America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 299 Letter of Recommendation

Martin had just returned to Los Angeles when he received a call from Aniston. Instead of going home, he went to the hotel where they had arranged to meet Aniston.

In the suite at the Four Seasons Hotel, flames ignited the moment the two met.

The story of teenagers and goddesses in real-life posters has entered a new phase.

Finally, Aniston, satisfied, reclined on the sofa and said, "I have a serious doubt about one thing."

Martin put his arm around her and asked, "What is it?"

Aniston turned to look at him, her eyes full of affection: "Tell me honestly, the place you used to live in really was covered with my posters."

Martin knew he absolutely could not change his story, otherwise everything he had said in the past would fall apart: "Of course, it just stopped later."

"Why?" Aniston asked.

“They’re all ruined.” Martin’s finger touched Aniston’s lips. “They’re all holes. I was too embarrassed to let anyone see them, so I peeled them all off.”

Aniston feigned anger: "You really are a bad guy."

Martin has done this to real people multiple times, let alone make up a story for a poster: "There's no way around it, he's just too talented, he's been strong since childhood."

Aniston didn't want to listen to men bragging. She picked up her bag, which had fallen to the side of the sofa, took out a sealed paper bag, and handed it to Martin: "My handwritten letter of recommendation. I also put in a good word with Diana, the associate dean of the California Institute of the Arts."

Martin accepted the money: "Thanks."

"That's all you're going to say, thank you?" Aniston was quite dissatisfied. "All talk and no action?"

Martin understood; he needed to show his gratitude through concrete actions.

No need to say anything, I am truly grateful.

Aniston suddenly asked, "Stay with me tonight?"

Martin replied, "Yes."

Aniston instantly became exceptionally proactive.

Martin agreed because Blake wasn't in Los Angeles.

Celebrity actors have too much time to go out filming and promotional.

After her divorce, Aniston was extremely disappointed with marriage and didn't want to get involved in another fragile relationship. She wanted a long-term lover like Martin who was capable, easygoing, and didn't covet her money.

The next day, after lunch, Martin and Aniston left the hotel separately.

Back in the Coty neighborhood, I ran into Mr. Jones, who was driving back from next door.

Jones honked his horn and stopped his car first. Once Martin's Cadillac stopped, he rolled down his window and called out, "I got the recommendation letter for you. Want to come and get it?"

Martin replied, "Sure."

Jones waved and drove home.

Martin got out of the car and went out alone. He went to the door next door and rang the doorbell. Jones' voice came through the intercom: "Martin, come in quickly."

The iron gate opened, and Martin entered. He saw Mr. Jones standing in front of the villa, waving. He walked through the front yard and followed Mr. Jones into the living room.

Jenna, dressed in a short tracksuit, quickly came out from the aisle next door, greeted Martin, and explained, "I was just working out and didn't have time to change, sorry."

Martin smiled and said, "It's alright."

Jenna added, "My hormones are raging, so I need to maintain a high level of exercise. I heard you work out often too? Let's work out together sometime."

Faced with this enthusiastic invitation, Martin gave a vague reply: "There will be an opportunity."

Mr. Jones brought over a sealed bag and handed it to Martin: "A letter of recommendation from the director of the Los Angeles County Museum of Modern Art; he is one of the distinguished alumni of the California Institute of the Arts."

Martin accepted it and said, "Thank you."

Mr. Jones laughed: "Last time you gave Jenna the rights to 'Wanted' so she could direct and star in the Saint Valley version, and the film has already been released."

At this point, Martin could only ask, "Your grades must have been pretty good, right?"

"Excellent!" Mr. Jones said with undisguised pride, "It broke the sales record for Jenna's films, more than three times the sales of Pirates of the Caribbean at the same time."

Martin exclaimed, "Absolutely amazing!"

The studio licensed the adaptation of the wanted poster to Jenna's company on a base fee plus a sales commission basis.

This will also be included in the film's offline revenue.

In other words, Martin, as the male lead and one of the investors in the wanted poster, can also enjoy a share of the profits.

Mr. Jones was in high spirits: "Once we win a few big awards, the sales figures can go even higher."

Martin nodded and said to Jenna, "Congratulations."

"Thank you." Jenna extended a very polite invitation: "Whenever you have time, you're welcome to visit the set."

When Bruce first arrived in Los Angeles, Martin accompanied him to see Jenna Jameson during filming.

Once that veil of mystery and curiosity is removed, the interest wanes.

Martin exchanged a few polite words and then took his leave.

The Joneses and their daughter escorted Martin all the way to the gate of the courtyard.

Back home, Martin quickly unpacked his luggage and went to bed for a nap.

Aniston, in her thirties, has an amazing fighting spirit; she barely slept last night.

After catching up on sleep, Martin and Bruce went out again and headed to the North Hollywood Fitness Center, where Martin made a phone call to Menne on the way.

The female personal trainer at the gym with unusually well-developed glutes has resigned and reportedly returned to Mississippi to get married.

Martin put on his boxing gloves and said, "I thought you would develop a relationship with her, after all, she is very much your type."

Bruce put on his protective gear, picked up a hand target, and said, "Let's forget about formal relationships. The personal training industry is a mess. To sell fitness classes, especially to high-end clients like us, they usually treat themselves as freebies."

Martin clenched his fists, making a loud thud: "Let's begin."

Bruce bent over and lunged, coordinating with Martin's training.

Outside, Menez approached the boxing ring, made a gesture towards the ring, and sat down on a chair to wait.

He waited until Martin and Bruce finished their business before going over to say hello.

With Bruce's help, Martin removed his boxing gloves, leaned against the railing to catch his breath, and glanced at Mene: "You seem to have gained some weight."

Menez scratched his head and said, "Perhaps I've been consuming too much nutrition?"

Bruce, who was drinking water next to him, almost spat it out.

Martin took a bottle of water, handed it to Mene, and crawled out from between the railings.

Menez pointed to the bike area: "I have a membership here and I come here at least three times a week."

Bruce came over and punched Menne on the shoulder: "Many fat people start by slacking off in the first step when it comes to managing their physique."

When Menez saw Martin enter the locker room, he lowered his voice and said, "I've gained weight because of Emma Thomas."

Bruce walked away from the locker room: "What happened? Could it be her...?"

"No, not that." Menne understood what Old Brooks meant and explained seriously, "Emma Thomas likes sweets, the really sweet kind, so sweet that I get sick of them."

He went on to say, "Lately, Emma has been asking me to have late-night snacks with her all the time, and they're all crazy sweets. To get her attention, I have to eat as much as she does."

Bruce had met Emma Thomas, a middle-aged woman who didn't seem to care much about her figure and appeared to be rather overweight.

He nodded to Menez: "Thank you for your hard work."

"You know what I've been through. Compared to that, this is nothing," Menez said cheerfully. After all, Emma Thomas was not even forty years old, making her one of the youngest female directors and producers he had ever dated.

His tone suddenly changed, revealing a hint of pride: "Before, I only earned tens of thousands of dollars a year, including part-time jobs and acting. Old Brooks, do you know how much I earn now? After these two years of development, I can earn over $10 per film, which is quite a lot for a supporting role among young black actors in Hollywood."

Bruce sincerely wished him well: "May you become the next Morgan Freeman soon."

"I don't have a granddaughter, and I don't want to..." Menne shrugged.

Bruce said, "Keep an eye on Emma Thomas's latest news, especially about the new Batman and Christian Bale."

Menez knew what to do next: "I understand."

The two went to the rest area and waited for a while before Martin came back from the locker room carrying his bag.

He glanced at the time: "Let's find a place to have a drink, it's on me."

The three left the gym and drove to a nearby bar.

The party ended after just a few drinks.

Back home, Martin went to his study, turned on his computer and webcam, and called Elena.

A few minutes later, Elena and Lily appeared together on the camera.

Elena asked, "Is something wrong so late?"

Martin stated directly, "The good news is that I have received letters of recommendation from the director of the Los Angeles County Museum of Modern Art and Jennifer Aniston."

Lily jumped up and cheered, "I can go to Caltech!"

She grabbed Elena's arm and shook it vigorously: "Elena, I can go to college in Los Angeles! Haha..."

The laughter had barely left her lips when Elena broke free of Lily's hand and threw two punches with her fists.

Lily, who was overjoyed, immediately became obedient. She wanted to say something, but seeing that her older sister's fist was still clenched, she shut her mouth.

After watching the show unfold, Martin continued, "Although you have a letter of recommendation, Lily, don't relax. If your exam results are too poor, they might not accept you."

Lily glanced at Elena and said, "I've been trying."

Knowing she couldn't stop her sister, Elena simply asked, "Is the tuition very expensive?"

Martin said, "You don't need to worry about tuition..."

"No need," Elena refused without hesitation. "I have some money saved up, enough to cover Lily's tuition for her first year. After that, she'll have to rely on herself."

Lily replied confidently, "I can earn money by working part-time."

Martin didn't say much. People need to go through a certain amount of hardship in order to truly grow.

Lily then said, "I just finished a batch of pieces, and I feel they are even better than my previous carvings. I'll mail them to you tomorrow."

Martin said, "No problem, next time my crew gives out souvenirs, I'll give you your carving."

Lily was very happy.

But someone like Martin wouldn't make her happy for more than five seconds: "That batch of raw materials is almost gone, right? I'll get you another batch."

Lily's face immediately fell.

(End of this chapter)