America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 482 Best Sisters

In the newly decorated Hall of Fame, Elizabeth handed the Oscar trophy to Martin, saying, "Place it here yourself."

Martin opened a glass display case, placed the Oscar statuette inside, and turned on the crystal chandelier inside.

The lights shone on the Oscar statuette, reflecting golden rays of light.

Martin was extremely satisfied with the display case and looked around at the other display cases.

The Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards, along with the golden key to Los Angeles honorary citizenship, the bronze certificate for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and more, are all displayed in separate glass cases.

Other awards, such as the Los Angeles Film Critics Circle Awards, the Teen Choice Awards, and the British Academy Awards, can only share one display case.

In this recent awards season, Martin has won at least twenty trophies of varying sizes, each with its own display case—it's incredibly extravagant.

Elizabeth came over and said, "Lily ordered more than ten display cases, most of which are in the storage room. I believe they will be in use soon."

Martin laughed and said, "I have to win an Oscar for Best Actor no matter what."

Elizabeth remembered something: "Isn't 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' going to the Cannes Film Festival in May? Try to win the Best Actor award at Cannes."

Martin nodded: "I also hope that the French will take the initiative to cut down their flags when they see me."

Elizabeth didn't understand what she meant.

Lily entered the room at that moment, overheard Martin's words, and explained directly, "Martin means that the French cut off the sides of their flag and waved the middle part to welcome him."

Elizabeth turned her head and looked at Lily, feeling a little strange.

Lily shrugged. "I've heard this kind of lame joke way too many times."

Elizabeth said, "Martin isn't Napoleon."

Lily casually started making things up: "But he's been searching for Joan of Arc."

Elizabeth smiled and asked, "Did you find it?"

Martin pointed at her: "Isn't this it?"

Lily got down to business: "Thomas just called, and he'll be visiting in about an hour with Coca-Cola's Global Marketing President, Ramelas."

Martin left the Hall of Fame and went upstairs with Elizabeth to change into formal attire.

Lily had to go to class at the academy, so she drove off.

Martin returned to the living room and specifically looked into the sales figures for the commemorative Coca-Cola.

Last night, during the Oscars, the commemorative Coca-Cola sold out like hotcakes, with stock sold out throughout North America.

Before long, Thomas accompanied Lamelas into Martin's house.

The two sides had met at the medical center last time, when Lamelas, representing the Coca-Cola Company, signed a lifetime endorsement agreement with Martin.

"Congratulations, Martin," Ramelas said with a smile. "You've finally won your first Oscar."

Martin was also very polite: "Without Coca-Cola's support, I wouldn't have won this trophy."

Thomas interjected at the opportune moment: "Our cooperation is mutually beneficial and is God's will!"

Lamelas and Martin both laughed.

The former added, "The commemorative Coca-Cola sold incredibly well, so we've decided to expand production. We'll also release a special edition Coca-Cola to coincide with your new movie, John Wick."

Martin said, "I don't understand business, but I believe in Coca-Cola's market acumen, which you have proven time and time again over the past century."

As Martin's commercial value grew, he became increasingly important to Coca-Cola's market expansion. It was only after Martin won his first Oscar that Ramelas, a heavyweight figure in the Coca-Cola Group, personally visited him to congratulate him.

He didn't mince words; his congratulations were more practical: "Martin, you've won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. According to our agreement, the $200 million reward will arrive in your account today."

Martin didn't mince words, saying, "Our cooperation will be even more successful in the future."

After exchanging some pleasantries, Ramelas quickly took his leave.

Martin saw him off, but Thomas stayed behind.

After the two returned to the living room, Thomas said, "Cadillac and Cartier also called to congratulate me. I expect the prize money will arrive in the next few days."

Elizabeth was slightly surprised: "We don't have to spend our own money to win awards, and winning an Oscar not only brings honor but also a cash prize?"

"A total of $600 million," Martin said. "That's why we've put so much effort into winning the prize."

Elizabeth nodded repeatedly: "If it were me, I would also try my best to win the award."

Thomas remembered the person he had met earlier and said, "Liz, your agent can't reach you. She asked me to pass on a message: could you come to the company sometime? There's a role for you..."

"I'll go there this afternoon." Elizabeth isn't particularly career-driven these days. "Hopefully it's not a role that will take too much time and energy."

Martin stated directly, "If you like it, go for it; if you don't, turn it down."

Elizabeth readily agreed, "I will."

Thomas glanced at the time and said, "I have to go. I have to go to Warner Bros. this afternoon to talk to Nolan's new film crew about your salary. You won an Oscar this time, so your salary can increase by another $300 million."

Most people who win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor will only see their salary increase by $100 million to $200 million, but Martin Scorsese is different; he has a stronger commercial appeal.

The Oscars ceremony has ended, but the media frenzy hasn't subsided. Many media outlets will still reap the benefits from the follow-up reports.

This year's Oscars were largely uncontroversial, and media reports the day after the awards ceremony widely considered them the least suspenseful Oscars ever.

In the major awards, all the expected favorites won the Oscar.

In its special Oscars issue, Vanity Fair commented on this year's Oscars results, highlighting Martin Scorsese.

"Martin Davis won Best Supporting Actor at this year's Oscars for his outstanding portrayal of the Joker in 'The Dark Knight.' Could this be the beginning of a reform in the Academy? No one has ever won an Oscar for acting in a superhero comic book adaptation before, but Martin has won over audiences and judges alike, bringing the comic book character to life!"

The Los Angeles Times' commentary on Martin Scorsese's award was succinct: "Martin Scorsese deserved to win Best Supporting Actor!"

The Hollywood Reporter cut to the chase: "It's less a victory for the Joker and comic book movies, and more a victory for Martin Scorsese himself!"

Riding the wave of media attention, Warner Bros. made a series of moves over the next two weeks.

First, in conjunction with the "John Wick" production team, a new movie poster was released, with the words "Oscar winner" added after Martin's name.

This will at least attract some more attention.

However, it is undeniable that the Academy is increasingly embarrassed, as the Oscars' influence on the film commercial market is shrinking every year.

Therefore, the college is determined to reform this year, hoping to regain its former glory.

Following this, Warner Bros. and Nolan held a joint press conference to announce the official launch of a new project, an original science fiction film, with Martin Scorsese confirmed as the lead actor. Specific details and the film's title were kept secret for the time being.

This news has also attracted widespread attention from movie fans.

The Dark Knight not only boosted Martin's fame and brought him a substantial share of the film's budget, but also created a large number of Nolan fans.

These people are even more fanatical than celebrity fans. From last year until now, they have been engaged in a three-way battle with "The Godfather" and "The Shawshank Redemption" using IMDB ratings as their battleground. The three films have even taken turns sitting at the top of the IMDB Top 250 list.

The various events that occurred during this period even forced IMDB to revise its rating rules several times.

Nolan's announcement of the new film project's launch, or whether he will continue to collaborate with Martin Scorsese, immediately attracted widespread attention.

…………

In an apartment in West Hollywood, Elsa suddenly screamed, her cries unusually mournful, as if she had suffered the greatest misfortune of her life.

Toni rushed to the bathroom and asked, "What happened? What's wrong?"

Elsa cried, "It's happening again, every month." She sobbed uncontrollably, "I've failed, I've failed!"

"It's okay, it's okay, we'll find another opportunity later." Toni comforted Elsa, but secretly she was a little pleased.

But she didn't show it. Instead, she said, "Don't do that. You've done enough. Even if you can't have Martin's child, you're still his best supporter. How about this, I'll give you the position of leader of the sorority."

Elsa, somewhat distracted, said, "Really? Let me be the leader of the sorority?"

Toni replied, "I'll call all the girls in the group later and ask them to support you. I won't be going to my party today so you can establish your authority as the new leader."

Elsa wiped away her tears, quickly composed herself, and gave Toni a tight hug: "You're my best sister!"

Toni's stomach, however, was shrinking back: "Elsa, you're my best sister too."

Elsa packed her things, getting ready to leave for the party, and then asked, "Are you really not going?"

"I don't have time to participate either." Toni took out her phone and waved it. "You heard me this morning, my family called and asked me to go back home. I might have to stay home for a while. I'll call you again when I participate in the next event."

Elsa said, "I can't bear to part with you."

Toni laughed and said, "It's not like I'm not coming back." She pointed to the digital clock on the wall and reminded her, "Hurry up and get out the door, or you'll be late."

Elsa grabbed her bag and hurried away.

Toni carefully packed her things, preparing to leave West Hollywood; she would never return.

Because she was already several days late, she went to the hospital for a checkup and it has been confirmed.

Toni succeeded, Elsa failed. How can a winner be with a loser?

The so-called sisterly bond ceased to exist when Toni abandoned the other members of her sisterhood.

Toni carried her luggage twice, locked the door, said goodbye to the door, went downstairs, got into her car, and quickly drove out of West Hollywood, heading straight for Burbank.

She has rented an apartment in Burbank and will rest and recuperate during this time until her pregnancy becomes more visible.

(End of this chapter)