America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

``` The person who drove the Hummer into Martin was one of Johnny Depp's most loyal entourage, and somehow this whole thing had Depp's fingerprints all over it. Perhaps, Depp had no legal responsibility. But in Martin's eyes, Depp's name was now marked with a bright red X. Martin asked, "Has the person getting close to Joel Mandel left North America?" "Yes," Bruce replied simply, "He should have gone to Harbor City, found a new job under his original identity, never to return." Martin nodded slightly, then asked, "He confirmed there are issues with Depp's taxes?" Bruce said, "The tax problems are severe. Depp's investment manager and accountant are brothers. Before that guy got to know them, they had already tampered with Depp's taxes, and all the responsibility falls squarely on Depp himself." Only Martin, Louise, and Bruce were privy to these matters. After thinking it over, Martin said, "Find a subtle way to report Depp anonymously." "That's easy," Bruce had already prepared for this, "When the guy left, he left behind some documents." Martin had never thought to engage in a public spat with Depp, since it would be meaningless and unable to bring about tangible harm, "Make it happen as soon as possible." Looking at the calendar, he said, "'Lone Ranger' will be released soon, we should prepare a suitable gift for Depp." "This gift will be very fitting," Bruce declared. Martin said, "I believe Depp and Megan Ellison will really appreciate it." That very evening, the media was saturated with news of Martin's car accident, and TMZ released a video captured by a dash cam showing the moment of the collision. This sparked attention from media all over the country. Because it didn't look like just another car accident. Soon there were rumors that the perpetrator was Johnny Depp's playmate and lackey. The nation was instantly abuzz. But no one found it surprising, given that Johnny Depp had publicly urinated on the set of "The Martian" for all to see. The day after the accident, the LAPD lawfully summoned Johnny Depp. When Depp finished the interrogation and stepped out of the police station, he was immediately surrounded by reporters and paparazzi who had caught wind of the event. "Did you instruct your entourage to attack Martin Davis?" "Why did you attack Martin, because of conflicts during the filming of 'Lone Ranger'?" "Aren't you ashamed of your actions?" "Depp, did you attack Davis because you were high on drugs?" "Have you considered that Martin Davis might retaliate against you?" The entertainment reporters seemed to wish they could convict Depp on the spot, ship him off to jail by the afternoon, and then send Martin in there to duel it out with him. Depp tried to retort several times but was stopped by his bodyguards each attempt. Accompanied by his attorney and Agent Hui Gemu, Depp finally managed to remain silent until he got into the car. After advising Depp to avoid media interviews and to refrain from making reckless statements, the attorney was the first to leave. The business minivan left the police station. Inside the car, Depp's face was terribly grim as he asked Hui Gemu, "Can we bail Howard and the others out?" "Not for the time being," Hui Gemu conveyed after discussing with the attorney, "Given the current situation, it's best not to bail them out." Depp, like a child who hadn't grown up, protested, "What's the big deal if I bail them out? Afraid that Martin Davis will find out? Can he come over and kill me?" Seeing no outsiders in the car, Hui Gemu cautiously asked, "You really have nothing to do with this?" Depp spread his hands, "It's not me who asked them to do it. Howard didn't even give me a heads-up. Though I would love to see Martin Davis wrecked in a car accident, I hadn't even gotten to it yet…" "Stop! Stop... no need to say the rest," Hui Gemu interrupted Depp abruptly, "Remember what you just said when facing anyone else, whatever Howard did has nothing to do with you." Depp thought to himself, I only instructed Coulson to find someone to deal with Martin Davis for a fee of five million US dollars; I didn't expect the guys to take it so to heart. He sighed softly and said in a low voice, "Truly worthy of being my brother, Depp!" Upon returning to Columbia Tower, the car went straight to the underground parking lot. Depp got out of the car and told Hui Gemu, "Take care of Howard and their families, hire the best lawyers for them, put together a top-notch legal team to deal with this lawsuit. It's all about the money, right? I have plenty of it!" "No problem," Hui Gemu responded. In this country, money could solve most problems. Depp continued, "Contact someone from Martin Davis's side, offer a sum for compensation, and try to settle. Anything solvable with money is no problem at all." Seeing Depp's carefree attitude about spending, Hui Gemu thought to himself that resolving things with Martin Davis with just money would be difficult, especially since the other party was also wealthy. ``` But he was paid to do a job, and he still had to fight for the most advantageous situation for Depp, switched to his own car in a hurry, leaving to handle the relevant affairs. Depp, who had a lot of money, went upstairs into his mansion and suddenly received a call from his office. "Boss, things are bad." The office assistant was a bit panicked, "The Los Angeles Tax Bureau Audit Team showed up at our door, they produced paperwork and want to search our office. I couldn't stop them, they've sealed all our documents and data citing your unpaid taxes as the reason." Depp was surprised, "The Tax Bureau? Have they gone mad? What do they want? My taxes are in order." The bodyguard asked with concern, "What happened?" Depp covered the mouthpiece of his phone, "The Tax Bureau suddenly came to inspect taxes, they've sealed my office!" The bodyguard frowned, "Hasn't someone always been managing your taxes? " Depp quickly spoke into the phone, "Stall them for now, I'll go figure out what's going on." He hung up the phone and said to the bodyguard, "You go to the office and see what the situation is." The bodyguard nodded and hurried over there. Depp immediately dialed Joel Mandel's cell phone. As soon as the other end picked up, before Depp could say anything, Joel Mandel blurted out, "Johnny, I was just about to call you. The Tax Bureau has notified me; they're preparing to investigate your tax records for the past years. The issue of unpaid taxes has erupted, what should we do next?" These words stunned Depp; he thought, my taxes have always been managed by you and Robert. Now that there are issues of unpaid taxes, you're asking me what to do? Who the hell am I supposed to ask! Depp questioned, "Joel, why is there an issue of unpaid taxes? I, wasn't…" "Wasn't that your instruction?" Joel counter-accused from the other end with exasperation, "You even gave me a few documents specifically stating that the tax funds we had prepared had other uses for the time being, to stall with the taxes. Afterwards, you redirected the money." Depp was furious, "Impossible!" Joel Mandel asked in return, "Do I need to send you the contracts and documents you've signed?" He elaborated, "The portion of the taxes from 2008, you diverted to buy a large quantity of wine; in 2009 you used half of the tax money to buy new cars for each of your buddies; in 2010, you used all the tax funds to buy jewelry for Amber Heard…" Depp was left dumbfounded, as he had never done any of those things, he had no recollection whatsoever. Joel Mandel's words continued, "Johnny, in terms of professional ethics, I have never disclosed any information on this matter, but the Tax Bureau will investigate all accounts, documents and business dealings involving you, and I must cooperate. Please get your affairs in order." He displayed due diligence, "Robert is currently negotiating with the tax auditors. Please inform your lawyer as soon as possible, that's all I can say for now." Depp said urgently, "Wait a minute…" "Sorry, they don't allow me to talk on the phone." Joel Mandel's line suddenly went dead. Listening to the busy tone on the phone, Depp's brain, corroded by alcohol and drugs, became confused for a moment. "What the hell did I do? Why did I suddenly fall into the most troublesome tax issue?" He couldn't understand, "Those documents, I would never sign! Absolutely impossible…" Thinking of this, Depp suddenly had a memory, recalling similar scenes in his memory. Whether it was Joel Mandel or Robert Mandel, for the past several years, every time they'd bring documents or contracts for him to sign, he'd trust the brothers without scrutiny and would sign after being briefed by them. He didn't expect those documents to be traps, the bastards had betrayed his trust. Depp's anger surged to his forehead, he reached for his phone intending to call his lawyer, but seeing the bottle of alcohol next to the phone, he decided to set these problems aside for now, grabbed the bottle, twisted off the cap, and took a big swig. As the alcohol hit his stomach, it seemed to clear Depp's head and his thoughts became more coherent, his nose began to twitch continuously. He cautioned himself, "Stay calm, don't panic, sort out the problems slowly." Depp pulled open a drawer, retrieved a plastic packet and placed it on the table after opening it. He needed his spirit to be lifted in order to have the energy to deal with these troubles. So Depp indulged in his vice first. The phone rang again next to him, but Depp, soaring high in the sky, had neither the mood nor the energy to answer it. When he became slightly more sober, a persistent doorbell rang incessantly from outside. Depp yelled for Amber a few times, wanting her to answer the door, but got no response. Only then did he remember that his wife had gone to a Silicon Valley tycoon's party, saying she wanted to try investing in high-tech industry there. Depp's head cleared a bit more, gradually he remembered some things, Amber Heard had recently mentioned Tesla's CEO, Musk. The doorbell rang more frequently, leaving Depp no choice but to answer the door himself. He looked through the visual intercom and didn't recognize the few men in suits outside. "Who are you?" Depp asked through the speaker. The leader of the group presented his credentials and related paperwork in front of the camera, while saying, "I am Paul Stone, Los Angeles Tax Bureau Audit Commissioner. Mr. Johnny Depp, you are suspected of tax evasion. Please cooperate with our investigation..." Hearing this, Depp's head started to buzz, all the troubles he had drunk and drugged away came rushing back to his mind.