America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 208 The Saintess

That evening, Martin and Elena went next door.

Lily sat on the sofa in the living room, took a sharp carving knife, and kept poking at the box containing the cow horns.

With a soft "poof," a huge hole appeared.

It's like venting some pent-up emotions.

Hall squatted on a nearby sofa, happily playing video games. To avoid upsetting the young lady, he deliberately turned off the game sound.

Suddenly, a fist came down and slammed into his head.

Hall looked up and saw Lily's gloomy face. She said in a mournful voice, "I didn't do anything to you."

Lily said, "You're happy, but I'm not, so you can't be happy either!"

Hall had nowhere to reason with, so he grabbed his game console and ran back into the house.

Lily was in a frenzy, so she simply went back to her computer desk, took out her textbooks and study materials, and started reviewing her lessons.

The sixteen-year-old girl turned her frustration into motivation to study and plans to take the SAT exam next year, aiming for a university in Los Angeles.

USC or California Institute of the Arts?

The two schools flashed through her mind, but she temporarily put them aside, stopped thinking about them, and especially stopped thinking about Martin and Elena next door, focusing all her energy on her studies.

What good things can a rotten man and a promiscuous woman do?

Next door, the female knight Elena is battling a dragon.

To increase her combat effectiveness, she also wore that chastity ring.

However, the dragon named Martin was too powerful, and the female knight was unfortunately captured. The scene changed from a person riding a dragon to a dragon riding a person.

Once things calmed down, the two tacitly avoided mentioning Los Angeles.

A draft came in through the back window, and Elena, leaning on Martin, said, "After you became famous, the four of us dug James up in the early morning and secretly buried him in an empty tomb in the Methodist Church. There won't be any more problems."

Martin said, "I came back this time also to deal with this matter."

The original plan was to dig a hole with Lao Bu one evening.

Elena said, "Hall is good at digging holes, so it's easy to solve."

"How should I reward you?" Martin asked Elena and the others differently. "I'll soon be signing a contract with Coca-Cola, which will bring in a large endorsement fee. How about I buy you a new house?"

Elena raised an eyebrow: "You idiot, you want to keep me as a sugar daddy?"

Martin shook his head and said very seriously, "My home is here. Old Brooks always says I'm a bad person. All my true feelings are left in Atlanta."

Elena fell silent.

Martin then said, "I have founded a cult of Coca-Cola, and I have a position for a saintess. I invite you to be the saintess."

Elena doesn't want to give up her current job: "I have a job."

Martin said, "I'm a part-time leader, so of course I can be a part-time saintess." He took Elena's hand and pointed to the chastity ring on it: "You see, you've been preparing to be a saintess for a long time. The chaste saintess, you are the only one who can be one."

Elena scoffed, "Idiot, you haven't signed your endorsement contract yet. Let's talk about it after you sign the contract and get the money."

Martin suddenly remembered something: "Where's Emma? I haven't seen Emma."

"She ran off with someone again." Elena was about to explode at the thought of her mother: "She's addicted to drugs. I stopped giving her money to buy flour, so she ran off with someone. Someone saw her at a trucking camp near the airport."

Martin gently stroked her smooth back comfortingly, unsure of what to say.

Elena added, "I questioned that bastard Jack in detail, and all she knew was that Jack swindled all her money and went to Australia or New Zealand, but she didn't know anything more specific."

She looked over to the next room: "Right now, all I want is for Lily and Hall to grow up safely and peacefully."

"Maybe Jack's in trouble and he'll never show up again." Martin said as if he were talking to a stranger. "Given Jack's character, do you think he could resist coming out after seeing me become famous? He's probably having a long talk with God, trying to swindle money from Him."

Elena said, "Idiot, you'd better prepare yourself. You're lousy, but Jack is ten times lousy."

Martin said without hesitation, "I have no younger siblings. If Jack comes forward, I will publicly sever ties with him. I've discussed some measures with Old Brooks, and you and other neighbors might be needed then."

Elena nodded: "No problem."

The following morning, after breakfast, Martin paid a special visit to Mr. Ward, Nani, and Welbeck, who had worked alongside him in the community. He gave each of them a practical gift and a crocodile tusk pendant, and also granted them their request for a photo.

Then, they got into a Mercedes driven by Bruce and left the Clayton neighborhood, heading towards Peachtree Street.

A large group of child actors stood downstairs in the office building of Marietta's talent agency.

Ahead of them stood the company’s two giants—Jerome and Robert.

The latter, with his large head held high, was all smiles.

The former was calm and composed.

A Mercedes-Benz drove up and stopped in front of the building.

Martin got out of the car, beaming, and walked toward Jerome.

Jerome found that the Martin in front of him was still the same Martin, just as sunny and handsome, just as kind and friendly.

He walked forward as well.

Their hands were clasped tightly together.

Martin, as always, exclaimed excitedly, "Commander, I'm back!"

Jerome shook his hand vigorously: "Good, very good! You didn't disgrace our Marietta Theatre Company. You are the pride of the entire company!"

Martin laughed: "Commander, if you say that, I'll get proud."

Jerome finally laughed, a truly hearty laugh: "I knew I hadn't misjudged you."

Without Martin's strong recommendation, the theater company and the resulting agency would not have reached a deep partnership with Gray Pictures, nor would it have reached its current scale, and he would not have become one of the big names in Atlanta's entertainment industry.

As far as Jerome knows, no Hollywood star is as sentimental as Martin, not even Robert Patrick.

Robert then came over: "Shall we talk later?"

Jerome invited Martin, "Come on, let's go inside and take a look at the company."

Martin followed the two men toward the office building.

The young actors in front of the building automatically made way for them.

Some people tried to say hello to Martin.

"Hey Martin, you're my idol!"

"You are my favorite star, and I will strive to be like you!"

Martin kept smiling and nodding, "Thank you, thank you everyone for your support."

The four people in front of them went into the office building. These young actors all dreamed of one day becoming Hollywood stars like Martin.

After all, Martin also came from here.

Martin entered the office building, where in the most prominent position in the lobby hung photos of him with Jerome and Robert.

Jerome said, "Robert and I have discussed bringing you in as a partner in the company."

"No need." Martin followed them upstairs. "I'm a member of the Screen Actors Guild, and the guild rules state that actors cannot engage in any agency-related business."

Just like agents cannot directly participate in the production of movies or TV series.

Upon arriving at Jerome's office, Martin asked, "I'm here mainly to film 'Wanted.' I've spoken with the production team, and they'll be recruiting extras and child actors in Atlanta."

Jerome said, "The company's actors are auditioning for the production, the sole partner."

Martin struck a pose, taking the bag Bruce handed him and giving it to Jerome: "This time I came back with a special gift for the theater company. I came from the theater company, and my acting skills were honed there."

Jerome opened the bag and saw a Saturn-shaped trophy inside a clear plastic box. He exclaimed excitedly, "The Saturn Award!"

Martin said, "The first award I won in Hollywood, the Saturn Award for Best Young Actor, should have been kept in the theater company."

Atlanta is his home base, and also the place where his public image is most likely to collapse in the future. Martin decided to cultivate his network of connections there when he was in Los Angeles.

After chatting for a while, Martin went to visit Robert's office.

As soon as he entered, he saw the desk with the Coca-Cola bottles and exclaimed, "Our Coca-Cola Cult's headquarters is here!"

Robert said, "The 03 Coca-Cola, the 03 olive oil, the desk was moved from the theater—everything was carefully chosen."

Martin, realizing he didn't have any olive oil, said, "Send a batch of olive oil to Los Angeles."

Robert pulled out a small notebook and handed it to Martin: "This is the detailed procedure; I made a copy specifically for you."

Martin examined it carefully and then handed it to Bruce to keep safe.

For him, these things were like a pig's head being displayed before filming began in his previous life—it was all about seeking good luck.

The first stroke of good luck that caught his attention was the Coca-Cola that Robert played during the Ma Zhenxi opera.

At noon, Jerome treated Martin to lunch, and after a short rest, they went to the film crew's residence in the afternoon.

The former General Motors Atlanta production center has been completely acquired by Gray Pictures, which has officially moved there.

The office area in the auto park has been renovated for use by companies and film crews.

Part of the production workshop has been transformed into a large photography studio.

Some workshops are also undergoing renovations.

Martin met Kelly Gray.

She had chestnut-brown medium-length hair, and her lightly made-up face exuded shrewdness and competence, much like a powerful female CEO in a Hollywood movie.

"Los Angeles hero, you look even better in shape."

In the CEO's office, Kelly sat cross-legged in a swivel chair, looking Martin up and down: "Why do I think you look better? Is there some kind of halo effect between a celebrity and a hero?"

Martin pulled her up and sat her in the swivel chair, then held her on his lap: "Why do I get so much attention for videotapes or videos? To be honest, I can't compare to Saint-Germain, or even to the late-night films you used to make."

Kelly swayed back and forth, looking for a special spot: "Because of the special effect of celebrities."

“That’s right,” Martin said. “It’s not just physical satisfaction, but also psychological satisfaction.”

Kelly asked, "Why didn't that slut come with you?"

Martin simply stated, "She'll be coming to Atlanta in two days with the rest of the crew."

Kelly finally found her place and sat down hard: "Martin, I've been helping you from the very beginning, so you have to help me this time."

I'm not sure if it's a second positive result (HBsAg positive). My low-grade fever subsided after three days, and apart from a slightly sore throat, I don't have any other noticeable symptoms. I'll be updating again in a lot of detail at the end of the month.

(End of this chapter)