America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 552 The Moment of War

Upon entering the Los Angeles Angels Club, Harvey was immediately surrounded by guns—all kinds of firearms. This wasn't a leisure club; it was a shooting and combat training ground.

Matt Damon said in a low voice, "He asked us to meet here. What does that mean?"

Harvey said, "A demonstration."

Georgina, who had arrived earlier, appeared and said, "Over here, they're waiting for us in the recreation area."

Harvey followed and spoke to Georgina in a low voice.

Matt Damon had the illusion that Harvey's wife came from the other side and led them there, as if she were one of their people.

But he thought about it and realized it was simply impossible.

Suddenly, gunshots rang out. Harvey paused instinctively, feeling a little panicked as he thought of Martin Davis's rampage at the Santa Monica docks.

However, he quickly regained his composure and realized that even if Martin Davis had two times the courage, he wouldn't dare to attack him.

Upon entering the entertainment and leisure area, Harvey and Damon followed Georgina to a lounge where only Martin and Bruce were present.

Martin stood up and shook hands with Harvey and Damon, saying, "Please, have a seat."

Georgina sat across the table from Martin.

The waiter then brought the coffee and left, after which Bruce closed the door.

Harvey specifically noted, "This is the first time we've met since the Cannes Film Festival."

Martin said, "I've been filming on the go, and when I came back, some bad things happened. I wanted to visit them, but I couldn't find the time."

This wasn't just random talk, because Georgina did indeed invite him to Harvey's mansion in Beverly Hills.

Harvey tapped the table lightly and said, "In my plan, Inglourious Basterds will win the Best Actor award at Cannes."

"I am the Best Actor this year," Martin said without the slightest hint of unease. "Harvey, we competed openly and fairly, and I won honorably."

Harvey couldn't help but laugh: "Upright and honorable? Isabelle Adjani has nothing to do with you?"

Martin remained unfazed: "Her? What does she have to do with me? I've heard of her, but I don't know her."

Harvey was blunt: "You took advantage of the long-standing animosity between Isabelle Adjani and Isabelle Huppert, schemed against me and the Inglourious Basterds crew, and used despicable means to take away the Best Actor award."

Martin shrugged, indicating that he was completely innocent.

Harvey remained as assertive as ever: "You owe me a debt."

Martin shook his head slowly but firmly: "Harvey, I owe you nothing."

A year ago, he might have continued to feign weakness, but with his feet and face already at this point, there's no need anymore.

Harvey said, "We could have been collaborators and created a new era for Hollywood."

"And then I'll be like the Damon and Affleck brothers?" Martin countered.

As soon as he finished speaking, a foot stretched out from under the table, a foot encased in stockings, and rested on Martin's ankle.

Georgina took off her high heels and deliberately flirted with Martin, but her eyes were fixed on Harvey.

Georgina felt a strange thrill when she flirted with her husband's nemesis in front of him; every cell and nerve in her body was aroused.

Harvey noticed his wife looking at him and assumed she was concerned. He nodded slightly to her and continued speaking to Martin, "Some debts can't be simply repaid as you wish."

Martin sighed, "There's always a reason in life."

Harvey said, "In the past, many actors and stars asked me to reason with them, but in the end, they all begged me not to. Stars like you, who appear glamorous on the outside, think that reaching the top will change the rules. Many people have had that kind of thinking in the past, but let me tell you!"

He tapped his chest: "The rules of this industry are set by people like me, and you celebrities can only survive by following the rules we set!"

A few years ago, this statement would have been perfectly valid.

Georgina smiled slightly at Harvey, as if to encourage him, but her feet under the table were climbing up Martin's trouser legs.

Martin turned his head and glanced at her casually.

Georgina showed no restraint, and the strange stimulation became even stronger.

Harvey, using his influence, said, "Martin, someone from your background simply doesn't understand. The Weinstein Company represents more than just me."

"I know," Martin said. "So, what are you trying to say?"

In Harvey's eyes, Martin was not qualified to negotiate calmly!

Just like the Screen Actors Guild strike that subsided before it even began, Harvey was not only the first to take a tough stance on behalf of the Producers Union to put pressure on the Screen Actors Union, but also the last major member of the Producers Union to reach an agreement with the Screen Actors Union.

Harvey was used to treating actors with a domineering attitude. Even A-list stars like Matt Damon, whose fame and influence were similar to Martin's, were still driven around by him like dogs. With just one phone call, the other party had to clean up the mess he made.

"I won't force you to do anything difficult," Harvey said calmly. "The Ben Affleck, Casey Affleck, and Brad Pitt matter ends here. I'll make them issue a public apology to you, give each of them a large sum of compensation, and guarantee they won't return to Hollywood or work in the film industry for three years."

Martin lied through his teeth: "Personally, it doesn't matter to me, but Harvey, you've got one thing wrong. The key isn't about me. The three of them broke the law, and the Los Angeles justice system is upholding the dignity of the law."

Martin dismissed everything the other person said as utter nonsense, so he responded with his own: "As an honorary citizen of Los Angeles, I have the responsibility and obligation to uphold Los Angeles law and the rule of law!"

Georgina almost burst out laughing; the two men beside her were equally wealthy and powerful, and could help her career.

But look at Harvey next to me, he's fat, ugly, and greasy.

Then look at Martin on the other side, strong, handsome, and with a tough demeanor.

Harvey's face darkened, and he warned Martin, "You're making a lot of people unhappy by targeting people in your own circle like this."

Martin calmly stated, "Weren't you unhappy when they instigated a woman to frame me with something that didn't exist?"

"This whole thing started because of you!" Matt Damon, the seemingly good-natured star, uttered anything but innocent: "Can you honestly say that what happened to Pitt and Ben Affleck had nothing to do with you?"

Martin said, "Of course it has nothing to do with me!"

Faced with this shameless and ruthless bastard, Matt Damon, despite his own shamelessness, was still speechless and turned pale.

No matter what the two said, Martin remained unmoved. If he hadn't retaliated against those who messed with him, he would have been finished long ago, and he wouldn't be where he is today.

Harvey and Martin were locked in a fierce confrontation, while Georgina's feet climbed higher and higher, eager to end the conversation immediately and rush to the agreed-upon hotel room to await Martin's next test.

Matt Damon doesn't care about Pete, but he won't abandon Ben Wallace. He said, "Let Pete take responsibility for everything. It has nothing to do with the Affleck brothers. Everything Harvey said counts. In addition to their compensation, I will give you another sum of money."

Martin remained unmoved and didn't even respond to a word.

Harvey understood that there was no going to be a result today, and he began to consider whether he should start in Atlanta and expose Martin Davis's past.

He knew it would be very difficult; it was Martin Davis's stronghold, and Kelly Gray, who had close ties to Martin Davis, had been elected to the Georgia State Legislature.

Matt Damon wanted to say something, but Harvey shook his head at him.

Georgina, who had originally intended to explore the penis, could only withdraw her foot now, pursing her lips with regret.

Harvey stood up: "Martin, you're being very unwise."

Matt Damon stood up without saying a word.

Georgina stood beside Harvey, looking utterly sympathetic: "Martin, you've messed with the wrong person. Do you want to fight me?"

Martin looked at Georgina: "You're the one who wants war!"

Harvey pulled his wife aside and said, "There's no need."

The three of them said goodbye and left together.

Once outside, Harvey felt a touch of warmth at his wife's support and said softly, "What you're doing will put Kate in a difficult position."

Georgina said, "It's okay, I can handle it."

It's not like she hasn't seen it before.

Harvey nodded, and the three of them left the Angels Club without lingering.

As she got into the car, Georgina said, "I'm going to find Kate and secretly find out about Martin's background. Maybe it will be helpful to you."

Harvey thought for a moment and replied, "Be careful not to be too obvious. I reckon Kate wasn't involved much in Martin's mess."

"Don't worry," Georgina said with a smile, "I'll come back if I don't find anything."

Watching his wife get into another car, Harvey realized for the first time that his wife's marriage to him wasn't purely for financial reasons; after being together for so long, there were still feelings involved.

Martin's situation left him somewhat frustrated. Once in the car, he told his assistant in the passenger seat, "Call Nicole Kidman. Isn't she trying to win another Oscar? Tell her to come to the Four Seasons Hotel; I need to have a serious talk with her."

Matt Damon, seemingly unfazed, asked, "What should we do?"

Harvey thought for a moment and said, "I will start with the Democratic Party and put pressure on the LAPD through political channels to get those three released on bail first. We'll have to think about the others later."

Matt Damon said, "I'm going to prepare the bail."

Harvey said, "I need to relax and clear my head. My thoughts are a bit jumbled right now. Nicole Kidman will help me clear my head."

Half an hour later, Harvey and Nicole Kidman entered the Four Seasons Hotel one after the other.

At almost the same time, Martin and Georgina entered the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, about ten minutes apart.

Georgina declared war on Martin, and as a man, he naturally had to accept the challenge.

Martin entered the room Georgina had booked, and an exceptionally fierce battle began. Not long afterward, Georgina conceded defeat.

Having accepted her defeat, Georgina, while floating in the sky, told Martin everything Harvey was planning.

"Let me give you a heads-up," Martin said, still showing some conscience. "You know Harvey has done a lot of shady things, and these things will eventually come to light. If they involve you, it will affect your career."

Georgina didn't care: "If that day ever comes, I can just sell him off."

The two adulterers started whispering to each other.

I've developed a skin condition on my buttocks, probably from sitting for too long. I woke up at six in the morning because of the itching. I need to go to the hospital today; the itching is so bad I can't sit still.

(End of this chapter)