America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 738 Plot to Seize Family Property

In the study on the first floor of the villa, Elizabeth Olsen took the projector's data cable and plugged it into her laptop.

Lily pressed the remote control, and the metal curtain slowly descended.

Martin opened a folder containing information about Johnny Depp's tax arrears and IRS fines, which appeared on the screen.

Harris Carter looked closely.

Martin asked Bruce, "Is it all up there?"

Bruce nodded: "All of Johnny Depp's assets that can be found are in there. According to the Mandel Brothers' estimates, apart from the three mansions in Los Angeles, all of Depp's other assets are available for sale."

Harris understood that Martin and Old Brooks were plotting to seize Johnny Depp's fortune.

Lily then said, "A while ago, Martin was in a car accident. It was planned and carried out by Johnny Depp's three bodyguards. One of them was driving a Hummer and almost hit Martin. Luckily, Bruce reacted quickly, otherwise we would be at the hospital with Martin."

Harris nodded: "Depp should pay the price."

None of those present were saints; including Elizabeth and Lily, they all advocated that Depp should pay ten or even a hundred times the price.

Martin said, "Due to a series of problems caused by unpaid taxes, Depp needs to repay up to $1 million in debt as soon as possible in the coming months. His cash flow is almost dry, and he will inevitably have to sell fixed assets. Many high-value properties or other assets will have to be sold at a significant price in order to find buyers quickly."

He looked at Harris: "If people like us try to buy, it will alert the seller and cause the deal to fall through."

Harris said, "Leave it to me."

"We can buy these assets and then wait patiently before making a move." To be honest, Martin wasn't concerned about the profits generated; he was simply enjoying the process of Depp becoming a debtor.

He looked at the people in the study: "If you are willing to invest, we can raise funds together, with Harris handling the acquisition, and we will share the profits according to the proportion of the funds raised."

Elizabeth unconditionally supports Martin: "Count me in."

Lily wasn't to be outdone: "Me too!"

Bruce and Harris, of course, need no introduction.

Martin nodded and said, "Old Brooks, let's begin."

Bruce switched folders, picked up a laser pointer, pointed to a picture of a yacht on the screen, and said, "This is Johnny Depp's Amphitheatre yacht, which is nearly 50 meters long. Depp bought it for $1000 million and then spent another $800 million on renovations and upgrades. J.K. Rowling was once very interested in this yacht, but she began writing 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' last year, temporarily cutting off contact with the outside world."

He further stated, "This yacht costs $35 a month in basic expenses, which Depp can no longer afford, so it will definitely have to be sold. Finding a buyer for a yacht of this caliber is not easy. If we can buy it at a suitable price, we can wait until Rowling finishes her new book and discuss the deal with her."

Martin looked at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth knew what he meant and shook her head: "I don't like these two-masted, antique-style yachts."

Bruce switched the screen, and the view changed to a house perched on a secluded cliff overlooking the sea, occupying an entire cliff and no smaller than Davis Estate.

The laser pointer shone on the large house in the center of the picture: "This is one of Depp's five houses in Los Angeles, and also the most valuable one. It covers nearly 4 acres and is currently valued at $3900 million, making it the most valuable of Depp's fixed assets."

"Other people's things always look so comfortable," Martin said. "This house is nice; it seems to be meant for us."

Lily agreed: "I thought it was beautiful at first glance."

Bruce continued switching information: "This is a vineyard in France, currently valued at $1900 million. Strictly speaking, it's a small village in France..."

As Martin looked at the documents being switched over and listened to Bruce's introduction, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly: Depp truly deserves his reputation as a Hollywood star who has been famous for over twenty years. Even after falling into the trap set by the investment manager and accountant and being severely punished by the IRS, he still has a substantial fortune.

In terms of real estate alone, Depp owns 14 properties in popular cities around the world.

Even with the difficulties and being targeted by the IRS, Depp's current fixed assets still have a market value of nearly $1 million.

Of course, given Depp's current situation, his chances of quickly monetizing his wealth will be significantly reduced.

If we don't clean up Depp's mess, how can we justify that pee in Death Valley National Park and that car that crashed into us the other day?

After the small meeting in the study ended, Martin asked Bruce to make a copy of the detailed information and gave it to Harris.

In terms of funding, in addition to Martin, Lily, Elizabeth, Bruce, and Harris, they will also bring Elena, who is based in Atlanta, on board.

Harris quickly took his leave.

Martin then called Thomas and lawyer Hamlin, keeping a close eye on Howard Booth and his two accomplices who orchestrated the car crash. Given Depp's strong sense of brotherhood, he certainly wouldn't abandon his three henchmen, as bail and legal fees would be another significant expense.

All expenses for these three individuals, including the inevitable civil damages and fines that will follow, can only be covered by Depp.

In this respect, Depp is a good person.

The following morning, lawyer Hamlin informed Martin that Depp's lawyer, who is also the current legal representative for Howard and the other two, had made an initial communication with him, wanting to reach a settlement with Martin through cash compensation.

Martin flatly refused, and after another contact, he made a haphazard demand for $5000 million in emotional distress compensation.

Depp's side certainly couldn't agree to that.

Martin wasn't in a hurry; he would definitely send those three bastards to jail to pick up soap.

Depp wants to hire a high-profile legal team to handle the case, which requires a large sum of money.

Martin plans to undermine Depp's ability to afford a legal team.

…………

Disney Studios, La La Land Studios.

After finishing his piano practice and leaving the music room, Martin met Musk in the lobby lounge, where they had arranged to meet.

This wealthy, chubby man was chatting with Mia, the screenwriter of the project, making Mia laugh non-stop.

Seeing Martin approach, Mia suppressed a laugh and greeted him, "Good afternoon, Martin."

"Hello, Mia." Martin pulled out a chair and sat down next to Musk, asking, "What are you chatting about that makes you seem so happy?"

Musk said, "Mia told me about her part-time job as a server at an ice cream parlor, which sounded really interesting."

Martin said, "I also met Mia at an ice cream parlor, and that led to this film project."

Mia could tell that Martin and the other man had something to discuss, so she stood up to say goodbye: "I have an appointment with Mandy Moore to discuss choreography. It's almost time, so I'll be going now."

After the person had walked away, Musk said, "A very insightful screenwriter."

Martin warned, "Don't mess around on my set, or I'll strap you to a rocket and send you into space. I've heard Martians like chubby, fair-skinned men."

"Amber is way more interesting than her." Musk casually uttered his usual scathing remarks: "Dude, you're missing out on a gem. Amber is absolutely amazing, her ability to be proactive and cooperative is top-notch. I turned her into an angel."

Martin didn't understand the meaning of the last sentence and said, "Your angel gave Disney a new attraction that is famous throughout the United States, but the attraction is known as infamous."

Musk coughed and said, "Seriously, let's not talk nonsense. I'm planning to officially date Amber, but she has to leave Depp first."

This is also the purpose of Martin E. Musk's visit: "A woman like Amber Heard would leave Depp easily. As long as Depp loses his money and his reputation is completely ruined, she will definitely leave."

Musk seemed to have taken a liking to the woman: "Depp is your arch-rival, Martin, you must have something on your mind, right?"

Martin asked, "So you're planning to steal someone else's wife, then kick her off a cliff so she can never climb back up?"

Musk showed no embarrassment whatsoever: "Don't you think it's hilarious? Amber would appreciate all that I've done, unlocking everything for me and letting me do whatever I want."

Martin shook his head: "Sigh, as I associate with you more often, my moral standards are declining."

"Stop joking, Martin, that's the reverse!" Musk pointed out the key point: "I learned all of this from you, okay!"

Martin tapped his fingers on the table: "You bastard, don't frame me! I would never do such a despicable thing!"

Musk cautioned, "My relationship with Amber Heard is a lesson I learned from you and Charlize Theron! Okay, let me start you off by reminding you of how you got involved with Stuart Townsend's fiancée, Charlize Theron, and then dragged Stuart Townsend into the huge mess of a child scandal, getting sued by a woman and disappearing from Hollywood altogether..."

Even with Martin's eloquence, he was rendered speechless at this moment.

Because what Musk is doing is indeed a copy of what he did with Charlize Theron.

Musk sincerely said, "Martin, you're my teacher in this regard!" He exclaimed in admiration, "Recently, I've carefully studied your relationships with many actresses; there are so many classic examples. You've left a treasure trove of knowledge for the entire United States!"

"Don't talk nonsense." Martin, being humble, said, "I didn't!"

Musk said, "From today onwards, you are my teacher." He suppressed a laugh and solemnly proclaimed, "Teacher!"

Martin's mindset changed quickly; since he had already done it, why should he be afraid of what others would say?

Musk returned to the previous topic: "What are your thoughts on Amber Heard and Johnny Depp?"

"Another new film starring Depp, 'The Lone Ranger,' with a production budget of $2.5 million, is about to be released," Martin explained in detail. "During the filming of this kind of movie, Depp drove investor Megan Ellison almost crazy. If something goes wrong with this film, given Megan Ellison's personality, will she let Depp off the hook?"

Musk, who is also based in Silicon Valley and is more familiar with the Ellisons, said, "From what I know, even if the film is successful, Megan Ellison won't let Depp off the hook."

Martin tapped the table lightly: "This is the breakthrough."

(End of this chapter)