America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 330 Money Power

During a series of film review meetings and receptions, Rita's team, hired by Louise and Kelly, took the initiative to lobby Martin face-to-face, building his reputation among the judges.

Many neutral reputations were somehow managed to reach Friendly and Respect, successfully helping Martin to portray himself as an actor with excellent acting skills, hard work, and artistic aspirations.

Martin's goal this time is to get a nomination, but building up his reputation can also lay the foundation for the future.

It is well known that an actor's public image is vastly different from their actual persona.

Martin is at least relatively reliable.

In the results announced by film critic associations including Hollywood, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, and New York, Martin Scorsese, though he did not win the Best Supporting Actor award, was nominated in all five categories.

The Departed and Martin Scorsese practically swept these awards.

During awards season, these can both improve a film's reputation and serve as publicity.

After the second weekend of December, The Departed had grossed $1.67 million in North America and over $300 million worldwide, standing out among all award-winning films during the awards season.

"Congratulations, Martin, another $3 million globally." Inside the smoke-filled restaurant, Julie picked up her juice, took a small sip, and asked, "Back then, when you invited me to star in your project, I had some doubts and almost refused. Luckily, I wasn't foolish. You've brought me back to the forefront, and I even have the potential to become a superstar."

Martin always speaks kindly: "Angie, we're a team that complements each other."

Julie raised her glass and clinked it against Martin's: "Thank you, you're a good teacher, you saved a bad student who went astray."

Martin took a sip of his drink and said, "When you're young, you always make some wrong choices. Looking back, I realize how incredibly stupid I was a few years ago."

Julie laughed: "So, a good teacher like you can always correct students' mistakes."

Martin sighed deliberately: "There's one difficult thing, though. You and Jane shouldn't be in this situation, yet you have to pay for other people's mistakes."

These words reminded Julie of the suggestion she had made a few days ago, and she couldn't help but ask, "How about we help each other achieve something else?"

Seeing her strange expression, Martin said, "I'm a decent person, don't make unreasonable demands."

"Yes, he's a good person when he's serious." Julie nodded repeatedly. "When he's not serious, he's a stick to beat people up."

Martin disagreed with the latter statement: "That's because you need it, and I'm happy to help."

Julie's eyes burned with fervor: "Then help me one more time!"

Martin was a good man after all, and he couldn't stand seeing others begging and pleading: "Tell me, what exactly happened?"

Jolie said, "Take me and Aniston flying together!"

"You're insane!" Martin shook his head immediately. "I'm not insane."

Julie paused for a moment, thought for a moment, and decided to take a roundabout approach: "Couldn't you help me reconcile with Aniston? Like you said, she and I shouldn't have to pay for Pitt's mistakes."

Martin poured Julie a glass of juice and said, "This is not a good situation."

Julie said, "You know how deep Aniston is, you definitely know where her bottom line is."

"I did hear her mention it," Martin said directly. "Jane wants you to apologize to her publicly first, and then we can talk about anything else."

Julie thought it was no big deal, that this little thing was insignificant compared to the happiness she might get later, and said, "I'll buy a page in the Los Angeles Times to publicly apologize to Aniston. You ask her out, and the three of us can talk."

Martin asked in surprise, "Weren't you supposed to talk to her?"

Two circles together, but without the Jack in the middle, what's the point? Julie, quick-witted as ever in these matters, said, "What if two dry people start fighting without your help as a lubricant?"

This sounded strange, but Martin ignored it and said, "You apologize publicly in the newspaper first, then I'll talk to Jane."

Julie grabbed Martin's hand and said urgently, "You must make this happen. I guarantee you'll get a rich reward."

She was like a slut seducing an innocent man into committing a crime: "Just think, Martin, when you show up in front of Pete with me and Aniston, won't he go crazy?"

Martin said worriedly, "I'm afraid Pete might overreact and shoot me."

"You're afraid of him?" Julie didn't believe it at all, and besides, she knew Martin's character well: "Such a good opportunity to cause trouble, are you just going to watch it slip away?"

Martin paused for a moment, then said, "You should issue a public apology statement first."

Without saying a word, Julie took out her phone and dialed a number: "It's me. Buy the space in the Los Angeles Times as soon as possible. If tomorrow isn't enough, then the day after tomorrow. The sooner the better, I can't wait."

Martin said, "I'll talk to Jane after your apology is published."

After finishing their meal, the two left the restaurant separately.

Martin crossed the street to the Warner Bros. studio across the street, where an internal screening of "Limitless," scheduled for release in January, would be held.

Bruce followed Martin to the entrance of the Warner Building and said, "Ivan's here. I'm going to see him."

Martin nodded slightly: "Go ahead."

Bruce walked to the left along the Warner Building. His contact with Ivan ended there; he wouldn't let the incident involve Martin.

Bruce entered the parking lot, got into a car, and drove to a square a few miles away. He parked the car in a roadside parking space, took out his spare phone, and dialed Ivan's number.

Not long after, Ivan emerged from behind the green belt in the square and got into the passenger seat.

Bruce said, "I have something important to discuss with you."

Ivan didn't mince words: "Just tell me what's on your mind."

Bruce pulled out a file folder and handed it to Ivan: "Take a look first."

Ivan opened it, and it was similar to the last time in New York. Inside were people's files and photos, recording certain special events. He looked at them carefully and said, "They're all pretty much the same."

Martin had done these things with them several times in Atlanta, and they did them again in New York this year. Ivan was quite skilled at it.

Bruce cautioned, "Remember to tell them that if they don't report it, you'll sell the tip to the next company."

"No problem." After reviewing the information, Ivan asked curiously, "What newspaper is TMZ? I've never heard of it before."

He explained, "Last time I went back, I carefully checked the information in the American entertainment newspapers, and I had never seen this company before."

Bruce simply stated, "A newly established entertainment gossip website is gradually gaining influence and is known for its highly credible scoops."

Ivan nodded: "I understand."

Bruce handed him another envelope: "Here."

Ivan touched it and said without hesitation, "I'll accept the money."

"And another thing," Bruce pointed to the files, "you can have whatever you can sell these for."

Ivan carefully put away the documents: "Old Brooks, you've given me a chance to earn some extra money."

Bruce punched him: "We've been through so much together, let's skip this nonsense." He pointed ahead: "Same as always, you call the guy out to meet me, I'll cover you from the sidelines."

Without wasting words, Ivan got out of the car, crossed the forest square, found a phone booth on the other side, and dialed the number of a reporter named Jody.

"I heard you TMZ guys love dirt on people. I have some top-secret dirt on Brad Pitt here," he said directly. "If you want it, come to the Santa Monica waterfront pier."

The name Brad Pitt immediately caught Jordi's attention.

She put on her coat, left her private office, and was met by a man who asked, "Boss, where are you going?"

Jody's face darkened: "Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask."

To secure a key editor-in-chief position on the website, her access to news channels was crucial; how could she possibly let others know that?

Jody drove alone to Santa Monica and met the person who made the call at an open-air café along the coastal road.

The other person was of average appearance and spoke with an Eastern European immigrant accent.

These are not the key points; the most crucial thing is the clue he provided.

Brad Pitt is accused of using violence and harassment against domestic workers and may have had inappropriate relationships with multiple domestic workers.

After reviewing the documents one by one, Jody, with her years of experience in the industry, could easily tell that they were all true. She immediately bought the list of nannies, their addresses, and their contact information.

Ivan reminded him, "I demand that it be published in the newspaper."

Jody said, "TMZ wants explosive news."

At this stage, TMZ is still in the phase of building its reputation to attract investment, and there is no better booster than scandals involving celebrities.

After leaving Santa Monica, Jody didn't go back to the company at all. Instead, she went straight to Koreatown to find a Latina nanny who lived nearby.

She waited for a while in front of a slightly dilapidated detached house on the side of a street, and then her target came out.

The woman was around 35 years old, with a good figure and average looks. It was hard to imagine that Brad Pitt would be interested in someone like that.

But looking at the list of many domestic helpers, Jody could roughly guess that Pete might have some kind of fetish and particularly like the profession of domestic helper.

Jody stepped forward and greeted her, "Hi, Caroline, do you have a moment? Let's chat for a bit."

Seeing that she was a stranger, Caroline didn't want to talk to her and turned to leave.

She took a step forward, but then stopped.

Jody held up several $20 bills in her hand.

Caroline's expression immediately changed, and she said with a smile, "I have a little time, but not much."

Jody retreated to the side of the car.

Caroline immediately followed.

Instead of immediately handing over the money, Jody asked, "I heard you worked as a nanny for Pete's family?"

"Are you a reporter?" Caroline asked warily. "I signed a confidentiality agreement and I won't say anything."

Jody put the money on the car hood and then pulled out a five-figure check.

For the sake of Pitt's big news, she was willing to pour the department's budget for the next three to six months into this project.

As long as there's any progress, the boss will definitely approve more funding.

Caroline saw the number on the check and it was very tempting.

Jody, ever the smooth talker, said, "You may not know this, but if Pete's actions infringe upon your legal rights, the so-called confidentiality agreement will no longer be valid."

"Really?" Caroline's eyes were completely on the check.

Jody's money power won.

(End of this chapter)