America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Las Vegas, MGM Plaza.

The meet-and-greet with media and fans had ended. Martin left the event site, sneaking with Bruce to the back exit of the hotel.

A black Rolls Royce Phantom was waiting at the door.

Seeing Martin and Bruce come out, Mene quickly got out of the car, opened the door, and beckoned them aboard, "Let's get going before the reporters come."

Martin got into the car, took a quick look around, and remarked, "Nice car."

Bruce closed the door after him and said, "A brand new Phantom, and it's a limited edition too, not cheap at all."

Mene told the driver to start driving, then continued, "I'm not sure about the exact price. It was a birthday gift from Celine."

Bruce said enviously, "No woman has ever given me such an expensive birthday gift."

Martin said, "I'll give Kim and Khloe a call."

Mene continued, "And Jody! Old Cloth, with your skills, just show a little interest and they'll definitely come knocking on your door."

Martin agreed, "I don't know about the others, but Jody for sure would give a gift."

Bruce deadpanned, "And then my pelvis would shatter."

Mene and Martin laughed heartily.

The Rolls Royce Phantom entered the Samlin District, soon turning into a manor's driveway and stopping in front of a European-style villa.

Martin and Bruce got out of the car and followed Mene inside.

Celine Dion was waiting at the entrance to the living room. She greeted, "Hi, Martin; hi, Old Cloth."

When Mene walked over, she linked arms with him and said, "Welcome to our new home."

Martin handed the gift he brought to the butler nearby and followed Mene and Celine Dion inside, glancing briefly at the living room. The house was definitely newly renovated, probably no more than a year old.

Mene and Celine Dion hadn't invited any other guests and were exclusively hosting Martin and Bruce.

In front of their friends, Celine Dion continually gave Mene face, showing a demeanor that completely revolved around him.

Martin and Bruce didn't stay long. They had a media event the next day, and after having dinner and a chat, they took their leave.

Mene and Celine Dion, like the lord and lady of the house, saw them off to their car.

Back at the hotel, they took the elevator up.

Inside the private elevator, it was just Martin and Bruce.

Bruce couldn't help but remark, "The fake winner of life—Martin; the real winner of life—Mene!"

Martin sighed, "Back when we were in Atlanta, if I had Uncle Mene's skills, I wouldn't be living so tiredly now."

Bruce said, "You could live like Scott."

At the mention of Scott, Martin thought of his old friend Sophia and said, "Old Cloth, you understand it more personally."

Bruce truly wanted to slap himself. Why did he bring up Sophia?

Martin didn't let it go, "'Sicario,' that film by Denis Villeneuve, I'm planning to get financing from Wu Maoting and House of Beast Entertainment Company. You go talk to House of Beast."

Bruce said, "I'm your bodyguard."

"No, you're my manager," Martin corrected, chuckling as he stepped out of the elevator.

The crew stayed in Las Vegas for two days before heading to San Francisco.

Meanwhile, "Thieves of the City" spent its second weekend in North American cinemas.

The start of the summer session in May generally had blockbuster releases every weekend.

20th Century Fox's "Star Trek 2" made a massive entrance, grabbing the box office champion with 70.15 million US Dollars.

"Thieves of the City" slid to second place, but its performance was stable enough, earning 35.87 million US Dollars in its second weekend.

Including weekday earnings, the film's North American box office comfortably surpassed 100 million US Dollars.

However, compared to the 112 million US Dollars in North America, the reception in Europe and Latin America, where it opened in a dozen overseas markets this week, was fairly average, earning only 18.92 million US Dollars.

...

San Francisco, Bay Area.

Martin sat in front of a seaside restaurant window, gazing out at the brightly lit Golden Gate Bridge under the night sky.

This place offered a view over much of the Bay Area.

Opposite him, Elon Musk said, "I have some good news for you."

Martin turned away from the view, "Don't tell me you're marrying Amber Heard?"

"How could that be!" Musk was very clear-headed, "Fun is just fun, help is just help, but marrying her? Absolutely not!"

He steered the conversation back on track, "Your investment in Tesla, the stock value has nearly doubled."

Martin raised his glass, "Here's to us."

Musk clinked glasses with him, sipped his drink, and said in his usual style, "All this is because I manage things well."

Martin had gained a lot from it and didn't mind praising him a few times, "Elon, you bastard are a business genius, aiming to become the richest man in the world soon."

Musk's face shook vigorously as he laughed, "By then, you'll be the richest man in Hollywood."

"I hope so," said Martin, who certainly didn't mind having too much money.

Musk asked, "Has there been any notice that Nolan's 'Interstellar' hasn't started filming yet?"

Martin replied, "I haven't received the call to join the crew yet; the earliest would probably be June."

He remembered something, "Your ex-wife Talulah—I've introduced her to the crew; she should be playing a somewhat substantial supporting role."

"Thanks," Musk toasted Martin and said, "I'll also be appearing in the crew."

Martin asked, "Are you going to cameo as well?"

Musk said, "Part of the sponsorship agreement, the role belongs to a researcher at the NASA and SpaceX joint command; there might be a few lines, but with Director Nolan's style, I might get a few seconds of footage in the film—my lines… will probably be cut."

"Want to play a role with lines?" Martin's knives made a sharp noise as he sharpened them, "I've got a few film projects on my end, Elon, you're welcome to sponsor them."

Musk asked, "Do you have any other space or futuristic sci-fi movies?"

Martin shook his head, "Not at the moment, the films we are shooting next year, mostly lean towards schizophrenia…"

"You also want to follow the Hollywood trend?" Musk asked, "Filming those weird roles?"

Martin knew what he meant and just shook his head.

As they ate and chatted, nearing the end of dinner, Musk proposed, "Later this year or early next year, I might have a wedding, and I want you to be my best man."

"Are you sure?" Martin directly said, "I'd steal all your spotlight."

Musk was brimming with confidence, "Even with Bill Gates and Warren Buffett appearing together, they couldn't steal my thunder."

Martin was puzzled, "Wait, you just said that you wouldn't marry Amber Heard."

"That's right, I won't marry her," Musk was just playing around, "In a few months, I'll get bored and break up with Amber, then win back Talulah and remarry her."

Martin scrutinized the portly man, wondering if he really found this amusing, and shook his head, "Can't figure out what you're thinking."

Musk didn't respond but instead said, "Another thing, I want to speak to you seriously—I'm definitely getting back with Talulah. If you've ever been involved with her, cut it off from tonight, don't have any kind of 'more than friends' relationship, Hollywood is full of engaged or married actresses, with your charm and tactics it's easy to make them cheat."

Martin remained unfazed and uninterested in clarifying, saying, "Don't worry, apart from when I'm with you, I've never seen Talulah."

Musk casually said, "It doesn't matter, I don't care what she does outside of marriage."

They then chatted about some Tesla investment issues.

Tesla was in a period of rapid development, with the stock price continually climbing, but for investors like Martin, securing more shares was not easy.

...

Los Angeles, Beverly Hills Century City.

Ryan Reynolds, carrying a large briefcase, took the elevator down from the Fox Tower.

Waiting on the first floor, his agent Cowell greeted him and took the briefcase, asking, "How's it going?"

Having not replied, Ryan went to a nearby Starbucks on the same floor, casually ordered two coffees, sat down, and said, "Small stars have no rights, no one takes our words seriously."

He opened the briefcase, took out a binder containing posters, advertisements, and creative plans, the cover featuring a person holding twin swords and wearing a red hood.

This was the look of Deadpool, played by Ryan Reynolds in "The Wolverine."

Cowell said, "That's reality, if a superstar had suggested it, Fox executives would have been discussing it already."

Since last year, Ryan had been trying to push the Deadpool solo movie forward, but the film rights for X-Men were held by 20th Century Fox, and he couldn't persuade Fox's executives.

Cowell looked around and seeing no one nearby, asked in a low voice, "The party you suggested, they're not interested in that either?"

Ryan was quite helpless, "I mentioned it in private, but they just wouldn't pick up the conversation." He pounded the table, "Really, trying to offer kindness and finding no way to deliver it."

Cowell said, "Without certain connections, and not having reached a certain level within the circle, sometimes you can't even give gifts."

Ryan lowered his voice, asking his agent, "Are you sure the few of them like the younger ones?"

"No mistake there, it's been rumoured in the industry, and I personally confirmed it again, they like dealing with younger ones." Cowell figured out the problem, "Such things would be troublesome if blown out, they don't trust you enough, even if we bring people right to their doorstep, they wouldn't accept."

Ryan felt this made a lot of sense, asking, "What should we do? Any other ideas?"

Cowell thought for a long time and said, "Find a middleman they trust enough, send out an invitation through them, it should work much better."

Ryan asked, "Do we have such a person?"

Cowell took a sip of his coffee, saying, "Yes, have you heard of Michel Brian?"

"That famous madam?" Not only had Ryan heard,she had even sought her help.

Cowell said, "She's earned trust within the circle, reportedly involved in such business."

Ryan couldn't wait, "Hurry and contact her."

Cowell mentioned, "The cost might be quite high."

Thinking of the gloomy prospects, Ryan decided to gamble it, "I still have some money, if not enough I'm selling the house!"