America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 196 Love and Family

Last year, Martin participated in the filming of three movies. Madame Tussauds and The Hills Have Eyes have already been released, and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is also scheduled for a summer release.

In the first trailer for this film, Martin's role was quite prominent, as if he were the male lead.

The production team specifically sought out Martin.

Producer Brad specifically explained the situation to Martin and Thomas: "After The Hills Have Eyes was released, we adjusted the post-production editing to give Martin more screen time."

There's no way around it, Martin is currently the most popular actor in the entire cast.

The Hills Have Eyes has grossed $8850 million at the North American box office, and the rumors about Martin Scorsese and Anne Hathaway have become common knowledge.

Brad couldn't possibly let such a great deal slip by without taking advantage of it.

The contract stipulates that Martin needs to cooperate with the production team's publicity and participate in at least three public promotional events. He doesn't have the leverage to negotiate with Warner Bros. right now: "The publicity plan is handed over directly to Thomas. He has reviewed it and there are no problems. I will cooperate with the production team."

This statement implied that the agent should take the blame, but that was indeed the agent's responsibility. Thomas asked, "Do you have a concrete plan?"

Brad said, "The production team originally wanted to focus on Martin and Blake..."

Thomas immediately retorted, "If I remember correctly, Blake won't turn 18 until August, and this is California."

Brad changed his tune: "Good friends are always fine, right?"

Thomas glanced at Martin and nodded: "Okay."

Brad said, "In a few days, the crew will organize a party, and then there will be a school event at Burbank High School, where Blake attends. The crew is sponsoring a game between them and North Hollywood High School."

Martin replied, "I have no problem on my end."

Brad prefaced his statement: "Promotional articles during the publicity campaign will include some reports about you, which may mention your relationship with Anne Hathaway."

Thomas gave Martin a subtle wink, but Martin didn't respond.

Any potential conflicts will naturally be handled by the agent, Thomas said. "We requested to review any promotional articles involving Martin before they were published."

Brad hesitated for a moment, then agreed.

Just then, Martin's phone vibrated. He took it out and said, "Sorry, I have an urgent call."

After Martin left, Thomas and Brad had a detailed discussion, which involved things like negotiations, and it was best if the actors weren't present.

If the argument gets too heated, they can always blame it on the agent.

Once outside, Martin glanced at his phone and saw a text message from Louise, telling him that Kelly had also bought a new phone that could talk all night.

Martin thought to himself, "The code is so obvious, I can only go to the meeting alone."

Although this ox has to work hard to plow the land, it won't be him who suffers the most.

Martin put away his phone, went to the lounge area in front of the studio, found a place to sit down and wait for Thomas.

Remembering what the producer just said, the reason he encountered so many bad people and bad things was not because he was bad, but because the upper echelons of the industry were rotten.

The top echelons of Hollywood are rotten, and he, a nobody actor, can only rot along with them.

In another corridor, the door to the post-production dubbing studio opened, and Blake Lively, having finished her dubbing work for the day, walked down the corridor toward the foyer with her black backpack hanging on her orange sweater.

As soon as she turned the corner, she saw Martin sitting in the lobby lounge.

A very ordinary casual shirt, jeans and sneakers, paired with a perfect figure and handsome face, make him look pleasing to the eye.

Blake's memories of her idol were awakened, and she quickly walked towards that direction.

Martin heard the rapid footsteps and turned around. The first thing he saw was a pair of long, straight legs, followed by a curvaceous, voluptuous figure.

These are enough to satisfy most of a man's beautiful fantasies about women. If ten points is a perfect score, giving it a nine is not an exaggeration.

But if you look further up and see a face that's too mature, the rating will drop by at least 1.5 points.

Blake was awakened not only of memories of her idol, but also of her simp instincts during filming, which quickly turned her brisk walk into a jog.

She wished Martin would stand up, open his arms, and give her a hug.

Martin turned around, simply looked at Blake, and smiled: "Long time no see."

Blake ran over and stopped. "Martin, you're even more handsome and have more charisma than before."

"Thank you, and you look even more beautiful." Martin gestured to the chair opposite him: "Sit down and let's talk."

Blake glanced at Martin, who remained seated, and, realizing he wouldn't get up to pull out a chair for him, turned and sat down.

Martin casually asked, "Haven't seen you in a while. What have you been up to lately?"

Blake explained, "I've been doing post-production dubbing for 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' these past few days. Since returning from the set, I've been busy with my studies. I'm preparing to apply to university, and it's a crucial time right now, so I haven't been able to contact you."

Martin followed up by asking, "Which university are you planning to apply to?"

Blake said, "Universities in California, it depends on the exam results. My family suggested that if I do well in the movie 'Jeans,' I should go straight into acting. You know my family situation. My dad told me that while he still has connections and influence, he can help me avoid some detours."

She looked at Martin: "What do you think?"

This concerns someone's important life event, so how could Martin give advice casually? He said, "I'm a poor student and lack knowledge and experience in this area."

"Blake!" A woman walked over with Thomas.

Thomas introduced Martin: "This is Millie, the company's agent."

Blake automatically replied, "My agent."

Martin shook hands with her, remembering that Blake wasn't this agent the last time they met.

Millie said quite politely, "I'll trouble Mr. Davis to cooperate with us when there are any events later."

Martin politely replied, "No problem."

"Millie, which promotional event is Martin attending?" Blake asked.

Millie said, "It's for the school's competition day promotions."

Blake turned to Martin: "You're welcome to visit my school."

The two chatted for a few minutes and then quickly parted ways.

Walking on the sidewalk in the studio area, Thomas specifically reminded Martin, "Don't forget, she's not even 18 yet."

Martin pointed to his head: "I won't get confused."

Having experienced the Hollywood storm of his previous life, he was well aware of the seriousness of this matter.

After leaving the studio, Martin met up with Bruce.

Old Brooks didn't start driving immediately. He took out a magazine and handed it to Martin: "Take a look."

This is Vanity Fair, a magazine with a huge influence across the United States. The cover features Brad Pitt, and Martin opens it to see an interview with Pitt.

All the content revolves around one theme: Pitt's longing for children and the warmth of family.

But he has no children now.

Bruce then handed him another copy of the gossip newspaper, "American Rumors."

Martin glanced at the photo and immediately saw Jennifer Aniston's picture, with a news article in bold below.

Jennifer Aniston has suffered multiple miscarriages, several of which were induced abortions. The most recent one was last year. According to reliable sources, Aniston insisted on aborting the child despite her husband Pitt's strong opposition, which triggered a fierce argument between the couple, and they even became estranged for a period of time.

Bruce asked, "Is this setting the stage for a publicity stunt?"

"If the enemy is evil, then our side is naturally righteous." Martin picked up another newspaper. Brad Pitt went to an institution to visit children, squatted among seven or eight children, and smiled brightly.

In the next picture, Pitt is holding a child in each arm, and happiness is practically overflowing from the photo.

It's quite obvious that they're preparing to play the children and family card.

Martin had heard that Aniston did indeed have a miscarriage last year, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, it was impossible to know, but once the label was on her, it was very difficult to remove it.

Pitt has already made his move; it remains to be seen when Jolie will follow suit.

Martin put the newspapers away and tossed them aside, saying, "If I keep reading like this, I won't even believe in family or kinship, let alone love."

Bruce stated from a professional perspective, "Family and kinship can suppress romantic love."

The two drove around without spotting any paparazzi, then entered an underground parking lot in North Hollywood. Martin planned to change cars there and spend the night at Louise's place.

Bruce pulled down the sun visor and tidied his appearance in front of the mirror.

Martin drove up, parked next to him, and asked, "What's up? Going on a date?"

"I've made plans to have dinner with Kim." That jerk Bruce didn't tell Martin, or Kim's sister Khloe.

Martin, curious, specifically asked, "Aren't you going to film the video yet? I'm waiting to buy the DVD or the videotape!"

Bruce simply stated, "Kim is still getting a lot of attention right now, having appeared on several shows recently. I suggested she wait until her popularity has completely died down before filming again."

At this point, he brought up something: "If it weren't for the release of your and Anne's selfie video, and the hype surrounding it, I wouldn't have made her wait patiently. First Paris, then you and Anne, and if Kim Kardashian were to follow suit in such a short time, the effect would be greatly diminished."

Martin gave him a thumbs up: "Old Brooks, you're getting more and more professional."

"With your ability to create messes, how am I supposed to clean up your messes if I don't become professional as soon as possible?" Bruce restarted the car. "Don't call me tonight unless it's absolutely necessary."

Martin asked, "Have you prepared a gift?"

Bruce casually replied, "I brought two pieces of jade."

"Two pieces?" Martin gave Bruce the middle finger. "Old Bruce, I really despise you!"

Bruce ignored all that and drove to Venice, arriving at the agreed-upon hotel. There, in an Italian restaurant, he met Kim Kardashian and Khloé Kardashian.

The latter was just over 20 years old, nearly half a head taller than the former, with a curvaceous figure and a hot body.

The downside is that her face isn't very attractive.

But Bruce considers a woman's face a last resort.

The waiter brought the menu.

Bruce handed the food to the two men and said, "What would you like to eat? Order whatever you like."

Kim and Kohler didn't stand on ceremony and ordered dishes one after the other.

The three of them had a great time and enjoyed the meal together like a family.

(End of this chapter)