America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Hollywood exploded with the news by midday, and by the end of the day, it had spread across America, with European and Asian media outlets clamoring to reprint the story. Brad Pitt's "nannygate" became the most sensational entertainment news of December.

Not even Jolie's public apology to Aniston in the Los Angeles Times stirred up as much response.

"Here we are at Beverly Hills where Megan from Los Angeles Channel 2 reports back. Behind me, you can see the tightly closed gates of Brad Pitt's mansion, where hundreds of journalists are on the watch."

In the Cody Community, on the television in Martin's living room, there's a 24-hour news marathon covering the "nannygate" scandal.

Aniston lay in Martin's arms, watching with great interest.

The reporter, using Pitt's mansion gate as a backdrop, said in the live broadcast, "According to reliable information, the LAPD has obtained evidence highly incriminating to Pitt from the victims and the reporter, and although Pitt returned home shortly after being summoned, LAPD has already applied for a related restraining order.

Without permission, Pitt is not allowed to leave the surrounding area of his residence."

Feeling satisfied, Aniston gave Martin a powerful kiss, "Thank you for everything you've done, letting out the breath that's been stuck in my heart, finally released with satisfaction."

"My dear, I have nothing to do with this matter," Martin would always say this, no matter who he was talking to or where he was. "Pitt's misdeeds are numerous, and he has bullied too many nannies, so it was bound to happen eventually."

Aniston stared at Martin and then suddenly laughed, gently stroking the puppy-like face, "Right, this has nothing to do with you, it's that scoundrel Pitt who got what he deserved."

She laughed heartily, venting all the frustrations she'd felt since her divorce, "Will they reach a settlement with Pitt?"

Martin said, "Who knows? It's said that some lawyers have already reached out to the victims pro bono, offering legal advice and services to help them fight the lawsuit of the century. This could drag on for a long time."

In such cases, lawyers don't ask for money upfront, eyeing the compensation instead. Taking half is normal, but taking 70% isn't unheard of either.

Aniston asked, "What about TMZ?"

Martin analyzed, "TMZ is focused on becoming the top gossip site in America, even the world, hoping to be the Internet's version of The Sun, and they're in need of fiery, explosive stories. They've already offended Pitt, and they'll certainly keep on his tail, digging deeper."

Aniston felt extremely gratified, "Knife in hand, specifically to kill that dog called Pitt!"

At that moment, the television screen momentarily switched from Pitt's mansion to other news reports.

"In today's Los Angeles Times, Angelina Jolie issued a public statement, formally apologizing to Jennifer Aniston. She stated that she was deceived by Pitt's sweet talk initially, but after a chance discovery, she not only found Pitt cheating with household staff while drunk but also using violence to coerce, which led her to decisively break up with Pitt."

"As Pitt begged her for forgiveness, swearing to reform, she believed it was just an impulsive mistake made in a drunken state, his first offense of that kind, only to find that he had a history of such behavior."

"Because of this, Jolie expresses deep regret and has decided to stand with all the affected women and their children, drawing a line against the abuser. She will not collaborate with Brad Pitt on any film or television projects in the future, attend the same shows or award ceremonies as him, nor will she endorse any products represented by Brad Pitt…"

Shocked by the news report, Aniston asked Martin, "Did you teach Jolie all this?"

"I didn't teach her this," Martin had never taught such a good student, "Jolie has evolved!"

Jolie, who had already established an image of a saint in America, took this opportunity to step out and ruthlessly stomp on Pitt, which was even more vicious than the media's attacks.

Especially by invoking the names of women and children to draw a line, her move was a fatal blow.

If this turns into a trend, the outcome is predictable.

Martin felt it was essential for Aniston to reconcile with Jolie.

```

Wasn't Pitt the only one who made a mistake?

As Aniston was still listening to Jolie's apology and condemnation of Pitt's statement, she suddenly said, "I've realized she's not that bad."

Martin pointed to Pitt, who appeared on the television screen once again, "The real bad guy is right there."

In this world, someone must always move forward bearing the burden of sin—Martin didn't want to, Jolie didn't want to, Aniston didn't want to, so it had to be Pitt.

Pitt is a superstar with broad shoulders, strong enough to carry the weight.

Seizing the moment, Martin said, "Jen, Jolie has made a public apology, do you want to talk to her?"

Aniston did not respond, instead pondering carefully.

Martin was someone who could stir up a storm out of nothing, and with the current storm raging: "I think you could join forces with Jolie and use Pitt as a stepping stone to become a leading voice for women in the industry, elevating your reputations to new heights."

Aniston had always known Martin to be a person full of ideas. At the beginning, adopting a puppy was about revenge, but then she found his willingness to pour into others both attentive and quenching, so she continued with it.

"I've underestimated you, Martin," Aniston said. "Come on, tell me your ideas."

"Leveraging the Pitt incident to speak out for women, especially in the industry, urging victims to also speak out..." Martin roughly outlined the concept of movements like Mitu, albeit in an altered version.

The broader social environment wouldn't allow something too radical.

Even without Martin, this movement would have emerged.

Martin's goal was to brand Brad Pitt to the pillar of shame so that when people thought of the Hollywood women's empowerment movement, they would spit at him.

In the game of fame and fortune that is Hollywood, it's impossible to truly "kill" someone without paying a hefty price oneself.

But "killing" someone doesn't only mean physical destruction; there are many ways to do it.

From the very beginning, Martin had considered how far he could go.

Regardless of the origin of his feud with Pitt, after the Avalon Bar incident, it was an unchangeable fact that the two were at odds in the industry.

Aniston was still thinking, and Martin waited patiently.

After a full ten minutes, Aniston finally said, "Call Jolie for me, I agree to talk to her in private."

Martin went to get his phone.

Aniston made a request, "On one condition: you must be there. Without you, there's no point in talking."

Martin was slightly taken aback but promised earnestly, "I assure you, I'll accompany you the whole time."

Aniston smiled brightly, "Martin, if it weren't for my fortunate encounter with you, I couldn't have moved on from depression and hatred so quickly."

Martin responded with a smile and dialed Jolie's number, "It's me."

```

"Teacher, have you seen my statement?" Lina, stirred to excitement by Martin's call, asked, "How is it? Have I made a lot of progress?"

Not waiting for Martin to respond, she continued, "I was worried that bastard wouldn't die, so I made sure to step on him extra hard."

"You did a fantastic job!" Martin shared Lina's caution, avoiding names on the phone.

Lina laughed brightly, "As a diligent student who has done so much, shouldn't the teacher offer some sort of reward?"

Martin glanced at Annie who gave a nod. He said, "Jen saw your public apology, and she's willing to talk to you privately."

At those words, a fire of anger ignited in Lina, who urgently needed Martin's guidance. She asked, "Now? Where? I'll come right away!"

"At my place, come on over," Martin replied.

"Wait for me!" Lina hung up the phone and dashed outside.

The adopted children ran after their mother, calling for her, but the determined mother didn't even turn her head, vanishing from sight as if sprinting a hundred meters.

The two children began to bawl, prompting the nanny to come over and soothe them.

Sons and daughters, Lina flung them all from her mind. Her thoughts were consumed by one thing: "Aniston is at Martin's house, and Martin has invited me over immediately. What am I going there for?"

Even if the San Andreas Fault were to crumble at that moment, it wouldn't shake Lina's determination to go!

Is there anything more important in the world?

This was a matter of the utmost importance in life!

Not long after, Lina, driving a van, pulled up in front of Martin's house and honked the horn.

The iron gate automatically opened.

Lina, in her haste, stepped on the gas pedal hard, and with the engine roaring, the car shot into the courtyard, narrowly missing the garage.

Hearing the noise, Martin came out to see Lina jumping out of the car and rushing towards him like the nimble Laura Croft and a frenzied Fox.

Inside, Aniston asked, "Martin, has she arrived?"

Turning back, Martin began, "She's here..."

Before he could finish, Lina threw herself at him.

Hearing Aniston's voice, Lina truly went mad, leaping onto Martin and delivering a fervent kiss.

With the momentum of Lina's push, Martin backed several steps into the house.

About to come out, Aniston saw Lina's behavior and yanked her down, "You shameless hussy!"

Lina, forcefully pulled off, licked her lips and said, "Tastes amazing."

Aniston, feeling as though her favorite toy had been snatched away, pushed Lina, "You have no shame!"

Lina retorted, "Shame isn't as important as pleasure."

Aniston was fuming.

Though both were actresses accustomed to shamelessness, Lina outdid Aniston by far.

Martin hastened to intervene between the two women, acting as a mediator, "Both of you, stop arguing. Let's go inside and talk."

Aniston, calming herself, clung tightly to Martin's arm, sitting down on the same couch with him, defiantly glaring at Lina.

Lina didn't mind at all; her bright eyes alight with excitement.

In front of Aniston, with Martin...

It was incredible!

A plan formed in Lina's mind, and she adopted a sincere smile, "I'm sorry, the thing with Pitt was my fault, but he deceived me too. He told me you two were already over, and that's why I made that common womanly mistake..."

Seizing the moment, Martin said, "Pitt is full of lies, always using deception to climb the ladder."

Despite having climbed the ladder in a similar fashion, the shameless Martin considered himself more elevated.

"He's an asshole!" Aniston's spirits lifted as Lina conceded, "He lied to me too."

Following her lead, Lina said, "Exactly, Pitt is a complete asshole. We're both victims..."

Martin knew what was key to having the three of them continue their discussion, "We have all been harmed by Pitt."

Aniston wholeheartedly agreed, "He's trash!"

Amidst their back-and-forth condemnation of Pitt, the atmosphere between Aniston and Lina eased significantly, eventually leading to laughter and chatter.

Women are peculiar creatures, capable of such hatred they'd eat each other's flesh and drink each other's blood, yet reconcile like twin lotuses joined at the stem.

After Martin suggested the idea of them becoming leaders of female opinion in Hollywood, the two actually sat together, discussing how to implement this and how to command and direct public opinion.

Of course, everything still depended on Pitt.

The series of plans to ensure Pitt continued to get hurt thus came into being.

After discussing these things, Lina spoke seriously, "Jen, since we're going to be close allies facing everything that follows, I think we should drop all barriers and become even closer."

Aniston agreed, "Infighting will only harm our interests."

"