America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 465 Let's get the party started!

At Los Angeles International Airport, Elizabeth Olsen emerged from the gate to find a large group of reporters taking pictures of a man who was standing tall and holding a large bouquet of roses—it was Martin.

Elizabeth tossed her luggage to her twin brother James, tossed her backpack to her two sisters, and then parted the crowd to run toward Martin.

Reporters had already spotted the two sets of Olsen twins, and immediately some turned their cameras to take pictures.

Elizabeth's smile was clean and sweet, which improved the mood of the reporters.

Their fingers were stronger when they pressed the camera shutter.

Martin strode toward Elizabeth, who ran over and hugged him tightly, ignoring everything else.

"You never come to London to see me!" she complained deliberately.

Martin didn't explain much. He first handed the flowers to Elizabeth, and then gave her a deep kiss.

After the long kiss ended, Elizabeth said nothing and just wanted to go home with Martin.

Martin couldn't just leave like that. He went over to say hello to the three Olsen siblings, took Elizabeth's luggage, and then got into the Cadillac that Old Brooks had driven.

In the car, Elizabeth asked with concern, "Are the housekeeper, maids, and cook all in place?"

Martin said, "Don't worry, we have everything we need."

Elizabeth then said, "Guess where I went in London this time?"

Martin thought for a moment and asked, "Buckingham Palace?"

"Yes, Buckingham Palace!" Elizabeth, in some ways like most Americans, seemed very excited: "Thanks to my two older sisters, I got to see the Queen and the Crown Prince."

Martin said, "50 years as crown prince."

Elizabeth remarked, "He seems a bit like Thomas."

Martin wondered, "How does he resemble Thomas?"

Elizabeth said very seriously, "The forehead."

Martin and Bruce, who was driving, both laughed.

Back at their home in Beverly Hills, Elizabeth first opened her backpack, took out a box, and handed it to Bruce: "A gift for you."

Bruce took it: "And my gift? You're much better than Martin, that bastard... well, he never gives me gifts."

Martin gave him the middle finger: "Because you're an ugly man."

Elizabeth just smiled; she knew how important Old Brooks and Martin were to each other.

Back in Burbank High School, one dared to stay behind and risk his life to cover the retreat, while the other dared to risk his life to save him.

Elizabeth even had a feeling that if Martin had to choose between her and Brooks, he would definitely choose Brooks.

Of course, she wasn't that stupid to ask such a ridiculously silly question.

Martin asked, "Don't I have a gift?"

Elizabeth jumped up and clung to him: "The present has been delivered!"

Martin carried the person into the bedroom on the first floor.

Elizabeth then realized that Martin had done so much in secret.

She thought for a moment and asked, "Have you never had a housewarming party yet?"

Now that Elizabeth has moved in, Martin bluntly said, "How can we have a banquet when the lady of the house is never home?"

Elizabeth's smile widened. "I'm back! Why don't you invite your friends and their families to come visit us?"

Martin remembered, "Oh right, and our neighbors too. Let's visit them when we have time, and send them an invitation."

Elizabeth quickly got dressed and summoned Martin's recently hired butler to discuss the party.

Hollywood has professional companies for this; as long as you're willing to spend the money, the host only needs to prepare the guest list.

In the afternoon, Martin and Elizabeth went to visit their neighbors.

The houses on the left and right sides, one of which is currently listed for sale, has been attracting viewings from time to time recently.

On the other side lives Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron. She was away filming when Martin was renovating his place, and she was away filming again before moving in. She just recently returned.

Charlize was a little surprised to see Martin and Elizabeth visiting her.

"Please forgive my intrusion," Martin said with a smile. "My sister came to visit me before you left for work last time."

Charlize accepted the wine Elizabeth offered and said, "I remember her, Lily, a pretty and interesting girl."

Elizabeth said, "We just officially moved in and are planning a housewarming party this weekend. We'd like to invite our friends and neighbors."

Charlize smiled and said, "Unless something special comes up, I'll attend."

Compared to those American Oscar-winning actresses, her career did not go smoothly after winning the Oscar. After "Monster," she was ambitious and wanted to join the $2000 million club, but her first film cut off that path.

Charlize Theron also wants to expand her network of contacts.

A man came down the stairs, one hand in his pocket and the other holding the railing, and asked, "Sally, do we have a guest?"

“Our neighbor, Martin,” Charlize then introduced Martin, “Stewart Townsend, my fiancé.”

Martin extended another invitation to him, and then took his leave at the opportune moment.

Elizabeth left Charlize's house with Martin, saying, "She's one of my favorite actresses. There was a time when I thought she was incredibly beautiful, and I would be content if I could be half as beautiful as her when I grew up."

Martin, holding Eliza's white hand, said, "You're prettier than her now."

"You're quite the smooth talker," Elizabeth laughed. "Charlize is Stephen Hawking's certified expert; even in an infinite number of parallel universes, you'd never date Charlize Theron."

The two houses weren't far apart, so the two walked back home and asked someone to inquire about the other side, only to find that the house there still hadn't been sold.

The overall US economy is in poor condition, Hollywood is experiencing a widespread shortage of funds, the number of film crews starting production is much lower than in previous years, and the luxury housing market in Los Angeles is also sluggish.

Martin originally only wanted to invite close friends and family, but Nicholson suggested that he invite more older guys, especially older white men like Warren Beatty.

The goal is simple: awards season has begun, and it won't hurt to build relationships with older white men.

Martin was decisive, inviting not only a large number of older white men, but also film critics such as Kenneth Turan and Todd McCarthy.

In addition, he made a special trip to WMA to deliver invitations to people such as Ali Emmanuel and Jim Witt.

Naturally, Nolan and the Dark Knight crew were also present.

Martin even personally called David Fincher.

The visitors would inevitably bring a small gift, so Martin asked Elizabeth to prepare a suitable return gift, and Cartier sponsored Martin with some small trinkets.

This is a housewarming party, not a campaign rally, so nobody can really say anything about it.

As for what to talk about at the party, that's up to the guests.

"The expenses are a bit scary."

In the living room, Elizabeth quickly made a budget, saying, "The drinks can't be cheap. Although few people eat and drink excessively at these parties, we still need to prepare a lavish buffet, hire a band, decorate the yard appropriately, and there are labor costs..."

As she spoke, she calculated, "Without three hundred thousand dollars, this party can't be held."

Martin said, "I don't know much about organizing parties, you do it, I'll sign the bill."

Elizabeth glanced at Martin, then at Bruce: "You guys really don't know how to plan a party?"

Bruce remained silent, thinking to himself that the party Martin had organized was not suitable for this occasion.

He also remembered how Martin won over Wes Craven with a unique party.

Martin humbly stated, "When I organize parties, they just turn into simple, brutal drinking parties. Some of my older buddies aren't very good drinkers, and I'm afraid they'll embarrass themselves if they get drunk."

Elizabeth said, "My sisters used to handle all the party planning at home; I never knew it cost so much."

Lily, who had just come in from outside, overheard their conversation and offered a random suggestion: "We could sell the invitations! I often see people at the academy selling party invitations from famous artists or big stars. Depending on their fame and status, the price ranges from a hundred dollars to several thousand dollars."

She approached Martin: "With your status, party invitations priced at $5000 each would sell very well."

Elizabeth shook her head and covered her face, completely baffled by Lily's thought process.

She felt that Lily was deliberately provoking Martin on many occasions.

Sure enough, Martin stood up, clenched his fist, and said, "Bear with it, don't cry out in pain!"

"Hey, can't you be reasonable? I'm trying to give you some advice." Lily looked aggrieved. "If my idea is bad, you can say so. Don't just hit people all the time."

Martin sat down and said, "Although Labor Day was over a month ago, I've decided to give you a belated gift, and I'll also give you your Thanksgiving gift in advance next month. Oh well, I'll give you your Christmas and New Year's gifts all at once."

Lily, quite self-aware, asked, "How many tons of cow horns?"

Martin said directly, "Old Brooks, give all the goods in your import/export company's inventory to Lily!"

(End of this chapter)