America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

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Gillian Flynn came over just as Martin had finished eating.

He put down his knife and fork, picked up the napkin and wiped his mouth, saying, "You've got a new piece already?"

After completing the script for "Gone Girl," Gillian Flynn had been busy. Although she followed the crew to Cape Girardeau for filming, she rarely made appearances on set.

"I'm used to being busy, can't sit still," she said with a laugh, speaking honestly, "I wanted to release a new piece while 'Gone Girl' is still hot— I'm still a poor writer right now."

The cafeteria was crowded and noisy, and people nearby may have overheard Gillian Flynn's words, casting curious glances her way.

Martin suggested, "Shall we go somewhere else to talk?"

Gillian nodded, "Sure."

The two left the cafeteria and went to a café on the same floor, finding a quiet booth.

Gillian took out a printed manuscript and handed it to Martin, "The new piece is called 'Dark Places,' and its overall style has similarities with the last one."

"You can tell from the title," Martin said as he took it and started to flip through.

This was a female-centric novel.

The female protagonist, as a child, witnessed her mother and sisters being brutally murdered by a psychopath, and she identified her brother as the murderer. However, as an adult, she discovered that there were oddities in the case.

Because of "Gone Girl," Martin read very carefully, searching his memory as he went, yet recalling nothing.

Eventually, he stopped trying to remember, focusing solely on the novel before him.

As Martin read on, he asked, "Are you trying to touch on the recent societal reflection on the suggestiveness of questions posed to young children as evidence?"@@novelbin@@

Gillian replied, "Yes, it includes elements of that."

Martin nodded slightly and continued reading, quickly finishing the not-so-thick manuscript.

Perhaps because "Gone Girl" was so stunning or because the novel was not yet complete, Martin felt "Dark Places" wasn't particularly outstanding.

Seeing Martin close the manuscript, Gillian couldn't wait to ask, "What do you think?"

Not wanting to mislead her, Martin said, "Personally, I prefer 'Gone Girl' more."

"When I was writing it, I didn't have that same exhilarating feeling," Gillian knew her strengths and weaknesses, "The previous book had a real-life classic case to refer to, Agatha Christie's experience dealing with her cheating husband, which gave me enough inspiration."

Martin handed the manuscript back to Gillian, "You go ahead and finish it."

Gillian smiled, "Okay."

Martin was the first to leave the café, heading upstairs to his room. Just as he was about to shower, someone knocked on the door from outside.

He peeked through the peephole and opened the door.

Lea Seydoux didn't wait for Martin to step aside; she and Martin squeezed into the room together.

To play the role of Margo, she had cut her long hair to a medium length, and apart from the color, she looked remarkably similar to the Lea Seydoux he remembered from "Blue Is the Warmest Color."

Of course, that uniquely French romance and charm she exuded was even more fiery and undeniable.

For Martin, it was a completely different sensation from being with Charlize.

...

Back in the café downstairs, Gillian packed up her manuscript and waited for a while.

Her agent came in from outside and sat across from her, asking, "How did it go? What did Martin say?"

Gillian told the truth, "Martin wants to wait until the novel is completely finished before discussing further."

Her agent frowned slightly, "What about when you discussed 'Gone Girl'?"

"Martin was very interested just from reading the beginning," Gillian recalled the first time she spoke with Martin about her previous book, "He knew about Agatha Christie's unique experience, so when Amy used a similar technique to get back at Nick, he was immediately interested."

She thought for a moment and added, "I remember clearly, Martin decided to buy the film adaptation rights and sent someone to discuss collaboration after only reading the first half of the novel."

The agent assured her, "You finish the novel first, and leave the publishing and adaptation rights to me."

He gave Gillian a pep talk, "'Gone Girl' has already entered the top three of the New York Times bestseller list. Publishers are giving a lot of importance to your next book, and the film adaptation by Martin and David Fincher has a very high chance of success, so you don't have to worry about the adaptation rights."

Gillian shared the sentiment, "I'll strive to finish the novel before the movie's release, publishing it as the film hits theaters. If it can hit the bestseller list again, the rights could sell for a good price."

As a debut work, "Gone Girl" had limited financial benefits despite the compensation agreement Gillian had with Davis Studio and the Writers Guild's share in adaptation rights, it was nothing compared to the amounts fetched after gaining fame.

The agent advised her, "Martin was a big help in your success, but business is business—we don't just have to work with Martin alone. There are many production companies in Hollywood. Quite a few have reached out to me, looking to work with you."

After thinking for a bit, Gillian said, "Keep in touch with them. Let's wait patiently for the release of 'Gone Girl'."

The agent agreed, "As long as Martin can make the film a commercial success, your stature and the value of your next book will easily increase."

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"However, if Martin offers a suitable price, we will still prioritize collaborating with him," said Gillian, who used to be an entertainment reporter and knew Hollywood was full of pitfalls. Martin was relatively reliable by comparison.

She said, "Martin used to live right across from my house in Cody Community. I've watched with my own eyes how he climbed his way up from a third-rate minor celebrity to the superstar he is today."

This seemingly quiet weekend was anything but calm for the production crew.

Word of Gillian Flynn's discussion with Martin about her work had reached the ears of someone with interest.

Like leaked news, many pieces of information in Hollywood could be exchanged for money.

In the buffet restaurant, ignoring the free food, Production Assistant Foster hurriedly came out and found a quiet place, pulled out his mobile phone, and dialed a Los Angeles number.

Once the call connected, he said, "Mills, it's me, there's something you need to take care of immediately."

The lethargic Mills on the other end said, "I'm enjoying some fine wine and beautiful company right now. If it's not urgent, we can talk tomorrow."

Foster glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then raised his voice, "It's big news about making money. If done right, each of us could pocket tens of thousands of US dollars!"

"Hold on." After a pause, the messy noises all disappeared, leaving only Mills' voice, "What's this about big money-making news?"

Foster did not give it away directly but instead reminded him, "Before I came to Missouri, didn't you tell me to keep an eye on Martin Davis' activities, especially regarding new movie projects?"

"That's right!" Mills emphasized, "As long as your news is accurate, I can sell it for a high price!"

He knew how to motivate people, "Old buddy, no matter how much it sells for, we split it fifty-fifty!"

No more beating around the bush, Foster disclosed, "Tonight, Martin Davis is discussing a new movie project—'Gone Girl' author Gillian Flynn has written a new work, and Martin is talking to her about the adaptation."

Overjoyed, Mills asked again to be sure, "Are you certain?"

Foster replied, "I saw it with my own eyes, heard it with my own ears, there's absolutely no mistake."

Mills hung up the phone and immediately contacted someone named McDonald, who was part of Jon Berg's assistant team, the new president of Warner Bros.

They met up quickly at a Starbucks in Burbank.

Dressed in formal attire and unable to conceal his triumphant expression, McDonald's status within Warner Bros had risen by aligning with the right boss.

Upon seeing Mills, he got straight to the point, "Any news about the task you were arranged to do?"

That question didn't sit well, sounding almost like a superior talking to a subordinate, when it was supposed to be a deal—money in exchange for services rendered. Mills was slightly displeased and reminded him, "I've got results, but what about the payment you promised?"

McDonald frowned, "The results first."

Mills leaked just a bit, "I've got confirmed information that Martin Davis has been busy looking for and planning new projects, even during shooting."

McDonald cut to the chase, "Original or an adaptation?"

Mills just looked at him and smiled without saying a word.

McDonald, having the authority to request a fund, immediately took out his personal checkbook and signed two checks in succession, pushing them across.

After checking them, Mills said, "This information is worth half a million US dollars! Considering our friendship, you should at least give me a hundred thousand US dollars!"

"You must be joking!" McDonald nearly erupted, "It's just a piece of news!"

Mills insisted, "It may be just a piece of news, yet it concerns a project that Martin Davis is planning!" he tapped his finger repeatedly on the table, emphasizing, "The person eyeing that project is Martin Davis himself!"

McDonald took a sip of his coffee.

Mills continued, "You work at Warner, and you know more about Martin Davis than I do. In all these years collaborating with Warner, has there ever been a movie that flopped at the box office? Which one didn't bring producers and distributors profits exceeding tens of millions of US dollars?"

He sneered, "Compared to potential profits of tens of millions of US dollars, such crucial information isn't worth a hundred thousand?"

Putting down his coffee cup, McDonald said, "I can only give you ten thousand US dollars."

Mills shook his head, "You're insulting the name of Martin Davis and the legendary success it represents!"

"Wait for me a moment." McDonald stood up and left the café to make a phone call.

Mills patiently waited. If McDonald refused to pay up, he could always turn to other companies.

There's definitely a company in Hollywood willing to pay for the news about a project Martin Davis is interested in!

Your adventure continues at My Virtual Library Empire

Not long after, McDonald came back in and asked, "Are you sure Martin Davis hasn't yet purchased the project he's interested in?"

Mills replied, "He hasn't moved that fast yet, but if you hesitate, it could be a different story."

McDonald nodded, "A hundred thousand is too much. I can give you fifty thousand US dollars."

Mills stood up, and they high-fived, "Deal!"

Soon someone came over with the payment, and McDonald also obtained the vital information, reporting it to Jon Berg immediately. Berg then instructed him to take a red-eye flight to Missouri that very night.