America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Chapter 243: Chapter 241: Those who mess with others will get messed up

On the film set in a photography studio, Martin stood in the office with his eyes closed, gathering his thoughts. The prop master Bruce quickly checked all the props and as he passed by, whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Be careful with the ashtray."

Martin glanced at the glass ashtray on the office desk and made a mental note of it.

Opposite him, Matt Damon was spinning in place, adjusting his state in his unique way.

The next scene to be shot was the physical altercation between Colin and Dignam following Quinan's murder by the mob.

When Damon opened his eyes and saw Martin across from him, his brow furrowed slightly.

Although he hadn't done anything since Martin had taken the initiative to talk to him on set, the dislike in his heart hadn't dissipated.

Disliking someone might only take one small incident.

The two were about to shoot a physical altercation scene.

Damon's gaze swept over the other's handsome face, and he felt a strong urge to punch it.

Having undergone extensive training for Bourne, his gaze involuntarily shifted to the glass ashtray on the office desk.

Suddenly, Damon felt very uncomfortable, then realized Martin was watching him, an inexplicable smile hanging on his face.

That smile reminded Damon of a video he had seen, Martin pressing down on a fierce gunman, smashing glass Coca-Cola bottles one by one on the man's head.

He immediately dispelled those inappropriate thoughts.

It was just a role, not worth the hassle.

With the crew ready, filming began at the clap of the slate.

Martin and Matt Damon erupted in a heated argument, with the latter initiating a physical fight. The argument turned into a brawl with seven or eight actors coming over to pull the two apart, Mene, who played Colin's black police officer subordinate, even stepped forward to push Damon away.

The two were pulled apart, still throwing punches and kicks, as if they were real enemies.

"Cut, that's a wrap!" Scorsese praised, "Both of you did great."

Martin straightened his costume, glanced at Damon, and then left on his own.

Mene caught up and said, "Boss..."

Martin waved his hand, "As usual, just keep a closer eye on him."

Mene nodded and left.

The crew was moving to the next location, and there was a long break before the next scene. At this time, Bruce approached and handed Martin his phone, "Blake."

Martin found a quiet place and called Blake Lively, "I was just filming."

Blake asked directly, "Can you come back to Los Angeles for my birthday?"

Martin, who was principled and constrained by reality, replied, "The production schedule is tight, I can't arrange any time off."

The three 'nos' principle couldn't be easily abandoned.

Blake sounded a bit disappointed but didn't show it, "It's okay, I'll come to New York to find you."

Seeing Leonardo sneaking over, Martin said into the phone, "I'll wait for you. Got some things to take care of here, we'll chat later."

After Martin hung up, Leonardo curiously asked, "Which supermodel are you planning to have a long-term relationship with?"

"No, it's not that," Martin said, thinking of Leonardo's vast experience, "A friend, she's almost 18. Help me out, what should I gift her?"

Leonardo pondered, "Eighteen! You've been keeping one under wraps, nice! Personal advice, if she's still a minor, the best gift is making her an adult."

Martin handed his phone to Old Cloth, "Leo, be serious."

Leonardo clicked his tongue in wonder, "No way! You, a playboy, thinking about a serious relationship?"

Martin was displeased, "The ladies I've dated don't even come close in number to your conquests, and you have the nerve to call me a playboy?"

Leonardo suddenly had an idea, straight-faced, he seriously advised Martin, "If it's a woman from within the industry, my suggestion is luxury goods, the more expensive the better. I'm an authority on this."

Martin believed him, as Leonardo, since the age of sixteen, had been linked with countless affairs, including rumors.

"And for an unforgettable coming-of-age gift, besides turning her into an adult, you should hold some sort of ceremony, right? You're the Sect Hierarch, after all," Leonardo said earnestly, "Since you can't go back, why not throw a party in New York? Jack and I will back you up. Personally invite Scorsese, so she gets both a gift and recognition. How grand that would be."

He lowered his voice, "That's how I won Gisele over, you know who I snatched her from? Soccer superstar Ronaldo! It was my grand romantic gesture that gave her sufficient glory. For the first two years, she ignored all rumors about me."

Martin took in that last sentence and said, "I don't know many people in New York."

"I'll introduce you to a party planning company," Leonardo offered, "$50,000 should cover it."

Money is the foundation of a man's confidence, and now Martin had it, "It's a deal."

Not to mention the endorsement money from Coca-Cola, the payment from World News Report, and the compensation from the Hilton Hotel, the upfront fee of $1 million from "Wanted Order" and half of the fee of $1 million from "Infernal Affairs" were both in his account.

Both consumption and investment could be written off taxes; holding real money in hand, aside from properties and vehicles, Martin had bought some stocks.

In his previous life around this time, he was deeply immersed in the circle of extras, dreaming of stardom, unable to pull himself out. He couldn't recall much from this era, except for Apple.

Many actresses were willing to travel thousands of miles for a chance at the latest Apple product.

Leonardo added, "Can you tell me who she is? I'm curious, a girl who can make a playboy stop in his tracks..."

Martin had no reason to hide it, "Blake Lively, the lead actress from 'The Summer of Jeans'."

Leonardo sighed and shook his head, "You move so fast..."

Blond hair, long legs, a figure even sexier than a model's—it was also to his taste.

Leonardo felt that, given Martin's scoundrelly ways, he probably made a move already during the filming of the picture.

After the film crew had completed their set adjustments, Martin returned to continue shooting.

Leonardo found Nicholson and observed him carefully, then whispered, "I just got some news; a girl that Martin is pursuing will soon come to New York..."

He briefly mentioned what he knew.

Nicholson responded directly, "What a perfect opportunity. If we don't mess with Martin, we'd be letting God down!"

Leonardo said, "That's what I'm thinking. He's always pulling these quiet pranks on us, and we can only watch..."

Nicholson pondered, "What's your plan?"

"Remember the banner you hung?" Leonardo had a deep memory of the celebratory slogan under the sun umbrella, "You told me it was that bastard Martin who came up with it."

Nicholson nodded, "It was Martin; he made it himself using the props department's equipment."

Leonardo said, "Good, we'll also hang a banner for him, and celebrate properly at the right time."

Nicholson sneered, "We must make that asshole pay."

Once they confirmed when Blake would arrive, Martin issued formal party invitations to key members of the crew, including director Scorsese, and took some time to go to Fifth Avenue's boutique shops to buy a Cartier ladies' watch.

The party planning company provided several proposals for Martin to choose from.

After settling on a plan, they left the party company, and Bruce drove back to the hotel, "You've changed from before."

Martin knew exactly what his old buddy meant, "With no money, you naturally live one way, but once you have money, you can enjoy life."

He suddenly changed his tone, "You've taken your fair share of commissions, so when it's time to spend, you should be generous—aiming to win over Kim's sister sooner rather than later."

Bruce's conscience, rare as it was, spoke up, "Isn't this kind of wrong?"

"Ha, when did you, a scoundrel, start talking about morals?" Martin asked.

But Bruce spoke very seriously, "My plan is to satisfy Kim first, and then break up with her before getting into something substantial with Cohler."

Martin realized he had overestimated Old Cloth.

Bruce slowly said, "I heard from Cohler about something, she mentioned having a half-sister by the same mother as Kim."

Martin flipped him off, holding his middle finger up right in front of Bruce's eyes, "You've completely stopped being human!"

Bruce rebutted, "I am just stating a fact that objectively exists, not planning to actually do anything."

Martin's face was full of contempt.

…

In Manhattan, at a very ordinary Starbucks.

Leonardo met Alexander Ambrosio.

"You missed Heidi's wedding," she got straight to the point, "Several of us are pretty upset."

Leonardo said, "That's got nothing to do with me, right? You can't blame someone's absence on me."

Ambrosio crossed her arms, "We did a lot of preparations, hoping to have a wild time like at the bachelorette party, but then people didn't show up." Discover hidden content at m,v l'e-NovelBin.net

Leonardo went straight to the point, "It's all Martin's fault! Me and Jack warned him, but he turned into a scaredy-cat, afraid of Heidi's husband finding out..."

Ambrosio said, "It wasn't Heidi's safe period on the day she got married; she was planning to take a chance, so she's also unhappy."

Having interacted a lot with the modeling circle over the years, Leonardo was no stranger to its dirty laundry, and he commented nonchalantly, "So the expectations fell through."

"Full of anticipation, only to be met with nothing," Ambrosio said, "If it were you, you'd be happy."

"There's a chance for us to mess with that bastard Martin..." Leonardo quickly outlined the plan and asked, "Will you guys join in?"

Ambrosio was stunned for a moment, then replied, "Join in? Of course! I can tell you right now, apart from Heidi, who's in the Caribbean on her honeymoon and can't make it, I can bring at least seven people over."

Her curiosity piqued, she asked, "Did you come up with this idea?"

"Not me," Leonardo said, "It was Martin's idea."

Ambrosio didn't understand.

Leonardo simply said, "When I broke up with Gisele, he messed with me using the same method!"

Ambrosio's focus shifted, "That must have been quite a spectacle."

Leonardo said, "The whole crew was talking about it, so I'm not going to let that bastard off easily."

Ambrosio nodded, "In that case, we'll go book a room at the hotel first, and when the party starts, give us a call. We'll rush over; it's bound to be fun."

Leonardo mentioned the time and place and then left the coffee shop.

Ambrosio hurried back, starting to call and gather people while still on her way.