America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 840 uses the British system.

Burbank, Davis Studios.

Jonathan Nolan rushed over to see Martin as soon as he arrived at work, bringing with him the completed first draft of the script for "Split".

Preparations began last year and took nearly a year and a half.

Martin read the script carefully once more.

In my memory, Jonathan Nolan's directing skills are hard to judge, but his screenwriting skills have always been quite good.

Although it was only the first draft, Martin, based on his ten years of experience, judged that the script was quite well-made.

Martin glanced through the script and said to Jonathan, "The main plot is fine. I'll take it to director Fincher later and get his feedback."

Jonathan nodded slightly: "I abandoned all the macro-level stuff and started purely from a personal perspective. All the perspectives revolve around Billy, but it's impossible to present all twenty-plus of his personalities in the film. That would make the film very crowded and make the audience dizzy. I focused on selecting a few particularly representative personalities and built the plot around them."

Martin said, "I roughly counted, and it seems to be seven personalities."

“That’s right, seven,” Jonathan added. “One of my subordinates made a suggestion to me.”

Martin gestured for him to speak: "Go ahead."

Jonathan considered his words carefully before saying, "When that subordinate was writing the script, he suggested adding specific abilities to certain personalities. For example, in addition to being violent, the Beast Personality would also become stronger and more physically imposing..."

Although the main characters in his recent screenplays are all mentally unstable, the themes are almost all science fiction, so he does not exclude these surreal elements: "It depends on your opinion on this aspect."

Martin thought to himself, "A split personality plus superpowers, isn't that just like the X-Men? I remember Professor X has a son, it seems to be a similar situation."

After a moment's thought, he said, "This is a realistic film based on a true story, so let's not include any surreal elements."

Jonathan was slightly disappointed, but he was a good screenwriter, and the employer's requirements were the most important thing. He immediately nodded and said, "I understand."

The two then discussed the details of the script revisions for a while.

The script is only a first draft. The general direction and main plot are fine, but it still needs to be refined.

Jonathan expects the final draft to be completed by the end of the year.

Martin Scorsese contacted David Fincher, who had already finished filming all the scenes for "House of Cards" and was in post-production, with no free time until next summer.

As soon as Jonathan left, Bruce entered the office, closed the door, and said, "Alexandrovich just contacted me via encrypted satellite phone. The Ukrainian Security Service has verified a lot of evidence and information involving French fashion icon Brunel, and the Ukrainian authorities are making serious representations to the French side."

Martin nodded: "Indeed, an individual, even a billionaire, is no match for the power of a nation."

Bruce smiled. "The French still have the same attitude."

Martin wasn't surprised: "What did Alexandrovich say?"

Bruce said, "He took your advice and sent men to Fleet Street."

…………

London, England.

Rebecca, the business editor of The Sun, rushed in from outside carrying a heavy briefcase and went straight to the editor-in-chief's office.

She told her assistant, "I need to see Editor-in-Chief Dominic."

The assistant said, "The editor-in-chief is now..."

"Breaking news!" Rebecca placed her briefcase on her assistant's desk. "An extremely important scandal and inside story; there's no time to lose!"

The Sun is known for its reporting on gossip and scandals, which is also its core competency.

The assistant didn't dare delay and quickly pressed the intercom: "Boss, Rebecca says it's important news and she needs to see you now. She's outside the office."

"Let her in." The assistant turned off the intercom and stood up to lead the way: "This way."

Upon entering the office, Rebecca went to Editor-in-Chief Dominic's desk, placed her heavy briefcase on it, unzipped it, and took out thick documents, arranging them one by one on the desk.

Dominic, who was almost completely bald, looked slightly surprised: "What are these? Whose dirt is this? So much?"

Rebecca said, "It's material that the Ukrainians produced regarding the disappearance of the Ukrainian female model."

Dominic's interest vanished instantly: "So many people go missing over there every year, nobody's interested..."

Rebecca quickly added, "All of this material points to the French modeling agency Carine and billionaire Jean-Luc Brunel."

"The Frenchman!" Dominic instantly became excited. He knew the Karin Models Agency and Brunel's name very well.

Rebecca took out the crucial external hard drive and handed it to Dominic: "I've looked at it carefully. This will nail the Frenchman to the pillory of shame because he's not only involved in trafficking women, but also a large number of minors."

Dominic took the external hard drive, connected it to the computer, and started looking at it, laughing as he said, "Excellent! Excellent! The French are going to have a headache!"

After Dominic reviewed the key evidence and materials, Rebecca asked, "Editor-in-Chief, should we publish it?"

"Why not?" Dominic knew what Rebecca was worried about and said with a smile, "French billionaires, French modeling agencies—it's only natural for our British media to report on it! So what if the French have objections? They'll have to put up with it!"

As a traditional British media professional, Dominic has engaged in countless verbal battles with the French over the years: "If the French want to do something, they'll have to ask Britain for its consent! Then the whole kingdom will be our backing!"

Rebecca said, "We're The Sun, of course we're not afraid of the French!"

Dominic pressed the intercom and said to his assistant, "Call a meeting with all staff above the editor-in-chief level. It will be in half an hour in conference room number one. Everyone except those with critical business needs must attend."

Rebecca knew perfectly well that this was going to be the top headline of the week.

On that day, after careful verification, the editorial department of The Sun unanimously decided to expose the matter.

The evidence provided by the Ukrainians was overwhelming.

They didn't even need The Sun to collect it.

Although Ukraine has declined, the violent institutions of the second largest country in Europe by land area and the seventh largest by population are still powerful enough to unleash their full force.

In mid-September 2013, a sudden news report by The Sun shattered the calm in Europe and thrust the French into the spotlight.

The Crime Empire of Jean-Luc Brunel, Europe's Most Disgusting Fashion Mogul!

"Jean-Luc Brunel's Carine Models agency has discovered countless supermodels and is renowned in the fashion world, but it has also lured thousands of models into being sex slaves, resulting in many of them disappearing without a trace."

Aside from the front page, The Sun devoted almost an entire issue to listing Jean-Luc Brunel's crimes and the evidence against him.

Starting as early as 1980 and continuing until 2013, it involved thousands of models, or more accurately, the underground transactions of young women. Some of them were lucky enough to return to normal life after being used, but many more have disappeared without a trace.

Without the ulterior motives of the British, countless accusations were already leveled against the French elites.

"There is conclusive evidence that Brunel repeatedly gifted young and beautiful women to numerous influential figures in French politics and business, engaging in countless despicable acts. His wealth, and the special relationships he leveraged, allowed judicial investigations to repeatedly come to nothing after his misdeeds were exposed!"

These are just the beginning; later, Brunel's crimes were listed, most notably the trafficking of minors.

"This monster promised young girls a modeling dream with a contract, but secretly sold them out..."

The Sun started it, and the rest of the British media followed suit. They had been fighting the French for centuries, from physical wars to media verbal battles. The grudges and feuds between the two sides could not be sorted out even after several months.

Just like today's insults against Britain and France, this has almost become a habit in the public opinion of both countries.

While things were raging in Western Europe, Alexandrovich was not to be outdone.

He gathered a group of like-minded partners in Ukraine and founded the People's Servant Party, claiming to speak for the ordinary people of Ukraine.

Soon after, Alexandrovich gave an exclusive interview to the BBC, publicly criticizing the French authorities for inaction and covering up Brunel's crimes against humanity, using Ukrainian lives matter and women's rights as her banner.

Faced with public pressure, the French authorities, who had previously remained silent, announced that they would investigate the matter.

But for now, that's how it will be.

France has made its stance clear; whether the investigation will yield results is another matter.

…………

New York, Long Island.

In a villa by the sea, a middle-aged man with gray hair strolled along the stone path beside the garden.

A woman came over and said, "Geoffrey, regarding the news from France, they'll conduct a symbolic investigation, and Luc's side will send out a few scapegoats."

"How did those lunatics in Ukraine come up with such a dirty trick as using British media against the French?" Jeffrey Albertstein shook his head. "It was indeed a brilliant move, taking advantage of the long-standing animosity between Britain and France."

"That Ukrainian guy has been dancing really hard lately," Gisleyn said.

Jeffrey remembered the name: "Alexandrovich, a popular pro-democracy leader in Ukraine."

Gisleyn cautioned, "Our channels in Ukraine have been severely disrupted, should we...?"

"Are you crazy?" Jeffrey interrupted her. "Backed by that Ukrainian madman, there might be the Ukrainian Security Service, or even more powerful forces—state-level forces! How many of our clients do you think would help us when we're facing such official power?"

He saw it very clearly: "The business we do and the company engages in must never be brought into the open. Once it is fully exposed, we will have enemies all over the world, and the first people who will want to deal with us will be our dearest customers."

Gisley thought of France: "What if someone in France really wants to investigate Brunel?"

Jeffrey said, "Luc has been a good friend of ours for over twenty years. Even if the investigation reaches us, I believe Luc would not betray his partner."

But Gisleyn didn't believe that these people, who were used to enjoying life, would have no problem sharing the good times, but it was almost impossible for them to take the blame alone.

Jeffrey remained calm and composed: "Don't worry, when the time comes, Luc will prove it with his life."

Gisley understood immediately. He was relieved at first, but then he became anxious again. He was determined to prove himself with his life when the time came again.

Before she could think much about the issue, Jeffrey added, "Alright, let's suspend business on the island for now and keep a low profile in the short term. However, our goods supply to Latin America is operating normally; the chaos there is no less than in Eastern Europe."

Gisley replied, "Okay, I'll pass it on right away." Just as she was about to leave, she remembered something else: "I've already called Los Angeles and told that good-for-nothing Michelle to suspend all her activities in Eastern Europe."

Jeffrey said, "That good-for-nothing! Tell her that if she causes anything more outrageous, I'll make her explain herself to God!"

Gisley quickly reminded her, "Her business is very important; she has a lot of Hollywood-level hospitality staff."

"If it weren't for this, would I have put up with her for so long?" Jeffrey waved his hand. "Go call her."

Gisley nodded and left the garden.

Jeffrey came to the beach alone, leaned on the railing with both hands, and looked at the ships in the distance.

Although this matter was somewhat troublesome, it wasn't enough to make him frown.

Jeffrey was imprisoned seven or eight years ago on multiple charges, including sedition and organized trafficking. Not only did he survive, he also used the opportunity to build a wider network of relationships and control a huge fortune of hundreds of millions.

…………

Los Angeles, Beverly Hills.

Bruce drove a Volkswagen along Sunset Boulevard into the North End and soon turned into Davis Estate.

He parked the car in front of the villa, got out hurriedly, and ran inside.

Thomas arrived as well, and was sitting at the bar drinking with Martin.

Bruce said, "Important news."

Martin put down his wine glass, got up, and walked towards the study.

Thomas and Bruce followed immediately.

Entering the study, Martin asked, "Is there any new information?"

Bruce closed the door, took out a storage disk, connected it to the computer, and projected the photos and videos stored on it onto the screen.

He clicked autoplay and pointed to the corresponding photo with his laser pointer, saying, "This is Ryan Reynolds, and this is his agent, Kewell."

Martin knows Ryan Reynolds.

Bruce continued, "Last night, I redeployed my men. Ivan personally went to talk to Ryan Reynolds and found that after selling the villa in the Hollywood Hills with his ex-wife Scarlett Janssen, he went to a detached villa near Beverly Hills and West Hollywood."

A photo of the villa appeared on the projection screen.

Bruce pointed to a photo of the villa and said, "As far as we know, this is Michelle Bryan's main base, and she has been living here for the past year."

Thomas asked, "Is he Michelle Blaine's client?"

"It's not just that," Bruce said, switching between photos. "About half an hour later, Ryan Reynolds left the villa with Michelle's subordinates, heading west to the vicinity of the Santa Monica Yacht Marina. They went into this warehouse and stayed there for a long time."

Martin recalled something Scarlett had mentioned when she made amends to him: "Ryan Reynolds seems to be preparing a huge party, inviting Fox executives to promote the Deadpool solo movie, and beautiful women have always been a must-have at these parties."

Many years ago, he used this method to open the door to Wes Craven's film project and truly embark on his Hollywood journey.

Thomas nodded slightly: "This is considered basic practice in the industry."

Bruce continued to change the photos: "After Ryan Reynolds left, Ivan's partner waited for a long time on a nearby high-rise building and captured the crucial footage this morning."

What appeared on the screen was a video, but it wasn't very clear because it was filmed from a distance.

But you can also see from the photos that before the sun rose above the horizon in the early morning, there were several people in the warehouse who pulled three girls out, as if they were being released from prison.

Those three girls weren't very tall, and they were quite young!

(End of this chapter)