America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

The Hollywood awards season had commenced, and stars, renowned directors, and producers were generously opening their wallets in the competition for Oscars.

"A saying from European professional football fits the Oscars perfectly."

On the lawn of a luxurious villa, Kate said to Louise and Martin, "Those who spend money may not win, but those who don't will definitely not."

Louise said with a smile, "You have multiple brand sponsors behind you, and they are willing to spend money on you."

Kate responded, "It may work this time, and maybe the next, but if it happens too often, the sponsors will abandon me."

Martin gleaned much information from their conversation: when actors aim for major awards, the sponsors behind them are willing to support them.

It seemed a bit like how Adidas and Nike operate in the world of sports.

Seeing no one else around, Louise whispered, "Who's our main competitor this time? I'll deploy Martin to crush her."

Kate replied with a smile, "Good idea."

"Hey, hey!" Martin interjected, "The person in question is right here, aren't you going to ask for my opinion?"

Kate winked at Martin, "Louise has always called you a hunk. If you really can help me take down my competitor, I'll be sure to thank you properly."

Martin stepped back voluntarily, "I can't handle that."

In recent days, he had been reading the papers, and "Million Dollar Baby," featuring the Old Cowboy and the tough girl, had already had a limited release in Los Angeles.

Suddenly, Leonardo with his hair slicked back made an appearance, greeting from a distance, "Kate!"

Kate strode up to meet him, embracing tightly despite Gisele Bundchen being at his side.

After parting, Leonardo said, "Kate, this time I must champion your cause loudly; you should have had that little gold man back in '98!"

Kate went straight to the point with Leonardo, "If you step forward, some votes for me might go to someone else."

Leonardo responded, "You're breaking my heart by saying that."

Kate called him and Gisele over, "Let me introduce you to two friends."

She introduced them to Martin and Louise.

Leonardo, acquainted with Louise, politely shook her hand and gave Martin a curt nod in greeting.

As the evening progressed, more guests arrived, and Martin and Louise moved elsewhere.

Most of those attending the screening that night were from the film industry or the media critique sector. Following Louise, Martin got to know quite a few people.

Many well-known British actors and directors in Hollywood had also come.

Rachel Weisz stopped specifically to chat with Louise for a moment.

She was currently collaborating with Warner Bros. on "Constantine," and they often saw each other at Warner Bros. Studios.

Following Louise, Martin was much more restrained than when he was alone.

He had no choice; he couldn't embarrass the wealthy lady.

At that moment, a tall, skinny man came over to greet Rachel, probably similar to Martin, looking to meet more people at the party to expand his network.

Rachel, on good terms with him, took the initiative to introduce, "Martin, Louise, this is Chad Stahelski, a stunt performer and action director from my crew."

She then introduced Martin and Louise to him.

Martin shook hands with him, saying, "I feel like I've seen you in many films."

Chad responded with a smile, "I started out as a stuntman; ever since 'The Bringer of Justice' in '92, I've been appearing frequently in various screen works, even in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer.'

Martin realized he was a stunt performer turned action director, "I personally love action films. Strictly speaking, my two released works are also of the action genre."

"I've seen both 'Zombie Dancer' and 'Horror Wax Museum'," Chad recognized him as the young star often seen with Annie-Hathaway in the tabloids, "The action design in 'Zombie Dancer,' especially the aerial fight scenes, were really great, very creative."

Martin didn't downplay his contribution, "Those action scenes were originally my idea."

Chad was surprised, "You understand action design, too?"

Martin nodded, "I know a bit, but I'm not very professional. I've specifically trained in combat, can use knives, guns, bows, and arrows, and have also learned some martial arts for a while."

In fact, he had also trained specially in horseback combat; in his past life, he went to great lengths for just a sliver of opportunity.

But as time went on, live-action film crews became rarer and martial arts on screen gradually turned into dance-like performances.

Chad, as if finding a kindred spirit, "I've also trained in various combat arts, I know a number of routines, and I even specifically went to learn with 'The Matrix' crew. I must admit, the action directors from Harbor City are much more impressive than the traditional Hollywood action models."

In Martin's eyes, the action design in Harbor City films of this era still surpassed Hollywood, "Their moves are sharp, and the impact feels explosive - they look amazing on screen."

Chad said, "A group of us action directors went to the producers with high-speed cameras to record their teaching scenes, analyzing them frame by frame, and we learned a lot."

He looked impressed, "Their combination of gunfights and action design indeed has its unique aspects."

The two of them were engrossed in conversation, not minding Louise or Rachel Weisz anymore.

The latter two led others away, leaving space for the conversation to continue.

Martin nodded to Louise and resumed the previous topic, "Apart from specialized combat moves, do you also deal with gunfights?"

"Of course!" Chad was a commercial filmmaker, "Pure combat fights have a narrower audience, but when combined with modern firearms, it's different. Bullets flying, headshots spurting blood, close-range brawls - these action scenes stimulate the audience's hormones even more."

He took two steps forward, tapping a small palm tree, "Suppose this is the enemy, and you have a gun in hand, what do you prioritize?"

Martin replied without hesitation, "Shoot him dead!"

"Right, with a gun! This is America, where guns are everywhere!" Chad clenched his fist in front of the tree trunk, "If the tree represents the enemy's body and my fist their head, and the enemy is moving fast, how do you take him down?"

Martin said decisively, "First, shoot the largest target - the torso, to immobilize him, then finish him off with a shot."

Thinking of the irrational designs in many action films, he felt strong aversion, "You must finish off the enemy with a shot, leaving them no chance to fight back."

"Yes, that's right," Chad's thoughts clearly matched Martin's, "clean and straightforward, no loose ends."

The two of them had been discussing action choreography and continued to do so until the latter half of the party.

As guests began to leave, Martin said directly, "I'm planning a gunfight action movie and want to design some really cool action scenes. If you're interested, we can discuss it together once I have a rough idea."

Chad nodded, "I'll need to finish my work with Constantine first." He asked a key question, "What about the budget? Action scenes can be costly."

Martin gave a conservative figure, "It won't be less than 40 million US dollars."

Chad, being one of the action directors on the Constantine crew, naturally didn't want to join a subpar crew, even if their philosophy aligns with his tastes.

Philosophy belongs to interest, work relates to sustenance and the future.

At that moment, Louise came over and said, "We should be going."

Martin nodded, "I didn't realize how quickly time has passed."

After saying goodbye to Chad, the two of them leisurely walked toward Kate.

Guests were leaving one after another, and each departing guest received a gift from Kate.

This was an open secret during the Oscar campaign.

Martin and Louise both received a handbag each.

With fewer people around, Kate chatted with them a bit more.

"I think there's a good chance at getting a nomination," Kate was not too optimistic, "but winning is almost impossible."

Louise comforted her, "You're still young, you'll have plenty of opportunities."

Kate smiled, "Should I start preparing for the next time?"

Martin joined in, "Sounds like you're already prepared?"

Kate nodded slightly, "Someone recommended a novel to me about fragility, I'm currently reading it, and it feels pretty good."

Martin sincerely said, "Kate, I wish you the best of luck."

Someone else came over, and Louise said, "We'll invite you out for a drink another day."

She and Martin went out of the villa, got into the car, and left Beverly Hills.

"Shall I drop you off in North Hollywood?" Louise asked.

Martin asked, "Can't I go to your place?"

Louise told the driver, Nicky, "Go home."

Martin remembered Kelly and said, "If the early planning for Wanted Order goes well, I plan to film it in Atlanta; there are tax incentives there."

Louise immediately knew, "You've been talking to Kelly?"

"That's right," Martin began to form an idea, "Kelly told me she has a surprise prepared for you."

Louise became interested, "A surprise? She wouldn't be plotting against me, would she?"

...

Los Angeles, Pasadena.

Inside a suite, Mene was slouched on the couch, breathing heavily, his once-pale face covered in sweat.

He pulled a tissue from the coffee table and vigorously wiped his numb lips, almost feeling nothing.

So very tired.

Struggling to his feet, Mene grabbed the Red Bull he'd readied earlier, gulped it down in one go, and turned to look at the bathroom, asking, "Darling, aren't you done yet?"

Victoria, over forty, said, "I'm doing my makeup, wait a second."

Mene muttered, "Women are indeed a peculiar species."

"What did you say?" Victoria faintly heard something.

Mene raised his voice, "Darling, you said you would introduce me to some crews and roles."

Victoria replied with a laugh, "You need to be patient."

Hearing this evasive response, Mene couldn't help but recall Martin and Old Cloth's words. Could this woman actually be a scammer?

But then again, she hadn't scammed anything; she always paid for the hotel rooms.

Tricking him for sex?

As the thought flashed through Mene's mind, he considered that the woman was attractive, despite being in her forties.

Even if she had enjoyed his company many times over and now decided to kick him to the curb, it seemed, he wouldn't be at a loss.

The bathroom door creaked open, and Victoria, dressed and with makeup reapplied, looking elegant, sharp, and capable, stepped out.

Mene looked at her strangely, "Didn't you say until tomorrow morning?"

Victoria smiled, "Let's call it quits here, I'm gradually losing interest in you, it's time to end this."

Mene thought to himself, just as expected.

But he wasn't inclined to cling; if it was over, then so be it.

However, Victoria was not of the same mindset. She pulled a badge from the lining of her clothes, flashing it in front of Mene, "LAPD, you are suspected of engaging in illegal transactions..."

Mene was completely dumbfounded, not catching a single word the other party said.