more deeply, "Will those two leaders of the Hollywood #MeToo movement help you?"

"They won't expose this sort of thing unless there's wide media exposure." Martin understood the industry's ways well. If media coverage occurred, then as leaders, Jolie and Aniston stepping in wouldn't be much of a problem and could even gain them great reputations.

He knew it would cost him tens of billions, "Let's give it a try; it may not work. But if it does, I'll personally charm Jolie and Aniston."