America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

``` Upon arriving at Louise's office, Martin pulled out a chair, sat down, and said, "I have a recommendation for the lead actress." Louise was sitting across from Martin and directly asked, "Who's caught your eye this time?" She couldn't help but laugh, "Or should I say, whose wife or fiancée?" Martin was quite helpless, "Am I really that frivolous?" Louise crossed her arms over her chest and stared at Martin, her meaning very clear. Martin returned to the main topic, "Silsa Ronan, she has been practicing singing and dancing since the middle of last year, the only problem is, she's a bit young." "Oh, that student of yours," Louise asked, "I remember she's 18 this year?" Martin said, "Her acting is not bad, her singing is about professional level, and she had professional dance training as a child. As for her age... you've seen her a few times, she looks rather mature for her age, and with makeup, it shouldn't be too much of a problem." Thinking it over, Louise said, "Let's have her audition, after all, she is still slightly on the younger side. Let's see how she does in makeup during the audition." "Oh, and there's another musical," Martin continued, "I'm planning to collaborate with Disney Studios to produce a live-action 'Beauty and The Beast,' and the production side is going to be handed over to you." Louise was used to collaborating with Martin and readily agreed, "No problem." Martin stated, "Actually, Silsa is more suited to play Belle." The former Belle was played by Emma Watson, but the Emma Watson of today is often linked with things akin to stench. Even without Martin's involvement in investment and production, Disney Studios probably wouldn't invite her these days. The two of them were discussing matters related to the film crew's work. Having passed Louise and Graham's audition with a hardcore video he directed, Denis Villeneuve got the director's position for 'The Prince of Thieves' project. The 'City of Love' crew was recruiting a director open to all of Hollywood, and many middle-aged and young directors had submitted their resumes. The discussion on work lasted until four in the afternoon before Martin left the studio. Next to 'City of Love,' another crew was just setting up, Marvel Studios' 'Agents of SHIELD.' People were bustling in and out. As Martin was coming out, he called Silsa Ronan and directly told her, "There are two musicals, one is about the life of low-tier actors in Hollywood, called 'City of Love'; the other is Disney Studios' live-action fairy tale movie 'Beauty and The Beast,' where the role is Belle." He deliberately asked, "Which one would you like to choose?" Silsa glanced at her mother Monica and tentatively asked, "Teacher, can I choose both?" On the other end, Martin said, "Prepare your resume, and have your agent submit it first to the 'City of Love' crew, 'Beauty and The Beast' hasn't officially started yet." "Thank you, teacher!" Silsa punched the air vigorously, her months of singing and dancing practice hadn't gone to waste. Knowing her deep ties to Martin and that he was her biggest reliance in Hollywood, she said, "Teacher, I've practiced a lot of dance. I'll perform for you on my eighteenth birthday." From the phone, Martin reminded her, "Don't stop practicing singing and dancing." Although he couldn't see her, Silsa kept nodding vigorously, "I will keep it up." Suddenly, a cry of "Ouch" came from the receiver; it sounded like a collision had occurred, and Martin's voice came through again: "Let's leave it at that." Silsa looked at the hung-up phone and swung her fist powerfully, telling Monica Ronan, "Mom, I've got a new role!" Monica nodded with a smile, "Just make sure to manage it well." Silsa hugged her mother and said, "I will." She gathered her things and picked up the car keys, "I should go to my dance class now." Her dance teacher had said that when she first came to Los Angeles to make it, she had danced pole in a dance bar because she had no money and no job. Now that she had some free time, Silsa planned to specifically seek out her dance teacher for advice and to learn properly. ...... At Disney Studio, two people on the phone nearly collided with each other. Martin, with his back to the 'Agents of SHIELD' studio, was on the phone when a woman also on the phone came from behind and was about to bump into him when Bruce, who had appeared in time, stopped her. "Sorry, sorry." The woman quickly hung up the phone and apologized profusely, "I was distracted and didn't notice..." Her golden-red hair was curled into big waves, and with Eastern European features, she wore a gray V-neck top with tight pants that showcased a figure no less impressive than Blake Lively's. Her brown, sparkling eyes widened in surprise upon seeing Martin, "You're Martin? I'm so careless." Martin's gaze swiftly swept over her, and after finishing the last words to Silsa, he hung up the phone and said, "It's alright." The redhead patted her chest tremulously, "Oh my God, I almost ran into one of Hollywood's top superstars." Having dealt with Alexandra Daddario's test, Martin wasn't greatly shaken by this magnitude of flirtation, "It's a small matter, don't worry about it, please carry on." The redhead eagerly opened her bag, took out a pen and notebook, "Could you give me an autograph? I know it's impolite to do this on the studio premises, but I'm a fan of yours, I've seen all the movies you starred in." Martin took the pen and notebook and signed his name. ``` The redhead took this opportunity to introduce herself, "My name is Elena Satine, a small-time actress from 'Agents of SHIELD'." "Pleased to meet you." Martin returned the pen and notebook to her. Eagerly taking them back, Elena Satine quickly expressed her gratitude, "Thank you, Martin." Martin gave her a slight nod and headed towards the entrance of Disney Studio. Elena Satine had originally been going in that direction as well and hurriedly followed him, but seeing that Martin didn't seem to want to talk, she didn't dare to start a conversation rashly. Bruce glanced at her from the corner of his eye as if he hadn't seen anything. They quickly arrived at the parking lot near the studio's main entrance; just as Martin was about to get into the car, Elena Satine stood in front of a Hyundai, waving goodbye, "Bye, Martin." Martin raised his hand in a polite gesture, "Goodbye." Elena Satine got into the Hyundai and was the first to leave the parking lot. Martin got into the passenger seat of the Escalade and asked, "Did she do that on purpose?" "Definitely on purpose," Bruce, no stranger to such occurrences, replied, as many women had tried to bump into Martin ever since his skyrocketing fame. It wouldn't happen every day, but it was quite frequent every week. "She sneakily glanced at you when she was about five meters away," he said roughly. Martin sighed, "It's not easy for a man out there, always have to protect oneself." Bruce deeply sympathized, "Yeah, you have to protect yourself. If you're not careful, you could end up with a shattered pelvis." He turned the steering wheel, and they left the parking lot, "But that woman really was beautiful, a rare beauty even among the entire Hollywood—a gorgeous redhead." Martin said casually, "Nicole Kidman, Jessica Chastain—they're redheads too." He received a text and glanced at it, "Head to Rodeo Avenue first, Lily and Elizabeth are shopping there." At the next intersection, the Escalade turned, not taking the route it usually did. After turning at two intersections and waiting for a traffic light, Bruce's phone rang, he pressed the built-in car phone to answer. A bodyguard from the back reported, "There's a Toyota Prado following us." Bruce asked, "Paparazzi? Reporters?" "Doesn't look like it." The bodyguards had been with Martin for years and were accustomed to identifying tabloid journalists and paparazzi at a glance, "There's no camera or video equipment on the car; they don't seem to have the professionalism of journalists or paparazzi." "Keep an eye on them," Bruce instructed. Through the rearview mirror, Martin observed the Toyota Prado, "They're no paparazzi, nor do they have professional stalking skills. Their tracking techniques are terrible." Bruce, buoyed by vigor, kept in contact with the two bodyguards behind them. Martin called Elizabeth to tell her that something had come up and he couldn't make it. He asked them to quickly head home with the bodyguards. Lily, cunning and very understanding of Martin, immediately pulled Elizabeth to go home. On the Prado following the Escalade, besides the driver, there was someone in the passenger seat constantly making calls to a companion, "Where are you? Why haven't you arrived?" "I need time to get there!" The person on the other end, either drunk or high, was speaking excitedly, "The route you guys provided is completely inaccurate; otherwise, we would have flipped them by now!" The person at the passenger seat replied, "They've always taken that road in the past. Who would've thought they'd change their route all of a sudden?" "Stop talking nonsense! Give me the exact location!" "Ahead on this road, there's only 14th Street intersection. Go there and get ready!" "I'll be there soon!" "Good," the passenger-seat guy said, "For Johnny!" The other person shouted back, "For Johnny!" The Escalade gradually approached the 14th Street intersection, and Bruce was extremely focused. Martin glanced at the rearview mirror again and noticed that the Prado was gradually falling behind in the flow of traffic, distancing themselves. It was a green light at the intersection, and as Bruce drove through it, he suddenly slammed on the brakes and the car came to an abrupt halt. The tremendous inertia made Martin lurch forward, only to be pulled back by the seatbelt. Because the brakes were applied too abruptly, a Volkswagen from behind couldn't respond in time and crashed into the rear of the Escalade with a loud bang. Fortunately, the Escalade was very sturdy and heavy, so it barely moved. At that instant, a black Hummer sped past the front of the Escalade. The Hummer didn't slow down at all; it crashed through a sedan on the opposite lane like a tank, went up the sidewalk, and hit a streetlight pole. The speed was too fast, the force too strong; the pole bent and then fell onto the roof of the Hummer. The sedan that the Hummer flipped caused a chain-reaction car accident.