America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

After receiving the DVD Thomas had handed him, Martin carefully examined the cover featuring a face he couldn't be more familiar with.

The films stored on the disc, he remembered the latter two less, having not watched them as often, but the primary storyline of the first one left an extremely deep impression on him.

It was one of the Hong Kong films he had watched the most after the year 2000.

It could be described as the last glory of Hong Kong cinema.

"Based on a Hong Kong film, adapted for local flavor with a gangster theme..." Thomas detailed the recent developments.

Martin had also seen "Infernal Affairs" and confirmed that the information Thomas had gathered was correct, such as the Irish gangs in Boston.

Thomas asked again, "And on the Pacific Pictures' side?"

Martin replied, "Louise and Pacific Pictures' energies will temporarily be focused on the shooting of 'Wanted Order,' they have higher hopes for that project."

Thomas understood the priorities, "I'll look further into plan B then." He specifically mentioned, "With Scorsese's project, the audition result has a bigger impact on the role, but if acting skills are similar, there are too many deciding factors. Plan B will become the third largest investor, I'm planning on contacting personnel from plan B."

Martin immediately thought of the two biggest shareholders of plan B, "Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston?"

"I can only get in touch with the management of plan B," said Thomas. "I heard that Scorsese was interested in inviting Pitt for the secondary lead, but Pitt declined."

After pondering for a moment, Martin said, "I need a Boston accent coach and information on the regulations and organizational structure of the Boston Police Department." Since he was going to try for it, he wanted to give it his all, "And it would be best if I could get a history of Boston's gangs over the past decade or so."

Thomas responded, "I'll take care of it."

After the New Year, Martin would turn 24, and if he remembered correctly, Leonardo was 30.

According to the character background in "Infernal Affairs," he was actually a closer fit in terms of age.

But these were not the decisive elements.

In Los Angeles, there was no shortage of teachers for various accents, and that very afternoon Martin met a middle-aged woman who spoke with a Boston accent. He practiced the local pronunciation with her and received a heap of recorded teaching material.

After mastering a Hollywood accent, he began training in a new accent.

In many Hollywood film crews, there were situations where actors would say '1234567' and similar phrases during shoots.

For instance, Depp's memory had already been ravaged by alcohol and ''white powder,'' making lines a mere trifle for him.

But with Martin Scorsese's film crew, live sound recording was required, and the accent had to match the character's background.

Thomas, shouldering his responsibilities, had another meeting in the evening with the casting directors of "Gangs of New York" and "The Aviator," who had already collaborated with Martin Scorsese twice and were very likely to continue doing so.

Martin had a date, too—Annie had asked him to meet at Griffith Observatory that evening.

...

In the suite of the Hilton Hotel.

In front of the makeup mirror, Annie asked Laura while applying makeup carefully, "Is this okay?"

Laura exclaimed, "Absolutely beautiful, Annie, Martin was right—you really are a true princess."

Annie asked, "Is everything ready?"

Laura leaned in closer and said, "You just handle the confession, I'll take care of the rest. Everyone has been notified."

Annie asked again, "Do you think Griffith Park is an appropriate spot?"

"It couldn't be more perfect," Laura said. "There's Hollywood Hills, and from the observatory, you can overlook all of Los Angeles. It's a common place for stars to date, and it makes sense for journalists to catch your confession."

Annie nodded, "That's good, I want to leave a good impression on Martin."

Laura pointed to the clothes lined up on the hanger, "Get dressed, it's about time."

Annie chose a white shirt and slim jeans, intentionally dressing like the girl next door to avoid putting pressure on him.

Then, they went downstairs and left in the hotel's car.

Annie asked Laura to double-check, "Call the entertainment reporters and paparazzi again, make sure there are no mistakes."

Laura took out her phone and started dialing.

On the other side, Bruce was approaching Hollywood Hills in a Volkswagen.

Martin glanced at the nearby Hollywood sign and asked, "Did you notify them?"

Bruce replied, "I used a public phone to call 'US Rumors' and other eight entertainment tabloids, and I also called Jody and the other paparazzi. There will definitely be a few heading up the hill."

He urged on, "The day before yesterday, I talked with Jody. She said you two needed to show some new development, as ordinary street photos won't fetch a high price anymore."

Martin understood the business logic behind it, "I think it's about time."

Bruce, aware of this scoundrel's plan, asked, "Can't you be more decent? Having the woman confess first?"

Martin replied, "It means I'm responsible."

Upon reaching the parking lot of the park, Bruce parked the car and, checking the time, grabbed a can of beer.

Martin walked ahead towards the hill, with Bruce following behind.

The Griffith Observatory was one of the iconic buildings of Los Angeles. Arriving at the park plaza in front of the observatory, Martin looked around, recognizing some faces in the crowd of tourists that seemed familiar.

The paparazzi and reporters had arrived.

After waiting a while, Martin saw Annie entering the plaza and went forward to greet her.

The surrounding paparazzi and reporters, having spotted the two, followed suit.

On the edge of the plaza, Laura sought a quiet spot when she suddenly noticed someone familiar sitting on a bench nearby.

Bruce also saw her and nodded slightly, "What a coincidence."

Laura smiled, "Indeed, a coincidence."

Both turned their gaze back to Martin and Annie in the distance.

Martin and Annie got closer and closer.

Suddenly, Martin turned to look back as if someone had called out to him.

Seeing him stop, Annie had to quicken her steps, and by the time Martin turned back around, she had reached him and opened her arms, plunging into his embrace.

Martin embraced Annie.

Annie, without any hesitation as though she feared the high-quality stock slipping from her grasp, said impatiently, "Martin, I've been thinking about you these days. Let's go out!"

Adhering to his principle of being a nice guy—never refuse, never initiate, never promise—Martin just nodded vigorously.

Annie's laughter erupted, as if she saw a bright future ahead: career and wealth.

She tilted her head back and gently closed her eyes.

In such a moment, how could good guy Martin cruelly reject her? He leaned down and kissed her red lips.

Not far away, flashlights started popping.

The entertainment paparazzi were thrilled; they could now confirm another Hollywood pair of shameless lovers!

As soon as their lips touched, feeling only each other's warmth, Annie opened her eyes, tilted her lips away, and buried her head in Martin's chest, "I am so happy."

She trembled in Martin's arms, as if too excited to contain herself.

Martin held her tightly, gently caressing her temples.

The flashes kept going off.

Annie, worried that her face wouldn't be captured, adjusted her angle several times so the camera lens could catch her perfect profile.

Such a jealousy-inspiring romance.

This is what true love should look like.

Finally, the two parted.

Annie's beautiful eyes were full of Martin, showing her attention solely on him.

Martin's fingertips gently traced Annie's cheek, his eyes brimming with tears, "Annie, do you know? I saved the world in my past life!"

Annie didn't follow, "Saved the Earth?"

Martin added, "That's why I've earned the goddess's favor in this life."

The sweet nothings made Annie purse her red lips, unable to distinguish whether her heart was touched or it was an outburst of acting, fully immersing herself in the emotion.

With a kick of her long legs, she plunged into Martin's embrace.

Forgetting all plans, she took the initiative, looking up for a kiss, locking lips with Martin for a long time.

On the edge of the square, Laura gently wiped her tears, profoundly moved.

With a pop, Bruce opened a beer, thinking, "This is Martin Davis, the man who wins over female producers with his genuine talent."

Laura excitedly exclaimed, "The princess and the prince are finally together!"

Bruce just nodded mechanically.

Snow White and the Prince? In the original version of the fairy tale I remember, the prince was not a nice guy.

Bored, he couldn't help but fantasize that if Annie played Snow White and Martin the prince with some sort of fetish, based on the original fairy tale, it would be quite spectacular.

By now, the couple on the square had ended their long kiss, intertwined fingers, and walked towards the Griffith Observatory's viewing platform.

Bruce automatically followed behind.

Laura followed as well.

Martin, holding Annie's hand, hurried forward, "Let's go see the night view of Los Angeles and announce to all of Los Angeles that Martin Davis and Annie-Hathaway are together."

Annie kept close by his side, her eyes filled only with Martin.

They entered the observatory, smiling as they crossed the hall and went up the stairs together.

A few steps ahead, Martin saw no one else, suddenly turned, and bent his head down.

Annie tiptoed to plant a kiss on his face.

Reaching the staircase's bend, Annie slowed down, "I'm tired."

Martin pointed up the stairs, turned back and said, "I'll carry you."

"Mhm!" Annie was delighted, climbed a few steps, then jumped onto Martin's back, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.

Martin carried Annie all the way up to the viewing platform.

The platform was empty, and the two of them went to the edge, facing the nine giant letters of Hollywood.

Martin put Annie down, cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted down, "Thank you, Annie! Thank you for your favor!"

Annie stood close to Martin, shouting just as loudly, "Annie-Hathaway loves Martin Davis! Forever!"

People coming up heard their shouts and weren't surprised.

This was also a lovers' haven in Los Angeles, where young couples often came to be wild.

Martin and Annie snuggled together, admiring the Los Angeles nightscape, talking softly to each other.

After a while, they descended the stairs together.

Passing by the restroom, Annie said, "I need to use the restroom."

Martin nodded.

Annie entered the restroom, saw Laura, and snapped out of her emotional display.

The latter asked, "Got any explosive gossip?"

Annie whispered a few words, quickly left the restroom, and took Martin's arm to head outside.

Laura waited a moment before slipping out of the restroom, headed outside the observatory, and approached a familiar paparazzo.

The paparazzo handed her 50 US dollars without a word.

Laura said, "Do you know why Annie was so excited? Martin said he saved the world in his past life, and that's why he won Annie's favor this life!"