America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 514 Highest Honor

After Hawking and Spielberg, along with other recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, stepped down from the stage, Obama stood on the podium again.

His expression was solemn, his gaze deep, and his voice long and drawn out: "For over 200 years, countless people have defended our country and protected our citizens. We will forever be filled with pride and gratitude for them!"

A live-streaming camera panned to Martin, giving him a close-up.

Obama's speech continued: "Our hero represents the spirit, courage, and love of America. He believes in America, he loves this land, and he will never stop defending our freedom!"

The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause.

Lily raised her camera and kept taking pictures.

"That's why we respect our heroes!" Obama gestured for them to enter: "Please welcome Martin Davis, a hero of America and recipient of the Medal of Freedom!"

Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel, who was sitting in the front row, was the first to stand up and applaud, followed by other White House officials.

Everyone on the south lawn stood up and applauded.

The Distinguished Freedom Medal is not awarded every year, and today Martin is the only one to receive it.

Elizabeth also stood up and applauded Martin, a sight that deeply moved her, making her feel that this was also an honor for her.

Lily raised her camera and kept pressing the shutter, capturing Martin's glorious moments.

Martin walked onto the stage amidst applause, stood in the center, and said, "Mr. President..."

Obama shook hands with him, smiling, and said, "Martin, you have shown us the courage and determination of America."

Martin straightened up and had Obama put the Grand Medal on him and then pinned on the Star.

The applause on the south lawn grew even louder.

Martin stepped forward to the podium and said, "The strength of America comes from the faith and spirit of all of us. I am not as brave as you say; everything I have done is to survive. Yet you have given me immense honor. Thank you, God bless you, God bless America!"

Amid applause, Martin walked down from the podium.

Lily put down her camera and said, "Who would have thought that the bastard in that community would receive the highest honor for a civilian in this country?"

Elizabeth clapped until her palms were red, her face flushed with excitement: "Don't you think Martin is incredibly charismatic? He's an American hero, and he's my hero too!"

Lily looked down at the camera, reviewing each of the photos she had just taken.

Martin returned to the audience, where Spielberg hugged him, and the others shook hands with him.

Hawking's electronic voice rang out again: "The Cult of Heroes!"

Martin nodded and said, "Thank you."

The ceremony was still ongoing, and staff members had already come over to remind Martin to go to the banquet hall for a reception luncheon after the ceremony.

…………

Burbank, Los Angeles.

Tony, heavily pregnant, sat on the sofa, intently watching the Independence Day celebrations broadcast live on television. When she saw Martin wearing the Grand Medal, she was momentarily mesmerized.

"That's so cool, my hero." She gently stroked her belly and murmured, "Son, come out and see, your father is a hero, a true hero!"

In the wide-angle close-up on the television screen, Martin is draped in a grand turban and has a star pinned to his chest, exuding masculine charm to the extreme.

In contrast, the sea view next to it is dark and short, making it a great backdrop.

Tony, who couldn't drink alcohol, poured herself a large glass of juice, held it up to the television, and said, "Congratulations, my hero, the father of my son!"

Just then, a close-up shot captured Martin's smile, and Toni seemed to receive a response, drinking the entire glass of juice in one gulp, feeling as refreshed as if she had eaten ice cream.

She started to think that her son would be able to come out and see his father this year.

That's really great!

Toni looked at the expensive apartment she had rented. What she had initially thought was spacious now seemed cramped. The ceiling was too low, the space too small, the furniture and appliances were too different, and the clothes and other items weren't from top-tier brands...

It's true that they're dissatisfied with everything they see.

All of this could change once her son was born. Toni thought of the Coty neighborhood in Sherman Oaks, where Martin owned a detached house worth at most $300 million. She wasn't greedy; as long as her son could live there, that would be fine.

As a father, it's my duty to do what I should.

The live television broadcast continued, but Martin was no longer on camera. Toni stood up, ready to go outside for some exercise; the doctor had advised her to maintain a basic level of physical activity.

Two floors up, in another room, Ben Affleck picked up the remote and turned off the television.

Martin Davis received the highest national honor that a commoner could receive, enjoying immense prestige in front of the White House and the entire nation. This made Ben Affleck extremely depressed, even more so than if he couldn't breathe.

Ben instinctively went to the wine cabinet, opened the lattice glass door, and found the cabinet completely empty, without a single bottle of wine.

People experiencing alcohol addiction need alcohol when they are depressed or happy.

Ben's long, horse-like face fell, his temper flared, and he was about to explode.

But he saw lines of writing on the inside of the wine cabinet.

"Have you forgotten the humiliation Martin Davis brought you?"

"Martin Davis is riding high, but you've fallen off a cliff!"

"Ben Affleck, do you still want revenge?"

And the crucial line: "Do you want Jennifer Garner to end up like Brad Pitt's ex-wife?"

These words of venom, written in moments of calm and intense hatred, instantly dispelled Ben's alcoholism, invigorated him, and restored his sobriety.

Big Ben closed the liquor cabinet door and said, "I will never forget this. I must have my revenge!"

But it's easier said than done.

Over the past month, he had someone secretly contact Eliza Cuthbert and Anne Hathaway. The former neither liked nor disliked Martin and was just a stranger to him.

I don't want to offend my powerful ex-boyfriend because of him, a man who's down on his luck.

The latter was so foolish as to think that she owed Martin something...

Originally, Ben Wallace wanted to send someone to Atlanta, but then he realized that he had no roots in Atlanta, while Atlanta was where Martin Davis rose to prominence, so he abandoned the idea.

What should I do?

Ben Wallace followed suit, just as he and Pete had fallen, and planned to start with the women surrounding Martin Davis.

For example, assistants and housekeepers.

As a result, he discovered an alternative in Hollywood.

A bastard who carries the name of a playboy and does playboy deeds has never forced himself on any woman!

This is unbelievable!

This is so un-Hollywood!

Which big-name celebrity, director, or producer in the industry dares to say they have never sexually coerced anyone?

Is this still a Hollywood star?

He's clearly a weirdo and lunatic like Johnny Depp!

Big Ben was still thinking of getting involved in the espionage case, just in case something fishy happened...

Before they even got really close, they spotted the LAPD and FBI.

One is the largest armed violence organization in Los Angeles, and the other is a member of the largest armed violence organization in the United States.

Big Ben is not someone to mess with.

Looking at the time, he went out to go to the supermarket.

As he took the elevator downstairs and exited the apartment building, Ben noticed a heavily pregnant blonde woman sitting by the door, seemingly in great pain.

I knew this person well; I'd run into him more than once when I came and went. Sometimes, the residents of this apartment building treated him like a criminal.

At other times, Ben wouldn't have cared at all, but the woman's painful appearance reminded him of the time before his daughter was born.

Even hot-tempered people have a soft side. Da Ben stepped forward and asked, "Are you alright?"

Toni looked at Ben and said, "I was so excited just now, and I drank some dessert. It might have caused contractions. Please, please take me to the hospital!"

Ben said, "I'll call 911 for you."

"They're taking too long to get here and back," Toni cried. "Please, take me to the hospital. I can't lose this baby."

Ben hesitated for a moment, then helped her up with all his might: "Hang in there."

Toni draped one arm over Ben Affleck's shoulder and the other protectively covered her stomach: "I can hold on!"

This woman was incredibly strong at that moment: "I know I can hold on!"

Ben helped her into his car, started the engine, and sped towards the nearest hospital.

Less than ten minutes later, the car stopped in front of the hospital emergency room, and Ben shouted, "Doctor, help! Help!"

Immediately, someone ran out.

Soon, Toni was admitted to the emergency room and given medication to prevent miscarriage.

Ben breathed a sigh of relief.

The doctor came over and said, "The problem isn't too serious, but you still need to be careful. Pregnant women shouldn't experience large emotional fluctuations, as it can easily lead to problems."

Tony felt relieved: "Doctor, is my baby okay?"

The doctor said, "No problem. You should rest well and watch your emotions. Call me if you have any problems."

Toni nodded: "Okay."

The doctor gave the nurse a few instructions and left quickly.

Toni turned her gaze to Ben, remembering the previous misunderstanding, and said, "Ben, thank you."

Big Ben was in a good mood after doing a good deed: "We're all neighbors, no need to be so polite."

He couldn't stay here with Toni for long, so he asked, "Where's your husband or boyfriend? Give him a call and tell him to come over as soon as possible. He should know about this."

Toni doesn't have a husband or boyfriend right now, but recalling the live TV broadcast, she said, "He's on a business trip to Washington, he's not in Los Angeles."

Big Ben asked, "A business trip? Leaving you home alone?"

Toni said, "You can't blame him, he went to the White House for the Independence Day celebrations..."

Big Ben, recalling the live TV broadcast he had just watched, said, "Amazing."

The baby in her belly filled Toni's mind with many strange thoughts, and she blurted out without thinking, "He even appeared on live TV."

Ben thought Toni's man might be someone important, and couldn't help but say, "When he gets back, should we introduce him?"

Toni nodded unconsciously: "If the opportunity arises, I'll introduce you two."

Big Ben glanced at his watch: "If everything's alright on your end, I'll be leaving."

Toni took her bag and pulled out her phone: "Shall we exchange contact information?"

This time she realized that she might face unknown problems on her own, so she left a phone number with someone in the same building, which might come in handy in a critical moment.

"Okay." Big Ben thought of her husband or boyfriend who could attend the White House Independence Day celebration.

(End of this chapter)