Hollywood Road

Murphy slowed the car down slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with Downey's plan, but instead letting Robert Downey Jr. recount what he knew in detail before pondering for a few minutes.

"Donnie, we either do nothing," Murphy turned his head to look at Robert Downey Jr. in the passenger seat and continued, "or we strike them directly where it hurts!"

Downey completely agreed with Murphy's statement, nodding without hesitation.

"Where can we hit them where it hurts right now?" Murphy asked directly. "Do you know?"

Downey shook his head. Compared to that father and son duo, his so-called Hollywood acting dynasty really amounted to nothing.

"I went to China recently, and I heard a saying there that makes a lot of sense."

Turning to look at Downey again, Murphy spoke calmly, "If a person has the perseverance and determination for revenge, even waiting ten years to find the right opportunity isn't too late."

"I... I understand," Downey had a moment of realization. "I need to find the right opportunity."

"Uh-huh." Murphy nodded and then shook his head, "Not just you, us!"

Downey didn't offer any polite refusals. He knew Murphy well enough to understand that given their relationship, Murphy wouldn't just stand by and watch.

After dropping Downey off in Beverly Hills and declining his invitation to dinner, Murphy headed straight back to his home in the Santa Monica Valley. The lease on his house, where he had lived for several years, would expire at the end of the year. Before then, he needed to secure another residence or temporarily move into a hotel.

After a simple dinner, Murphy called Grace to gather more information about "The Bloom of Lys," a manor that had made a profound impression on him. If there were no other unsuitable factors, Murphy was keen to purchase it soon.

However, Grace had somewhat unsettling news for him.

"There are many interested in buying the manor," she said over the phone, "and the owner and the agency, aiming to maximize profits, might hold a public auction."

"A public auction?" Murphy frowned.

If "The Bloom of Lys" went to auction, the price could escalate further.

Of course, this could also be a sales tactic by the agency, designed to extract more money.

After thinking for a while, Murphy said, "Grace, try to contact the owner of 'The Bloom of Lys' directly. Have a proper discussion with her; I can make a fair offer."

"Okay," Grace agreed.

Now, without the disturbance of urgent work, Murphy relaxed and had a good night's sleep. Early the next morning, he headed to a warehouse set near the small town of Venice, where Stanton Studios and Twentieth Century Fox had reassembled the crew led by Paul Wilson to begin preparing for the third season of "Game of Thrones: Song of Ice and Fire."

Since the first season had been very well-received, the series had not used the titles of the books but had continued under the name "Game of Thrones."

"Overall, the preparation is going smoothly."

People like Paul Wilson were busy, and Murphy merely took a quick look around before leaving. As the overall project head, Kara Faith walked him through the set, talking as they went, "With the preparation, filming, and production of the second season, Paul Wilson has gained a lot of experience and has improved significantly."

Murphy intentionally remarked, "Anyone I mentor is top-notch talent."

Kara Faith rolled her eyes and led him into the rehearsal room, saying, "You're just lucky to have found someone with good potential who's willing to work hard."

Although she said this, she was well aware that those around Murphy, influenced greatly by him, had gradually become Hollywood's top talents.

For instance, Paul Wilson, after the second season of "Game of Thrones" became a hit, had been approached by several film companies to direct movies, but he had declined all offers.

Inside the rehearsal room, the actors were busy practicing. Murphy only chatted briefly with Margot Robbie and Jessica Alba, whom he knew well, before pulling Kara Faith out of the room.

They went to the studio's lounge, bought two cups of coffee from a vending machine, and sat down at a table to continue their conversation.

Due to their professional relationship, Murphy and Kara Faith hadn't seen each other much, except for a recent dinner.

After talking about work for a while, their conversation gradually shifted to Murphy's plans to buy property. Kara Faith was surprised, "You're planning to buy 'The Bloom of Lys'?"

Murphy nodded, "The house I'm interested in is 'The Bloom of Lys.'"

Kara Faith, familiar with 'The Bloom of Lys,' said, "You'll need to prepare a hundred million dollars. Need any help with that?"

"Not for now," Murphy shook his head.

"That's right." Kara Faith suddenly smiled

, "Not to mention the box office dividends from 'Man of Steel' that will soon be paid out, just the profits from the first and second seasons of 'Game of Thrones' you've received are enough to cover the cost."

"I should thank you for that," Murphy raised his coffee cup towards Kara Faith. "Without you, Twentieth Century Fox wouldn't have cleared the profits due to Stanton Studios so quickly."

Kara Faith took a sip of her coffee and responded, "It's not just me. Cooperating with Stanton Studios is now a fundamental operational strategy for Twentieth Century Fox."

After Murphy put down his coffee cup, she added, "The company's board asked me to check with you. You've completed the directorial agreement with Warner Brothers and DC Comics. When will you continue with new projects for Twentieth Century Fox?"

Murphy appreciated the goodwill from Twentieth Century Fox, saying, "You have to let me rest a bit first, right?"

Speaking of rest, Kara Faith suddenly remembered another matter. She put down her coffee cup and asked, "After finishing the script for the third season, George R. R. Martin said he'd take some time off. Now the 'Song of Ice and Fire' novels are still incomplete, and his health hasn't been great. If he doesn't finish the novels..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but Murphy understood and responded, "Don't worry."

The series 'Game of Thrones' had eventually surpassed the pace of the novels themselves. George R. R. Martin's age, coupled with his poor health and his role as a scriptwriter for the TV series, had significantly impacted the writing of the novels.

Now, with 'Game of Thrones' as a project between Stanton Studios and Twentieth Century Fox, started earlier than before, it wouldn't be long before the TV series outpaced the novels.

George R. R. Martin's age and health were indeed concerns, not just for Kara Faith but for many, including Paul Wilson and fans on the internet, who jokingly said Martin was "procrastinating with his life"...

This TV series involved many aspects, and the profits it generated were substantial, so such concerns were natural.

"It's not just us worried about it. George R. R. Martin himself fears he might pass away before finishing the series."

Murphy had discussed this with Martin long ago, so he remained calm, "Kara, you don't need to worry. George R. R. Martin has already written down the plot direction and the entire story's ending..."

"Really?" Kara Faith interrupted Murphy, then asked, "Who ends up on the Iron Throne?"

At this question, Murphy could only spread his hands helplessly, "I'm sorry, I also don't know who ends up as the master of the Iron Throne, who ultimately wins this game of thrones."

Kara Faith looked at Murphy, her eyes filled with confusion.

"George R. R. Martin's story outline and the final ending weren't given to me," Murphy explained in detail. "After making it fair, he stored it in a safe deposit box in a Swiss bank and handed me the key to the safe."

Murphy took another sip of coffee and continued, "The safe can only be opened after George R. R. Martin's death, otherwise..."

He shook his head, "The ending remains a secret."

Frankly, Murphy was also eager to see the ending, but George R. R. Martin had his principles, and a secret known by two people isn't really a secret anymore.

If he knew the ending, could he possibly not tell Kara Faith now? And if Gal Gadot asked, could he pretend he didn't know? If Gadot's new best friend, Margot Robbie, inquired about the fate and ending of the three fools, Gadot would probably find it hard to refuse, right?

Thus, Martin's choice to lock it in a safe meant he could hopefully finish the 'Song of Ice and Fire' series. If not, Murphy and the entire crew wouldn't let the plot deviate from his vision.

This ensured that, regardless, the main storyline of the TV series would follow his intended path, which is also a basic professional ethic.

George R. R. Martin had been fulfilling the adaptation contract signed between both parties, including Stanton Studios' priority right to adapt subsequent works. Under normal circumstances, no one would suddenly switch partners.

Of course, a price increase was inevitable.

If a film or TV adaptation of a novel becomes popular and the original author creates new sequels, buying them would mean paying a higher price. For production companies, anticipating this possibility means including in the initial copyright purchase contract that "if the copyright holder creates sequel works, the production company must be notified and has the right to adapt and film the sequels under equivalent pricing conditions."

Stanton Studios' contract with George R. R. Martin contained such a clause.

With 'Game of Thrones' fully on track, the future was sure to bring substantial profits for Murphy

. However, for the time being, it was 'Man of Steel' that continued to bring in significant revenue for Murphy's leadership.

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