America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 624 You are Free

At the film studio in the San Fernando Valley.

The filming of "The Dog's Game" has already begun. Marina had a scene this morning, which lasted less than 30 seconds. With her acting skills, she only had to film it once to complete the scene.

Susie Flavor had been waiting on the sidelines. When Marina came out, she went over to her and encouraged her, saying, "You did a great job. You're a very good actress."

Marina also wanted to establish herself as soon as possible, and it was essential to cultivate a good relationship with a casting director: "Ms. Flavor, thank you for giving me this opportunity."

"Didn't I tell you? Just call me Susie." Susie accompanied her out: "You have a great image and good acting skills. What you lack is luck and opportunity. With the right opportunity, you might become famous with just one project."

Marina, however, knew that such opportunities were too rare: "It still comes down to luck."

Susie glanced at her and said, "That's true. Without someone to mentor you in this industry, it's impossible to rise to the top. I heard from Natasha that you have connections with Martin Davis?"

Having someone backing you up will save you a lot of trouble. Marina wasn't a fool just starting out in the entertainment industry. She said, "I was originally going to Paris, but Martin brought me to Hollywood."

"You're such a lucky girl," Susie said tentatively. "If Martin comes to visit the set sometime, could you introduce me to him?"

"Sure," Marina replied, though she felt a bit annoyed.

Since arriving in Los Angeles from New York, Martin has never contacted her, not even once.

Marina called Svetlana in the past few days, and Svetlana said that Martin had called her several times.

Marina went to remove her makeup and came out to find her manager, Natasha, chatting with Susie.

Natasha waved to Susie and called Marina to leave the studio together.

The two went to the coffee shop across from the film studio.

Natasha added sugar to her coffee and asked, "Is everything going well on set?"

Marina nodded: "It's not bad, better than I expected. The crew members are all easy to get along with. Susie has been a lot of help to me, and producer Katherine Oxenberg has been very kind to me as well."

Natasha said, "That's good. It's not easy for new actors in Hollywood. You need to be careful."

Marina, thinking of Martin who hadn't contacted her for several days, said, "I know, these are all just appearances, because many people in the crew know that I'm the person Martin brought to Hollywood. They're not befriending me, but Martin."

"Oh, Martin..." Natasha sighed.

Marina suddenly felt something was off and asked, "I haven't seen Martin in a long time. When I called, his manager, Bruce, answered. Has Martin been very busy lately?"

Natasha was in a dilemma for a moment.

Marina asked, "What happened?"

Natasha nodded slightly and said softly, "You are free."

Marina retorted, "Am I free?"

Natasha said, "Martin's manager, Bruce, called me and asked me to tell you that he will introduce you to a Disney production crew for a relatively important supporting role. The audition is expected to be in December. That will fulfill the promise I made to you."

Marina understood that Martin Davis didn't want to get entangled with her anymore, and that if they met again in the future, they would owe each other nothing.

Normally speaking, this is nothing to say, not only in Hollywood, but also in the Russian entertainment industry.

She gave, and then she was rewarded.

If the two meet again in the future and are interested in each other, they can have another friendly match.

The problem is, this doesn't align with Marina's plans.

Her coming to Los Angeles to become a star was just a side effect; her most important mission was to infiltrate Martin's inner circle and thus gain access to the highest levels of American politics.

Natasha comforted her, saying, "The beginning is the hardest in Hollywood. You have this role now, plus the supporting actress Martin introduced later, which means you've made a name for yourself in Hollywood. The future depends on our efforts."

Marina was in a state of confusion. She had finally made it to Los Angeles, only to end up like this?

She suddenly remembered someone and asked, "What about Svetlana? Natasha, did Martin treat Svetlana the same way?"

"Uh..." Natasha clearly didn't want to say.

Marina pressed on, "Isn't that how it is?"

Natasha nodded slightly: "Martin met with Svetlana at the agency yesterday and said he wanted to introduce her to a big film crew."

Marina couldn't understand it. She felt she was no less attractive than Svetlana, and in fact, she was far more skilled in that area...

Natasha, like a dutiful agent, said, "You have outstanding looks and superb acting skills. I also have resources at my disposal. I have personally witnessed Martin go from having no fame like you to becoming a superstar. I know how to operate. As long as you trust me, you will definitely become famous in Hollywood."

Although she didn't show it on her face, Marina was thinking about something else and simply nodded.

Natasha added, "Don't let this affect you. Martin is a playboy; women come and go in his life, that's normal."

If Marina were just an actress, she certainly wouldn't be affected much; it's common for women in the entertainment industry to spread their legs.

But she wasn't like that, and she wasn't willing to fail like that.

So Marina thought she should go back and talk to Svetlana to find out what was going on with Martin.

…………

After finishing her accent lesson, Svetlana had just come out of a multi-purpose building at Paramount Studios when she saw Martin sitting on the bench opposite her. Amidst the envious glances of those around her, she quickly walked over.

Martin patted the seat next to him: "Sit down and let's talk."

Svetlana sat down to one side and took Martin's arm: "What brings you here?"

Martin said, half-jokingly, "I was here on business and just remembered you were taking an accent correction class, so I thought I'd drop by to see you."

Svetlana laughed happily: "It's almost noon, shall we find a place to have lunch together?"

Martin replied, "Yes."

The two walked together toward the studio gate.

Svetlana asked, "Should I ask Marina if she has time?"

Just a few days ago, Marina asked her about Martin.

The two had a good relationship and had fought in the same room as Martin, so they shared a bond of camaraderie. Svetlana felt she should lend a hand if she could.

In unfamiliar Los Angeles, she only had Marina as a friend.

Martin shook his head immediately: "No need, the two of us are fine."

From these words, Svetlana sensed that Martin seemed to have lost interest in Marina, and asked softly, "Did Marina do something wrong?"

"No, I haven't seen Marina since I came back from New York, nor have I contacted her," Martin said casually. "Everyone has people they like and especially like. Marina is wonderful—beautiful, sexy, and with a unique charm—but... how should I put it?"

He seemed unable to find the right adjective, and after pondering for a while, he said, "I like Marina, but not particularly. Some people are just someone you've had for a while."

Svetlana asked, "No more contact?"

Martin acted like a jerk: "I'll be very busy with work for a long time to come, so I won't have that much time."

Svetlana sighed softly, unsure of what to say.

Martin added, "I'm a stickler for what I start. I recommended Marina to a Disney production team for a significant supporting role, plus a role in 'John Wick 2.' This will give her a very high starting point in Hollywood, much better than when I first came to Los Angeles."

He deliberately asked, "Does this count as keeping your promise?"

"Of course I keep my promise." Svetlana had seen and heard far too many people who would renege on their word after the fact. "Martin, you're a good man who keeps his promises."

Martin smiled and said, "I wouldn't call myself a good person, but I do have basic integrity."

Svetlana moved closer to Martin and said, "After dinner, would you like to come to my apartment?"

Martin said, "I have a long-term suite at a hotel."

Svetlana immediately changed her mind: "Let's go to the hotel."

The two got into the same car in the parking lot, had lunch at a restaurant in Beverly Hills, and then went into the Ritz-Carlton Hotel together.

Svetlana could clearly sense that Martin preferred her—a blonde woman with long legs who had undergone rigorous physical training.

She felt that she might not be as elegant as Marina, but she had a better figure.

Martin's elaborate setup clearly influenced Svetlana, allowing her to hear, see, and even feel many things.

Martin believed that if Marina didn't come to find Svetlana, her identity as Swallow would be questionable.

Because such things are too common in the entertainment industry, and the other party is not a newcomer to the industry.

Martin has always believed that the entertainment industry around the world is essentially the same.

But Marina came to Svetlana to inquire about him, which basically dispelled his and Nicholson's last remaining doubts.

In the late afternoon, Martin received a phone call and left the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, citing company business as the reason.

Svetlana also came out.

As she drove back to her apartment, Ivan quietly followed her.

Nothing happened that day.

But the next day, Ivan followed Svetlana to North Hollywood and met another target, Marina.

Two women entered the coffee shop.

Ivan waited a moment and then went inside.

As I passed by the booth, I placed a listening device on the greenery behind Marina.

Marina and Svetlana chatted about their respective situations for a while, and the conversation quickly turned to Martin, with almost all the questions being about him.

Svetlana didn't think much of it, assuming Marina was resentful, and simply repeated what Martin had said.

Hearing that Martin showed little interest in her, Marina was on the verge of a breakdown, feeling a surge of frustration.

The original plan was that through Martin, she could access American political figures and gather important information.

If Martin were to enter politics, he could also be influenced in some of his choices through methods such as whispering in someone's ear.

Although using Martin in this way might ruin him, Marina is a staunch Russian nationalist and doesn't care what happens to Martin.

Now all of that is going to be for naught.

(End of this chapter)