America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

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"Marriage is like life itself; it's a battlefield, not a nest of comfort!"

During the promotion of "Gone Girl," Charlize Theron was extremely committed, even using her personal experiences to attract attention: "I witnessed my parents fighting horribly, my father attempting to take advantage of me, and the price my mother paid to protect me!"

The painful experiences from her days as a diamond girl in South Africa were once again sensationalized by the media after her Oscar campaign for "Young Adult."

It was eye-catching and easy to sensationalize.

And indeed, she was a victim of marriage.

At the age of 15, Charlize Theron watched her mother shoot her abusive father.

She became a staunch advocate of the no-marriage movement thereafter.

That night, the newly installed retractable bridge at the Theron residence suddenly rose, one end remaining on her side while the other extended into Martin's house.

Martin climbed up the ladder onto the bridge, walking across it with an odd sense of being like the proverbial intrusive neighbor.

Fortunately, Stuart Townsend had already gone to be with Tony for eternity.

Martin descended from the bridge and saw Charlize.

Charlize was waiting for him below: "Drinking alone is no fun, come on, join me."

Martin followed her into the villa, where two bottles of alcohol and two glasses were placed in the lounge. He opened one of the tequila bottles, pouring the drink as he said, "The original novel has been topping the bestseller list for 12 consecutive weeks, and with your, mine, and Finch's pulling power, normal promotion should be sufficient. This is unnecessary."

"Thank you for your concern," Charlize picked up her glass, downing nearly half of it in one gulp, and said, "The reason I do this is because I'm more desperate than all of you to achieve success."

Martin took a sip as well: "You're an Oscar-winning Best Actress, a Dior Goddess, and a South African diamond, very successful already."

Charlize, however, shook her head: "Ever since I won the Oscar for Best Actress, my career has been like it's under a curse. Regardless of the critical reception, except for 'Hancock,' all my commercial ventures have been a mess. Without Dior's support, I would have been finished, probably even worse off than Nicole Kidman."

She sighed: "You know? There are already productions approaching me for supporting roles."

Martin asked, "The 'Snow White and the Huntsman' you mentioned before?"

Charlize nodded, "That's right, they want me to play the Queen, and your other neighbor, Kristen-Stuart, to play Snow White."

"All I can say is that it's insane; the casting director and the production team must be blind and mad, they have problems in their heads!" Martin spread his hands, "When the time comes, the film will still have a magic mirror that tells lies with its eyes open."

Charlize smiled, "You don't have to cheer me up this way, I want something tangible!"

Martin inquired, "What do you consider tangible?"
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Charlize's leg slid under the table and rested on Martin's leg: "I've been cursed by the Oscars, and only you can help lift it."

"It is my bounden duty!" Martin removed the bottles and glasses from the table, lifted Charlize's long leg, and tossed her onto the table.

He earnestly began to clear the obstacles to lifting the curse, and then inspiration struck, "Sally, if I manage to successfully break the Oscar curse for you, you must spread the word."

Charlize instantly understood what Martin meant: "You want all those Oscar-winning actresses suffering from the curse to come knocking on your door, seeking your help to lift it?"

Martin laughed, "You really are a clever girl."

The Oscar curse is a persistent nightmare that clings to many actresses, causing a sharp decline after reaching the summit.

Charlize was deeply troubled by it as well.

This dreadful curse, of course, Martin would confront with the firmest of swords.

The curse was so tightly bound that the sword had to keep slashing relentlessly...

Finally, Charlize let out a wild cry, and her entire body relaxed, as though the curse had been lifted.

They both showered and returned to continue drinking.

Charlize clinked glasses with Martin: "I hope working with you brings me good fortune."

Martin boasted unabashedly: "I've always been able to turn around the misfortune of those around me, keeping them perpetually lucky."

Having just enjoyed a special moment, Charlize said, "The way you turn it around is truly unique."

Martin asserted, "As long as this film is a hit, your luck will definitely change."

"I'll test out your luck," Charlize declared outright: "Besides 'Snow White and the Huntsman,' I have two other options to choose from, all from Warner Bros. projects."

Martin made a welcoming gesture, "Go ahead."

Charlize said, "One is a project that Warner Bros. president Jon Berg is heavily promoting, an adaptation movie of Gillian Flynn's novel 'Dark Places.' I've received an invitation to audition for the lead role, and the chances of me landing it are very high."

Her tone suddenly changed, "You're close with Gillian, old friends for many years, right?"

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"Hey, Sally, don't slander good people!" Martin said with strong conviction, "We're just neighbors and friends."

Charlize didn't linger on the topic and got back to business, "The other is a project left over from Ellen Horn, George Miller is gearing up to shoot the fourth installment of 'Mad Max' series, but it's just a supporting role for a woman."

Martin thought for a moment and said, "Personally, I suggest you go for the 'Mad Max' series."

"You don't think highly of Gillian's new work?" Charlize, knowing the novel was snatched away from Martin by Warner Bros., asked, "Did you deliberately give it up?"

Martin wouldn't admit that anywhere: "Of course not, I was waiting for Gillian to finish the story, then Warner Bros. burst onto the scene." He found a suitable reason, "The reason I say this is because I believe in Ellen Horn's capabilities and vision far more than Jon Berg's."

Charlize nodded slightly, "I don't trust Ellen Horn's judgment, but I trust yours. Martin, if you can pull me out of this slump, I'll give you ample reward."

Martin just to be safe, "You don't intend to marry me, do you?"

Charlize rolled her eyes and even kicked Martin under the table, "Haven't marriages brought me enough pain? I absolutely won't marry!"

She thought again about the sad past: "Actually, I'm quite happy with how things are now."

Martin gripped her hand tightly, "After all you've been through, you're the real gem among thorns!"

Charlize said, "Our relationship is good as it is now. When you tire of it, or I do, that'll be the end of it."

She looked at Martin, "You won't stop for anyone; you'll keep moving forward until you achieve your goals."

"I didn't expect you to know me so well." Martin poured more wine, toasted with Charlize, "Here's to only joy in our future."

Charlize said, "That depends on your endurance and skill."

Martin replied, "I never disappoint."

After finishing a bottle of wine, the two headed straight to the bedroom upstairs.

The next morning, after Martin left via the retractable bridge, Charlize drove to her talent agency.

Upon reaching her agent's office, she stated directly, "Turn down the role in 'Dark Places', I'm not interested. Also, tell George Miller I'm willing to audition for the role of Furiosa in the 'Mad Max' cast."

The agent was quite surprised, "Sally, are you sure? 'Dark Places' is the absolute lead role, the one that carries the entire film. You just collaborated with Gillian Flynn on 'Gone Girl', and if you audition for it, it's almost a hundred percent sure you'll get the role."

He tried to persuade her, "'Mad Max' is just a B-movie, and Furiosa is just a supporting character. By choosing this…"

Charlize cut off the agent, "I've made my decision, no more discussion is needed."

For a star of her caliber, once she made a decision, it was hard for any agent to change her mind.

The agent tried to persuade her one more time, "Sally, you're wasting your time and your talent."

Charlize said, "Just do as I say."

"Okay, I'll let them know," the agent said. "Even if you pass the audition, negotiations should wait until after 'Gone Girl' is released. This film has such a high chance of success, it could help you get a better deal."

Charlize nodded, "That's fine."

The North American premiere of 'Gone Girl' was imminent, and the promotion was in full swing. Both the production company and the distributors had invested significant resources. The film's advertisements could be seen across television, radio, internet, newspapers, magazines, and outdoor billboards in North America.

Additionally, Gillian Flynn's original novel was a huge hit, topping the bestseller charts for many weeks, building up a substantial audience for the movie.

The news that Martin and David Fincher had adapted the novel into a film helped to boost sales of the book, which in turn helped the film. Warner Bros. was exceptionally skilled in this area; they had operated the Harry Potter series in the same manner.

Martin, David Fincher, Charlize, Lea Seydoux, Mene, and Gillian Flynn, the main creative team, were just going through the motions of promotional appearances. Apart from Charlize making headlines that drew attention and the ar rumor of a love triangle involving Mene, Isabel Huppert, and Sophie Marceau causing some waves.

According to Mene, Isabel Huppert and Sophie Marceau had a public falling out over competing for his affection, nearly coming to blows in public.

Martin and the others had nothing but admiration for the situation.

Mene, elated, confided in Martin and Bruce, "They're forcing me to choose between them, either kick out Sophie or Isabel, but I can't bear to part with either."

Martin asked, "No room for negotiation?"

Mene shook his head, "No way, women falling out is scarier than men."

Bruce said, "Dude, you're an old playboy, can't you solve such a small issue?"

"I'm going to resolve it completely," Mene declared fiercely, "I won't choose either! I'll only choose Celine Dion."

Martin understood, "You've made the right choice!"

Bruce didn't quite get it, "Why is that?"

Mene explained, without reserve as he was among family, "Celine is my true love. Plus, I got word that Rene Angelil's throat cancer has recurred."

Bruce exclaimed, "Mene, you're the real winner in life!"