America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

During multiple film screenings and reception parties, the team hired by Louise and Kate, led by Rita, proactively lobbied face-to-face to boost Martin's reputation among the various judges.

Many neutral reputations were stubbornly turned into friendliness and respect, successfully helping to shape Martin into an image of an actor with excellent skills, hard work, and artistic pursuit.

This time, Martin's goal was a nomination, but the reputation he gleaned could also lay the foundation for the future.

It's common knowledge that an actor's public image can be starkly different from reality.

At least Martin was relatively reliable.

In the award results announced by the film critics' associations of Hollywood, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, and New York, Martin didn't win the Best Supporting Actor award, but he made it into the nomination list of five for every award.

Infernal Affairs and Martin Scorsese nearly swept these awards.

During the awards season, these could improve the film's reputation as well as serve promotional purposes.

After the second weekend of December, the North American box office of Infernal Affairs accumulated up to 167 million US dollars, and the global box office broke through 300 million US dollars, shining alone among all the films vying for awards during the season.

"Congratulations, Martin, another global 300 million," Jolie raised her glass of juice slightly and took a sip in the Smoky House Restaurant, asking, "When you invited me to your project, I had my doubts and nearly refused. Thankfully I wasn't foolish; you helped me return to the front line and even possibly to strive for superstardom."

Martin always had pleasant things to say, "Angie, we make each other successful."

Jolie clinked her glass with Martin's, "Thank you, you're a good teacher, saving a student who went astray."

Martin took a sip from his glass, saying, "When people are young, they always make some wrong choices. Looking back, I find that a few years ago, I was horribly foolish."

Jolie started to laugh, "So, a good teacher like you can always correct the students' mistakes."

Martin sighed on purpose, "There's one thing that's difficult, though. You and Jen should not be the way things are now, yet you have to pay for someone else's mistakes."

These words reminded Jolie of the proposal she made a few days ago, she couldn't help but ask, "What if we help each other achieve something else?"

Martin saw her strange expression and said, "I'm a decent person, don't make an indecent request."

"Right, you're nice when you're decent," Jolie nodded repeatedly, "and when you're not, you're like a stick that hits people."

Martin didn't agree with that, "That's because you needed it; I'm always happy to help."

With fiery eyes, Jolie urged, "Then help me one more time!"

Ultimately, Martin was a good person and couldn't bear to see others plead so desperately, "Tell me, what is it exactly you're asking for?"

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Jolie said, "Take me and Aniston flying together!"

"You're crazy!" Martin shook his head directly, "I'm not mad."

Jolie fell silent for a moment, then decided to take a roundabout approach, "Then at least help me make amends with Aniston, like you said. Jen and I shouldn't have to pay for Pitt's fault."

Martin poured Jolie another glass of juice, saying, "This is not an easy task."

Jolie said, "You know Aniston's depth, you must understand her bottom line."

"Indeed, I've heard her mention it," Martin said directly, "Jen wants you to apologize publicly first, then we can discuss other matters."

Jolie thought it was not a big deal; such a small matter could be ignored compared to the happiness she could derive later, "I'll buy a page in the Los Angeles Times and apologize publicly to Aniston. Arrange for her to come out, and the three of us can talk together."

Martin was surprised, "Isn't it supposed to be just you and her talking?"

Without the middle 'J', what's the point of the three of them being together? On this matter, Jolie was particularly shrewd, "Without your help to smooth things in the middle, what if two sore people start fighting directly?"

The words sounded strange, so Martin automatically ignored them, saying, "First apologize in the newspaper, then I'll talk to Jen."

Seizing Martin's hand firmly and with urgency, Jolie said, "You must make this happen for me, I promise you a generous reward."

She was like a temptress seducing a good man into crime, "Imagine, Martin, what Pitt's reaction will be when he sees you with me and Aniston together—will he go insane?"

Martin became worried, "I fear Pitt might be overly provoked and shoot me dead."

"Are you afraid of him?" Jolie didn't believe it at all; after all, she knew a bit about Martin's personality, "Would you just let such a wonderful opportunity to stir up drama simply slip away?"

Martin was silent for a moment, then said, "You go ahead and issue the public apology first."

Without any hesitation, Jolie took out her phone and dialed, "It's me, buy the Los Angeles Times space as soon as possible. Tomorrow's too late? Then The Day After Tomorrow, the sooner the better, I can't wait."

Martin said, "Once your apology appears in the paper, I'll talk to Jen."

After the meal, both parted ways and left the restaurant.

Martin crossed the street to the Warner Bros. Studios opposite, where "Limitless," which was set to premiere in January next year, was having an internal screening.

Bruce followed Martin to the Warner Building entrance and said, "Ivan is here, I'll go and see him."

Martin nodded slightly, "Go ahead."

Bruce walked along the Warner Building to the left, keeping his interactions with Ivan strictly separate; he wouldn't let the matter extend to Martin.

Entering the parking lot and getting into a sedan, Bruce drove a few miles to a plaza, parked the car on the roadside parking space, took out a burner phone, and called Ivan.

It wasn't long before Ivan emerged from behind the plaza's green belt and got into the passenger seat.

Bruce said, "Something important has come up; I need you."

Ivan was straightforward, "Just say what you need."

Bruce pulled out a file bag and handed it over to Ivan, "Take a look first."

Ivan opened it, and, similar to last time in New York, it contained some people's information and photographs, recording certain special events. He looked over them carefully and said, "They're all pretty much the same."

These affairs, while in Atlanta, Martin had led them in doing a few times, and this year, they had done it once again in New York. Ivan was quite skilled at it.

Bruce reminded him, "Remember to tell them that if they don't report it, we'll sell the news tip to the next one."

"No problem." Ivan finished reviewing the materials and asked curiously, "What newspaper is TMZ? I haven't heard of it before."

He explained, "When I went back last time, I seriously looked into the American entertainment newspapers, and I didn't come across this one."

Bruce said simply, "It's a newly established entertainment gossip website, its influence is gradually growing, and it is known for the credibility of its exposés."

Ivan nodded, "I understand."

Bruce then handed him an envelope, "Take this."

Ivan felt it and didn't stand on ceremony, "I'll take the money."

"There's more." Bruce pointed to the files, "Whatever these can sell for, it's all yours."

Ivan secured the materials, "Old Cloth, you're giving me a chance to make some extra money."

Bruce punched him lightly, "We have been through so much together; let's skip the nonsense." He indicated ahead, "Same as always, you call them out to meet, and I'll cover you from nearby."

Without further ado, Ivan got out of the car, crossed Forest Plaza, and found a phone booth on the other side, dialing the number of a journalist called Jody.

"I hear your TMZ likes scoops; I've got some top-secret dirt on Brad Pitt." He spoke bluntly, "If you're interested, come to Santa Monica, Ocean Avenue Dock."

The name Brad Pitt made Jody agree immediately.

She put on her jacket, left her private office, and someone approached her asking, "Boss, where are you headed?"

Jody's expression darkened, "Don't ask what you shouldn't."

To hold the position as the key editor of a website, her control of news channels was critical; she couldn't possibly let others know.

Jody drove alone to Santa Monica and, at an open-air café by Ocean Avenue, met the person who had called.

The man looked unremarkable and spoke with an Eastern European immigrant accent.

These were not important; the essential thing was the lead he provided.

Brad Pitt was suspected of using violence and harassment toward a housekeeper, possibly having improper relations with several housekeepers.

Jody reviewed the materials and could tell they were all true from her years of experience; she promptly bought the list of housekeepers, their addresses, and contact information.

Ivan reminded her, "It has to be published."

Jody said, "TMZ wants explosive news."

At this stage, TMZ was still trying to build reputation to attract investment; nothing could be a better catalyst than a star's scandal.

Leaving Santa Monica, Jody didn't return to the company but headed straight to Koreatown to find a Latina housekeeper who lived nearby.

She waited for a while outside a somewhat rundown standalone house on a street, and her target came out.

The woman was around 35 years old, with a decent figure but plain looks. It was hard to imagine Brad Pitt being interested in such a person.

But glancing at the list of several housekeepers, Jody could roughly guess that Pitt might have a certain fetish, especially favoring the profession of housekeepers.

Jody stepped forward and greeted her, "Hi, Caroline, do you have a moment? Just a quick chat."

Caroline, seeing a stranger, didn't want to engage with her and turned to leave.

She took a step to walk away, yet she stopped.

Jody held up several 20-dollar bills in her hand.

Caroline's expression changed immediately, and she said with a smile, "I have a little time, but not much."

Jody stepped back to the side of her car.

Caroline immediately followed.

But Jody did not hurry to give her the money, instead she asked, "I heard you worked as a housekeeper for the Pitts?"

"Are you a reporter?" Caroline became alert and said, "I signed a nondisclosure agreement; I won't say anything."

Jody placed the money on the hood of her car and pulled out a check with a five-figure sum on it.

For the big news about Pitt, she was willing to wager the department's budget for the next three to six months.

As long as there was a lead, her boss would definitely approve more funds.

Caroline saw the numbers on the check, and they were tempting.

Jody was persuasive, "You may not know, but if Pitt's conduct infringes upon your legal rights, the so-called nondisclosure agreement is void."

"Really?" Caroline's eyes were fixed on the check.

Jody's financial leverage won the day.