America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Chapter 274: Chapter 271: A History of Blood and Tears

The day after Thanksgiving, Martin made a special trip to the Coca-Cola Group headquarters for a visit and received a warm welcome from a part of the management team, led by Marketing Director Brody.

Beyond the routine tour, he also took part in a media event organized by Coca-Cola.

This too was a publicity move.

In front of numerous media outlets, Brody presented Martin with a bronze Cola Cult Sect Hierarch badge.

The two stood in front of Coca-Cola's huge red logo, posing together for photos with the press.

Subsequently, Martin, on behalf of the "Limitless" crew, signed a promotional contract with Coca-Cola that totaled 5 million US Dollars for advertising sponsorship and marketing promotion.

After signing the contract, the pair entered the reception room together.

Brody always considered signing Martin as a proud stroke of genius, "You've been dominating the headlines recently."

Martin feigned helplessness, "I didn't want that, I did nothing, yet was misunderstood. I can't just stand there and let people hit me; it's not just my image that gets damaged, but also the brand partners."

He specifically mentioned, "It wasn't easy to build up Cola Cult's reputation; we can't allow it to be destroyed just like that."

Brody agreed with this sentiment, "In similar situations, you don't have to worry."

"With Coca-Cola's support, I have confidence in Hollywood," Martin said, and his words weren't completely exaggerated: "Take 'Limitless', for instance, as soon as Coca-Cola indicated their support for me, Warner Bros. immediately gave the project the green light."

Brody smiled. Coca-Cola's support for Martin wasn't without reason; they had seen real benefits. Since the birth of Cola Cult, sales of Coca-Cola in North America had risen by close to 8%.

These were impressive figures.

To move against Martin, the spokesperson, and Sect Hierarch of Cola Cult, was to offend Coca-Cola's revenue, which amounted to billions!

Not to mention Brody would not agree, all Coca-Cola shareholders would not consent either.

Coca-Cola, from their side, actively promoted the video online, showing Martin easily defeating Pitt with a can of Coke.

Even the advertising department intended to use this as a creative idea for next year's Coca-Cola commercial.

Brody appropriately conveyed some importance, "Coca-Cola should have mentioned to your agent about extending the endorsement contract."

"Per my agent's advice, I've only signed for half a year, so there's no rush on extending the contract," Martin obviously put forward his agent as a shield, which is also one of the reasons agents exist, to provide a buffer between stars and partners.

Brody nodded slightly, "Then we'll talk about it next year."

Martin responded with a smile, "No problem."

While the two were talking, Coca-Cola's bonus for "Wanted Order" was transferred into an account designated by Martin.

The endorsement contract signed between the two parties included a supplemental agreement, stipulating that if a movie starring Martin grossed over 100 million US Dollars in North America, Coca-Cola would pay Martin an additional 1 million US Dollars as a performance bonus.

At noon, Martin attended a networking banquet hosted by the Coca-Cola Group, meeting even more executives.

His relationship with Coca-Cola had always been developing positively.

In Atlanta, Martin also had the support of two other major forces: Kelly Gray along with her backing organization, and the House of Beast Entertainment Company led by Sophia, the female King Kong.

Kelly was away in Washington, and after leaving Coca-Cola, Martin contacted Sophia before meeting her at the Peach Tree Grand Hotel.

On the hotel's business floor, seeing Scott guarding the door of a reception room, Martin quickly walked over.

Bruce said softly from behind, "You go in by yourself later."

How could Martin let Bruce off the hook? Besides, going in alone didn't give him any confidence, "You come in with me, and don't forget, you promised to watch my back."

Although Bruce was shaking in his boots, he still clenched his teeth and accompanied Martin.

Scott glanced at Martin, guessing that he must've slept with his daughter last night, showing no good expression, "Sophia is inside waiting for you two."

Martin ignored him, pulling Bruce directly into the reception room.

Sophia leaned back in a single sofa, holding a report in one hand and a gripper in the other. With her hand opening and closing, her biceps bulged and contracted in exaggerated movements.

She pointed to the sofa, "You two sit wherever you like."

Martin sat diagonally across from her, while Bruce simply moved behind Martin, feeling strangely safer standing there with his back against the wall.

Sophia said, "I just received the report from Warrant Order Studio. They've made back their entire investment from box-office revenues alone. The project you introduced is very good; the expected profits are looking quite substantial."

As the financial backer, Martin spoke especially pleasantly, "I wouldn't introduce a project with no prospects to my friends."

Sophia put down the gripper and looked carefully at Martin and Bruce, "I'm always fair, and Old Cloth knows this best."

Bruce's lips quivered, he did not answer nor wanted to speak, just took a step back, leaning on the solid wall.

Sophia continued without pause, "Those who bring me profit, will receive corresponding benefits. What reward would you like?"

Bruce looked down at the floor, thinking to himself that this matter had nothing to do with him, let the reward go to Martin instead.

Thinking of Scott, Martin chuckled, "I already have a film fee to take, so let's forget any other rewards..."

"How can that be?" Sophia put down the report, took a beautifully crafted box from the table beside her.

Martin relaxed slightly; the box was only the size of a fist, square rather than rectangular, and certainly not big enough to contain a pink water bottle.

Sophia opened the box, revealing an oval egg and handed it to Martin, "Here, it's for you."

The egg was golden and shiny, with an uneven surface, resembling a not yet fully grown miniature avocado, except for the color.

Martin took it and noticed a series of notes under the golden avocado. He asked directly, "24K gold?"

Sophia was very generous, "I had it custom-made by a gold company, all taxes and procedures are taken care of, you just need to take it."

Martin, unabashed, accepted it and made a point to add, "Sophia, you really are someone who does great things."

Sophia laughed heartily, "Just don't forget me and House of Beast when you're making your arrangements."

"How could I!" Martin vowed, "Without you guys, there wouldn't be a Martin Davis today."

Sophia nodded, "I hope we are all people who remember old ties."

Martin said, "Being able to compete fiercely with others in Hollywood and come out on top time and again, Atlanta is the foundation!"

Without having laid a solid foundation in Atlanta, without the opportunity to participate in collaborations, he would not have landed these important roles, nor would he have approached a big shot like Harvey; he would have backed off on his own.

Sophia remarked, "I saw the video of you dealing with Pitt, quite impressive moves."

Martin spoke again, with a helpless tone, "I didn't have a choice, in that rotten Hollywood circle if you don't step on others, you'll be stepped on."

The two chatted for nearly an hour and a half, touching upon continuing their collaboration in the future.

Martin declined Sophia's dinner invitation and left the Peach Tree Grand Hotel with Bruce.

Once inside the car, he opened the gift box again, examining the golden avocado carefully. Despite the bumpy surface, it was a pleasure to behold.

Bruce commented, "Typical of Sophia's tacky style."

Martin weighed it in his hand and said, "I like these kinds of tacky gifts. Let the tackiness overwhelm me!"

Bruce started the car and asked, "Where to next?"

Martin checked the time, "Let's go to Northville Private Middle School, it's almost time for school to let out, and I promised Lily I would pick her up yesterday."

Bruce drove back to Northville.

Martin secured the golden avocado and responded to a few texts. Before long, the car stopped diagonally across from the middle school.

After waiting for about fifteen minutes, Lily emerged from the school gate with her backpack, spotting the BMW quickly and running over, the Martin Joker dangling from her backpack swinging back and forth with her long ponytail.

Getting into the car, she took off her backpack and said, "Everyone else is on holiday, and here I am, having to run to a carving class during the break."

Even the top students at private middle schools have to grind, especially those like Lily whose family conditions just improved and who lack heritage.

She pulled out yesterday's sculpture and handed it to Martin, "It's all done."

Martin held it up to the car window to get a good look in the light and said, "I'm not an expert, but it seems more pleasing to the eye than your previous carvings."

Lily said, "I've put in a lot of hard work over these two years. No one knows it, but don't you?"

Martin feigned confusion, "I'm not in Atlanta. How would I know?"

Lily glared at him fiercely, suppressing the urge to curse and trying to be civil, "You shipped me boxes of carving materials and asked me for nearly as many finished sculptures in return. Do you have any idea what I went through?"

It's a never-ending story of child labor and tears.

Martin adopted a 'it's for your own good' attitude, "Without the materials I sent you, would you have made today's progress and gained these skills?"

Lily snatched the clay sculpture from Martin's hand, "It's not done yet. I'll give it to you when it's finished."

She'd decided, the most suitable sculpture for Martin was that of a Joker!

The most sinister kind!

Martin didn't dwell on it, getting back to the main topic, "Have you decided to go to university in California?"

Lily nodded vigorously, certain, "I'm going to the California Institute of the Arts. Their sculpture program is quite good."

She muttered, "I'm not like Elena, who doesn't even have the courage to venture out."

"She's not lacking in courage; she has to be responsible for you guys," Martin understood Elena. "Even if you go to university, there's still Holle to consider, and staying in the familiar hometown is better than moving to a strange city."

Lily understood these reasons, "Once I go to school, the burden on Elena will be much lighter."

Martin responded, "It's good that you understand, so try not to make Elena angry."

"Yeah, I know," Lily agreed and then asked, "Are you sure you can get me a recommendation letter heavy enough to count?"

Martin smiled, "Of course no problem, I've asked a friend for help. Even if something unexpected comes up on his end, I have other plans."

If he really put his pride aside and asked, he was sure he could get recommendation letters from Scorsese and Wes Craven.

At worst, he still had the jerks Nicholson and Leonardo.

With Martin's firm response, Lily gained a clear goal to strive for.