America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 321 The Millionaire in the Making

Burbank, Pacific Film Productions.

As soon as Martin entered the reception room, an extremely enthusiastic middle-aged man came over and shook his hand vigorously.

Louise just stood there and smiled.

Wu Maoting, an investor from Southeast Asia, said in accented English: "Martin, The Departed was a great success. Your performance was brilliant and breathtaking."

Martin smiled and said, "Mr. Wu, you flatter me."

Wu Maoting asked, "Thank you and Ms. Mel for giving me this investment opportunity, allowing me to expand beyond Asia and extend my business empire to the United States."

Martin didn't respond immediately, but instead glanced at Louise.

Even if The Departed is a box office hit, Hollywood studios still have ways to make it appear as a loss on paper.

Louise winked almost imperceptibly.

Martin understood; this was a long-term strategy requiring sound management.

It's not hard to understand. Wu Maoting owns mines, and he doesn't dare keep the money from mining in the local area, so he naturally wants to find better investment channels.

Another point is that those who can control jade mines in Myanmar not only have guns, but many guns.

Martin spoke eloquently: "It's also because Mr. Wu had good judgment. Out of so many people, Mr. Wu chose to believe in me and Louise, and thus received the reward he deserved."

Wu Maoting expressed his desire to continue the cooperation: "I have experienced the openness and inclusiveness of Hollywood. Although there are unlimited business opportunities here, I have more faith in the partners I have worked with before."

Louise stated, "There will be opportunities to continue our collaboration very soon."

Wu Maoting beckoned, and two attendants came over, each carrying a mahogany box.

He took one, first handing it to Louise, then placing the other in Martin's hand, saying, "A small gift, nothing special."

At this moment, both host and guests enjoyed themselves immensely.

Wu Maoting took his leave.

Louise and Martin returned after seeing the guests off. Looking at the mahogany box on the table, she said, "It's not jade again, is it?"

"Jade is quite nice too." Martin opened his mahogany box, inside which was a piece of jade.

It's almost entirely green, and the soil quality is excellent, but as a layman, he can't tell the specifics.

Louise wore a platinum bracelet inlaid with jade.

She examined it carefully and said, "It's probably worth several hundred thousand dollars."

Martin said, "This is nothing to a mine owner and warlord. I think he's richer than us."

Louise pushed up her black-rimmed glasses: "They're definitely thicker than yours."

Martin nodded, picked up the box, and prepared to leave: "I need to go to the agency."

Louise extended a friendly invitation: "Come to my place for dinner this afternoon. By the way, I got some new furniture in my bedroom, don't you want to come and take a look?"

Martin, now single again, said, "Okay, I'll call you when I'm done."

Louise said, "I'll wait for your call."

Three and a half years have passed since she met Martin. She hasn't changed much, but Martin has undergone a complete transformation.

From an unknown actor to a highly influential star.

Louise has recently been adjusting her mindset in order to allow their relationship to develop further in the long run.

Martin left Pacific Films and went to Century City. When he entered the WMA lobby, he was greeted by smiling faces.

On the way to Thomas's office, most people, whether they knew him or not, would greet him.

Several real estate agents working in the lobby asked him if he had any new projects and if he could help their clients.

Martin mostly gave vague answers, shifting the blame to Thomas, while the agent bore the brunt of the responsibility—he was the one who was supposed to take the fall.

Upon arriving at Thomas's office, Bruce, as usual, stayed outside and chatted with Natasha.

When Thomas met Martin, he picked up a document and handed it to Martin: "I just got this information from Warner Bros. Your projects with them have been very successful, and they're willing to share some details with us."

Martin opened it and found a comic book tucked inside, Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns".

Thomas explained in detail: "You asked me to keep an eye on Christopher Nolan. I have reliable information that the Nolan brothers have basically finalized the main storyline for the Batman sequel, which will be adapted from The Dark Knight Returns. The information Menne received from Emma Thomas also confirms this."

Martin asked as he looked around, "Are there any others?"

"The film's protagonists are Batman and the Joker, adopting a two-hero showdown format like Heat." Thomas has put a lot of effort into this recently: "If The Departed is a big hit, and the next one, Never Ending, is also a box office success, Warner Bros. and DC Comics won't face too many obstacles."

Martin didn't waste any words and said directly, "Get the script as soon as possible."

"I will." Thomas smoothed his hair; he had recently had a hair transplant to prevent the hair on the upper part of his forehead from appearing too sparse.

However, the hair transplant was not very successful, and his forehead quickly became shiny again: "This is a commercial blockbuster, and I hope to get you a salary of over 1000 million US dollars."

Martin nodded: "I hope we both get rich."

Thomas was full of enthusiasm: "It definitely will."

The two then discussed the award competition during the awards season for a while.

There are few occasions where Martin needs to personally handle public relations. The main task for actors is to increase exposure and express a positive attitude at campaign rallies. Lobbying is left to professional public relations personnel.

Of course, the most important thing is spending money.

Thomas mentioned an important aspect of public relations: "The company has contacted relevant organizations to find a suitable opportunity to establish a charitable foundation."

He worried that Martin might misunderstand: "Charitable donations are tax-deductible, and a significant portion of the funds raised can be used for the organization's operations."

Martin understood: "I know, you get the procedural stuff sorted out as soon as possible." Thomas wanted to refuse, saying that this was not an agent's job, but when he thought of the person sitting across from him, who could soon command a salary of over $1000 million for a single film, he swallowed his words.

As a prospective millionaire, Thomas didn't think it was a big deal to do more work, especially since he had Natasha as his assistant.

CPUs are all designed to be one level higher than the next.

Martin stayed in Thomas's office for nearly an hour before taking his leave.

As they went downstairs, Bruce followed behind and said, "Based on what Natasha said, Thomas works very hard."

Martin thought of Thomas's increasingly thinning hair and said softly, "I can tell."

As Martin stepped out of the elevator lobby upon arriving at the WMA lobby, someone suddenly called out to him, "Martin!"

Before he could turn around, Jennifer Aniston, wearing a short trench coat, strode over and hugged him tightly, regardless of whether anyone was around.

Now that Martin was single again, he didn't care what others thought. He hugged Aniston and kissed her forehead hard, saying, "Jane, you're still so beautiful."

Aniston cupped Martin's face in her hands, kissed him hard on the lips, and said, "Congratulations on your new film's great success."

Steve, the agent following behind, coughed loudly, reminding the two, "This is not the place to talk."

WMA's offices are generally off-limits to reporters. As for other rumors, there were plenty of rumors about them when they were filming "Limitless," but Martin and Aniston didn't care.

Aniston gazed longingly at the increasingly charming puppy and said, "You seem different now."

"Do you have important work to do right now?" Martin asked.

Aniston shook her head without hesitation.

Martin took her hand and started walking, saying to Bruce, "Drive the car to the underground parking lot."

Steve wanted to stop him, but seeing Aniston's charming smile and her standing there without saying a word, watching Martin steal his client, he was stunned.

The two got into the car, and Bruce, without Martin's instructions, headed straight for the nearest five-star hotel.

At this moment, a thousand words are not as effective as sticking to the end.

We can talk about the rest after the Hawks' game.

Upon arriving at the hotel, Aniston was hung on the wall as a poster of Martin.

In Martin's words, this is the highest form of adoration a fan can show to their idol.

Also known as happiness worship.

Just as the song ended, Martin's phone rang. He picked it up and glanced at it; it was Julie calling.

Aniston noticed the name displayed on the screen and said, "You can answer it."

That's what she said, but her legs turned into ropes, binding Martin and preventing him from leaving.

Although Aniston had long since lost interest in competing with Jolie, it was still quite interesting to see her annoyed.

Martin pressed the answer button: "Hi, Angie, what's up?"

Julie was very direct: "I heard you went back to Los Angeles. It's been a long time. I'd like to come over for a drink."

Martin glanced at Aniston, then thought of Louise that evening, and decided to play it safe, saying, "I don't have time today, let's do it another day."

Julie, quick-witted, guessed, "Are you with Aniston?"

Martin neither confirms nor denies it.

"Let her answer the phone!" Julie said.

Aniston reached out her hand.

Martin said, "You don't need to pay attention to her."

Aniston persisted.

Martin's phone was in her hand.

Aniston picked up her phone and said quickly, "I'm with Martin. Want to know where?"

Without hesitation, Julie blurted out, "Tell me now!"

"Take your time guessing!" Aniston abruptly hung up the phone, put her arms around Martin's neck, and deliberately asked, "Have you considered inviting me and Julie together?"

Martin shook his head: "I've never thought about it."

"Really?" She didn't believe it.

Martin stopped talking about it and continued playing Hawks.

As it was nearing the end of the workday, Martin went downstairs alone, went home to change his clothes, got into an inconspicuous car, and headed to the south hillside.

Life is really tough; you have to travel back and forth so much that your back aches from exhaustion.

Martin arrived at Louise's mansion. After entering the living room, he saw Louise mixing drinks for him behind the bar. He pulled out a chair, sat down, and caught his breath.

There's no way around it; men are naturally weaker in this area.

He asked, "Are you going to the International Bartenders Congress again this year?"

Louise pointed to the medals and certificates in the glass display case: "How could we forget the only female master bartender?"

Martin nodded. "I recently mixed a new cocktail called Hole-in-One."

(End of this chapter)