America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 232 Marriage is a Man's Nightmare

Sherman Oaks, Coty Community Board.

As Chairman Harold came out of his office and arrived at the main entrance on the first floor, a Cadillac Escalade was parked in a parking space on the left side of the building.

Martin and Bruce got out of the car, and Harold came out to shake hands with Martin: "Mr. Davis, welcome to the Coty community."

"Just call me Martin," Martin said with a smile. "Antonio and I are old friends, and he's told me about you before."

Harold laughed, "I envy him, he retired early." He led the way, "Please come in."

Once inside the committee's office building, Bruce went to complete the registration procedures, while Harold stayed with Martin and talked to him.

There are quite a few celebrities living in the Coty community, and Martin is definitely not the biggest star, but he has the biggest aura.

An honorary citizen of Los Angeles, a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and who just arrested three Russian spies.

Harold showed Martin around the community council's exhibition room and gave a brief introduction: "The Coty community has more than 20,000 residents with a high income level. We also hold many events every year, such as community theater performances in January and February, a dance festival in March, a music festival in April, a camping festival in May..."

Martin understood. There would be a large event or community festival every month, as well as competitions from time to time, and even a wine tasting day every week.

Upscale communities are completely different from slums.

In other words, high-net-worth taxpayers and those who rely on social welfare exist in two different worlds.

Martin also inquired about the community's funding sources, which, in addition to donations from community residents, largely came from tax rebates.

Property tax returns 1.6 cents per dollar, personal property tax returns 4 cents per dollar, and other revenues, such as those from public parking lots, are mostly distributed to the community.

The community committee must be a non-profit organization, and all this money must be spent.

Harold approached a model of a theater and said to Martin, "We also have community theaters and community theater groups, mainly for children and young people who love performing. Your acting is highly praised; would you be interested in joining us to mentor the children?"

Bruce, who had just finished the formalities, came in from outside. Hearing this, he couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Letting that scoundrel Martin guide the kids, he's probably going to produce a bunch of freaks."

Martin readily agreed, "No problem." He then asked, "Does the community have a neighborhood defense alliance?"

Harold said, "Of course, are you interested?"

"I have a legal gun license and a concealed carry license." Martin had specifically researched this and found that joining a neighborhood association would reduce the trouble of firing a gun in case of an accident in the community.

He turned and pointed at Bruce: "We two are pretty good shooters, and we're also quite alert and have some self-defense capabilities. We'd like to join."

Harold said, "That's easy. I'll fill out a form in a bit and take it to the Canyon branch office for filing."

Bruce had to fill out forms again, which was incredibly painful for students who weren't academically gifted.

"There's a shooting range in the community that hosts shooting competitions from time to time," Harold said. "You can check it out if you have the time and are interested."

Martin said, "I'll go check it out later."

After chatting for a few more minutes, Martin prepared to leave when Bruce returned. Before leaving, he formally invited, "I'm planning a housewarming party at my new house this weekend, and the community committee members are welcome to attend."

Harold considered for a moment and said, "I will definitely be there."

Martin and Bruce left the community council office and went home to visit their neighbors with gifts, telling them about the housewarming party and politely extending invitations.

One of the houses on either side is currently vacant, while the other is inhabited by a middle-aged couple who run an art business.

The homeowner across the street was a middle-aged woman in her thirties with an average appearance.

Upon opening the door and seeing Martin, she exclaimed with delight, "Martin, how did you find me here?"

Martin didn't remember knowing her, but he smiled and pointed across the street: "I just moved here."

"Oh, I see." The woman suddenly realized that Martin didn't recognize her, so she quickly introduced herself: "My name is Gillian Flynn. I work for Entertainment Weekly. I attended the premieres of The Hills Have Eyes and Jean Genesis, but unfortunately I didn't have the chance to interview you."

Martin presented a small gift he had prepared: "We'll be neighbors from now on."

Gillian accepted the gift and said, "Thank you." She stepped aside from the doorway, "Would you like to come in and sit for a while?"

Martin declined, saying, "I'm mainly here to meet my neighbors. I'm having a housewarming party this weekend, and I look forward to your presence."

Gillian smiled and said, "I'll go if time allows."

Martin said goodbye and left, crossing the street to return home. Bruce said, "I inquired about them at the community council."

"Hey, Old Brook, you don't have a crush on her, do you?" Martin, that scoundrel, never says a nice thing.

Bruce replied irritably, "I'm worried you'll get into trouble!" He went on to say, "She has a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University, is the deputy editor of the celebrity section of Entertainment Weekly, writes short stories in her spare time, and the house came from her divorce settlement."

Martin's focus was completely off-topic: "He got divorced and received a detached house worth over $200 million, so marriage is a man's nightmare."

Bruce asked, "What if Louise Mayer married you?"

"When?" Martin asked without hesitation. "I'll go sign the papers and get the marriage certificate right away, and then I'll be set for life."

If he could hook up with a rich woman of similar age, he wouldn't bother working so hard to earn money and spending his days doing these shady things.

Bruce then mentioned another neighbor: "The Joneses are in the art business, and they have a daughter who works in the Holy Valley."

Martin was somewhat surprised: "The same job as Jenner?"

Bruce nodded: "Yes, and the couple doesn't shy away from it. They sometimes talk about it with people. According to them, their daughter has an excess of hormones in that area."

Martin could only say, "Indeed, those who work in the arts are not ordinary people."

After resting for a while, the two went out to shop again, and called Mene, Jessica and others to come and help.

Time flew by and it was the weekend. Martin started preparing for the party after noon. In addition to hiring a professional party company, he also called Menne, Thomas and Jessica to come and help.

The barbecue grills next to the annex were lit, and the front courtyard, surrounding the swimming pool, was furnished with several tables and chairs, as well as a self-service area for drinks.

Just after four o'clock, Craven, Aja, and Zomi arrived first.

Martin took the red wine they brought and had Emily put it in the living room.

Craven glanced at it and said, "There's a lack of beautiful women."

Martin laughed, "This is a proper party."

Krevi pointed to the swimming pool: "Then we should invite some swimsuit beauties to liven things up."

A-Jia said, "Let's wash our faces together after the party."

Martin said, "I don't think I'll have time today."

Louise and Kate Winslet rode in the same car.

"The house is nice," Kate said, glancing at the yard and the villa. "Very beautiful."

Martin deliberately added, "The price is also terrifying."

Louise laughed and replied, "It's a pity we're missing a mistress."

Martin said directly, "If you'd like to be the hostess here, I'd welcome you with open arms."

Louise just looked at him and smiled, without saying a word.

Martin automatically changed the subject: "Has the release date for the arrest warrant been confirmed?"

"It's confirmed. You and Jolie are both very popular right now, and Warner Bros. wants to release it as soon as possible," Louise said briefly. "It'll be released in November. Let's try to generate as much news as possible then."

Martin sighed. "They're going to cause trouble again."

Kate laughed and said, "Our generation of actors all followed the production team's publicity plan. Times have really changed."

"After Titanic, you'll achieve financial freedom. The annual sponsorships from the luxury goods industry will ensure you don't go down the commercial route." Martin led the two inside: "Right now, I'm still broke, so making money is my priority."

Louise said, "A millionaire is called a pauper?"

Martin shrugged: "In Hollywood, where the average income is over a hundred million, what else can you call someone but a pauper?"

Kate laughed again. "You're getting funnier and funnier." She asked, "When do you have time to tell us a good story about spies?"

Martin pointed to the doorway: "We have guests again. Please make yourselves at home."

He went to greet him, and the person who came was McLean, the head of public relations for the LAPD.

Martin obtained both his gun license and concealed carry license through him.

As for the higher levels of politics in Los Angeles, he has no access to them for the time being.

Robert Patrick and several other friends from the film industry also came to visit.

Daniel, an executive at Warner Bros., also came over.

After five o'clock, Harold, the chairman of the community council, entered Martin's house with three council members.

Martin introduced each of the guests to them.

Harold immediately tried to get close to McLean, secretly marveling at how fruitful his visit had been.

For a manager like him hired by a high-end community, maintaining good relations with the local police is absolutely essential.

The most attention-grabbing figures at the scene were not Martin, the owner, nor the elegantly dressed ladies like Louise and Kate.

Instead, it was Martin's neighbors, the Joneses.

Mr. Jones spoke to everyone about his daughter: "She is very talented. She attended all the top schools from elementary school to university, but God is fair. He gave people outstanding intelligence and good looks, but not reasonable hormone secretion."

Craven, being well-informed, expressed his understanding: "It's also an artistic choice."

"It's not just an artistic choice, it's also a job to support myself." Mr. Jones doesn't shy away from this: "Some people have laughed at me for this, and I told them that I'm proud of my daughter! I then questioned them, how much money has your daughter made from sex? Not a penny! But my daughter has made hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars."

He also appealed: "Friends, Sacred Valley is also a masterpiece of art, please support the original!"

Not far away, Louise whispered to Martin, "Your neighbors are really interesting, much more interesting than the boring Olsen sisters. I'm staying here tonight."

Martin said, "You can be the hostess if you want."

"I'm not interested in the mistress," Louise said softly, yet with a hint of edginess. "The first time you have sex in your new house will definitely be with me."

(End of this chapter)