America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 226 My First Property

In June, Los Angeles enters its hottest season, and beverages, led by two types of cola, also usher in their peak sales season.

Coca-Cola is essentially repackaging old ideas, with large quantities of Coca-Cola featuring images of Martin Luther King Jr., the leader of the Coca-Cola cult, being released into the market.

The concept of the "Cola Cult" has attracted the attention of a large number of young people.

The news that cult leader Martin Luther King Jr. would be traveling to Washington to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom in just two weeks also became widely known thanks to Coca-Cola's efforts.

The momentum continued in Coca-Cola's sales.

From supermarkets to convenience stores to street corners, posters of Martin Luther King Jr. dressed as a character and the GG logo are everywhere.

Red is fiery, and blue is not content to be left out.

Pepsi launched two versions of GG: one for sports and one for entertainment, with all the actors in the GG sporting their signature blue hair.

Then, they were relentlessly attacked in newspapers and online.

"Look at Martin's high-class style, then look at Pepsi's bizarre photos, the difference is obvious!"

"I don't expect Pepsi to come up with such a high-end concept as the 'Cola Cult,' but isn't this ridiculous design a bit weak?"

"Coca-Cola, with just Martin Davis, utterly defeated a host of entertainment and sports stars, including Britney Spears and David Beckham."

Many Pepsi staunch supporters jumped out to fight back.

"Red and blue are irreconcilable enemies!"

"Drag the guy who drank the red liquor out and shoot him at target for ten minutes!"

The online debate between the Red and Blue factions has kept Martin constantly in the spotlight.

Just like the market share of the two cola brands, the overwhelming majority of supporters of the red brand is enough to guarantee Martin's positive influence.

In the Pacific Pictures office, Thomas rubbed his face vigorously and looked up from in front of the computer.

Jessica, with dark circles under her eyes, said, "The two sides we've been working with have started arguing online, and Coca-Cola is pushing for it too. It won't stop anytime soon."

Emily stretched and said, "I've been working more than ten hours a day these past few days. I can't take it anymore. I need to go back and catch up on my beauty sleep."

Thomas hasn't been idle since returning from Atlanta. While looking for new job opportunities for Martin, he has also been working tirelessly for several days to promote Coca-Cola.

While the three of them were working overtime and carrying heavy burdens, Bruce drove his car away from North Hollywood and into Sherman Oaks.

"Actually, that house in Malibu is quite nice. It's located in the mountains, has a good view, and isn't too expensive," Antonio said, sitting in the back seat with his belly sticking out. "We can definitely get it for $260 million."

Martin shook his head: "That place only has one road. Once a fire starts on the mountain, there's nowhere to run."

Antonio was astonished by Martin's train of thought: "Malibu hasn't had a wildfire in years."

Martin vaguely remembered that in the gossip he had read before, Malibu was always associated with celebrities and wildfires.

If you just bought a house and then it burns down, that would be a huge disaster.

Grilled Martin and Bruce?

Just thinking about it is exciting.

Bruce drove to Coty Road, where a new community in Sherman Oaks is located. The houses in the community are all detached villas with yards, each with a floor area of ​​about 500 to 800 square meters, and were all built within the last three years.

Following Antonio's directions, the car was parked in front of a courtyard.

The closed iron gate was open, and tall palm trees were planted on both sides of the gate. Martin estimated that the area enclosed by the wall was about 25 x 30 cm.

Antonio made a phone call and pointed inside the door.

Bruce drove the car straight in.

The front yard features a lush green lawn and a long, narrow swimming pool. The villa itself is in the style of Los Angeles, with white walls and red tiles, and is shaped like an inverted L.

The real estate agent, Garrison, whom I had arranged to meet, was standing on the steps in front of the house.

Once the car came to a stop, Martin got out, glanced at Antonio who was struggling to move, and helped him down.

Antonio sighed, "I'm getting old, my legs aren't what they used to be."

"You're not old, you're fat." Martin pointed at his belly, which looked bigger than a ten-month pregnancy, from a distance. "Go on a diet."

Antonio shook his head: "It's too painful. I'd rather stay in bed from now on."

Garrison quickly came over and shook hands with Martin: "Mr. Davis, it's my pleasure to serve you."

"Don't mention it." Martin looked around. The wall was enough to block the view from the outside. There was a garage in the inverted L-shaped annex, and a barbecue grill was set up next to it, which could meet the needs of outdoor self-service barbecue and was very convenient for hosting parties.

Garrison, quick to understand, immediately led the way, saying, "Shall we start from this side?"

Martin followed.

Bruce glanced at Antonio's trembling belly, worried that he might lose his balance and fall over, so he walked alongside him.

Antonio had told Martin before he arrived that this was a brand new, renovated house.

At this point, he would not say anything more, so as not to influence Martin's judgment.

The garage in the annex can easily fit three cars. Entering the building from the inner door leads to a small living room, while the second floor contains several bedrooms, with a passageway connecting directly to the master bedroom and the main building.

Brewster walked around the area and was quite satisfied.

Regardless, the Russians were a potential danger. He would stay at Martin's house for a long time, where he could live in the annex and get there immediately if anything happened.

Bruce knew perfectly well that Martin, that scoundrel, would definitely mess things up, and his presence here wouldn't affect Martin's reckless behavior.

The group moved from the second floor to the main building. There were two bedrooms on the second floor. The master bedroom was spacious enough and had an extra-large balcony. It wouldn't be a problem for more than ten people to have fun together in the master bedroom.

As for the first floor, it consists of a standard living room, study, dining room, and entertainment room.

Martin was most pleased with the entertainment room, which included a small four-seat screening room.

The main building also has a basement, which is divided into three parts: a small wine cellar, a storage room, and a gym.

Like most luxury homes for sale, this one comes with interior decoration and matching furniture.

After inspecting the house in person, Martin returned to the living room and asked directly, "How much is it?"

Garrison quoted a direct price: "$245 million, including all furniture and appliances."

Martin had specifically researched housing prices, and this price was acceptable. Sherman Oaks is an affluent area on par with Beverly Hills and Brentwood. The Coty neighborhood is located in the middle of Sherman Oaks, nestled against the mountains but not on the most expensive hillside or slope.

Of course, he was comparing his property to Louise's, not to MJ's Neverland Ranch or Pitt and Aniston's $4000 million mansion.

Martin still had a few places to visit and wasn't in a hurry to make a decision: "Let me think about it."

The three got into the car, left the Koti community, and headed up the mountainside.

Martin asked, "Old Brooks, what do you think?"

"Not bad, the wall is high enough to block outside prying eyes." Bruce considered security first: "It also makes it easier for me to install some early warning systems."

He thought for a moment and then said, "I live in the annex, so you'll have your own space. If anything happens, I can come to your aid immediately."

Antonio sensed something was wrong and asked curiously, "Does Burbank High School have any aftereffects?"

Martin tilted his head.

Antonio said, "Hire me as your security guard. With me and the Gun of Friendship guarding the door, I can take down any of those bastards who come near. Don't doubt my marksmanship."

Martin, having witnessed Antonio's marksmanship, said, "I don't doubt your marksmanship, but I'm worried that you'll end up killing someone after you fire. I can't afford to pay for the life of an old-school millionaire."

Bruce, puzzled, asked Antonio, "Don't you like to enjoy yourself? Being a doorman is hard work."

"Everyone dreams of being a hero, and I want to be one too." Antonio patted his round belly, as if a basketball were rolling. "Do you know why I'm such a good shot? Because I practiced specifically to become a hero!"

Bruce said, "The Russians are very brutal."

Antonio was very interested in this topic: "You may not know how much my generation feared Russians. It was a psychological curse, and I want to break that curse."

Martin glanced at Antonio's belly: "You should stick to being a landlord, that's a very promising career."

The car quickly arrived at the second house, and the three of them looked around and then came out.

The house is beautiful, and the facilities are more complete and advanced, but the problem is that it occupies nearly 1200 square meters and costs as much as $400 million, which is too expensive.

Martin then looked at the third and fourth houses, two seaside villas.

A sea-view room is fine for a short vacation, but it's inconvenient for a long stay, and most importantly, it's not cheap.

The three of them arrived at the seaside road, found an open-air cold drink shop, and sat in the sun drinking cold drinks.

Antonio kept wiping his sweat: "There are two more properties in Brentwood, but they're more expensive, over $450 million."

Martin waved his hand: "There's no need to look."

Antonio added, "The owners of the real estate companies I've looked at are somewhat acquainted with, so I can help you negotiate a lower price."

Bruce put down his iced cola and looked at Martin: "Want to look again? Or choose?"

Martin replied decisively, "Let's go with the one in the Coty neighborhood."

Antonio remembered something: "I know the chairman of the Coty Community Council. I'll introduce you to him later."

Martin asked curiously, "I didn't know you had such a wide network of connections."

Antonio downed his cold drink in one gulp: "I'm a seasoned millionaire."

Bruce said enviously, "When I get old, I'll buy an apartment building and rent it out."

Landlord seems like a good job. Martin couldn't help but think of the landlords in his previous life who were successful in both money and women. He wondered how many beautiful young ladies with dreams of becoming stars had to travel thousands or even tens of thousands of miles to Jiangling because they owed rent.

On their way back to North Hollywood, Antonio made a phone call and talked for no more than half a minute. The house in the Coty neighborhood went from $245 million to $235 million.

Martin said to the fat landlord, "I'll give you a big gift later."

Antonio seemed to be reminding everyone, "I already have the crocodile tooth pendant and the bull horn carving."

"Really?" Martin had sent out so many that he couldn't remember them all. He should have made a detailed list; it would have been so embarrassing to send duplicates.

Bruce couldn't help but laugh.

Antonio said, "No need to send me gifts. Who doesn't know you live in my North Hollywood apartment? Apartments are in high demand right now, and rents are almost double what they were last year. Many aspiring actors want to follow in your footsteps."

His tone suddenly changed: "Putting everything else aside, I've been referring clients to the hyena doctor for the past six months, and I've made a fortune in referral fees!"

Martin couldn't help but shake his head: "There are so many troublemakers out there."

The housing prices were based on data from many celebrities who purchased Los Angeles properties between 2002 and 2006, so they shouldn't be considered outrageous.

(End of this chapter)