America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

The main cast and crew gathered together, a champagne tower piled higher than a person, and Susan Levin stepped onto the elevator to reach the top, taking the large bottle of champagne from Robert Downey Jr. and pouring it down.

Warm applause broke out throughout the venue.

At this moment, harmony abounded among the crew, with no hint of discord, as if no fights had occurred from preparation to shooting to release.

Because those who lost in disputes did not qualify to attend the celebration.

Waiters delivered champagne to everyone's hands.

Susan raised her voice, "Let's toast to success!"

Including Martin, everyone raised their glasses to drink together.

Laughter and cheer filled the air, and spirits were high.

Martin, holding a glass, found Susan, who introduced him to the president of Silver Pictures, her boss Joe Silver.

This was one of Hollywood's well-known producers, with representative works such as "Die Hard" and "The Matrix" trilogy.

But he was already over eighty years old and had retired from the front line after "The Matrix."

For a young man like Martin, Joe Silver was not particularly impressed, having seen too many types of people over a career that spanned over 50 years.

After responding briefly to Martin's greeting, he left the celebration.

At this point, Robert Downey Jr. came over, slung an arm over Martin's shoulder with an air of superiority, "Pal, you played a good role, had a bit of my style back in the day."

Martin clinked his glass with his, sharing an honest word, "You've been nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor. I'm far from that."

Downey, being shorter, felt uncomfortable holding onto Martin's shoulder for too long and released it with a polite word, "Let's have a drink together sometime."

"No problem," Martin could distinguish between a sincere invitation and just making polite conversation.

He left and found Zomi Silla.

Unlike the tension and insecurity when the film was first released, Zomi was now all smiles, almost as if 'successful director' were written on his face.

Martin teased him, "How many are you planning to hook up with tonight?"

The two old lechers had an understanding, "We won't bother with the ordinary ones. Let's go to Avalon after the party ends and see who can pick up a well-known actress."

Martin, full of confidence, "Buddy, success has made you forget who you're dealing with. You're facing the Casanova of Hollywood, Georgia's most handsome man; you're bound to lose."

Zomi laughed heartily, "I've got the halo of being a director now!"

Martin couldn't help but scratch his head, "Can we talk about civility and quality? Hooking up should be about skill, not profession."

Mene joined the conversation from not far away, coming over to join in the fun, "How about including me?"

Martin sighed, "Zomi, we're doomed. Mene's appeal to middle-aged women is like a nuclear bomb."

Feeling good, Zomi purposefully asked Mene, "Not going after Paris's heart?"

Mene, as if a poet, "Past love is doomed never to return."

Several representatives of the investors came over for a drink with the three of them.

According to them, the Horror Wax Museum could recoup its investment from box office sales alone, with subsequent video, TV broadcasting, and DVD sales as pure profit.

Horror films were hot in the offline market of video tapes and DVDs.

Thomas was also present that evening. He felt he was getting significant attention, having no trouble conversing with anyone from the crew as they were all willing to chat with him a bit more.

Even Eliza Cuthbert's agent, Victor, sought him out to revisit a past discussion.

"The movie is a hit, Martin and Eliza are the lead actors, and they even had a fling." As a rising star needs to stay in the limelight, Victor once again suggested, "Getting back together would be most appropriate."

Thomas thought so too, but his words remained the same, "On your part, you must promise not to force anyone to become vegetarian, nor to discuss vegetarianism before I can talk to Martin."

Victor said, "Eliza plans to focus on vegetarianism and environmentalism for her social activities."

Unable to come to an agreement, Thomas quietly pulled Martin aside for a chat in a rest area and briefly mentioned the recent conversation.

Martin had already made up his mind, "Don't bother."

Thomas reminded him, "As the film's heat dies down, so will your visibility. You've just gained some fame; there isn't a problem with over-marketing or exposure. It's essential to maintain a certain level of visibility and talkability before the release of 'The Hills Have Eyes.'

Martin asked, "Is a romance the best way to do it?"

Thomas nodded, "Even Leonardo does the same when he has no movies coming out to maintain his visibility."

Martin had a realization, "Frequently changing girlfriends has that benefit."

"You and Eliza have too different ideals, and Paris is a pitfall. Neither is suitable," Thomas sincerely advised, "Martin, known as Georgia's most talented man, use all your skills to hook up with an actress."

Martin inquired, "The bigger the star, the better?"

Thomas said, "Of course, if you can snag an Oscar-winning actress, you'd be hotter than Mene."

Martin was self-aware, "Apart from Kate, no other A-list actresses would bother with me. Kate's married and a friend of Louise's, it's inappropriate."

The two impeccably dressed men were plotting how to ride on the coattails of a female celebrity's popularity.

After some thought, Thomas suggested, "I'll ask around at the company to see if there are any famous female celebrities under other agents who might want to use your current heat to create buzz, but I wouldn't get my hopes up."

With his agent so invested, what could Martin say? "I'll also keep an eye out for such opportunities. There are so many stars in Los Angeles; I might just find a chance."

"Lock in your target, don't fear embarrassment, rush in and persist..." Before finishing the sentence, Thomas thought better of it, clapped his head, "It should be you teaching me, not the other way around."

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The party ended, and Martin, Mene, Zomi, and Bruce drove to Sunset Boulevard and arrived at the Avalon Bar for the second half of the night.

No sooner had they taken seats at the bar when a woman in her forties approached them.

She struck up a conversation with Mene voluntarily, "Care to join me for a drink?"

Mene glanced at her Hermes bag and Patek Philippe watch and readily accepted. "No problem," he said.

The two headed to the upstairs lounge.

Martin admired, "Truly a killer of middle-aged hearts."

Bruce put down his glass and remarked, "Mene is quite famous now, hotter than you and Zomi put together."

Confidence restored, Zomi said, "I see, she wants to try out what Paris has used..."

Bruce reminded, "Aren't the two of you competing? Whoever loses pays tonight, and I'll be the sideline judge."

Without any alternatives, he looked around, but there wasn't a single butt bigger than Kim's.

Avalon and the opposite Grapevine Manor are both nightlife spots favored by Hollywood celebrities.

Many female stars also enjoy coming here for a drink.

It was rumored that Sandra Bullock picked up Ryan Gosling, who was 16 years her junior, right here. In their two years of dating, Gosling's career took off at breakneck speed.

Thinking of Thomas's words, Martin's eyes wandered around the room. There were no Nicole Kidmans or Charlize Therons, but even a Harley Berry would do for him to practice.

After all, he was thick-skinned; failure wouldn't embarrass him.

Who among the small-time actors wouldn't want to cling to the thigh of an Oscar-winning actress?

Zomi was the first to find his target. Having just achieved tremendous success, his confidence was sky-high. He gave Martin a meaningful look, grabbed his drink, and headed toward a booth.

Sitting among several women there was the unmistakable Penelope Cruz.

Martin, having found no luck on the first floor, turned his attention to the second floor. His gaze soon settled on a booth diagonally across, where a young actress with sparkling eyes and a sweet smile sat.

Martin straightened his clothes a bit and walked upstairs, sizing her up. A young Annie-Hathaway was truly beautiful as long as she wasn't laughing out loud.

How should he approach her? That wouldn't stump an old perv—no, the most talented man in Atlanta.

Martin took his car keys, dangling them playfully from his finger. As he passed by Annie-Hathaway, his fingers relaxed just enough to let the keys fly out and land on her table with a thud.

Both Annie and the other three girls at the table jumped in shock.

Martin quickly turned around, apologetic, "Sorry, I didn't mean to..."

When he saw Annie, he paused, then expressed his surprise, "You are... you're Princess Mia!"

Like a fan meeting his idol, he was all flustered, "I apologize, it wasn't intentional."

An apology full of sincerity from such a good-looking, sunny-type of guy made the three girls forget the incident.

Annie picked up the keys and handed them to Martin, "It's okay, just be more careful next time."

Martin received the keys and fumbled in his pockets, muttering, "Why didn't I bring a notebook? Damn, why didn't I have my notebook with me?"

He spotted the tissue box on the table and pointed, "Your Highness, could you give me an autograph?"

Annie-Hathaway pulled out a tissue, signed it, and handed it to Martin.

"Thank you," Martin carefully folded it and put it away with gravity. The first step was successful, and he immediately moved on to the second, "I'm terribly sorry for disturbing you. Please let me buy you all a drink as an apology, and give me a chance to make it right."

It's not easy to refuse a fan of Princess Mia, a handsome man with elegant demeanor, a man so polite and well-spoken.

Moreover, it was the apology that he owed.

The other two girls looked at Annie, who nodded slightly, "You're too polite."

Martin called over the server and asked each of the three girls what they'd like to drink, then ordered four drinks.

One of them was, of course, his own.

When the drinks arrived, Martin naturally pulled out a chair and joined their table.

He raised his glass, "I thank you all for forgiving my foolish mistake."

Annie led the others in raising their glasses and together they took a drink.

Martin initiated a conversation, "Princess Mia..."

Annie-Hathaway gently shook her head, "Just call me Annie."

"Meeting Annie tonight is my good fortune," Martin introduced himself, "I'm Martin Davis, also an actor."

"Annie-Hathaway," Annie nodded with a smile.

The other two girls introduced themselves too, one named Laura, the other Sandy.

Annie was curious, "You're an actor? You look familiar to me."

Martin said timely, "I'm in the recent release, 'House of Wax.'"

Sandy, a minor actress, realized, "So like Annie, you're also a star."

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