America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 20 Ceiling Level

In the morning, Martin returned from his routine workout and went to Carter's house for lunch as usual. Just as he reached the gate of the yard, he heard arguing coming from the open doorway.

"I'm the father of all you losers!" Scott Carter's voice boomed like a truck horn. "If I'm broke, who else would I go after if not you bunch of shit? Your damn mother? Harris, stop hiding like a coward. You still owe me $20 from last time you used the cassette tape."

Harris said, "I didn't use your cassette tape, and I absolutely do not owe you any money."

"Here's $10!" Elena slammed the $10 on the table and said coldly, "You can leave now!"

Scott grabbed the money, turned and left. Just as he stepped outside, he saw Martin. His aura, which had been suppressed by Elena, instantly surged again: "You bastard, I heard you made money? And bought a car? When are you going to pay me back?"

Martin, utterly bewildered, retorted, "Are you out of your mind?"

Elena came out of the door and slammed her fist on it.

Scott hurried away, muttering as he went, "How did I raise such a bunch of useless trash?"

Elena turned back and pretended not to hear.

Martin, thick-skinned and not embarrassed at all, followed them inside for breakfast.

Hall came over and suggested, "You should break his nose."

Martin sat at the table and said, "He's your dad. If I beat him up, he'd go to a child welfare agency and send you and Lily to foster care. Guess what would happen then?"

Hall remained silent.

Lily replied, "We'll never see you again."

"Shut up!" Elena yelled. "Come and eat breakfast, everyone."

After breakfast, Lily and Hall, a pair of idiots, went to school, while Harris went back to his room to review his lessons.

Elena tidied up the table and pointed to Martin's neck: "Are you injured?"

Martin shrugged. "Someone scratched me." He took out a check and handed it over. "Your payment."

Elena's eyebrows shot up when she saw the number: "$800! Wow, that's a lot!"

Martin handed Elena another check: "Give this $200 to Monica, and don't mention the amount you received. By the way, I'm planning a backyard party on Wednesday afternoon to celebrate. I've invited a few friends and colleagues, so please invite a few more of your friends over."

Elena replied, "No problem, I guarantee I'll find you a group of active people."

She finished packing, slung a bag over her shoulder, and asked, "Are you alright now? Take me to the supermarket."

Martin took out his car keys, went to the backyard next door to drive, and drove a short distance out of the community. Passing a lottery shop, Elena stopped him, saying she wanted to buy a lottery ticket.

"Shall I buy one for you?" she asked.

Martin took out some money and handed it over: "Choose whatever you like."

Elena quickly bought a lottery ticket and handed the stub to Martin, saying, "I hope you get lucky."

Martin put it away and asked, "You've been insisting on buying it all along?"

Elena carefully put away the ticket stub: "Given the Carter family's situation, the only way things can get better is if they win the lottery."

She suddenly looked utterly exhausted: "I want that idiot Harris to go to a good college, I want that moron Lily and that good-for-nothing Hall to go to private school, but what can I do? I can't do anything!"

Martin drove for a moment, thought for a while, and said, "Learn a skill, find a stable job. If you want to learn, I can teach you bartending."

Elena lacked confidence: "I'm stupid."

Martin encouraged himself: "I'm not smart either."

"That's right!" Elena realized. "If an idiot like you can learn it, I'll definitely be able to."

Martin dropped Elena off and, considering what he needed for the party, went to the supermarket to do some shopping.

Then he found Kelly Gray's business card, went to the Marietta Library, used the public computers, and looked up some relevant information on the Internet.

Gray Film Company has an official website.

Kelly Grey, 31, comes from a wealthy family. Her Grey Film Productions company is not large, but it collaborates with several cable networks.

In addition, Kelly Gray worked in Hollywood for four years after graduating from USC.

Among the people Martin has truly connected with, Kelly Gray is considered top-tier.

Martin's personal experience taught him that connections are a key element of success.

Martin, having made a good first contact with Kelly Gray, was certainly not going to let the opportunity pass him by.

Back home, he found an excuse, thought it over, and dialed Kelly Gray's number.

Martin first introduced himself, and then invited Kelly Gray to come to the club sometime.

(End of this chapter)