America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Chapter 275: Chapter 272: Severe Punishment

The day after returning to Los Angeles, Martin headed out early in the morning to the Mercedes sales store in Beverly Business Center.

As soon as he and Bruce entered, a salesperson immediately notified the store manager.

A middle-aged man with glasses quickly came down from the second floor and greeted them, "Mr. Davis, welcome. What model are you interested in?"

Martin didn't waste words and walked straight toward the SUV area. Once the manager caught up, Martin pointed at the black G-Class on the display and asked, "Is there a white one in stock?"

"Yes, there is," the manager began to introduce the car's features and specs: "This is the latest model of Mercedes's revamped SUV..."

Martin didn't listen to his spiel and cut him off, "I want the fully loaded version, let's make the deal!"

The customer was decisive, and the manager was thrilled. He turned to his assistant and instructed, "Go make the invoice right now."

Martin said directly, "Handle the paperwork as fast as possible, I want to drive it out of here before 11 o'clock."

The manager promised, "Rest assured Mr. Davis, there will absolutely be no problem."

Today, Blake Lively was returning to Los Angeles from New York.

Martin was going to drive to the airport to pick her up, while also giving her a surprise.

On several occasions when they had talked about cars, Martin had made a point to ask, and Blake's favorite was the white Mercedes G-Class.

The manager made small talk with Martin, while Bruce looked at the AMGs with interest.

When the money was right, everything went smoothly. The sales team created the invoice, Martin paid with his card, and by 10:30 a.m., he was driving away from the Beverly Center.

Upon reaching Los Angeles International Airport, he waited for a while until the flight from New York landed.

Dragging her suitcase, Blake spotted Martin in the hallway at a glance. She left her father behind without a care and almost ran towards him.

She didn't care about the people around her or the flashbulbs that popped incessantly, she leaped up and threw herself onto Martin.

The two kissed passionately, shamelessly intertwining tongues, until the earth seemed to quake and the heavens to split.

It wasn't until Ernie-Levitt came out from the gateway that Martin let go of Blake to greet him.

Ernie waved his hand dismissively, "I'm taking off first."

Martin took the suitcase with one hand and pulled Blake up with the other, "Let's go, we're headed home."

Blake nodded with a smile, "Yeah, home."

As they walked, Martin looked Blake over.

"What?" Blake asked, "Do I look different?"

Martin complimented, "Even prettier, sexier."

Blake moved closer, "I've been working out, you know. I'll let you inspect closely when we get back."

Martin noticed that Blake seemed slightly different since the last time she'd left Los Angeles—more refined.

Not just her appearance but her whole demeanor and style as well.

From luggage to clothes to jewelry, everything was top-brand.

When they arrived at the parking lot, Martin pulled out the car key and handed it to Blake, "You're driving today, it's for you."

Looking at the key in her hand and then at the white G-Class parked diagonally across from her, Blake slapped her cheek in disbelief, "Jesus! Is this for me? It's so beautiful! Martin, I love you to death!"

Martin gestured for her to go ahead, "After you."

Blake released Martin's hand and ran over to the car, circling it once, touching the new vehicle with excitement like a child receiving a beloved toy. She climbed into the driver's seat and called out, "Martin, what are you doing standing there? Get in the car! Get in!"

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Martin first put the luggage in the trunk, then got into the passenger seat.

Blake started the car and upon leaving the parking lot, suddenly accelerated, giving Martin quite a scare.

"You don't drive much, take it easy, don't go too fast!" Martin didn't want their friends to sing "See You Again," nor did he wish for a spike in sales for the several movies he starred in.

One of the best things about Blake was she always followed Martin's standards. She immediately slowed down and drove smoothly.

Martin asked, "How's life in the Upper East Side?"

Blake kept it brief, "Lots of rich people there." Then she added, "Those jerks on the East Coast, they actually look down on us Californians."

Strictly speaking, Martin also came from the East Coast.

Blake quickly corrected herself, "I meant New Yorkers."

Martin laughed, "Those Yankees are also arch-enemies with Atlanta."

Blake continued, "Next year, I have to go back to New York. 'Gossip Girl' will soon be in the works—Dad is planning it, aiming to turn it into a teen series."

Martin said, "Your dad's experienced, trust his judgment."

The white G-Class quickly entered the Cody Community and drove directly into the house, with Bruce's Escalade automatically pulling up to the curb outside the door.

Old Bruce knew what was coming; that pair would start getting busy as soon as they got inside.

The car pulled into the garage, the outside gate closed automatically, but the people in the car did not get out. The SUV began to rock, and after a while, shook violently as if it might leap up and transform at any moment.

The freshly-baked G-Class had been dirtied by two shameless characters...

Meanwhile, a flight from Toronto landed at Los Angeles International Airport.

Mene, wearing sunglasses and carrying a bag, walked out of the airport.

Agent Munir was waiting for him.

The two got into the car and headed back to North Hollywood.

Munir took out an invitation, "At the start of next month, Warner Bros. is hosting a celebration event, and you're invited."

Mene looked through it, "They invited me too?"

Munir replied, "Probably because of Martin."

When Martin was mentioned, Mene couldn't help feeling annoyed, slapped the seat, and said, "The boss had a conflict with Pitt. It's too bad I wasn't there, or I would have given Pitt a piece of my mind!"

Munir knew what his client was best at and reminded him, "Aniston is not someone for you to fawn over!"

"I know!" Mene cherished everything he had and knew where it all came from, "That bastard Pitt won't let things rest."

He asked Munir, "How old is Pitt? How old is his mother?"

Mene's question almost made Munir explode on the spot. He hurriedly reminded him, "Pitt seems to be over 40."

"So around 60 or so?" Mene decided to look it up.

He took out his phone and called Bruce, "Old Cloth, I'm back. You and the boss should come out for drinks tonight!"

Bruce, sitting in the car, glanced towards his house and said, "You're asking Martin out for drinks. Let's do it another day. Blake's coming back from New York today."

Mene understood, "Then another day."

As they were nearing North Hollywood, Munir suddenly remembered something extremely important. He slowed down the car a bit and said, "During this time, Paris Hilton has contacted me."

Mene was on alert, "What does she want to do? Use our past to generate buzz? That's all in the past, why should I oblige her?"

"She seems a bit lonely," Munir spoke of something entirely different, "She wants to meet secretly with you, saying something about having a long-term suite at the Hilton Hotel."

Mene frowned, "That's it? Nothing else?"

Munir didn't understand, "Isn't her asking you out suggestively enough?"

"No cash involved?" Mene pinched his fingers, saying, "Without that, why should I meet her secretly, why cooperate with her!"

Munir didn't want to talk anymore.

Mene argued, "That shameless Paris actually wants a freebie from Uncle Mene!"

Even in the past year, those female casting directors and producers with power, however much they wanted Uncle Mene to grovel, always paid him with real roles.

On Warner Bros.'s end, people handing out party invitations were busy everywhere.

This year, Warner Bros. had a stellar performance, launching multiple blockbuster films. Not only did the Harry Potter series continue to sell well, but they also revived the Batman series, and numerous middle and small budget films they distributed achieved high box office results.

Many of Warner Bros.' partners received celebration party invitations.

Martin was in Atlanta, so the invitation was handed to Thomas.

Once Thomas heard Martin was back in Los Angeles, he delivered it immediately.

Bruce could only phone Martin, making Thomas wait for a short while before the courtyard gates opened.

When Thomas entered, he saw only Martin and handed him the invitation, advising him, "Unless there's something very important, you must attend."

Martin quickly glanced over it, "I'll be there."

Thomas continued, "The Nolans will be there too."

Martin nodded and asked, "Anything I should pay attention to?"

"Pitt will be there too. If he doesn't bother you, don't engage with him," Thomas emphasized. "Unless there's a surprise, both Jolie and Aniston have received invitations. You might want to watch out."

Martin confidently replied, "I'm just ordinary friends with them. Pitt is out of his mind."

Footsteps sounded from the stairs as Blake, changed into a different outfit, came down from the upstairs floor and greeted Thomas, sitting down next to Martin.

Thomas seamlessly aligned with Martin, "That's right, Pitt has lost his mind, getting all worked up over nothing."

Martin asked, "Will you be going too?"

Thomas nodded lightly, "I've received an invitation as well."

His gaze quickly swept over Blake and, feeling he might not keep up with Martin's train of thought—given Martin's playboy lifestyle—he promptly made his excuses, "I have work back at the company I need to deal with."

Martin and Blake saw Thomas out of the villa.

Blake didn't bother asking about Pitt and Aniston. Those details were trivial in the eyes of her female fans—nothing was more important than getting close to the male idol.

She batted her eyes at Martin, "I brought back a few outfits from New York, do you want to take a look? Everyone says I have a better figure than the models. I'm sure I'd look great on the runway."

How could Martin miss the chance to appreciate, pulling Blake upstairs, "Go on, model them for me."

Blake laughed, draping herself over him, "I've even learned a bit of catwalk. The bedroom is my runway."

A good actor must be able to handle a variety of roles, and with Blake in her learning phase, having Martin, a guy naturally talented and highly praised for his acting, to direct her on the spot on how to master important roles like a sailor, PD, office worker, and so on, was invaluable.

When Blake performed exceptionally, Martin rewarded her with a lollipop.

If she performed poorly, Martin would severely discipline her with a big stick, making a deep impression so she wouldn't repeat the same mistakes.