America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

The door to the study was knocked from the outside; Bruce went over to open it, and Elizabeth came in with a tray. Martin and the other two were still discussing, and it sounded like they were planning something.

She didn't ask much, just set down the tea, "You guys chat, I'll have the kitchen prepare supper."

Martin nodded his head, "Liz, go to the wine cellar and fetch a good bottle."

Elizabeth gave Martin a sweet smile, left the study, and closed the door behind her.

It was apparent that Martin, Leo, and Jack were up to something; she couldn't help much, but she could provide the best logistical support.

In the study, Nicholson's cell phone rang again. He quickly took it out and glanced at it, his expression changing slightly.

Martin asked, "What happened?"

Nicholson replied, "Turn on the computer."

Bruce immediately booted up the computer.

Nicholson looked toward Leonardo and said, "I had someone investigate Nike Sam; he just sent back a message that Gisele and Tom visited Nike Sam's New York branch this year."

Hearing Gisele's name, Leonardo sprang to his feet, anxiously asked, "Are you sure?"

Nicholson said, "There's related news online; it didn't attract much attention at the time."

Martin, sitting in front of the computer, opened Google, searched, and clicked on the relevant news webpage.

Leonardo hopped over, snatched the mouse out of Martin's hand, scrolled down the webpage, and saw a photo.

It was a snapshot from the street, clearly showing Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen coming out of Nike Sam's house in New York.

Leonardo's heart thumped violently, so anxious he could barely breathe.

Martin patted him, "It's okay, maybe they were just curious to take a look."

But Leonardo said, "These scoundrels have such strong brainwashing capabilities; what if Gisele falls for it? That bastard Tom Brady promised to take good care of Gisele; how could he bring her to such a place?"

He dropped the mouse and went aside to call Gisele Bundchen.

Martin glanced over and said, "Leo has always been worried about Gisele."

"Cut it out, he's just a scumbag; can't let go and yet won't marry her." Nicholson pointed at Martin and then at himself, "You too, and so am I."

Leonardo quickly came back and said, "Gisele did indeed attend Nike Sam's classes and found them very interesting; I warned her, but it's hard to say if it helped."

He grabbed Martin's arm with one hand and pulled on Nicholson's sleeve with the other, "We're the Trio of Scoundrels specialized in dealing with people; we must take down the scoundrels at Nike Sam!"

Martin reminded him, "Isn't that what we're discussing, how to deal with Nike Sam and Keith Lanier?"

Nicholson said, "They actually want to snatch our swallow!"

"My Gisele!" Leonardo muttered to himself, and then came up with a bad idea, "Should we find a vagrant or a truck driver to take out Ranier? Just end it all!"

Nicholson immediately rejected it, "Absolutely not, the risk is too great. Nike Sam is connected to many political figures; if Ranier dies under suspicious circumstances, and those powerful political followers go crazy investigating, the trouble would be endless."

Leonardo fell silent. When it came to Gisele, he was a bit hot-headed.

Martin then asked Nicholson, "Did your collected information contain many political figures joining Nike Sam?"

"Indeed, Los Angeles has several city council members," Nicholson's information was just the public ones, "In Washington, a deputy minister from the Department of Health and Human Services and others have close ties with Nike Sam."

He added, "Keith Lanier has been involved in several cases, all suppressed; the political influence can be imagined."

Martin then said, "Why did that swallow come to me? My Hollywood star status is of no use to them."

Detective Nicholson analyzed, "Cola Cult, the several gatherings you organized had too many important political figures in attendance, that's where the swallow sees the value."

Leonardo said, "Star status doesn't hold much value."

Martin's thoughts began to clear up, "Nike Sam has a wide influence, and women's affairs are hard to shake them, but what about adding a Russian spy to the mix?"

Nicholson caught on to Martin's idea, "We could certainly try."

Thinking of his beloved life Gisele, Leonardo was ready to act immediately to save her, "I think it's possible."

The three murmured in the study until nearly 11 o'clock before they came out.

Elizabeth had already prepared supper on her side.

After Leonardo and Nicholson had eaten, Martin had their respective rides take them away.

Back in his room, Elizabeth asked, "What happened; what did you guys discuss for so long?"

Martin replied, "Someone wants to harm Lily and has also set their sights on Gisele Bundchen."

"Lily?" Elizabeth had been in touch with Lily, "Isn't she going to East Asia for a trip?"

Martin briefly explained, "The other party is a cult organization, skilled in brainwashing and controlling women. I told Lily to extend her travels and stay out longer until we've resolved the trouble here before coming back."

Elizabeth nodded, "That's good too, staying away from danger will allow you to focus on dealing with those scoundrels." She then asked, "Is there anything I need to do?"

Martin carried her upstairs, "Help me keep my cool so I don't get overly angry and make the wrong decisions."

Elizabeth hugged Martin's neck tightly, "I will absorb all your anger!"

The next morning, Martin, Leonardo, and Nicholson met on time at the Davis Studio.

As the overall commander of the hunt, Nicholson began to assign tasks.

Yesterday, after Martin shared the general ideas, the great detective went back to consider for half the night and came up with a corresponding action plan.

Nicholson said to Martin first, "You need to cut off normal contact with Marina, making her see no hope on your end, understand?"

The idea was originally Martin's, so how could he not understand? He replied, "No problem on my side."

Nicholson then said to Leonardo, "Our task is to subtly pique Marina's interest in Nike Sam without leaving any traces, letting her realize that Nike Sam is also a platform that can provide access to many American political figures."

Leonardo nodded, "Alright."

In his heart, he silently added, "To save my Gisele!"

"Let's get going, let's get going," Nicholson reminded, "Be fully alert, and don't startle Nike Sam too soon."

He and Leonardo quietly headed to San Fernando Valley.

Martin first visited Warner Bros. Studios, then went to Century City and met with Thomas and Natasha separately at WMA.

…

Burbank, the home of Nike Sam.

Keith Raniere, wearing glasses, had just finished teaching a session for a few politicians from Los Angeles City. He watched them with a smile, as though he was a learned and loving mentor of life.

One of the African American women, Karen, said, "Mentor, after listening to your new course, it feels like all my psychological barriers have disappeared, and all the trauma in my heart has been healed."

Raniere replied with a smile, "With this, you can lead the LAPD to serve the public of Los Angeles even better."

After the recent election cycle, McLain became the chief of the LAPD, while Karen, representing another faction's power, became the deputy chief.

It might seem outrageous, unbelievable, and even foolish for these high-level elites to join an organization like Nike Sam, but similar examples were countless across North America and the world.

Karen bowed slightly, "Thank you for your spiritual guidance, Mentor."

The others also said a few words each.

With that, today's session ended, and the others gradually left.

Karen stayed behind and exchanged a few words with Raniere.

Raniere might not be good at many things, but he had a silver tongue. With his convincing chatter, he made Karen feel immensely enriched.

Karen increasingly felt that joining Nike Sam was the right decision.

Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Raniere, "Mentor, I've heard there are further advanced courses. When can I participate?"

Raniere looked at the short, stout African American woman with short hair and thought to himself that he couldn't bear the thought of her joining an advanced course.@@novelbin@@

Karen had vaguely heard what the advanced courses were about, and rather than being repulsed by the idea of an attractive and graceful life mentor, she was especially looking forward to it.

Raniere steadied his mind and said, "You must complete this set of courses and pass the assessment."

"I look forward to the Mentor's assessment," Karen said before taking her leave.

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Raniere came out of the teaching room and into his spacious and luxurious office. He looked up at the poster newly hung on the wall; it was a promotional poster of the young sculptress Lily Carter.

Thinking about the 'black pig' from earlier and then looking at Lily's poster, Raniere's craving grew stronger.

Such high-quality, beautiful girls were absent from his collection of slaves.

Raniere pressed the intercom, called in Allison Mack, and asked, "How is it going with Lily Carter?"

Allison replied, "We've been monitoring her studio and residence but have never seen her."

Raniere had personally called Lily, but no one picked up, which made him frown, "Is she not in Los Angeles?"

Allison said, "She seems not to be in Los Angeles. We don't yet know where she's gone."

"Have someone continuously watch her house and studio. If she returns, notify me immediately," Raniere said with growing impatience. "Have someone check, find out who Lily Carter's friends and acquaintances are, then tell them whoever brings Lily Carter to our classes will receive a $200,000 reward!"

Allison responded, "I'll get on it."

Lily Carter was wealthy; $200,000 might mean nothing to her, but her friends couldn't necessarily resist such temptation. Raniere had successful cases in the past, like the billionaire sisters Claire Brownfeld and Sasha Brownfeld, who he initially lured to Nike Sam's courses using this method.

Raniere then asked, "What about that Russian woman?"

Allison said, "Catherine reported that everything is proceeding according to plan."