Entertainment: Starting as a Succubus, Taking Hollywood by Storm

"Martin, what do you think about me selling my Flower Films to you?" Drew Barrymore asked abruptly.

Martin was momentarily stunned. "Are you serious? This is your hard-earned achievement. Are you really willing to part with it?"

"Just tell me if you want it or not," Drew said, a hint of hesitation on her face.

She truly felt conflicted but believed merging their two companies would better integrate their resources and networks, benefiting both herself and Martin.

"Of course, I want it." Martin didn't hold back. After some thought, he added, "How about this: I'll buy Flower Films for $100 million, and I'll also give you 5% of Myers Pictures' shares, but only with dividend rights."

"Also, you'll become the CEO of Myers Pictures."

"Really?" Drew lit up with a smile akin to a contented cat, not even bothering to haggle. She felt she had struck a good deal.

"Really!" Martin chuckled as well, feeling like he had made a great bargain.

In the future, under Drew's leadership, Flower Films' valuation would exceed $2.5 billion. This woman wasn't just an excellent producer but also had an exceptional eye for selecting projects. While her management skills were somewhat lacking, that could easily be solved by pairing her with a competent deputy.

Even before the contracts were signed, Drew started exercising her authority as CEO.

"Martin," she said, counting on her fingers, "Myers Pictures doesn't have any major weaknesses in live-action films, so maybe it's time we ventured into animation. Hmm, let me think..."

"Did you watch the animated film Ice Age that came out this year?"

"No," Martin shook his head. "I haven't had the time."

But in truth, he had, in a way. From the memories of the "Chinese Martin" he had absorbed, Ice Age was deeply imprinted—clearly a favorite.

He quickly retrieved the memory of the animated film, watching it while continuing the conversation with Drew.

"I think the studio behind Ice Age—Blue Sky Studios—is very promising," Drew said. "It was founded in 1987, headquartered in New York. One of its co-founders, Chris Wedge, previously worked for Disney. After the studio was established, it provided visual effects for films like Alien Resurrection and Titanic..."

"Oh, and the talking penguin in Fight Club was also done by Blue Sky Studios."

"Interestingly, Blue Sky was founded just a year after Pixar, and their trajectories are quite similar—starting with visual effects and transitioning into commercial animated films when the timing was right."

"I see great potential in Blue Sky Studios. We should acquire it!"

While Drew enthusiastically shared her insights, Martin fast-forwarded through Ice Age in his mind and recalled additional details about Blue Sky Studios from "Chinese Martin's" memory.

This studio would go on to release hits like Ice Age 2 and Ice Age 3, Rio, Epic, and Robots, earning nearly $6 billion in global box office revenue.

While the numbers weren't top-tier, Martin valued the merchandising revenue generated by successful animated films—an even bigger goldmine.

Eventually, Disney would acquire Blue Sky Studios, with its valuation peaking at over $10 billion. However, it would later be shut down due to overlapping functions with Pixar, with its staff absorbed into the larger company.

For Martin, Blue Sky Studios was the perfect piece to complete the puzzle of Myers Pictures.

"Have you reached out to them yet?"

"Of course!" Drew said proudly.

Martin was momentarily taken aback. It seemed Drew had long been planning to merge Flower Films with Myers Pictures, having already done her homework.

"I've already spoken with some of the founders at Blue Sky. They're willing to sell their shares but want to continue working at the studio."

"Honestly, those tech geeks are completely overwhelmed by personnel and financial issues."

"But their asking price is high—at least $500 million."

Only $500 million?!

Martin nearly blurted out his astonishment.

"Buy it," he decided immediately, not wanting to risk any delays. "As soon as we land, book a flight to New York and start negotiating the acquisition. This will be your first task as Myers Pictures' CEO. I'll have Jeff prepare your employment contract."

"What the—!" Drew's eyes widened in disbelief. Her vacation had abruptly ended.

"Come on, don't play dumb," Martin teased, pinching her cheek. "You're a workaholic who turned down George Clooney's movie to join this flight. Wasn't it all for these two deals?"

"You're too sharp!" Drew dropped her pretense and adopted a businesslike demeanor. "Don't forget, you owe me one now."

"Why say 'now'?" Martin asked, puzzled.

"Merging Flower Films with Myers Pictures was one. Acquiring Blue Sky Studios is two. So yes, 'now,'" Drew replied with a mischievous smile.

At the airport, Drew disembarked from the plane and immediately boarded another bound for New York.

Ivanka, curious, asked, "Where's Drew going?"

As one of Martin's more career-driven partners, Ivanka found herself admiring Drew's dedication and felt a certain kinship with her.

"She's off to handle an important project," Martin replied.

Ivanka's eyes sparkled, her ambition igniting, only to be interrupted by Martin's playful "head pat attack."

"Don't rush. There'll be plenty of work later. For now, consider this vacation a special mission," Martin said with a mischievous grin. "Your objective: figure out how to please me."

Blushing, Ivanka gave Martin a light pinch before fleeing toward Paris Hilton.

After disembarking, the group boarded a private bus to a farm in Queensland. Despite the efforts for discretion, Martin realized this method wasn't foolproof. It might be time to buy a private island.

...

The group stayed at the Queensland farm for seven days, during which Martin lived like a king.

The farmhands, already loyal to Martin, were astonished to see so many celebrities but kept quiet about the farm's activities.

Initially planning to stay ten days, Martin's vacation was cut short on the seventh day when he received an unexpected call from New York—not from Drew but from...