America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 746 Cutting Flesh

In Malibu, a huge mansion occupies an entire hilltop overlooking the sea.

Harris Carter stood on the rooftop, gazing at the Pacific Ocean to the west. The breathtaking view of the sea and sky merging into one was undoubtedly one of the house's selling points.

Real estate agent Schneider is on the phone in the distance, negotiating prices with the homeowner.

Harris wasn't in a hurry and waited patiently.

A while later, Schneider returned after hanging up the phone. He said, "The homeowner is asking for at least $3000 million; he doesn't see any point in selling it for less."

Harris, familiar with the homeowner's situation, shook his head and said, "2000 million dollars, that's my highest offer."

Schneider remained firm: "If you put it that way, we can't talk."

Harris shrugged and said, "There are plenty of luxury homes to choose from in Los Angeles. Let's stop here."

This was a completely unequal negotiation, with the homeowner constantly urging for a quick sale. Schneider knew that people who could come up with such a large sum of money to buy a luxury home in such a short time were not people he could meet all the time.

He said helplessly, "Wait, let me make another call."

Harris felt the deal was almost done and added an important bargaining chip: "I have plenty of funds, so there's no need for loans or anything like that. The transaction will be paid in full upfront."

Schneider made another call, and the house, which was listed at $3600 million, was eventually sold for $2000 million, as the seller desperately needed money to stay afloat.

The seller also stipulated the necessary conditions: to complete the settlement procedures and transfer funds as quickly as possible.

Both parties reached an agreement, and Harris prepared to go downstairs and leave.

"Wait, Mr. Carter," Schneider called out, taking the initiative to ask, "You told me before to keep an eye out for houses in downtown Los Angeles. I have a penthouse here, occupying the entire top floor of a building. The owner bought it for a whopping $1800 million, and now he's willing to sell it for $1300 million."

Harris immediately understood which house he was referring to and said, "How about we go take a look tomorrow?"

Schneider smiled and said, "Sure."

Harris went downstairs, got into her car, drove away from the mansion, and dialed Martin's number.

Martin answered and asked, "Is it going well?"

Harris stated directly, "The deal for that house in Malibu is done for $2000 million."

Martin smiled and said, "Well done."

"It's not that I did a particularly good job, but the homeowner really needed the cash," Harris said modestly. "The real estate agent specifically invited me to see a penthouse in the city center tomorrow; I think it might be Depp's."

Martin said, "If the price is right, we'll take it. If we're looking at it in the long term, these houses won't have trouble selling."

If Depp hadn't been in such a hurry for money, he wouldn't have even considered such a price.

At Davis Studio, Martin hung up the phone, refreshed the webpage, and on the TMZ homepage, Amber Heard and Johnny Depp's usual trash-talking exchange appeared again.

The court hearing won't be quick, this messy battle is bound to continue, and Johnny Depp's remaining good reputation will slowly dissipate.

Most of the things Amber Heard said were pure fabrication.

However, some of them are not rumors, such as the part about Lily Depp.

It's conceivable that when Lily Depp grows up, she'll likely end up looking like Robert Downey Jr.

There was a knock on the office door, and Bruce pushed it open and said to Martin, "Ivan just got some interesting news."

Martin closed the TMZ webpage and asked, "What is it?"

Bruce simply stated, "There are rumors circulating that Annapurna Pictures is preparing to sell the rights to 'Seventh Son'."

Martin couldn't help but laugh: "Megan Ellison has lost confidence?" He thought for a moment: "She's planning to sell the rights to recoup some money."

Bruce pulled out a chair and sat down opposite him: "Very likely."

Martin tapped his fingers lightly on the table and said, "We can't miss such a good show. Let Ivan keep an eye on the progress of this film."

"I inquired, and it turns out this film uses too many special effects shots; post-production isn't finished yet," Bruce said. "Even if a deal is made, it will have to wait until the film is complete."

Martin said, "We'll also fight for the copyright."

Bruce didn't understand: "Why?"

"Epic productions are something many Hollywood companies love," Martin explained simply. "Just like Ridley Scott has botched epics time and time again, yet still managed to attract huge investments, maybe some company will go crazy and buy the rights to 'Seventh Son' at a high price."

He was prepared to get involved, of course, to stir things up: "If we get involved, we can keep track of the situation in time, and at crucial moments we can step in and secure the film's copyright transfer fee."

Bruce said, "This movie won't be a success?"

Martin said very seriously, "The chances of 'The Lone Ranger' being successful are higher than those of 'Seventh Son'."

Since the beginning of the new century, apart from historical epics like "The Lord of the Rings," Hollywood has produced very few films that haven't been ripped off.

Bruce went to call Ivan.

After finishing his work, Martin took a bracelet gift box he had specially selected from Cartier and left the studio.

After crossing the pedestrian bridge between ABC and Disney headquarters, Martin entered the Disney studio. Just as Bruce was about to get his electric scooter, a car pulled up behind them and stopped beside them.

Elena Satine, sitting in the driver's seat, waved to the two men: "Martin, Brooks, get in the car."

Martin and Bruce got on the electric scooter together.

Elena Satin drove inside and said, "I haven't been here for a while. I didn't expect to run into you all here today."

Martin casually asked, "Didn't you star in Marvel's 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'? Aren't you busy filming?"

"I play a small role," Elena Satine said, adding, "a banshee named Lorelei, an Asgardian fugitive who fled to Earth."

Martin followed up by asking, "What superpowers does she have?"

Elena Satin smiled: "You can use your voice to seduce and control men."

Martin nodded: "Very good superpower."

"For Eastern European actors like me, these are basically the kinds of roles we get," Elena Satin smiled helplessly. "It's very difficult for us to get any decent, good roles."

Martin couldn't detect her accent and asked, "Which country in Eastern Europe are you from?"

Elena Satine said, "I'm Georgian, but I grew up in Russia."

"We're here." Martin pointed to the La La Land studios on the left. "Just park on the side of the road."

When the electric cart stopped, he picked up the bag containing the gift boxes, got off, and said to Elena Satine, "Thank you."

"Goodbye." Elena Satin waved and continued driving.

Martin entered the studio, and the receptionist said, "Mr. Davis, Ms. Mel wants you to go directly to her office after you arrive."

"Got it." Martin smiled and nodded at her, then headed straight for Louise's office.

When Martin came in, Louise turned on the TV, took out a DVD, and put it into the player.

Louise simply said, "It was sent over by a young director who really wants to direct 'La La Land,' his name is..."

She glanced at the documents on her desk and said, "His name is Damien Chazelle, born in 1985, younger than you. He doesn't have a particularly impressive resume; he's only directed one musical called 'Guy and Adeline on a Park Bench.'"

Martin picked up the director's file; he recognized the name, but he didn't remember seeing the film Louise was talking about.

Louise said, "He knows I'm not very experienced. Yesterday, during my first interview with the director, he gave me this DVD, which contains a short music film he directed. I watched it, and it's very unique."

Martin said, "Let me watch the short film first."

Louise had already pressed play.

The short film begins with a burst of intense jazz drumming.

A young drummer sat in front of his jazz drum set, practicing almost frantically until his hands bled and he had to put on bandages to continue.

This is the story of a young drummer's growth, but due to limited funding, it is only about 20 minutes long.

The story was incomplete, but it was enough to remind Martin of a film.

Whiplash.

With an almost insane jazz drummer and some familiar director names, Martin thinks it's very likely, but he'll have to see the script for details.

After the short film ended, Louise said, "This director wanted to adapt his experience of being in a band in high school into a movie, but he couldn't find any investors, so he funded this simple short film to attract investors. I think this short film is very unique."

Martin pointed to the DVD player: "Call him and tell him to come over in the next few days. I'm interested in investing in this project."

Louise is now almost a fanatic of Martin, and without any hesitation, said, "This project should be partly owned by Pacific Pictures."

Martin nodded: "You talk to him and ask him to shoot a scene from 'La La Land.' If he passes our evaluation, the director's position is his."

Louise said, "Perhaps he can surprise us."

"I'm going to practice the piano. If you need anything, come find me in the music room." Martin left Louise's office.

On his way to the music room, he passed by the dance studio and took a look. Mandy Moore was rehearsing, and Saoirse Ronan was also there.

Martin waited until they finished their dance and then waved to Saoirse Ronan.

Saoirse, dressed in her dance costume, immediately ran over and asked with a smile, "Did you need something?"

Martin handed her the bag: "Happy 18th birthday, this is a gift for you."

"Thank you." Saoirse, seeing the Cartier logo, asked, "Can I open it now?"

Martin gestured for him to make himself at home: "Please, make yourself at home."

Saoirse opened the gift box, inside lay an exquisite platinum and diamond-encrusted bracelet. She held out her hand, revealing her fair wrist: "Could you help me put it on?"

Martin took out the bracelet and put it on Saoirse's wrist.

Saoirse raised her arm and waved it in front of her eyes, looking at it from both sides, becoming happier with each look: "It's so beautiful, I love it so much."

Martin pointed ahead: "I'm going to practice the piano."

(End of this chapter)